FOBS Monthly News - May 08
4 May 08 - The Bittern.
It’s amazing how much interest and affection a steam train can
arouse, forty years after the ‘official’ end of steam in Britain.
But even we were surprised by the number of people - 100-150 -
who came down to the station to see Bittern sweep through on the
Cathedral Express to Norwich. A combination of two articles in
Brandon Life, word of mouth, and mentions on other websites (thanks
particularly to the Norfolk Railway Society, http://www.norfolkrailwaysociety.org.uk/index.html)
was what did it. We needed to show both to ourselves and to Brandon
and Weeting people that the station can be a local attraction.
We will soon get our short lease on the station.
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Upline with Bittern seen
passing through Brandon.
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The uphill task of finding major funding for restoration is under way, and the station is in no shape to host events inside, but we want to do what we can. So on this Sunday we provided our usual display of pictures, which soon became the centre of interest from older residents whose memories they awoke; we had a coffee/tea stall, against all odds - there is no electricity or running water - and the Thetford Model Railway Society brought a stand.
Bittern came through about fifty minutes late, but going strongly and whistling hard, and most of the people waited to see her. The magic was still there, even though she was soon out of sight. A few enthusiasts came to watch her pass through again in the evening, more punctual this time.
The day left FOBS feeling glad to have given people the opportunity for some simple enjoyment. Now we need to do it again. And nine new members joined.
You can find more pictures showing Bittern at Santon Downham here: http://geoffsangliaphotos.fotopic.net/c1504484.html
17 May 08 - Our Name in Flowers.
A flower display spelling out ‘Brandon’ has long been rumoured
to be coming to the station - and finally it appeared. Today Ken,
with some help, brought it down today, together with another kingsize
planter for the Norwich platform. The next day the flowers were
planted. There are only leaves to see at the moment, but the lobelias
will bloom in the blue which has been the local colour here since
Great Eastern days.
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Brandon in Plants on Downline
Norwich Platform.
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18 May 08 - Sunday Afternoon in the Park.
At very short notice we took our stand to Brandon Park for the
annual open day. It was the day of the new timetable so there
was something to give out to passers by, and yet again the old
photographs attracted great interest, particularly from several
former railwaymen (they are more common than one might think.),The
wind kept blowing the leaflets off the stand, the Breckland Brass
Band provided a musical soundtrack to a scattered audience in
deckchairs - it was all so English.
FOR YOUR DIARY:
15 June 08 and 26 June 08: Blue Pullman Trains
Two Blue Pullman trains will be coming through. 15 June is a Father¹s
Day Circular, arriving at Norwich at 14:16 and leaving there at
15.07. 26 June is a day out at the seaside, and the train comes
through Brandon on the way to Great Yarmouth (arr. 11.43); it goes
back via Diss. The nearest boarding points for these trains are
Potters Bar or (26 June) Stevenage. And the company organizing
them is better known to lorry enthusiasts. See http://www.stobartpullman.co.uk/
6 July 08: A Car Boot Sale
A Car Boot Sale in the station carpark. This is our first one.
Get in touch if you want a stall - space is limited. We hope
this will be a regular event.
12 July 08: The Scarborough Flier.
This time the steam train won’t rush through, but will stop to
pick up passengers. For the third year running, the Railway Touring
Company is giving us the chance of a day out. As last year, the
destination is York and Scarborough - so, you can choose between
the National Railway Museum or a splendid beach. The engine is
the magnificent Duke of Gloucester, the last express engine built
for British Railways. The Duke, built in 1954, remained the only
one of its kind, as the Modernisation Plan in 1955 put paid to
further need for steam. The Duke never fulfilled its potential
and it is only since being rescued from the scrapyard and rebuilt
that this powerful engine has shown what it could have achieved
in the right circumstances.
For the full history see http://www.dukeofgloucester.co.uk/. It will be the first time that no71000 has been to Brandon, or probably in the East Anglia region at all.
31 August 08: Another Cathedrals Express
Another Cathedrals Express is coming through, this time with ‘Coronation’ class
no 6233, Duchess of Sutherland. We hope to repeat the ‘Bittern
effect’, and by this time we may be able to show people into the
station building.
And More:
A Railway Film Show and a Christmas Market are planned. We would
also like to have an organized ramble starting from the station.
Any other ideas for events? Do get in touch.
Article Written by Stephen Dean:
Tel:01842 815372 or Email:stephendean@decanimusic.co.uk