There are still rumours of a puma-like black cat wandering around Norfolk[15] and Cambridgeshire.[16]. Manning Wardle of Leeds supplied the companys first locomotives after an offer from Robert Fairlie to test his Fairlie Steam Carriage was rejected. Walk from the gracious town of Swaffham to the ancient Peddars Way. The 56-lever Tyers 4" frame controlled extensive goods facilities on both sides of the line with the crossing gates being operated by a wheel. ', 'Inspired by the BBC series, Railway Walks with Julia Bradbury, this section aims to document the surviving remnants of Britain's many disused railways (unfortunately without the assistance of Julia Bradbury). That came to fruition on 15 November 1876. It was a further six years before completion of the nine and a half-mile extension northwards to Swaffham: it is said that the extension cost 72,000 to build. The A1065 Mildenhall to Fakenham road still passes through the centre of the town on its northsouth route, intersecting with the A47 at a grade separated junction north of the town.[18]. Cross the busy road and head for the path for cyclists and walkers only. We have developed resources to help our walk leaders design and plan railway walks ranging from straightforward events over official railway paths to walks which require negotiation with landowners. There were only 70 passengers on the final stage of the journey. Civil Liability insurance should not be confused with accident insurance: it does not cover members for accidents, but for things such as any damage that our visit might cause to private property, unlikely though that is. The section of line between Stow Bedon and Wretham was intended to be used for a new road, and Stow Bedon station was demolished as part of this plan. We also have a useful Walk Template (see links below). Hi, you have 2 choices: 1. Future plans drafted for Watton and Swaffham - The Wayland News Watton station has also been demolished and the site redeveloped, although a level crossing gate survived on Church Road as late as 1983. Thirteen down trains stopped: one came from Thetford via Watton. Several distinct ticket types were issued: all were standard Edmondson size. Turn left and walk for 0.25 mile (400m) to a crossroads by Reepham town centre. . The Norfolk Wildlife Trust has therefore worked closely with Natural England and the Environment Agency to work out the best option for this plant. It was the junction for lines to King's Lynn, Dereham, and Thetford. Turn right here and head back in the direction of Swaffham. Another mere that you may like to walk around is Horsey Mere on the Horsey Windpump Circular walk.Thompson Water is a lovely spot to stop before you start on the next stretch of the walk on a wide farm track. The Pingo Trail starts in the car park off the main A1075. Under the proposal, the former Watton-Swaffham railway line would be repurposed to become a walking and cycling link. Steam-hauled passenger services ceased in 1955 when newly arrived diesel multiple units began work out of Dereham, where the steam engine shed closed at the same time. "Ice Age To Royalty" Norfolk Stately Homes walk. Bury and Thetford (Swaffham Branch) - Wikipedia Some steam turns continued on goods trains on the remaining lines to Kings Lynn and Dereham until Norwich Thorpe shed closed to steam on 2 April 1962. Swaffham Belt Path | Map, Guide - Norfolk, England | AllTrails Timetables from Alan Young . 58 - 92. North of Watton a nominally independent company, the Watton and Swaffham Railway was incorporated on 12 July 1869. (Tim Chant). I had the joy of watching a kite scanning the area and seeing the sun glistening on the water. The Pingo Trail walk is a really extraordinary and fascinating walk in Mid Norfolk, just north of Thetford in the heart of The Brecks. Beyond it the spans of the Sporle Road bridge have gone although its abutments are partially present. One of the places they met was the handsome Assembly Rooms built between 1776 and 1778. This had happened since Great Eastern Railway days, providing evidence of low numbers of passengers using the lines smaller stations. Travelling south from Swaffham there were stations at Holme Hale, Watton, Stow Bedon, Wretham& Hockham and Roudham Junction. [9] These locomotives were maintained at a shed at Watton. The Market Place and twin churches lie to the right, while the car park is just a short distance ahead along Station Road. A Brief History of the Watton and Swaffham Railway - also known as the Bury and Thetford (Swaffham Branch) Railway Practice varies from one area to another: some produce a large newsletter which covers an entire year in advance, while others issue newsletters more frequently. [12], One