This 1 foot 3 inch narrow gauge railway runs on the old trackbed of a former standard gauge line from Aylsham to Wroxham in Norfolk.
The new line dating from 1990 has excellent connections with the rest of the world with bus stops linking to both Norwich and the Norfolk coast outside the station at Aylsham together with buses and a side by side connection with the national rail network at Wroxham.
Upon arrival at Aylsham, we were greeted by the sight of No 9 named ‘Mark Timothy’ painted in this glorious red shade being prepared to haul our train South.
This 2-6-2T loco was built in 1999 by Winson Engineering being subsequently rebuilt in 2003 by Alan Keef Ltd.
Also in steam was No.8 named ‘John of Gaunt’. Painted in lined out BR black. This 2-6-2T loco was built in the BVR workshops in 1996/7.
Designed to resemble a ‘Vale of Rheidol’ machine, it was originally built as an oil burner being converted to coal burning in 2008.
Not in service on the day but sitting in a shed was No.1 named ‘Wroxham Broad’.
Originally built as a 2-6-2T diesel powered loco in 1964. It was converted to coal firing and rebuilt as a 2-6-4T in 1992.
I captured these 2 images when it was on loan to the ‘Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway’ in Cumbria in 2013.
Arriving later in the day at Aylsham was No. 7 named ‘Spitfire’, A 2-6-2 tender loco built to resemble Indian Railways ZB class. The loco is painted in ‘Great Western Railway’ green.
Built by Winson Engineering in 1994, it was partially rebuilt in 2004.
Also present was No. 3 named ‘2nd Air Division USAAF’.
Named as a tribute to the American service personnel of whom 6,700 died whilst serving on Norfolk bases during the Second World War.
This diesel hydraulic loco sees year round service. Built for the BVR in 1988 by John Edwards of Great Yarmouth.
The train shed at Aylsham showing the two arrival roads with the centre loco escape road which is also used to store some of the lines coaches.
The overall roof is welcome on inclement days.
There are 19 bogie coaches on the line, each seating 20 passengers in 5 bays.
Here we can see one of them being positioned by the 0-4-0 Hudson-Hunslet diesel shunter which started life as a 2 foot gauge loco. Now re gauged it serves as Aylsham station pilot.
This ‘Special Saloon’ has double doors for easy access by wheelchairs.
No.81 is a 4 wheel Passenger Brake Van.
While No. 2623 is a generator van which is used for train heating in winter and to provide power for maintenance crews.
These two coaches which originated on the Fairborn Railway seem to be painted for ‘Thomas’ the Tank Engine’ operations. Although they are only of four bays in length, they are fitted with standard BVR brake and couplings.
The BVR is fortunate in that it has turntables at each end of its 9 miles run so enabling all loco’s to operate boiler first.
Substantial coal supplies are maintained at Aylsham with the loco’s being coaled by buckets in hands !
‘Mark Timothy’ having been turned at Wroxham takes on water.
The cab controls of ‘John of Gaunt’.
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