Arriving at Aylsham you cannot help but be impressed by the set-up, the builldings are smart and purpose built, the trackwork neatly kept and the shop well stocked with blue and red boxes (as well as a fair amount of P*co and Woodlands Scenics). An all over canopy protects both passengers and stock from the elements. Ticket bought I wandered onto the platform, only to be confronted with this;
Despite appearences I'm sure that it serves well.
My train however was pulled by;
The inspiration for this is of course quite obvious, and despite not being a fan of those VoR locos I have to say John of Gaunt is rather smart.
Parked next to the platform is a rebuilt and regauged Hudson Hunslet;
Here's the view from the platform end;
On the way down I shared a carriage with a couple of families, out for a day trip. Again this is a railway serving a purpose rather than just being an attraction in its own right.
On reaching Wroxham I watched the engine being turned;
I had a quick browse in the secondhand bookshop before returning on the same train;
On the return leg I had a carriage to myself. These coaches are all enclosed, with padded seats, carpet up the sides and on the ceiling and LED lighting, which is turned on for the short section of tunnel near Aylsham.
Having a carriage to myself meant that I had control of the sliding windows, allowing me to lean out with the camera;
I did note that a lightly loaded carriage gives a lively ride! I also note that the trains can and do run at a fair lick when opened up.
Also in use today was 'Mark Timothy', a 2-6-4T of Leek & Manifold outline. We met twice at passing loops;
Also seen was this odd permament way truck, parked just outside Aylsham;
45 minutes after setting off from Wroxton we were back in Aylsham;
The workshop was open to visitors, although there was a rope stopping us from wandering too far inside;
I had a look in the shed as well; noting a smart regauged Lister;
This is I have to say a very impressive railway.
Paul.
I must admit I rather like that big yellow diesel...
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan, but it looks suitably powerfull and well built. Its single ended as well, the advantage of having turntables at both ends of the line.
DeleteThe stock looks quite large and impressive for a 15" gauge line. It does look a well-run operation with impressive workshop, I must confess that I'd never heard of it until reading your blog :-) Thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of it either until a friend suggested that I visit (thanks David).
DeleteAs for the stock, its all been built specifically for the line to a high standard. The whole railway comes across as being well-run, if only it was 2' gauge...
Also spotted, a pre-cast concrete SR provender store (think Ratio model) at Wroxton. I didn't get a photo of it worth sharing.