The Mid Norfolk Railway has announced that the railways diesel weekend is planned to feature a number of firsts for the railway.
The weekend will see diesel hauled trains only over the 25 and 26 September, will subject to availability feature the debut of the newly resident privately owned Class 14, working the maroon liveried Mk1 and 2 coaches for the first time.
The second first for the railway will see the Stratford 47 Group’s newly returned 47580 County of Essex and freshly repainted and refurbished D1933 Aldeburgh Festival hauling the new ex GA Mk3 coaches in public service for the first time.
The third of the Stratford 47 groups engines 47367, and privately owned 33202 will also be taking their turns on the Maroon MK1 and 2 sets.
Finally a pacer set will also be running as part of the programme.
A two train service is currently planned with trains passing at Thuxton Station for the first time in nearly two years following both the Covid -19 pubic running closure and the recent relaying of part of the down loop.
Tickets for the weekend will be priced at £ 18 per adult will be daily Rover tickets allowing multiple journeys. The Railway’s ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion will be available for the weekend. Full details can be found on the railway's website, where tickets will be available to purchase (in the next couple of days) as well as Dereham and Wymondham Abbey stations on the day.
Trains will operate to the Railway’s Purple Timetable, together with a Pacer departing from Wymondham Abbey station at 0920 on the Saturday.
Commenting on the diesel weekend George Saville, the Mid Norfolk Railway General Manager said: “This event is going to be an important weekend for the railway as it marks the full reopening of the railway following the Covid-19 lockdown.
The staff and volunteers at the railway are looking forward to sharing what is new at the railway with the weekend’s visitors and we are all sure they will see the difference.”