Greater Anglia plans to store rolling stock on Mid Norfolk Railway

[Steptoe]

BR sold off much of the goods yard and siding space at Norwich Thorpe in the 80's and 90's including the then traction depot, replacing this with the rail-locked Crown Point depot. (This has very limited road access)

This has benefited the MNR considerably ever since in that any TOC stock which has needed to be transported in or out by road has had to come to Dereham yard over our metals to be loaded.

However the feather in the cap was publicly revealed yesterday (though negotiations have obviously been ongoing for some time)

At the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust's Annual General Meeting today, it was announced that the railway has entered into a 3-year contract to store rolling stock for local train operating company Abellio Greater Anglia.
This will involve some exciting infrastructure changes to the railway over the coming months - most of the work will be carried out by contractor Sonic Rail Services in order to deliver the required rolling stock storage capacity on time. We are not expecting the work to cause any disruption to our advertised services or planned events.
The work will include:
Reinstating the double track between Hardingham and Kimberley Park Stations, removed by BR in the 1960s.
Installing four sidings on our land north of Kimberley Park.
Providing a connection into the yard at Hardingham.

https://www.facebook.com/midnorfolkrailway/posts/2232031366823620

 

[gazthomas]

Nice to see the plan for double track

 

[NSEFAN]

Is this for stabling of stock, or longer term storage? Presumably the contract includes staff provision for access when required?

 

[Steptoe]

Is this for stabling of stock, or longer term storage? Presumably the contract includes staff provision for access when required?

It is to store new stock pending acceptance/trialling and then the replaced stock pending disposal, hence the contract is for a fixed term of three years to cover this changeover period for GA.

The pressing issue is not so much putting down the new track but of installing some sort of signalling arrangements to facilitate the movement of stock in and off the line in conjunction with our normal services (the proposed double track section is in the middle of our running line) as the stock will be moved by GA staff

 

[eastdyke]

It is to store new stock pending acceptance/trialling and then the replaced stock pending disposal, hence the contract is for a fixed term of three years to cover this changeover period for GA.

The pressing issue is not so much putting down the new track but of installing some sort of signalling arrangements to facilitate the movement of stock in and off the line in conjunction with our normal services (the proposed double track section is in the middle of our running line) as the stock will be moved by GA staff

Interesting and potentially very good outcomes for all parties.
Who has the responsibility for securing the planning permission?
Not just the signalling, who will risk assess and control the level crossings adjacent to Wymondham Abbey and Kimberley Park stations, as well as consideration of the 5(?) UWC's on the affected section of line, in connection with stock moves?

[Edited to add reference to further level crossings]

 

[AM9]

It's regrettable that this is a consideration but what protection can MNR offer for the stored stock from graffiti vandals etc.?

 

[Steptoe]

It's regrettable that this is a consideration but what protection can MNR offer for the stored stock from graffiti vandals etc.?

Sadly and unsurprisingly this was one of the common queries on the facebook page and I can only repeat the reply made over there which was that GA will provide their own security if this is required.

How far are these cherubs prepared to walk to reach their targets?

 

[Steptoe]

Interesting and potentially very good outcomes for all parties.
Who has the responsibility for securing the planning permission?
Not just the signalling, who will risk assess and control the level crossings adjacent to Wymondham Abbey and Kimberley Park stations, as well as consideration of the 5(?) UWC's on the affected section of line, in connection with stock moves?

[Edited to add reference to further level crossings]

Re. planning permission, my understanding is that an operational railway is permitted to install infrastructure required for the purposes of operating the railway under the terms of the original TWO.

With regard to the level crossings you mention, these are currently worked manually under line of sight rules (i.e. trains must be prepared to halt at the stop boards) and can be operated by the train crew or a designated crossing keeper. It is a long term aim to automate Kimberley Park but that is not linked to this project.

As I mentioned the issue will be to ensure only one train is approaching the crossings!

 

[eastdyke]

Re. planning permission, my understanding is that an operational railway is permitted to install infrastructure required for the purposes of operating the railway under the terms of the original TWO.
With regard to the level crossings you mention, these are currently worked manually under line of sight rules (i.e. trains must be prepared to halt at the stop boards) and can be operated by the train crew or a designated crossing keeper. It is a long term aim to automate Kimberley Park but that is not linked to this project.
As I mentioned the issue will be to ensure only one train is approaching the crossings!

