system at either end. These ambitions were aided on 2 January 2008 when Network Rail announced it was giving consideration to allowing construction of a limited use level crossing between the North Norfolk Railway and the Bittern branch line. In 2009, the Norfolk Orbital Railway attempted to secure a section of the railway formation in Fakenham, but was outbid by a London developer who claimed not to know of the project. The land was once again auctioned on 10 December 2014, and was secured for the railway project for £24,000. In 2016 the project was awarded £60,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help repair the Fakenham bridges, provide an education resource, equipment for the Fakenham Area Conservation Team and to create a walk along the preserved formation for people to enjoy. Rolling stock The Mid-Norfolk Railway plays host to a large collection of locomotives, passenger carriages and wagons, most of which are from the 1950s to 1990s period. A variety of steam locomotives operate on the MNR throughout a season however, BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T 80078 has been on long term hire to the railway since 2018. Diesel locomotives also operate on the MNR, these include Class 03, Class 04, Class 14, Class 31, Class 33, Class 37, Class 47 & Class 50, along with Class 100, Class 101, Class 108, Class 117, Class 142 and Class 144 multiple units. Further information can be found on the separate Wiki page Rolling stock of the Mid-Norfolk Railway. Funding and associated bodies The Mid-Norfolk Railway is owned and operated by Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust, a registered charity, with finance for the development of the line coming through the commercial operation of the railway and specific funding appeals. The opening of the line was partly funded by a loan from Breckland District Council of £50,000, repayable over 20 years commencing April 2003 and a loan of £25,000, repayable over 18 years commencing June 2001, from South Norfolk District Council. A grant of £50,000 was made by Norfolk County Council, £25,000 from Breckland D.C. and £12,500 from South Norfolk D.C. In 2001 the railway launched a Bearer bond issue of up to £300,010, offering annual interest at 4% per annum as well as capital repayment after ten years. The nominal value of the Bonds was payable on 31 October 2011. The capital projects proposed for this scheme were: "1. Part restoration of