Mid Norfolk Railway
The Mid Norfolk Railway runs for 11 miles through rural Norfolk, along an ex-MOD branch between Dereham and Wymondham, the latter still retaining its operational mainline connection. The railway has ambitious plans to extend northwards as far as Fakenham. Four miles of track and one mile of trackbed exist in their ownership, with County School, a restored station currently marooned from the rest of the railway, at their northern extremity. The railway are currently upgrading part of this extension, as well as improving their current running line with more signalling and other works.
For many years the railway was considered as a diesel only railway, however this later changed with steam becoming a regular feature during the summer season. A large number of services, particularly during the shoulders of the season, are still however run by DMU's, meaning they have remained a key fixture in the line's fleet.
Initially from the 1990's, the group Railcar Enterprises were based on the line, with an impressive first generation fleet of various classes. A second generation Class 141 set was also based on the line in the early 2000's, but was not a sucess and didn't see passenger service.
Following Railcar Enterprises' relocation to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, the DMU fleet contracted, the line becoming the preserve of Class 101 sets. The railway relied heavily on its own 2-car Class 101 set, which was supplemented by a second (3-car) set which belonged to the late Matthew Smith, a pioneer in Metro Cammell preservation.
During the 2010's a few vehicles of different classes came and went, under private ownership, but were not used in passenger service.
In 2020 the railway returned to second generation traction following the preservation three Pacer sets.
Today, the railway has two Class 101 sets, a Class 108, a Class 117, two Class 142 Pacers and a Class 144 (representatives of all four of the largest railcar classes in preservation) along with several more "orphaned" trailer cars without powercars, including a rare Class 100 vehicle.