The Mid-Norfolk Railway is planning a full programme of events for 2022. The events will include a Steam and Diesel Gala together with other special event weekends.
The 2022 operating season will open on 6th March and as in previous years will feature a mixture of running days. New for 2022 will be specific Diesel locomotive running days, these will join the schedules as the orange timetable.
Diesel services will feature either the Maroon-liveried vacuum-braked Mark 1 and Mark 2 coaches or the former Greater Anglia Mark 3 coaches depending on the traction that is hauling the train. On multiple train days the timetable will be a mixture of steam and diesel trains together with diesel multiple unit services.
The first steam running day will be 27th March and the first special event will be an Easter-themed event. From 9th May, for at least two weeks the railway is planning to close to carry out a major engineering project.
In June, the railway will be holding a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event, running dates to be confirmed nearer the date. 26th June will also see the regular annual opening of Hardingham station as part of Hardingham Fête. This annual event is rare opportunity for the public to be able to use the station as the station grounds and buildings are in private ownership and this event is at the owner’s invitation.
The railway is planning to hold a Steam Gala over 1st to 3rd July visiting steam engines will be announced in due course. On 6th and 7th August, the annual 1940s Railway at War weekend will be held once again with re-enactors setting up displays all along the line and visitors are encouraged to enter into the spirit of the event by dressing accordingly.
The Diesel Gala will be one of the highlights of the coming year and will be run from 23rd to 25th September. The Diesel Gala will feature visiting mainline and heritage diesels to supplement the MNR home fleet.
The railway is planning for the first time to be open for the Norfolk school’s autumn half-term break from 24th to 28th October and the year will end with the return of the ever popular Polar Express, that will run during November and December leading up to the Christmas.
Throughout the 2022 running season, the railway will once again be running the popular ‘Breckland Fryer’ fish and chip trains in the evening and ‘Heart of Norfolk’ afternoon tea trains on selected running days.
The railway will continue to run the ‘Kids Go Free’ group tickets that was successfully introduced in 2021. These tickets will be available for all standard running days but do not include special events or special trains.
The MNR shop at Dereham station has had a refresh with new lines of merchandise and clothing that feature the railway’s new ‘Heart of Norfolk’ logo.
Further details of events and timetables will appear on the railway’s website in due course at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk