Steven Ashling ACIRO
Chair
I started my career with the Ministry of Defence Procurement Executive, training as an electrical & electronics engineer. Although I enjoyed working with naval ships, the pull of the railway was stronger. Now in my 30th year in the railway industry, I’ve had a varied career majoring in operations at all levels; from signalman with one signal box, to controller and then area operations manager with 30 signal boxes and a team of 200 persons. I have also had spells in infrastructure maintenance, digital signalling training and project management. I now drive trains out of Norwich to London and spent a period as a driver instructor.
In parallel, I have also been a volunteer with the North Norfolk Railway PLC for 30 years. I continue to work as a signalman, but have over the years steadily led and delivered a number of major projects including; relocating Stalham station and rebuilding it at Holt, brick by brick. Re-connecting the NNR to the mainline at Sheringham with a new level crossing. Relocating a weighbridge from Cambridge to Holt. Organising the preservation and relocation of Spooner Row signal box to Wymondham Abbey station. Most recently the relocation and restoration of Reedham Jn signal box to Holt, to serve as an educational hands-on signalling simulator for visitors.
Since 2002 I have served on the NNR board as a director, with 2 years as chairman. I am also the founder and chairman of the charity Norfolk Railway Foundation.
Peter Adds MRICS
Project Manager
I am a Chartered Surveyor who has worked within or on behalf of the railway industry for almost 50 years gaining extensive experience in estate management, sales and development (embracing the associated legal documentation) of its property holdings, including project management, until retirement in December 2012.
From late 2013 I became the property manager for the Locomotive Services Group being initially responsible for the newly acquired 10 acre rail-served Crewe Diesel Depot site, then in a near derelict state, and then project managing the refurbishment of the extensive historic buildings on site creating facilities for the heavy overhaul, maintenance and repair of heritage main line steam, diesel and electric locomotives and associated passenger rolling stock. Post 2016 I have project managed the construction of a 225m long two road carriage shed, and a Boiler Shop at Crewe dealing with design, planning, building contracts and implementation of the development delivered within desired timescales and budget. I have since negotiated and documented the freehold acquisition of two additional sites at Margate (2017) and Carlisle Upperby (2022) and then project managed on site developments facilitating storage use on both sites and the restoration of rail-served use at the Carlisle site.
My experience as a trustee began with a 5 year term with the Bressingham Steam Museum Trust which then led to me being invited to become a trustee of the Royal Scot Locomotive & General Trust [April 2012 to date].
I have been a “lifelong” railway enthusiast and since returning to live in Norfolk some 25 years ago I have been a working volunteer on both the Mid-Norfolk and North Norfolk Railways and currently remain a volunteer signalman on the NNR. I have supported other non-Norfolk based heritage railways either financially or by providing free property advice services. The preservation of Britain’s industrial past is important to me.
Ash Barrs
Vice Chair
I have been involved with the North Norfolk railway since 1977 where I have operated as a fireman and guard. I was a trustee of the M&GN society for 22 years, was vice chairman for 10 years and a director of the NNR for 6 years.
I live in Leicestershire but have always had an interest in Norfolk railways.
I have worked in road transport for 35 years and work for a large American manufacturing company as their logistics manager for UK and Ireland.
I’m also a member of the Worshipful Company of Carmen.
Maria Bird
Admin and Bookkeeping
I worked in banking for 24 years in various roles but in the latter years I worked in the credit risk and compliance department of the International Banking Team. This included travelling to overseas branches to check on compliance with the bank’s policies.
Since leaving the bank I worked for 10 years in schools as Clerk to School Governors which was a compliance role providing advice to governors as well as minuting their meetings. I was also book keeper for a retail VAT registered business.
In my spare time I was involved in scouting, for a period as a cub leader and more recently as part of a group of adults supporting scouting activities. I was also the safeguarding officer in our local church.
I am now an active volunteer on the North Norfolk Railway working mainly in the ticket office and on the platform.
Marie Chapman
Governance
With a background in engineering manufacturing, building development and farming, I moved into Community Development and Comms over 30 years ago.
Since then I have worked with community groups and charities of all sizes, including heritage railways, helping them set up, complete their governance and apply for funding – from £500 to £3million.
This has been alongside my passion for heritage railways and their history, and the skills acquired I now bring to Norfolk Railway Foundation as one of “an amazingly skilled group of Trustees” (Marie’s words), leading on Governance, Policies and Funding.
Steve McCracken
Treasurer
I am a retired Chartered Marketer with a background in corporate organisations plus the founding, thirty years ago, of a thriving fast growth international business services company which I remain involved with as its Chairman.
In parallel with my professional career I spent several years as a part time teaching fellow in marketing at University of Bath.
My voluntary work has included 20 years as a governor of a large college of further education. I spent 10 years as vice chairman of the college board and 10 years as chair of finance. My accountability on the trustee board of Norfolk Railway Foundation is for finance.
Married and living in Sheringham Norfolk, I am an active railway modeller and a member of the model railway team at the North Norfolk Railway.
David Palmer
Communications & Media Trustee
I have had a lifelong interest and love of both real and model railways as encouraged by my father from a very young age. I am a member of both Mid Norfolk and North Norfolk railways and enjoy volunteering when time allows, running and maintaining the Model Railway located at Weybourne Station. Most of my working life has been spent running an electronics business which manufactures scientific instruments for science education as well as in more recent years creating Train-Tech which offers a range of innovative signalling, lighting and sound products to help bring a model railway to life. I have been fortunate to also have had a sideline in broadcasting on radio, television and more recently live streaming and it is these skills I particularly want to bring to the Norfolk Railway Foundation.