News Items for 2009

24th December 2009: We wish all our Members, Volunteers, Staff, P-Way teams (especially A Team!), Crew, Passengers and Customers a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

19th & 20th December 2009: Our Santa Specials went really well with over 110 people seeing Father Christmas over Saturday and Sunday, Pictures are in the Gallery.

5th December 2009: There are now two easy ways for you to raise additional funds for us - simply by logging on to the web, we have signed up with http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/wrrps who is a shopping directory which list some of your favourite online stores including Amazon, NEXT, Debenhams, John Lewis, Toys R Us, HMV and over 400 other top name stores.
Whenever you shop with any one of them using the links provided on the easyfundraising site, you'll generate a donation for us of up to 15% of the purchase price every time! It really is that simple! All you need to do is register yourself for free at Easyfundraising It won't cost you a penny more to shop and raise funds in this way. In fact you can even SAVE MONEY as many retailers give exclusive discounts, special offers and even 'e-vouchers' when you shop through the easyfundraising site.

4th December 2009: Annie has passed her yearly boiler inspection, so she will be working on the 5th December onwards as normal.

3rd December 2009: Due to demand for our Santa Specials we have added an extra time slot on both days of 4pm, we have also removed the 8pm slot as this seemed to be too late for most children.

23rd October 2009: Next Years Events confirmed and calendar of events update, more information will follow on the news page and updated links on the calendar.
Santa has confirmed he will be visiting on the 19 & 20th December. Book early to avoid dissapointment.

10th & 11th October 2009: What a great turnout for our Big Steam and Beer Event, We had a Traction Engine from Strumpshaw as well as about 1000 people over the weekend, our new carpark just about held up with the strain of cars coming in and out, and we sold alot of beer, many thanks to all of those who attended (If you can remember!!). Pictures are in the Gallery

9th October 2009: Mention in EDP with information on our Steam/Beer Event at the weekend.

6th October 2009: Our Carriage which has been in the shed for months now, is starting to look wonderful we are hoping to have this in service soon as a buffet/bar carriage.

4th October 2009: A bit of a slow start to our Steam Day, but the weather came up nice in the afternoon and it got really busy, our new car park worked well. Our team of volunteers worked hard in preparing the engines and gave them both a good clean.

4th October 2009: Some old Austin cars came up to see us as well! You never know what will turn up here!

10th September 2009: The Whitwell & Reepham Railway is sponsoring the "Marriotts Way And Bure Valley Weekend", this is to take place on the 10/11th of October and will involve us having another Beer Festival (10+ Steam Related Ales ) [10am - 10pm] and Pork Loin Roast Rolls [12 - 4pm] this will be on both days. There is lots going on on this weekend around Marriotts Way have a look at Broadlands Page for more details. 

9th September 2009: As the fence has now been completed we reinstalled the lighting on the fence instead of the floor, it looks much better and should provide a nice amount of light in the car park in the dark evenings to come.

6th September 2009: Another wonderful day weather wise for our Steam Day, it was very busy, and we nearly ran out of our "Whitwell Wobbler" Beer. As you can see from the picture the Station just needs two more windows in the front to complete the outside restoration.

30th August 2009: Visit by the Norfolk Horse Driving Club, popped in with some of their horses and carts for a stop on their drive.

27th August 2009: Mention on Falkrails Website

22nd August 2009: Our car parking area has been levelled and made less bumpy with the kind donation by Kier Construction of the 'Type 1' material.

20th August 2009: A recent mention in Summer 2009 edition of Joint Line said:
'Whitwell and Reepham station is the most splendid thing happening in Britain today and should be visited by everyone. In ten short months great railway enthusiasm has done more on a shoestring budget than governments could do with millions'.

16th August 2009: Our own post box has been installed on our front gate, this means that we can at last get our post at the station instead of being redirected. This also means that we should also get our own postcode.

