I couldn't resist a trip on the chain ferry at Reedham (Norfolk), which provides a valuable crossing point for road users across the River Yare. Bridge alternatives are some distance away in either Great Yarmouth or Norwich. A ferry has operated here since the eighteenth century, and has been run by the Archer family since 1949. The present vessel was built in 1983 at Oulton Broad, with design input from the present operator, David Archer.

The ferry is seen crossing to the Reedham side.

1.6.18

Hand-built 6x7 rangefinder camera/ 100mm f3.5 Mamiya Press lens
Ilford Delta 400
X0 yellow-green filter
Dev.: ID-11/ 1:1/ 14mins/ 68°F.

Tags:   reedham ferry norfolk river yare 6x7 rangefinder camera 100mm mamiya press lens 1/500th sec f11 ilford delta 400 id-11 1:1 14mins 68°F

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Signalman and railway author Adrian Vaughan is seen exchanging tokens with the crew of BR standard class 4 loco, 76084, at Weybourne on the North Norfolk Railway. Although the light was pretty rotten on my visit, I had enjoyable few hours chatting to Adrian and drinking his tea.

29.5.18

Hand-built 6x7 rangefinder camera/ 100mm f3.5 Mamiya press lens.
1/500th sec @f8
Ilford Delta 400
Dev.: ID-11/ 1:1/ 14mins/ 68°F

Tags:   north norfolk railway br standard class 4 loco steam 76084 weybourne heritage adrian vaughan 6x7 rangefinder camera 100mm f3.5 mamiya press lens 1/500th sec f8 ilford delta 400 id-11 1:1 14mins 68°F

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Built in 1884 by R.P.Spice & S.Cutler of London, this very ornate gasometer dominates the skyline around Great Yarmouth and it's South Quay. It has recently been given Grade II listing, rather than being ripped down as seems to be happening everywhere else.

30.5.18

Minolta Dynax 8000i/ 35-70mm f4 macro lens
Fujicolor 200

Tags:   great yarmouth barack road gasometer gas holder minolta dynax 8000i 35-70mm lens fujicolor 200

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One of the good things about visiting Great Yarmouth as a coach driver in the 1990s, was the fleet of Cobholm Hire Ltd, better known as Caroline-Seagull. They were a proper seaside coach company, who ran stand tours for holidaymakers. These were usually run with AEC Reliances or latterly, Leyland Leopards and other more modern vehicles. The fleet operated out of this garage in Queens Road, Great Yarmouth, just a stones throw from the Pleasure Beach and main seafront. Even though Caroline-Seagull ceased trading (2008), the lovely garage lives on as a busy car repair business.

30.5.18

Minolta Dynax 8000i/ 35-70mm lens
Fujicolor 200

Tags:   cobholm hire ltd caroline seagull great yarmouth norfolk coach company minolta 8000i

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Like Reedham, Brundall is a real gem 'timewarp' station, with all of the things which I find appealing about our railways. Network Rail are in the throes of re-signalling scheme, so the mechanical signalling will soon be gone, along with the wooden, manually operated level crossing gates. A countrywide shortage of diesel multiple units has forced Greater Anglia and Northern Rail to hire locomotives and Mk.II stock from DRS. New diesel-electric trains are on order from Swiss builder Stadtler (wasn't he in the Muppet Show?), which should arrive next year.

My photo shows enthusiast celebrity locomotive, 37425 Sir Robert McAlpine/ Concrete Bob departing from Brundall with the 2P20 1236 Norwich - Great Yarmouth.

1.6.18

Hand-built 6x7 rangefinder camera/ 100mm f3.5 Mamiya Press lens
Ilford Delta 400
X0 yellow-green filter
Dev.: ID-11/ 1:1/ 14mins/ 68°F.

Tags:   brundall norfolk wherry lines level crossing drs 37425 sir william mcalpine concrete bob 6x7 rangefinder camera 100mm f3.5 mamiya press lens ilford delta 400 120 medium format id-11

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