Norfolk clubs get steamed up for Railways on the Air weekend

The Norfolk Amateur Radio Club (NARC) and Bittern DX Group joined forces on 26/27 September to simultaneously operate two special event stations for the Railways on the Air weekend.

Both set up amateur radio station on the North Norfolk Railway (also known as the “Poppy Line”) to make as many contacts as possible across the two days.

NARC operating GB1NNR from Sheringham station

NARC set up their HF and VHF station, callsign GB1NNR, on the platform at picturesque Sheringham station on the North Norfolk coast, concentrating mainly on 80m and 40m to give as many contacts as possible to UK and European stations.

NARC also sent Slow Scan TV (SSTV) pictures live from the cab of guest locomotive Class 24 diesel 24081.

Bittern DX Group set up their HF station, callsign GB2NNR, at the other end of the line in the old shunting yard at the Georgian town of Holt, where they made 243 contacts, including QSOs with Mexico, a mobile station in Detroit, USA and most of local Europe.

Linda G0AJJ operating from Holt Station

Both stations reported lots of visitors on the Saturday, many of them lapsed or inactive
radio hams.
Only four steam trains ran on Sunday so there were fewer visitors. However, the glorious late September sunshine made up for it.

In all, both stations managed to contact at least one third of the other UK heritage stations taking part in Railways on the Air.

Visitors were taken along the line aboard period carriages hauled by an N7 0-6-2 tank engine number 69621, with much smoke and steam. 69621 was originally a Wood Street engine but finished her days working between Palace Gate and North Woolwich.

The original railway was built by William Marriott in 1887 and it ran until 1924. It was part of the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway (M&GN) and was intended to become part of the Midland & Northern rail network, but gradually fell into disuse as a result of increased use of road transport.

The M&GN Joint Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1959 and a light railway order for Sheringham - Weybourne was granted in 1973. The order was transferred to North Norfolk Railway in 1976 and public services began.
The extension to Holt was opened in 1989.

Photographs of GB1NNR at Sheringham can be found at http://www.infotechcomms.co.uk/GB1NNR/

Photographs of GB2NNR at Holt can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rssupport/?saved=1

Norfolk Amateur Radio Club website
www.norfolkamateurradio.org

Bittern DX Group website
www.bittern-dxers.org.uk