The HRA’s Modern Traction Award sponsored by Mortons Media [Rail Express] has cited the MNR’s excellence in portraying the British Rail 1970s era with its carriage fleet and its heritage diesel locomotive fleet, culminating in the Class 47 Golden Jubilee held during September 2012.

The citation reads…………………

“Mortons Media [Rail Express] Modern Traction Award will be made to the Mid Norfolk Railway for its continued excellence in specialising in the operation of 1970’s stock in BR 1970’s livery, culminating in a significant bringing together of NINE Class 47 locomotives, approximately 10% of the surviving fleet.”

MNR Chairman Barry Woodgett said :-

“I was delighted to learn the MNR has been chosen to receive this award. It recognises the efforts of our Volunteers who have worked so hard to achieve this recognition and I would like to thank them for their achievement”

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

In the mid 2000’s the aim of a small nucleus of MNR Members lead by Paul Hughes, was to provide a rake of air braked Blue-Grey Mk2 carriage stock.

This eventually blossomed into a project to preserve as complete a collection of Mk2 coaches, as possible. Some of the vehicle types based on the MNR, are now unique.

Thanks to the National Railway Museum, the MNR is also in possession of the Swindon built prototype Mk2 carriage. This paved the way, through all variants, to the 1970s built air conditioned Mk2s, which were some of the world’s first air conditioned passenger rail vehicles and precursors of the later, in service Mk3 and Mk4 carriages.

Paul Hughes is a Train Operating Company professional with the “contacts” which enabled the 1970s rolling stock to be located and brought to Dereham. He also helped with the twice yearly Diesel Galas which established the MNR as a major presence.

That positive “reputation”, which vehicle owners seek, eased the bringing together of locomotive fleets for both the Class 37 and Class 47 Golden Jubilee Galas.

Operations Director James Steward, also a Train Operating Company professional, is to whom the MNR is indebted for the “Jubilee” Gala” concept. In the Autumn of 2010 the MNR hosted the Class 37 Jubilee Gala using its new passing loop at Thuxton for the first time; a MAJOR success. The Locomotives which he succeeded in bringing together for the Class 47 Jubilee Gala were……

* 47292 [Large Logo Blue] courtesy of the Great Central Railway (North)

* 47375 [BR Blue] courtesy of Nemesis Rail

* 47401 [Large Logo Blue] courtesy 47401 Project & the Midland Railway Centre

* 47579 [BR Blue-Silver Roof] courtesy of Mangapps Farm

* 47580 [BR Blue-Union Jack] courtesy of the Stratford Class 47 Group

* 47596 [BR Blue-NSE] courtesy of the Stratford Class 47 Group

* 47703 [Fragonset Black] courtesy of Harry Needle Railroad Company

* 47798 [Royal Train Plum] courtesy of the National Railway Museum

* 478xx [DRS Blue] Direct Rail Services Class 47