Thanks.
The enabling Act(s) for construction of the railway appear(s) to be the Norwich and Brandon Railway Act 1845 and the Norfolk Railway Extensions, Dereham, Wells and Blakeney Branch Act 1846. The rights (and obligations) were transferred to Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust by The Mid-Norfolk Railway Order 1997:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/2262/contents/made

Under Town and Country Planning legislation, permitted rights allow for 'Development by railway undertakers on their operational land, required in connection with the movement of traffic by rail'.
Land under ownership but which has not hitherto been used as operational land may give rise to questions as to qualification for permitted development?
Operation of the level crossings is understood, risk assessments for any planned increased use of those level crossings is another matter.
But perhaps you regard the foregoing as tiresomely trivial?

 

[MAV39]

Re post #9,

Are you touting for business or simply opposed to what appears to be a project beneficial to both parties?

 

[Steptoe]

Operation of the level crossings is understood, risk assessments for any planned increased use of those level crossings is another matter.
But perhaps you regard the foregoing as tiresomely trivial?

Thanks for the links regarding the TWO pertaining to the MNR.

The anonymity of forums means that I have no idea if you are a railway professional or indeed involved in the MNR; however a considerable proportion of our Trust Council members and volunteers are either retired rail staff or currently employed in the TOC sector; indeed this is why we were able to secure this contract.

Rest assured all i's will be dotted and t's will be crossed.

 

[Steptoe]

An EDP link for forum members who won't or don't have facebook.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/mid-norfolk-railway-deal-store-greater-anglia-trains-1-5586057

The Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR), East Anglia’s longest heritage line, has been awarded a four year deal to store Greater Anglia’s new fleet of Stadler Flirt trains when they arrive in the UK this year.

The contract was awarded at the end of June and has been called a “fantastic boost” to the line.

The money will go on improving the infrastructure and storage facilities and building additional sidings to store the new trains in.

Part of the 11 mile MNR line between Wymondham and Dereham will be double tracked.

Rail infrastructure company Sonic Rail Services have been employed to carry out the work of designing, planning and installing the new infrastructure, including the miles of siding space needed to accommodate the new trains.

Works on the tracks will begin in the next two weeks and on the sidings in November.

The project is expected to be completed by March 2019.

George Saville, MNR general manager, said: “This is fantastic for the railway providing us with a major boost...

The line is run by the registered charity, the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust.

 

[eastdyke]

Thanks for the links regarding the TWO pertaining to the MNR.
The anonymity of forums means that I have no idea if you are a railway professional or indeed involved in the MNR; however a considerable proportion of our Trust Council members and volunteers are either retired rail staff or currently employed in the TOC sector; indeed this is why we were able to secure this contract.
Rest assured all i's will be dotted and t's will be crossed.

Thanks! No on both counts.
I remain more than a little sceptical that the works can all be achieved within the GPDO framework.
As to level crossings, there seem to be many people within the industry even now who are surprised when running more trains over existing infrastructure gives rise to assessment of measures to mitigate risk. Sometimes therefore that will come with 'unexpected' costs.
Nonetheless I wish you well and hope that the project runs to expectations and to the benefit of all parties. GA certainly need the space and rather soon!

 

[reddragon]

We are in a society that when you ask, they will say yes you have to get permission, but if you do not get permission and go ahead, they accept that you had the right to do it all along.

As Network Rail have discovered, they have GPDO but if they apply for planning it gets rejected!

GWEP goes ahead under GPDO but Councils object to o/h lines
East West rail asks for approval to double track (allowed under GPDO) council rejects application!

 

[43096]

Thanks! No on both counts.
I remain more than a little sceptical that the works can all be achieved within the GPDO framework.

GPDO?

 

[reddragon]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Permitted_Development_Order

 

[reddragon]

Under the Railway enabling acts, railways can build whatever they like to operate the railway, from tracks to operational buildings, signals, masts, footbridges, OLE etc but not commercial elements of stations, offices (unless operational staff). Large station offices, such as Baker Street or Waterloo are exempt from many rules as they are 'stations'

 

[Steptoe]

The press release from the other party involved; interesting as it quotes the value of the deal though whether this entire sum is destined to end up in MNR coffers I've no idea; one can always hope though

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/abo...s-mid-norfolk-railway-new-trains-introduction

Greater Anglia has partnered with the Mid-Norfolk Railway in a major project to help the smooth introduction of its new train fleet.

The £3 million deal will enable to the train operator to store some of its new trains during the testing and commissioning phase before their launch into public service. The mutually beneficial partnership will also help the Mid-Norfolk Railway to develop and expand.

Greater Anglia needs extra stabling facilities during the periods in 2019/20 when it is both operating its existing fleet and receiving deliveries of its new train fleet for commissioning and training purposes.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway, with its connection to the mainline rail network at Wymondham, is conveniently located only a few miles from Greater Anglia’s Norwich Crown Point Depot, which will be the base for the new Stadler train fleet of intercity, regional bi-mode and Stansted Express trains.

