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Bure Valley Railway
Our second day of the holiday sees us at another railway, but this time not standard gauge, but narrow. We are at the town of Aylsham, home of the Bure Valley Miniature Railway. The railway opened official in 1990 and is run as a not for profit concern attracting thousands of visitors a year who enjoy the 18 mile round trip from its base in Aylsham to Wroxham. The railway operate both steam and diesel traction on what was once a Great Eastern Railway standard gauge route, which ceased operations under BR in 1982. The Great Eastern Railway operated the line from opening, but formally took it over in 1882. The line served Aylsham being the second largest town in North East Norfolk but revenues were still very low at 8 pounds a week in the 1880's. Only 6000 passengers a year travelled from Aylsham to Norwich or beyond, even with local traffic and special trains, typical trains only carried between 5 and 25 passengers. The maximum passenger loading was 47 on a Saturday afternoon with passengers returning from Norwich market. Compare this to today where the Bure Valley Railway carries around 120,000 passengers per year and a heavy train carrying over 200 passengers. Norfolk County council eager to preserve defunct railway tracks turned many, including this one into a walk way, which accompanies the route for all of the journey. Agreement being reached to operate the narrow gauge railway in parallel with the path. Not the most scenic 9 miles, but nevertheless different in the vista's that the route reveals, prior to our arrival at Wroxham, where the train for a short period finishes alongside the main line taking passengers from Norfolk to Cromer and Sheringham.
Pictures from the Bure Valley excursion, part of our day out. Our train receives meticulous attention prior to our departure. Jacob and Pam on board the small but comfortable carriages, and Jacob and yours truly with the same engine but this time at Wroxham before our return journey.
Whilst the railway had built 20 modern and comfortable carriages and well-built modern station facilities, it did not have the required capital or time to obtain steam locomotives to operate the railway. As a result locomotives were hired in from the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in Kent.
First picture shows a main line Class 151 approaching Wroxham station heading towards Norwich. Then our train having just arrived from Aylsham, heading for the turntable to be turned to take the train we want back to Aylsham. Another of the Bure Valley trains, on a passing point, as it heads to Wroxham and finally back at Aylsham a train stands on the engine sheds.