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Yaxham Light Railway

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Yaxham Light Railway

Passenger trains are usually hauled by a variety of vintage diesel locomotives.

The 2ft gauge Yaxham Light Railway is situated alongside the former GER Yaxham Station on the Dereham to Wymondham Line, on which regular trains are operated by the Mid Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust. Yaxham Light Railway operates an interesting collection of industrial railway equipment acquired over the years from quarries and other locations throughout the country. In addition the YLR owns

two steam locomotives, see rolling stock for further details and photographs. Although not normally open to the general public, the YLR can cater for organised parties by prior arrangement.

04/04/2026

Happy Easter!!
Since our last update, the usual winter maintenance tasks have taken place around the railway. Initially leaf clearance, moving on to hedge cutting and tree pruning followed by bonfires and some shredding and chipping, the resultant mulch proving very useful around the flower beds. In addition to cutting back the hedge on the field railway, a new fence has been erected in an attempt to deter access by the local badgers, rabbits and deer, all intent on digging holes and generally causing mayhem!
With the recent better weather, activities have centred on building maintenance, painting and repairs, mainly involving the engine shed and the Whinburgh Road Sidings Box and within the last week, all areas of grass have required a first cut.
Forthcoming plans include loco and rolling stock maintenance and a Sleeper Saturday in May targeting track maintenance and sleeper replacement.
Enjoy the Easter Break!!

22/12/2025

A MERRY CHRISTMAS and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! from all at Yaxham.

21/10/2025

Summer Review and Autumn Notes
After much preparation work, the railway opened in conjunction with the Mid Norfolk Railway 1940s week-end on the 2nd and 3rd August and were again pleased to welcome our friends from the local re-enactors group who provided displays on the station platform and YLR site. There was a chance to drive the army supplies train hauled by two WW2 Rustons and tea and cake was on offer. During the weekend, one member of the visiting group was seen tied to the track! Perhaps they had disobeyed orders or maybe apprehended for spying!!! Needless to say, an enjoyable event.
Later in August we welcomed a visit by members of the Halesworth to Southwold Railway Society, all enjoying a chance to drive a loco under supervision. Two also had time to coax the L&B Ruston into life and deal with a minor issue affecting the Perkins engine in YLRs Planet loco. A great day was had by all!!
Over the summer, a number of individual NG enthusiasts who had been in contact requesting a visit were welcomed. This included a powered wheelchair using enthusiast who, to his great delight, was able to tour the railway very securely located aboard the low loading/ramp wagon!
The summer harvest of hedgerow fruits including blackberries, plums and mirabelles was the best crop for years resulting in lots of pies, crumbles and well stocked freezers. Sloe and apple gathering is now underway. Hopefully the resultant 2025 cider will be as good as the 2024 offering!
With autumn creeping in, activities are now focused on routine track renewals plus site and building maintenance whilst bracing ourselves for the leaf fall. In due course, loco antifreeze levels will be tested and locos checked over ahead of winter storage.

26/07/2025

Summer Update
Yet another busy time since the last update.
A batch of standard gauge wooden sleepers were kindly acquired from our friends at the Mid Norfolk Railway. These had been replaced with new by MNR because the ends where the cast iron rail chairs had been fixed had rotted, were hollow, split or otherwise u/s. Luckily the centre sections were invariably ok. The defective ends cut off, left more or less a suitable length sleeper for use on the 2ft gauge ( the cut ends treated with preserver) or if too small, a good jacking/general purpose block. The discarded waste ends will be fuel for the road steam engines.
All this effort was in readiness for “Sleeper Saturday” when a significant number of YLR sleepers were replaced. The mini digger helped take the strain and many thanks to Elliot and Luke for their assistance.
Maintenance jobs have continued across the site, painting, weeding, grass cutting, refreshing platform planters etc.
Another wagon (ex Eastriggs) has received some TLC including a replacement wood board floor.
Currently all activities are focused on preparing for the MNR 1940s Weekend on 2nd and 3rd August. YLR and the station will be open hosting displays by visiting WW2 re-enactor groups. Refreshments will be available plus supervised Driver for a Fiver offering a chance to drive one of the WW2 diesels hauling the supplies train. All visitors are recommended to arrive by MNR train as there will be no public parking available at Yaxham Station. Please see the MNR webpage for timetable information and the full programme of events planned for the weekend.

15/04/2025

Spring Update
It’s been a busy time across the railway with work activities moving outdoors to take full advantage of the unseasonably warm and dry weather and the additional hours of daylight.
Apple trees have been pruned, hopefully to ensure a good crop this autumn for cider making, (2024 was another good vintage!) areas of rough scrub cleared producing a good supply of logs for the workshop stove.
The dry weather has meant the recently planted apple trees (old Norfolk varieties) have required regular watering and as a result are establishing well.
Several sleepers have been replaced on the incline, fishplates greased and the track tamped with additional ballast laid where required.
The local deer and badger population seem intent on ruining sections of the grassed areas and much time and effort has been required to fill holes and level and roll sections to enable the first cut of the season.
Hanging baskets and tubs on the station platform have been refreshed, flower beds dug over and once again there is a good display of daffodils on the field railway.
Routine maintenance of the locos continues, most recently it was the Planet’s Perkins engine receiving attention. The wagons in regular use have also received some TLC.
Screening of the storage compound has progressed along with the general clearing and tidying of all areas. Ongoing work includes cleaning, refurbishing and/or repainting trackside posts and signs.
Happy Easter…..Enjoy the Holiday!!!!