The project will involve the provision of extra track capacity on the Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) which will initially be used to store some of the new Stadler trains, but will then leave the MNR with the benefit of the additional infrastructure once the new trains are launched into service.

Mike Kean, Franchising and Programmes Director for Greater Anglia said: “We’re pleased to be able to partner with the Mid-Norfolk Railway on this project as part of the programme to introduce our new train fleet.

“It’s an ideal option. Not only is the location convenient for our Crown Point Depot in Norwich, where the new Stadler trains will be based, but it’s great to be able to work with a local heritage railway in our region and deliver a scheme which will result in a legacy benefit of additional facilities for the MNR and the local community.”

George Saville, General Manager of the Mid Norfolk Railway, said: “We would like to thank Greater Anglia and Abellio for giving us this fantastic opportunity to develop the railway, and help reach its potential both now and in the future.”

Greater Anglia will be bringing 58 Stadler trains into service – 38 regional bi-mode trains, 10 intercity trains and 10 Stansted Express trains – as part of a £1.4 billion investment in replacing its entire fleet of trains during 2019/20.

It’s Norwich Crown Point depot is currently undergoing a major upgrade to prepare it for the arrival of the new trains, as the maintenance facility will be the home for the new Stadler fleet.

 

[Steptoe]

Work is progressing steadily and the MNR facebook page is regularly updated however a milestone reached yesterday may be of general interest.

The 10.30 departure was able to stop in the up platform at Hardingham Station almost 50 years to the day since the last time this happened (when the line was singled it was slewed into the down platform)

A turnout was installed north of the platform to start the second line and the slew was reversed. My photo shows this turnout and platform.

(Please note that Hardingham Station and the yard are privately owned and there is no public access so that the work can only be viewed from the train)

 

[AndyB28]

Apologies but I'm not familiar with that part of the world. Where exactly are the new sidings going to be? Looking on Google Earth, there are facilities just south of Hardingham Station that have a 'railway' look about them. Is that the location or that is that part of the private yard that Steptoe mentioned? Many thanks.

 

[Steptoe]

Where exactly are the new sidings going to be? Looking on Google Earth, there are facilities just south of Hardingham Station that have a 'railway' look about them. Is that the location or that is that part of the private yard that Steptoe mentioned? Many thanks.

The stabling sidings will be laid in the old ballast pit on the upside about half a mile north of Kimberly Park station. This is not accessible by road but a video has just been posted showing the clearance work that has taken place.

The old goods yard at Hardingham station that you mentioned is split into two sites both of which are privately owned. The sidings laid there are not currently connected to either of the running lines.

 

[AndyB28]

Got it! Thank you Steptoe. The Google Earth image is dated about 12 months ago but, looking a bit harder, stacked rail is visible. Wouldn't have spotted the site without your help though.

 

[philthetube]

Totally off topic but did anyone else notice the user worked crossing at around 40 seconds with visibility for users obstructed by the cable drum.

 

[AndyB28]

Does anyone have any news about progress with this? Many thanks.

 

[Steptoe]

If you are a Facebook user Bryan Toovey's photo's of the work give an excellent pictorial account of progress (I find it easier to view these than walk up to site especially in view of the other thread regarding safety at work sites!)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FofMNR/

A quick summary is that the new down line on Danemoor Bank is now laid in it's entirety and is connected to the existing line via a point at approximately the position where this used to slew from the down to the up formation. The original line on the up formation is now a loop and work is ongoing to signal it as such.

The construction of the sidings fan is still in progress as the required ballast has to be tripped from Dereham yard via freight trains!

Thanks for your interest, as I have a job at Kimberley today and as Sonic Rail are not likely to be working on site, will attempt to get a photo or two 'from the ground'.

 

[AndyB28]

Thank you for the update. Great to see a preserved line making such good use of a connection to the main network.

 

[Malcmal]

A quick look at the Friends of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Facebook page revealed some nice photos / video of the first two Greater Anglia brand-new FLIRT bi-mode units arriving in the sidings.


For more pictures and info see:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FofMNR/

I guess a mainline connection is good for some preserved railways

 

[E759]

Does this mean the MNR own stock has now been removed from the fan sidings? I noticed quite a few vehicles there during the excellent Diesel Gala!

 

[Steptoe]

This rather nice photo is already in the public domain as the header for the Friends of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Facebook group. The other vehicles in the sidings are presently being used by the contractors.

 

[Cowley]

This rather nice photo is already in the public domain as the header for the Friends of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Facebook group. The other vehicles in the sidings are presently being used by the contractors.View attachment 64110

Great photo.