Severn Valley Railway

I’ve just discovered an excuse to go to Worcestershire on my next UK visit, thanks Geoff.

North Norfolk Heritage Railway, Sheringham

 Sheringham, on the Norfolk coast is the home to the delightful North Norfolk Heritage Railway, and I took the opportunity to ride on it during my second day in Sheringham.

It is situated next to the train station, in the centre of town. I bought a day rover ticket for £26 and I got on the first diesel train of the day to the furthest stop, Holt. The carriage was divided into the cabins with two rows of seats facing each other and it wasn’t long before we arrived at Holt. This station has several buildings and a former residence made from two former train carriages joined together. My first call was the building containing the model railway, not a model train man myself but I can appreciate the work that went into it.  There was a preserved working ticket office, a number of preserved carriages and engines, cranes and an old truck on display.  I was most interested in the former residence made from train carriages as it was a great example of re-use and recycling, the residence backed on a garden which had a wash room and an world war two Anderson shelter on display. I’ve only ever previously seen an Anderson shelter once, that was at the Imperial War Museum, London.  The residence had a lovely couple outside to explain the history of it.  After a relaxing tea at the tea shop, it was back on the same diesel train to Weybourne.

Weybourne is the first station coming out of Sheringham, There was slightly less to see here than at Holt, although I was able to peak inside the restored working signal box, attended by two volunteers. There were a number restored engines and carriages parked in the sidings but none allowed entry inside.  I later found out that Weybourne station was the location of a few television programmes including Dad’s Army, Allo Allo and Hi-Di-Hi.  This was all explained in a display at the waiting shelter.  This part of the line was double tracked so the footbridge was still intact.  Before long I took the steam train back to Sheringham.  I can’t get enough of steam.

Sheringham station had a restored ticket office, a gift shop next store and large cafe in what would have been the parcels and left luggage room.  I bought a little souvenir before heading out. This is well worth visiting if you are in the Norfolk area and I thank the volunteers involved.

Sheringham station

Model railway at Holt station

The residence

Residence washroom Anderson shelter

Signal box as Weybourne

Sheringham station tea room

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

After Epping Ongar, I was still up for more heritage railway and this time it was the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway(KWVR) in Keighley, West Yorkshire.  Keighley Station itself is part of the national rail network and heritage trains depart and arrive from a dedicated platform 4. Here I bought a day rover ticket for £25 which covers all the stations and displays on the route.

It was a cool, overcast and sometimes showery day on my visit but it didn't dampen my mood. The heritage railway consists of Keighley, Ingrow West, Damems, Oakworth, Haworth and Oxenhope in that order.  My first train of the day was a diesel pacer in the Metro livery, this brought back memories of student days at Leeds. Since I was too early for the carriage works at Ingrow West, I alighted at Damems first. Damems is the smallest station on the line and reputed to be the smallest in the UK on standard gauge.

Two volunteers staffed Damens, which had an operational signal box. Before long a steam train arrived to take to Ingrow West.  I cannot get enough of steam trains. The train had a buffet car which I did business with later on.

After a few minutes we arrived at Ingrow West, this had a former carriage works which now houses renovated engines and carriages for display.  Elevated walkways allow visitors to see the interiors of carriages close up and allow visitors to enter some.  Each engine and carriage had a text box telling us about its history.  

Next I took the same steam train to Oxenhope, this time I bought my lunch from the buffet car and finished it before reaching my destination.  There was not anything of note to see at Oxenhope so I took the return train to my next destination, Haworth. 

Haworth is famous for the Bronte sisters, therefore it merits a future visit. I had a cup of tea at the cafe opposite whilst waiting for my next train to Oakworth.  Looking around, Haworth is a very beautiful village. 

Back on same steam train to Oakworth, the location of the film "The railway children" which starred Jenny Agutter and Bernard Cribbins.  The ticket office and waiting rooms were certainly well preserved. And there was a set of gates to shut down the rail line for the pedestrians to cross. Almost a reverse level crossing.  Before long my final train of the day arrived to take me back to Keighley, fittingly it was the same pacer that happened to be my first train earlier. 

I had another thoroughly enjoyable train day and there's more to come.

Epping Ongar Railway

Last Sunday, I went to the Epping Ongar Railway in North East London/Essex.  I've been meaning to come for several years and I'm old enough to remember it as part of the Central Line of the London Undergrou until 1994.

To get there, I took the 339 heritage bus from outside Shenfield station, it is possible to buy a combined bus and museum ticket for £19, which I did. Yup, I'm old enough yo have previously travelled these old London trolley buses with a conductor and you hop on and off at the back.

On arrival at Ongar Station, I was treated to the sight of an old station which made me feel I was transported back to 1950s rural England rather than something that was once part of the Tube.

On entry facing the well preserved ticket office was the old waiting room displaying photographs of the station's glory days. The heritage line is totally run by volunteers and I appreciate their efforts and passion in keeping this operating. 

Next I boarded a diesel powered train to take us all to North Weald.  I do remember sitting on such carriages back in the day. Especially when I travelled from London Euston to Leighton Buzzard on the stopping service.  At North Weald, there were a few engines on display and an old cross country carriage which I remember when travelling to Manchester during my youth.  I peeped inside the still operational signal box, complete with the levers.  Other things to note at North Weald were a red heritage London trolley bus and a 1946 London Underground map.

The return train to Ongar went to Epping first and it doubled back via North Weald again.  Then I took the same green heritage London trolley bus again back to Shenfield station. 

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out.