The Mid-Norfolk Railway’s popular Vintage Bus Day event is returning for 2021 and will run on Sunday 1 August. The event will see in addition to the opportunity to ride on Heritage buses and trains the rare chance to visit the privately-owned Hardingham station on the MNR.
Further information about the event can be found on our website at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/vintagebusday
This year’s event will be based at Dereham railway station, where around 30 vintage and modern buses together with coaches are expected.
In addition to the static display at Dereham Station there will be free bus trips available on a variety of local routes to the Mid Norfolk Railway stations at County School, Yaxham and Hardingham, as well as Dereham's Market Place and Theatre Street/Cherry Tree Car Park for free Park & Ride journeys.
At County School, the restored station and grounds plus the popular tea room will be open for drinks and light refreshments.
The privately-owned Hardingham Station will be available to be visited courtesy of the owner, with MNR trains stopping allowing a train and bus connected journey to be made. Hardingham Station is only accessible by either bus or train.
The event is kindly sponsored by locally based Konectbus who will have some of their modern buses on display.
“As Dereham's local bus company we are delighted to once again sponsor this event that showcases our shared transport heritage and also allows us to demonstrate our modern buses to visitors at the event". David Smith Commercial Manager Go East Anglia
The Railway is currently planning to run an enhanced service of steam and diesel trains, which will include one of the railway’s recently acquired 'Pacer' railcars / diesel multiple units - which was appropriately based on the Leyland National bus design of the 1980s.
The event will start at Dereham Station at 1000. The MNR will also be running an earlier than usual train from Wymondham Abbey Station for visitors to access the event from the south.
This year’s event will be the fifth year that the Vintage Bus Day has been run and with the exception of last year’s cancelled event is a now well-established MNR event.
“We are delighted that this event is able to run this year, it marks another step forward as we recover from the difficult times that we have all experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I would also like to thank our volunteer team that have organised this years event and offer a warm welcome to our visitors who will I am sure enjoy a great day experiencing the important and oft forgotten heritage of how the rural railway network was supported by a bus network in the past.” Charlie Robinson, Chairman Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust
Further information including train timetables will be available on the railways website at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk