MNR Polar Express paves way for upgrade

CONFIRMATION that the Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) is to continue to run the Polar Express (PE) has resulted in a platform extension project going ahead.

The MNR has now signed a seven-year contract to run the special trains during the festive period. Having been an aspiration for some years, the extension of platform 2/3 at Dereham has now been completed. This work removes the costs of the temporary platform for PE duties which can now be dispensed with and therefore improves the profit margin for this key activity for the railway.

In the run up to Christmas, the MNR operated a trip on the

PE, in conjunction with Dereham Ukraine Centre, for 145 Ukrainian refugees and their Norfolk host families from the local area.

Changes

Meanwhile, the work of the MNR’s Change Management Working group continues, having been given a remit to review, update and introduce new policies and procedures for the better governance of the railway.

As part of this work the Trust Council has appointed Mark Collinson as the new full-time operations manager.

Work to replace the life expired waybeams which carry the rails across Crownthorpe Bridge will, together with associated track work replacement that is needed to run to Wymondham, be completed before this summer’s running season begins. This work has been partially funded due to the generosity of supporters who have donated over £40000 so far. This sum, together with some funding from general railway funds, and through the efforts of the MNR personnel to source materials, means the project can now proceed at a lower cost than first anticipated