Over the years, the Mid-Norfolk Railway has had some pretty big projects, built with the hard work and determination of our volunteers. For more information on the past projects, click below.

Thuxton Passing Loop
The Mid-Norfolk Railway had been running at capacity for some time, and we could only develop further by increasing the frequency of the trains. After much deliberation, we decided to build a passing loop at Thuxton. The project included a siding to the south of the station, a new signal box, and the lengthening of the UP platform.

Locomotive servicing pit
When we bought the line, Dereham Station had no loco servicing facilities whatsoever. Part of our long-term plan has always been to run steam engines, and that required a pit to drop ash out of the firebox. We were also finding that we increasingly needed to access the undersides of our Diesel locos & Railcars to carry out maintenance. Our pit was built out of reinforced concrete, with bullhead rail mounted on ex-Great Western through-bolted chairs.

Wymondham Run Round Loop Construction
During Spring 2005, we began the construction of a new run-round loop at Wymondham. Prior to this, all trains had to have a loco on both ends. The Permanent Way work took five months to complete and used materials recovered from Cambridge in 1999 and Ipswich in 2004. Three new points were installed. The two at the south end are longer ones that will eventually be used by passenger trains running to our junction station. We successfully completed the work to a challenging timescale and on a difficult site. At present, the loop is to be controlled from ground frames which are unlocked as the train requires to use it, but will eventually have full signalling installed.

Restoring Dereham Station
During 2002, the Mid-Norfolk Railway was awarded grants by the European Union and the East of England Development Agency totalling over £600,000, enabling us to restore Dereham station and many of the surrounding buildings, including two crossing keepers’ cottages and a World War 2 pillbox.

Re-laying Norwich Road Level Crossing
Over the weekend of the 27th-29th September 2002, we had the opportunity to re-lay Norwich Road level crossing which had got into a bad state, causing irritation to road users. The original crossing was a hybrid with both sleepers and tarmac forming the road surface. Our crossing has been laid with tarmac throughout, and check rails to keep the road in place. This should provide a more consistent surface for cars and lorries. We also took the opportunity to install cable ducting under the road, allowing us to provide signals for the northern approaches to Dereham.

Dereham Central Signal Box
In 2001, we began a major project to rebuild Dereham Central Signal Box. We were generously donated the former Stratford Southern box, together with the levers and locking frame, and since then a great deal of work has been put in to restoring it to its former glory. Worthy of particular mention are the efforts of: Ian Nugent, whose carpentry skills are unmatched; Mike Boakes, who made a top-class job of the brick base of the new box; Derrick Plyer who coordinated the whole project, andmade sure that everything looks as authentic as possible; and many others who put in a great deal of time and effort to make the project a success.