During 2010 the club built a 5inch gauge Class 17 loco from scratch.

 

 

 

This railway is operated by the Norwich & District Society of Model Engineers. The society has been in existance since 1933. The raised club track supports both 3 1/2inch and 5inch rolling stock. There are a number of steaming bays alongside the single running line. There is a rising traverser that places/removes locos from the line.

About thirty years ago, a new ground line was introduced. This supports both 5inch & 7 1/4inch rolling stock. This new line measures approx 900 metres, most of which is in a ‘private’ field behind the tennis courts. This track has undergone some rail and sleeper replacement. The hardwood sleepers are being changed to plastic. These are supplied in 4-metre lengths and have to be cut to size and fixing holes drilled. This line has a lifting platform to allow smooth loading/unloading of private locos and rolling stock from members’ cars and trailers.

 

Their last running Sunday in 2012 raised over £1000 for the regular charity BBC’s ‘Children in Need’ We think a special visit by ‘Pudsey’ helped boost the total.

The last Sunday running in 2013 also raised just over £1000 for the charity ‘Children in Need’. Again Pudsey came to lend a hand.

The last Sunday running in 2014 raised over £1500 for ‘Children in Need’ and again Pudsey helped us set this new higher amount. Well done to all on the day.

The last running day in 2015 with help again from Pudsey raised just over £1000. It was sadly announced in 2016 that Pudsey’s biggest supporter, Sir Terry Wogan, died aged 77.

 

The major project completed during the closed winter period of 2012/2013 was to construct a tunnel near the station. The major project for the winter of 2014/5 was to re-align the track on the approach to the station. This will allow the dismount area of the platform to be as wide as the rest. Plans were created and approved to build a small signal box. It is just big enough to accommodate an operator. The whole station area has been enlarged by moving the side fence a little more into the park.

 

 

For further information about the railway in the park check out  www.ndsme.co.uk or pop along on a Sunday in the season.

If you wish to become a member and join in the fun, a completed application form and a yearly membership payment is all that is required.

During May 2013, a HD video was filmed of Andrew driving a fellow member’s steam loco. A clip from youtube.com should be found here:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzJjko0qGa8

 

In 2016, a fellow member Andy Muff filmed a couple of circuits and they can be seen here,

 

The running for Pudsey in 2013 was video’d and has appeared on YouTube, a link is available here:

 

http://www.facebook.com/l/JAQHpio8j/youtu.be/uFmJqLhUco0

 

 

One of the members has scratch built a new body for his 7 1/4inch Class 17 and it made it’s first appearance 22nd May 2011.

 

 

During the winter closed period of 2015/16, a new signal-box has been constructed from scratch. A considerable section of the ground track out in the park has being lifted and re-sleepered with plastic in place of wood. New tracks have also been added within the station area to make train shunting movements easier and quicker.