Brand new Greater Anglia trains will be stored on the Mid-Norfolk Railway prior to entering traffic.

GA has signed a £3 million deal with the heritage line. Once the new sets are in traffic, the trains they displace will then be stored at the MNR.

The Stadler-built trains will be stabled at the MNR during their testing and commissioning. GA plans to have around 20 trains in the UK prior to the May timetable change next year.

Under the scheme, new sidings will be installed near Kimberley Park station. These will be left in place once the GA trains are in traffic and the off-lease stock has been disposed of.

The money will also be used to complete the 1.85-mile double-track section between Hardingham and Kimberley Park, and a connection into a private yard at Hardingham station.

GA Franchising and Programmes Director Mike Kean said: “It’s an ideal option. Not only is the location convenient for our Crown Point depot in Norwich, where the new Stadler trains will be based, it’s great to be able to work with a local heritage railway in our region and deliver a scheme which will result in a legacy benefit of additional facilities for the MNR and the local community.”

  • For the FULL story, read RAIL 857, published on July 18, and available digitally on Android/iPad from July 14.

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Author: Richard Clinnick
Head of News (Print and Digital)
[email protected]

Our Head of News, Richard joined RAIL in 2005 from local press, where he had been working since 2002. He covers all aspects of news for the magazine and website, specialising in operations and rolling stock.