Norwich Horse Dray Progress

Work has been continuing at a steady pace on aMidland & Great Northern Railway Horse Dray, understood to have come from the former Norwich M&GN City Station.

The dray is currently undergoing overhaul under contract in a private wheelwright's workshops and is being restored using traditional techniques and skills.

Work to date includes the retyring of several wheels, the manufacture of new spokes for the wheels and new wood for the dray deck, representing long term investment in this unique artifact of railway history. The dray would have originally been used to make local pick-ups and deliveries from Norwich City station. It was donated to the M&GN Joint Railway Society by the Norfolk Museums Service, who held it within their collection at Gressenhall working life museum near Dereham.

Once restored, the dray will be on display at Holt station with the long term intention being to use it on special days for shunting and goods train demonstrations. Click on the thumbnail, left for more photographs of the restoration to date.