13th August 2009: We have passed the 350th member all this in less than a year. We really appreciate the members who have joined as their subscription helps us progress.

2nd August 2009: WOW! August already and we had another Steam Day, this time we also included a BBQ which went down well with all those who attended, "Annie" looked really nice with the sun on her after she was cleaned by the crew.

23rd July 2009: Online shop has closed for the moment, we are working on new products and it should be back online in a week or so.

22nd July 2009: Library has now reached over 120 books, these are all available for viewing when the station is open, at this time we do not allow them to be taken from the station, but you are more than welcome to come and browse the excellent collection - see Reference Library on the menus to the left. Thankyou for everybody who has donated.

10th July 2009: "Whitwell Wobbler" Beer is back for a limited time!

5th July 2009: The weather held off for a wonderful busy Steam Day, we had the largest number of rides on the footplate and everybody came off with a great smile on their face! Both engines were cleaned before and Annie looked great.

5th July 2009: Before we opened we had to do a bit of shunting, and we also had the longest train on the Whitwell line! "Annie", Box Car, Oil Tanker, Southern Coach and BSK!

9th June 2009: The Reepham Society had an evening with us today, everybody had a ride on the Train and a talk was given by Mike Urry explaining our goals and achievements with the history of the Station as well. The rain held off and alot of nice comments were made.

6th June 2009: North Norfolk Railway Junior Club had a day with us, they all had a drive of Annie, and helped with jobs throughout the site, thanks to them all for their help.

5th June 2009: We have been accepted by the Council to have an entertainments and alcohol licence. Mentioned in the Dereham Times

1st June 2009: Cattle platform uncovered yet another surprise - steps leading to the platform from the track. (See gallery for bigger picture)

29th May 2009: Mention in EDP & Dereham Times regarding our application for a Licence.

23rd May 2009: Reached the Cattle Platform with the new siding.

18th May 2009: Reference Library added to Main Menu.

30th April 2009: Now achieved 306 Members

17th April 2009: Points installed and over 80 foot of track laid as well.

14th April 2009: Mention in EDP

7th April 2009: Work continues on laying the new points to allow us to go past the cattle platform.

6th April 2009: Further uncovered the Old Signal Box.

4th April 2009: New Gate Fitted to allow access from Marriotts Way Onto the Station Platform.

1st April 2009: Another Carriage Delivered today generously donated by a Member, it is a Type S Mk 1 Second, built in Wolverton in 1954.

1st April 2009: New Opening Times announced (see Calendar for full details) we will be running Steam Engine "Annie" on the 1st Sunday of every month from 12(ish) to 5pm. All other weekends we will be running our Diesel Engine "Georgie" from 10 to 6pm. If you would like to book on a certain date then please email or call us.

31st March 2009: It has now been confirmed that we are an official Charity (registration number 1128431), and we shall now be known as 'Whitwell and Reepham Railway Preservation Society Limited', this also means that for any donation received we can get an extra 25% back through the GiftAid scheme run by the Government.

24th March 2009: "Annie" was bought up to steam for her first test, everything worked fine. We were also Mentioned in the Eastern Daily Press and the Dereham Times.

23rd March 2009: Our new Steam Engine arrived today, She is called "Annie". She was built by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co Limited at the Caledonia Works in 1904 and is Number 945. She has painted black for a shot in a film or TV Show.

9th March 2009: New Opening Times announced from 28th March at the weekends we will be open from 10am to 6pm Saturday and Sundays. We will be serving coffees and teas and hopefully some food.

7th March 2009: Another Great steam weekend, over 2400 people attending.

2nd March 2009: Mention in Eastern Daily Press for the previous weekend.

28th February 2009: Ray Meaks reopens the Station 50 years after being closed. The Open Day went really well, at the end of the weekend over 3000 people had come to see what's been  happening.

25th February 2009: Steam Engine arrives on loan from North Norfolk Railway ready for the Grand reopening.

Older News from 2008 can be seen by clicking HERE.