North Norfolk Railway
Situated in the North East tip of Norfolk the railway runs for just over 5 miles West from the seaside town Sheringham to the Georgian town of Holt, formally part of the classic Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway its now home to some classic Eastern region locos and the newly restored teak-bodied Quad Arts. These were designed by Sir Nigel Gresley for London Suburban traffic and are 85years old.
The line passes some lovely photographic locations with the jewel in the Crown being Weybourne Station which overflows with M&GN charm. Sheringham station is themed around the 1950′s so offers a different feel. The station at Holt is approx 1 mile from the town centre ( regular bus service’s operate either from the railway or directly outside the entrance) The track bed around Holt is now the by-pass road. so there’s little chance of the railway ever extending further Westwards. However permission has been granted to the railway to re-instate the level crossing @ Sheringham to allow the line to rejoin the “Bittern Line” to Cromer & beyond, greatness lie ahead for the NNR……………..
Finally the SVR's Ivatt 4 43106 made it across to the old M&GN line on the North Norfolk Railway. She was once shed at 31D South Lynn (the M&GN shed at King's Lynn).She was based there from new in April 1951 to her move to Woodford Halse in June 1956. So when Neil Caves & David Williams offered a late afternoon / night shoot at the lovely M&GN restored station at Weybourne, I just had to go.... Light levels were Ok with some nice evening sun & the re-enactors on the station at Weybourne really helped set the scene...A big thanks must to Neil & David for running the charter, and to the crew, railway staff & our re-enactors for making it a memorable day.
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A family holiday near Cromer allowed for a couple of quick visits to the Railway, so i could have a little play, Motive power was in the form of ExGWR 56xx 6619 on loan from the North York Moors, so not exactly classic M&GN but it made a nice subject. The weather was very changeable with thundstorms never far away. I had hoped to hitch a ride in the Quad Arts but they had been running the whole previous week, typical! ....May be next time. Enjoy the shots.
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