of the ballast quarries created during the construction of the railway through Watton was converted into a leisure park and bathing lake known as Loch Neaton. The road bends left and heads into the countryside, with the sails of a giant wind turbine turning up ahead. That on the south (up) side housed the main station buildings, the station yard and public access from the town. The quiet market towns of Fakenham and Swaffham are prime examples, as well as Thetford, with its popular museum focusing on the TV comedy seriesDads Armywhich wasfilmed in the area. When she was completing her 47th and final race, Orford became so excited that he fell off his horse and died. The tale tells of a pedlar from Swaffham who dreamed for several consecutive nights that if he waited on London Bridge he would eventually hear good news. [20] Together they generate more than three megawatts. Takes 50 minutes from Airport (Train and walk). To a passer-by on the A1065 north of the town centre there is no indication that a railway once crossed the busy main road. Stow Bedon station retains only a few buildings which may not have been connected with railway.E. Swaffham railway station was located in Swaffham, Norfolk. The Thetford branch saw a more moderate increase. Thompson Water is actually a man-made lake which was created in 1845 along a tributary of the River Wissey, and has nothing to do with the Pingos! [4], The line was closed to passengers on 15 June 1964, with a two-car diesel multiple unit (DMU) driven by driver David Grant of Dereham operating the final service. A Brief History of the Watton and Swaffham Railway - also known as the Bury and Thetford (Swaffham Branch) Railway On 16 July 1866 the Thetford and Watton Railway was incorporated to construct a new railway that would leave the Norwich & Brandon Railway line at Roudham Junction, four and a half miles east of Thetford. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. The Pingo Trail Circular Walk Length: just under 8 miles Ease of Walk: easy and flat What you'll see: Pingos, long horned cattle, woodland and common land, wetland and swamps, Thompson Water, water violets Dogs : Dogs are allowed on this walk but they must be under control, especially on Thompson Common Postcode: NR17 1DP OS Map: No 229 (advisable) Swaffham Raceway, a former greyhound track, hosts stock car racing. These two busy routes provide Swaffham with a large volume of passing trade and travellers, especially at weekends and during the summer months. Before I get on to this Great Eastern Pingo Trail walk, let me just quickly explain about Pingos because youll be walking amongst a bit of history here. [23] The centre hosted the 2008 British BASE jumping championships; contestants jumped from the roof of the observation deck. Route-of-Thetford-Watton-and-Swaffham-Railway-(later-Great - Norfolk It would cost somewhere between 3.3 and4.75m to be built and it would take between five and eight years to finish the project. I expected to see a few Pingo ponds, but nothing like as many as there were. contact the editor here. Located in the centre of historic Swaffham and originally a coaching inn in the 16th century, the hotel offers a range of bedroom styles and sizes. Many of our walk leaders research their routes in advance and bring along resources such as archive photographs, books and historical notes. . [11], The Swaffham Museum is a small, independent social history museum for Swaffham and the surrounding villages in Norfolk from the Stone Age to the modern. The Wattonwater feature is so named because it was created byScottish railway workerswho were digging earth to be used for anembankment on the line. Using photos and text, the course of each lost railway line is described in detail, enhanced where possible by photos taken during the line's heyday.'. As I came out of the first wood and faced a very open Pingo, I wondered which way I should go until I saw a sign to my right. As regards tickets issued for travel, Mr T C F Vollacott wrote a short history of the two railways. Under the proposal, the former Watton-Swaffham railway line would be repurposed to become a walking and cycling link. Streetmap, A circular walk from Turbine Way, Swaffham; heading west from Swaffham along Shouldham Lane, turning south then east from Town Farm along Shoemakers Lane towards the southern end of Swaffham, joining Dulgate Lane to head north on tracks and paths until the route of an old railway line is reached, turning west on this route and continuing on paths and roads back to the start. Near the road the large goods shed, extended to cover the route of the railway between station and level crossing, now houses a motor company. [28] Shortly after the sale, Swaffham Town Council gave BCD a parcel of land next to the centre on which BDC intends to build a leisure centre. This area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the pollen and the plant remains in the peat which is below all this wetland. In 1897 it was fully absorbed into the Great Eastern Railway and became part of the London & North Eastern Railway at grouping of the nations railways on 1 January 1923. Eight up trains left for Lynn, including that off the Thetford branch. A former Norfolk railway line could become a new walking and cycling route between two of the county's towns, according to newly-published documents. Five Down trains ran throughout, supplemented by an 8.03 am Watton departure to Swaffham (the first up train made a long stop at Watton so may have detached a unit there to form the extra train). Editors' Code of Practice. Theres a small bird watching hide overlooking Thompson Water surrounded by lots of bird feeders hanging from the trees, and its definitely worth stopping at, not least to rest your legs! Length 3.2 kmElevation gain 24 mRoute type Out & back Child Friendly Walking Running Freight services commenced in January 1869, with passenger services in October 1869. [2] References [ edit] ^ a b Butt, R. V. J. Theoretically, a group of 20 or so walkers passing over an old railway bridge might, just conceivably, weaken the structure, e.g. A former Norfolk railway line could become a new walking and cycling route between two of the county's towns, according to newly-published documents. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can The Junction box was taken out of use at this time. Like many of East Anglias railways it was agriculture that generated much of the goods traffic. Place. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, 1st Floor, Chartist Tower, Upper Dock Street, Newport, Wales, NP20 1DW Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. An express left for Lynn and Peterborough at 8.25am, non-stop to Lynn. From Watton went poultry, butter, milk and eggs, principally to Cambridge and London markets. See full article, Click below for an interesting article on New Civil Engineer website titled "Abandoned rail links can boost transport connectivity" See full article, Our Southern Area Coordinators, Keith Lawrie and Kevin Arnold are giving a talk about RR at the Slough & Windsor Railway Society on Friday evening 10th March. Experience a V shaped wood, an ancient ice house, an extraordinary church interior and a beautiful lake. [10], Two more Manning Wardle tanks, and two Sharp, Stewart and Company 0-4-2 tender locomotives were added by September 1876. Swaffham railway station was located in Swaffham, Norfolk. The North Norfolk Railway (NNR) - also known as the "Poppy Line" - is a heritage steam railway in Norfolk, England, running between the coastal towns of Sheringham and Holt. In 1926 the LNER rationalised the signalling with a tall signal box beside the level crossing; it had three tracks in front and one behind. The Fairlie Steam Carriage was instead successfully tested in July 1869 at the, "Fairlie's Steam Carriage. Just after Swaffham, the line split into two, one branch heading south to Thetford, and the other east towards Dereham. I skirted the pond and quickly found a well-trodden track which I followed. [23] The council subsequently put it up for rent or sale and discussed exchanging it with Swaffham Town Council in return for 5 acres (2.0ha) of building land. Kent to Swaffham - 4 ways to travel via train, bus, and car - Rome2rio Indeed, on weekdays, a traveller might reach Swaffham only as late as 9.44 pm, whilst on Sunday evening it was midnight exactly when the second train reached the town! The shopkeeper laughed, and replied that he often dreamed that if he went to a certain orchard in Swaffham and started digging, he would find buried treasure. He had a fine hound called Czarina, who regularly chased hares across the heaths surrounding Swaffham. A short distance beyond the engine servicing area a second signal box was later provided on the south side to control the junction of the Lynn & Dereham Railway and the Watton & Swaffhams line. The coming of the railway invigorated business in the town and two large monthly cattle markets brought livestock traffic to the railway. Turn right and stay on this road as it passes through a residential area, before keeping straight ahead at a crossroads and passing through a cutting in a disused railway. Swaffham railway station - Trainstation | RouteYou The underbridge at the Lynn Road, also of black bricks, is in good condition and carries a barely readable bridge number dating from BR times.