Railwatch is the quarterly magazine of Railfuture, which is free to members.
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SubscribeDereham progress Santa specials on the Mid Norfolk Railway from Dereham to Yaxham proved very popular in the period up to Christmas, and the railway is continuing to operate a vintage diesel railcar on Sunday afternoons. For details, phone 01362 690633. Dereham station is being restored, with track laid now in all four platforms, while it is hoped through trains will run to Wymondham at Easter.
Alconbury development Developers want to turn the former military airfield at Alconbury near Huntingdon into a large rail-road-air distribution centre. Rail sidings connecting to the East Coast main line would be installed at the start to allow construction materials and spoil from the site to be carried by rail. The developers claim that around 50% of the goods would travel by rail being carried on 12 freight services per day. A bus service would link the site to Huntingdon station. Many local people oppose the scheme, especially the re-use of the runway and there are widespread calls for a public enquiry. The branch's position is to remain neutral on the need for the development but to ensure that rail makes a major contribution if the scheme proceeds.
Disabled access There are mixed fortunes for the campaign to improve access to stations for disabled users. At March, councillors and the local Norwich to Peterborough Rail Users have put the issue on to the front page of the local newspaper. However, Cambridgeshire County Council has not backed plans for a new ramped footbridge. At Littleport, RDS members and councillors seeking to install a ramp to replace 10 steps to the platform, have been told it would cost £250,000! There is better news at Sandy where work has started on a new ramp to the London-bound platform.
Poor service The branch has written to Great Eastern regarding the poor level of service on the Sudbury Line. Thirty-year- old "bubble cars" are being used following the end of the lease of a sprinter unit. GE says it is uneconomical to buy a new unit (despite the large profits made by the rolling stock leasing companies) or to electrify the line and other operators do not have spare trains.
Note: contact details (postal and email addresses, along with telephone numbers) in old editions of Railwatch out of date. Click CONTACT US for latest contact details.
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