Whistling in a special year

A celebratory cacophony of train locomotive whistles and horns at noon on New Year’s Day signalled the start of the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.

And the Bure Valley Railway – which runs between Wroxham and Aylsham – added its voice to hundreds of vintage steam and diesel locomotives around the world to herald a year-long celebration.

Organised by the Heritage Railway Association, the Railway 200 Whistle Up is believed to be the biggest railway heritage mass participation event to date.

The event commemorates the first journey by train, when 450 people travelled from Shildon via Darlington to Stockton and changed the world forever.

Train engine horns at mainline stations also sounded, and Hornby got a variety of model trains to toot and whistle on their track layouts.

A Bure Valley Railway spokesman said the line was proud to be taking part, and on January 1 it brought out four steam locomotives, three diesel locomotives and its new electric locomotive. All sounded their whistles and horns at noon.

Mike Lamport, from the Railway 200 steering group, started the Whistle Up at Aylsham on No7 Spitfire. His family have worked on the railway since 1846.

This year also marks the 35th anniversary of the opening of the Bure Valley Railway on July 10, 1990.

Plans for 30th anniversary gala were cancelled by the covid-19 lockdown, but the railway will be making up for it with bells and whistles for the 35th.

On June 7 and 8 there will be a gala weekend, when the two steam locomotives which hauled the very first train will be returning.

This will be the first time Samson and Winston Churchill – now at the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in Kent – will be together in Norfolk since 1990.

The gala weekend will also be part of the Railway 200 celebrations.

But before then, youngsters and their teddies will be invited to go along for the half-term Teddy Bear Express from February 15 to 23.

Trains will be running every day from both Aylsham and Wroxham stations. Booking is advised.