24/12/2024

A MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
from all at
YAXHAM LIGHT RAILWAY

22/12/2024

More leaves on the line!... after clearing the tracks in November, further clearing sessions have proved necessary, hopefully now the last until next autumn. Another batch of sleepers have been prepared for spot re-sleepering. This batch of standard gauge sleepers were pensioned off because of rotten ends where the cast iron rail chairs were fixed. However, usable middle sections have been salvaged, the unwanted off cuts making good lighting up wood for friend’s traction engines. Depending on the weather, it is hoped to continue re-sleepering early in the new year. Track and building maintenance and generally preparing the site for the winter storms have otherwise been the key activities since the last update.

28/10/2024

October Update
Spot re-sleepering and track maintenance is ongoing, and grounds maintenance continues. The grassed areas were cut hopefully for the final time in 2024 during mid-October so activities can now focus on hedge trimming and tree lopping.
The water tank wagon (WW1 freshwater tank mounted on a skip chassis) recently received some TLC and its hand pump overhauled. The tank was refilled to check for leaks and the wagon is now back in use.
The Grotto bothy, out of use since the Covid lockdown restrictions, has been receiving attention. The interior has been cleaned and refurbished, the cast iron range repaired, the rusted through and broken chimney replaced, and the rear window frame repaired; all just in time for those cold winter days. It is now a watertight, windproof retreat and with a fire in the range we can enjoy our mugs of tea and hot pies in relative comfort!
Each year ahead of the winter, all the locos are moved out of the shed, the engines started, each given a general check over and a couple of runs around the railway. Following a clean, those unlikely to be used over the winter have radiators drained down and any which may see use, have the antifreeze levels checked. All are then returned to the shed. It was a busy scene with all the locos standing outside the shed. Three were missing from the party Ruston 170369/1934 and Simplex 7474/1940 currently non-runners and stored in the carriage shed and Hudson Hunslet 2666/1942 which is in store off site.
An area within the carriage shed has been rearranged to provide a small working space to enable activities to continue under cover during inclement weather. When the enclosed bogie coach departs to its new owners, the extra space created will be occupied by Kidbrooke and a start will be made on stripping down work for its 10-year boiler inspection.

05/08/2024

Over the last week, much work has been completed around the railway, tree lopping, hedge cutting, mowing, building maintenance, trackwork, general tidying etc. in readiness for opening in conjunction with the Mid Norfolk Railway 1940s weekend on 3rd and 4th August. During the event weekend, once again, a local group provided additional 1940’s themed displays and vehicles with much activity centred on the station platform for the passengers on passing MNR trains. Our two 1940’s ex WD Rustons topping and tailing period wagons were on hand for anyone wishing to Drive the Bomb Train with other 1940s and earlier locos and wagons on display on adjoining sidings.
The weather was good, we welcomed many visitors and friends and the tea and cake cart was kept busy!
A thoroughly enjoyable weekend!!!

23/07/2024

Since the last update, it’s great that summer has finally arrived enabling many outdoor jobs to be completed around the railway.
During no mow May and June there was a good display of lineside flowers, but then many hours of grass cutting and hedge trimming to generally tidy the site. In places the track had disappeared under a hay meadow! The ride on mower is now in regular use paying back the time spent on its heavy overhaul during the winter months.
Trackwork is ongoing and a number of full-size railway sleepers have been halved and the cut ends coated with preservative and are now ready to be used for spot re-sleepering.
Inside, work has continued on the replacement cylinder head supplied by Apedale for Motor Rail 7474 / 1940 with the face skimmed and the valve seats profiled. Parts removed from the old frost damaged head have been reused where possible.
Preparations are in hand to take part in the MNR 1940s weekend on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August. Various wagons and locos have received some TLC ready to take part in the event and the station platform has been tidied and the flower planters refreshed.
Please see MNR web page for full details WWW.mnr40sweekend.co.uk and timetable of trains to and from Yaxham. (Please note there are no parking facilities at Yaxham.) As in previous years, there will be displays at Yaxham station and chance to drive one of the YLR's WW2 diesel locos or simply relax with tea and cake!

09/04/2024

I addition to the first start and run of No.6 and No.14, we also fired up the L&B Rly Ruston

06/04/2024

First start and run for R&H No 6 Colonel and R&H No 14 Coldmeece in 2024 both started on first attempt and in good working condition for the 2024 season.

Address

Station Road
Dereham
NR191RD

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