The Mid Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust has appointed Graham Watts, the trust’s current Commercial Manager, as its new Chairman.

Graham will take up his new role after the AGM in September and will then step down as the Commercial Manager.

Away from the railway, he rose to become a director at Cambridge City Council, where he managed a wide range of public services, Joining Graham on the Trust Council will be two new co-opted members, Andy Parsons and Mark Radda.

Andy Parsons started his railway career as a BR Apprentice, rising to senior management positions with Railway infrastructure companies.

Mark Radda has a great deal of experience as a corporate branding specialist with major companies, charities, and heritage organisations.

The appointment of Graham comes as nearly £30,000 has been raised in public donations for the railway’s ‘Back on Track’ appeal to raise funds to refurbish Crownthorpe Bridge and associated track work that will trains can once again run to Wymondham from Dereham.

Further donations to the appeal can be made at https://www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/emergencyappeal

Elsewhere on the railway a number of infrastructure projects have made progress or been completed:
the former Spooner Row signal box has been completely refurbished with the roof and walls all receiving attention and the windows replaced.

Once the railway’s in-house S&T Department has completed its work it will become the Wymondham Church Lane Signal Box.

The level crossing at Garvestone has been replaced and will be followed by Greens Road in Dereham at the end of September.

At Garvestone, Sonic Rail Services donated and installed, a Pollysafe Segmental Crossing deck type crossing, which allowed a long-term speed restriction and temporary weight restriction to be removed.

These works will be completed in time for Polar Express trains to start running in November.

The Traction and Rolling stock department has completed its extensive restoration of the Mk.1 FK M13225, which was funded by a Heritage Fund Covid recovery grant that went towards completely refurbishing the interior, rebuilding both ends, and repainting.

Also back in service is Mk.1 TSO which has had its original Eastern Region number E 4702 restored.

At Dereham, the station buffet and tearoom now has a new catering manager who previously ran the team room in Norwich Catholic Cathedral.

Speaking in his current role as the railway’s Commercial Manager Graham Watts said: “I am delighted that we have been able to reintroduce these services with our local partners. It is an important development as it continues our policy of seeking to work with local partners to develop our services.

“As a charity, it is important we have a wide variety of services to offer the public that will generate the revenue that will be used to achieve the charity’s objectives of both refurbishing and preserving the railway and East Anglian Railway heritage”.

Charlie Robinson the outgoing Chairman said “I am extremely pleased that Graham is taking on the role of Chairman. During my tenure, the railway has developed significantly, most notably with the continuing development and success of Polar Express.

“Also, during my time, the rolling stock has taken a significant step forward. The purchase of the Mk 3 stock and the refurbishment of a number of Mk 1 and 2 coaches means that our visitors travel in some of the best coaches to be found on a heritage railway. I will be remaining on the Trust Council and look forward to supporting Graham in his new role”.