Mid Norfolk Railway- Wymondham Abbey Station

[Prairie_5542]

I went on the Mid Norfolk Railway on Wednesday. What an enjoyable trip it was. I can't wait for it to be extended Northwards towards County School and North Elmham (and even beyond if possible!?).

The only thing I could see fault with was the location of Wymondham Abbey platform. The run round loop is on the other side of the crossing to the platform. Wouldn't it have made more sence to build the paltform next to the run round loop. The current situaton is the train has to stop at the platform, then cross the crossing, stop again in the loop to run round, back across the crossing, then stop AGAIN in the platform. That's three times! If the platform was built next to the loop it would only have to stop ONCE!!

There is plenty of room! Anyone know why this is so? It wouldn't be that difficult to move the platform.

 

[WestCountry]

If I remember correctly, the platform is built on the formation of the old Down Line - the strip of land available to the railway is enough for either a platform and a track or two tracks, but not a platform and two tracks.

Although it would presumably be possible to buy more land and move the platform, the medium-term plan is to build a new terminus station closer to the NR one, making the problem irrelevant anyay.

Disclaimer: I'm a frequent visitor to the MNR, but not (yet, anyway) a volunteer. There are probably people more qualified to answer this question.

 

[Prairie_5542]

If I remember correctly, the platform is built on the formation of the old Down Line - the strip of land available to the railway is enough for either a platform and a track or two tracks, but not a platform and two tracks.

Although it would presumably be possible to buy more land and move the platform, the medium-term plan is to build a new terminus station closer to the NR one, making the problem irrelevant anyay.

Disclaimer: I'm a frequent visitor to the MNR, but not (yet, anyway) a volunteer. There are probably people more qualified to answer this question.

Where would this be built? On the curve just as the mainline connection comes into Wymondham?

Where I thought they could build a platform, a house has been built on the site (Signal Cottage).

Perhaps they would build the platform with access from Cemetery Lane?

From the station we only saw one sign pointing towards Abbey station. Then there were no further signs. Finding the route to the Abbey station was by trial and error- 1. following the route of the tracks and 2. using the Abbey as a point of which to follow. The route is through a housing estate (on the site of the Brush works). A local Postman was helpful in pointing us in the right direction.

The brown 'tourist' signs of a steam loco would be very useful to those that haven't been to the area before to find the railway without having to guess which way to go. Can these be considered?

 

[paul1609]

Where would this be built? On the curve just as the mainline connection comes into Wymondham?

Where I thought they could build a platform, a house has been built on the site (Signal Cottage).

Perhaps they would build the platform with access from Cemetery Lane?

From the station we only saw one sign pointing towards Abbey station. Then there were no further signs. Finding the route to the Abbey station was by trial and error- 1. following the route of the tracks and 2. using the Abbey as a point of which to follow. The route is through a housing estate (on the site of the Brush works). A local Postman was helpful in pointing us in the right direction.

The brown 'tourist' signs of a steam loco would be very useful to those that haven't been to the area before to find the railway without having to guess which way to go. Can these be considered?

I'm not really all that familiar with Wymondham I've only visited the MNR once but if its a conservation area its very difficult to get those signs put up. Some railways also seem to get them for free whilst other railways pay through the nose.

 

[Prairie_5542]

I'm not really all that familiar with Wymondham I've only visited the MNR once but if its a conservation area its very difficult to get those signs put up. Some railways also seem to get them for free whilst other railways pay through the nose.

I'm not sure Paul1609. That was the first time I have been there. I am hoping to return once the extension to County School and beyond is complete. Apparently they only need to fill in a gap of around 1/2 a mile of track?

 

[John Webb]

As Westcountry says, the railway doesn't own enough land to put the run-round loop next to the platform. But it gives you the chance to record the train starting off more times than if the loop was next to the platform!

Re the brown signs: my guess is that there may be problems getting them erected. These could be because the local authority won't give permission, or possibly due to the very limited parking available at this station the railway or local authority don't want to encourage visitors starting from the Abbey station! We've been trying to get one 'brown sign' in St Albans for the St Albans South box for several years without success so far.

The walking route to the Abbey station from Wymondham station is described on the MNR website: http://www.mnr.org.uk/visit/wymondham/.

Re the Northern Extension - the track ends a bit north of North Elmham and there is a couple of hundred yards running south from County School station, leaving about a mile gap. There are photos in the 'Photo Album' on the MNR's website (look under 'About the Railway) but no recent ones.

 

[Prairie_5542]

As Westcountry says, the railway doesn't own enough land to put the run-round loop next to the platform. But it gives you the chance to record the train starting off more times than if the loop was next to the platform!

Re the brown signs: my guess is that there may be problems getting them erected. These could be because the local authority won't give permission, or possibly due to the very limited parking available at this station the railway or local authority don't want to encourage visitors starting from the Abbey station! We've been trying to get one 'brown sign' in St Albans for the St Albans South box for several years without success so far.

The walking route to the Abbey station from Wymondham station is described on the MNR website: http://www.mnr.org.uk/visit/wymondham/.

Re the Northern Extension - the track ends a bit north of North Elmham and there is a couple of hundred yards running south from County School station, leaving about a mile gap. There are photos in the 'Photo Album' on the MNR's website (look under 'About the Railway) but no recent ones.

Thanks for this John Webb. I saw whilst at Dereham station that there are tracks North of Dereham, which are double track and go through two level crossings! Not sure though how far they go??

 

[John Webb]

Thanks for this John Webb. I saw whilst at Dereham station that there are tracks North of Dereham, which are double track and go through two level crossings! Not sure though how far they go??

