At Sheringham I admired the relatively recently constructed/reconnected rails over the main road to the North Norfolk Railway.
I had though this would be a boring operation. How wrong I was.
I bought an Edmondson (!) ticket (Day Rover) and got talking to Barry, who turned out to be a guard that day but was also the town's Church of England Vicar. When I informed him I was a practising Catholic he laughed. He was excellent value: committed to volunteering, which he'd done for a decade, and knew a lot. He said they'd had some American visitors 'the other day'.
A 'sdhoutout' to use trendy lexicon is due to heaps of volunteers on preserved railways who I observed during my sojourn. Many were friendly, or dedicated, or both. Hats off to the many men and smaller number of women keeping your great preserved railway scene going. (That the UK is now 'in recession' won't help, but hey, some wartime type resolve may eventually see you all through a dark period).
What I hadn't realised is that on this delightful preserved railway, the majority of passengers originate at the other end (Holt station) as (free?) car parking can be difficult in the holiday town of Sheringham. I would have liked to explore this town but my hectic schedule did not allow.
It was terrific to be hauled by Great Eastern Railway's 564. Cars included a 1937-built LNER buffet, E9128.
We departed at 1003 hours. Loco 53809 was also in steam for a later charter.
Holt arrival was at 1028. I watched the impressive model railway adjacent to the station and enjoyed a quick look at the museum. The souvenir shop/tea room was patronised. It needs the funds!
To use the 'second set' (DRC E51228-E56062), I deliberately advised the guard I'd be alighting at Kelling Heath Halt, so after departure of the steam at 1045 I did that at 1053. At 1102 hours, the railcar appeared to pick me up for the short run back to Holt, with arrival at 1108. It was impractical to change over at Weybourne as there was a footbridge and despite the need (presumably) to exchange tokens via the box, the down apparently often departs very promptly after the up pulls in. The 'halt' thus came in handy to make my day efficient.
At Weybourne we crosed 564 on another down, and upon arrival at Sheringham at 1149, two early, 53809 with its four car special was in the less used, and canopy-less, platform 2. The railway wants to install a canopy but hasn't raised the funds required so I was told.