AGM and Making Tracks in Mid Norfolk
The branch held its AGM on December 12th and after the usual formalities the committee were re elected unanimously to serve another year although our chairman gave notice that he would stand down in 2023.
Our guest speaker was Paddy Anstey to relate Making Tracks through Mid Norfolk. The line ran from a junction with the Breckland Line at Wymondham thorough Dereham to terminate at Wells next the Sea. Opened in stages from 1844 it was built primarily for agricultural traffic although some light industries followed and there was also a line to Wells harbour for access to shipping links and with increased traffic the Wymondham to Dereham section was doubled from 1882.
At Dereham there was a junction with the line to Kings Lynn and also a direct cut off to avoid running round in the station. The line was heavily used during both World Wars by the military and the links to the religious shrines at Walsingham and the seaside resort at Wells were also promoted. The coastal areas were devastated by the 1953 floods leading to the link from Wells to Heacham being abandoned and Norfolk's rural railways entered a period of decline despite the introduction of DMUs and other economy measures and in 1969 the line closed to passengers although freight survived until 1989.
The section from Wymondham to Dereham was purchased by The MNR in 1995 with a DMU service starting in 1999 and the line has continued to expand with the link to Network Rail at Wymondham being used by many special trains. The line hosts Polar Express specials,media events and stored the new Stadler units for Greater Anglia prior to their commissioning with a new locomotive maintenance facility having recently opened at Dereham. Expansion plans include a link up with the preserved station at County School. A thoroughly enjoyable presentation.