It's single line from just north of Norwich Road at the north end of Dereham station (click on picture for the larger original):
Level Crossing over Norwich Road

© Copyright Mike Smith and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

 

[Redrover]

The Halt was constructed when the route was reopened as a heritage line to Wymondham in 1999, long before the money was available for a run-round loop, which was a later addition.

We are not allowed to have any brown tourist signs showing Wymondham Abbey Halt on the highways in the area because of the lack of parking facilities - there are none to the Abbey itself for the same reason.

There are pedestrian finger posts in the town pointing the way, and instructions and location maps are shown on the MNR website and the Wymondham mainline Station website (www.wymondham-station.com).

 

[Prairie_5542]

Would it make more sense to move the halt now to the run round loop? If you look on google maps ther IS room to put the halt next to the run round loop!

 

[paul1609]

The Halt was constructed when the route was reopened as a heritage line to Wymondham in 1999, long before the money was available for a run-round loop, which was a later addition.

We are not allowed to have any brown tourist signs showing Wymondham Abbey Halt on the highways in the area because of the lack of parking facilities - there are none to the Abbey itself for the same reason.

There are pedestrian finger posts in the town pointing the way, and instructions and location maps are shown on the MNR website and the Wymondham mainline Station website (www.wymondham-station.com).

I had a trip up today my first in almost 10 years, heading out from Wymondham Station there was a sign right outside the station pointing to the MNR 0.8 miles, after this the signs only show town centre and abbey but as the MNR station is Wymondham Abbey that seemed straightforward enough.
From the town centre the signs also started pointing out MNR with the steam engine loco and I thought that Id be posting on here that you must be a retard if you can't follow the signs but just then I got lost!
The problem was a finger post that pointed slightly left at a RSPCA shop. I took this to mean turn left but in fact it means go behind said shop and then turn left you then come to the abbey and can see the level crossing at the bottom of the hill.
Returning back to the NR station a different route is signposted through a meadow alongside a stream.
The passing loop mentioned by the OP is just accross the road from the existing station I dont think relocating the station there would make much difference to the walk from the NR station.

 

[Prairie_5542]

I had a trip up today my first in almost 10 years, heading out from Wymondham Station there was a sign right outside the station pointing to the MNR 0.8 miles, after this the signs only show town centre and abbey but as the MNR station is Wymondham Abbey that seemed straightforward enough.
From the town centre the signs also started pointing out MNR with the steam engine loco and I thought that Id be posting on here that you must be a retard if you can't follow the signs but just then I got lost!
The problem was a finger post that pointed slightly left at a RSPCA shop. I took this to mean turn left but in fact it means go behind said shop and then turn left you then come to the abbey and can see the level crossing at the bottom of the hill.
Returning back to the NR station a different route is signposted through a meadow alongside a stream.
The passing loop mentioned by the OP is just accross the road from the existing station I dont think relocating the station there would make much difference to the walk from the NR station.

it would be better for operational purposes. If you go up the road past the cemetery, to the main road, cross it into the housing estate, Abbey is in front of you. Follow the road round until you come to an alleyway into a grassed and wooded area, turn left, walk along the path next to the stream, railway line is visible on the left, with the abbey on he right.

 

[paul1609]

it would be better for operational purposes. If you go up the road past the cemetery, to the main road, cross it into the housing estate, Abbey is in front of you. Follow the road round until you come to an alleyway into a grassed and wooded area, turn left, walk along the path next to the stream, railway line is visible on the left, with the abbey on he right.

Unfortunately this is the opposite direction to the sign post which when you come out of the NR station indicates you should turn right through the Industrial Estate to the Town Centre.
i get the impression that this railway is a bit like the Wensleydale where its a good day out but they are struggling to find the staff to keep it going.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Would it make more sense to move the halt now to the run round loop? If you look on google maps ther IS room to put the halt next to the run round loop!

What costing figure would be required to make this halt relocation happen ?

Was an updated platform safety surface covering installed on the existing platform there in quite recent times ?

 

[Prairie_5542]

Unfortunately this is the opposite direction to the sign post which when you come out of the NR station indicates you should turn right through the Industrial Estate to the Town Centre.
i get the impression that this railway is a bit like the Wensleydale where its a good day out but they are struggling to find the staff to keep it going.

When I went not that long ago there was enough staff there. When I came out the station, the sign pointed to go left.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

What costing figure would be required to make this halt relocation happen ?

Was an updated platform safety surface covering installed on the existing platform there in quite recent times ?

The platform was resurfaced recently. Volunteers could be used to move the halt 'parts'.

 

[paul1609]

When I went not that long ago there was enough staff there. When I came out the station, the sign pointed to go left.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


The platform was resurfaced recently. Volunteers could be used to move the halt 'parts'.

I think the sign must have been changed then its not a fingerpost type sign that could be rotated.
How often do the MNR actually operate loco hauled trains? When I was there last it was a DMU.
Whilst i agree there is a slight operational gain for the platform to be alongside the run round loop with a loco hauled train it is actually less convient to have to operate an additional level crossing with the MU days.
The existing platform is only about 4 coaches long.

 

[Prairie_5542]

I think the sign must have been changed then its not a fingerpost type sign that could be rotated.
How often do the MNR actually operate loco hauled trains? When I was there last it was a DMU.
Whilst i agree there is a slight operational gain for the platform to be alongside the run round loop with a loco hauled train it is actually less convient to have to operate an additional level crossing with the MU days.
The existing platform is only about 4 coaches long.

Paul, it's all shown on their website which services they operate when etc.