North Norfolk Railway  'The Poppy Line'

 

Address: Sheringham Station, Station Approach, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8RA

Telephone: 01263 820808  Email: enquiries@nnrailway.co.uk
Talking Timetable: 01263 820800
Line Length: 5¼ miles  Gauge: 4ft 8½ inches
Route: Sheringham to Holt  Journey Time: 23 minutes
Service: Saturday & Sunday in March, November, December / school holidays / every day April - October / extra days at Xmas
Tickets: Adult £10.50, Child £7.00, Family £35.00 (2 adults and 2 children) unlimited travel on day of issue
Parking: Pay and display at Sheringham Station NR26 8RA, free parking at Holt, limited parking at Weybourne   
Website: www.nnrailway.co.uk    YouTubevideo    location map

 

Sheringham Station and Weybourne Station: Buffet, souvenir shop

 

Holt Station: Buffet, souvenir shop, goods shed with museum, model railway

 

A line was opened by the Eastern and Midland Railway in 1884 which went from Melton Constable to Holt, it was extended to Cromer in 1887. The majority of the route was single track resulting in leisurely journey times. In 1893 the line became part of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Company. This organisation had a network of routes running cross to the Norfolk and Suffolk coast. Melton Constable was the hub of the system even having its own locomotive building facilities.

 

Under grouping in 1923 the railway came under the control of the London and North Eastern Railway who downgraded it to a branch line. In 1959 most of the west-east  routes in Norfolk were axed. Only the part from Melton Constable to Cromer remained, this lasted slightly longer until 4 April 1964.

 

A preservation society started in 1959 with the objective of purchasing one of the closed lines to run as a heritage railway. They first planned to reopen all the closed railway lines, 119 miles of track, this was not a feasible project. The next proposal was to reopen the 22 miles from North Walsham to Great Yarmouth, this also met with no success. Further possibilities were North Walsham to Aylsham North and Melton Constable to Hindolvestone, they all came to nothing. The announcement of the closure of the Melton Constable to Sheringham line gave the society another chance. Early in 1965 the track was being lifted, British Railways were persuaded to leave the three miles between Weybourne and Sheringham in place. Sufficient funds were raised by August 1965 to purchase the track. 

 

A Light Railway Order was granted and the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) began passenger services in summer 1975. Tracklaying for an extension commenced in October 1982, with the first section to Kellington Heath Park attained in September 1983. Public trains services to Holt began on 19 March 1989.

 

The NNR travels through a scenic part of Norfolk which is relatively hilly, there are parts that have a 1 in 80 incline. Trains will stop at Kellingham Heath Park from Holt, not from Sheringham because of the steep gradient.

 

Sheringham main line station is literally across the road from the NNR and there are plans for a level crossing to link the two lines which will facilitate occasional special trains.The railway has the following steam locomotives in active service No.65462 J15 0-6-0, No.69621 N7 0-6-2T, No.1982 'Ring Haw' 0-6-0ST. 

 

Bure Valley Railway

 

 

 
Address: Aylsham Station, Norwich Road, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6BW
Telephone: 01263 733858  Email: information@bvrw.co.uk
Line Length: 9 miles  Gauge: 15 inches
Route: Aylsham to Wroxham  Journey Time: 45 minutes
Service: Saturday &  Sunday & school holidays from 13 February / Daily from 1 April - 31 October / Saturday, Sunday, school holidays -  December
Tickets: Adult £11.00, Child £6.00, Family £29.00 (2 adults and 2 children) unlimited travel on day of issue
Parking: Free parking at Aylsham Station NR11 6BW and Wroxham Station
Website: www.bvrw.co.uk    YouTubevideo     location map       

 

Aylsham Station: Refreshments, souvenir/model shop, model railway

 

The Bure Valley Railway (BVR) is built on the track bed of a railway that first opened in July 1879, the complete line from Wroxham to Aylsham was finished by January 1880. At this time it was called the East Norfolk Railway but in 1882 it was taken over by the Great Eastern Railway. In 1923 it became part of the London and North Eastern Railway.

 

R.A.F. stations at Salthouse, Cottishall and Foulsham meant that during World War II the line was busy transporting passengers and freight. After the war British Railways discontinued the passenger service from September 1952, freight was carried until 1981 with closure officially on 6th January 1982.

 

In 1987 the Broadland District Council purchased the track bed  from Aylsham to Wroxham. A decision was made to split the track bed with a long distance path in one half and a narrow gauge railway on the other side.

 

The work on the narrow gauge railway was started in 1989 by the Bure Valley Railway. Renovation work required on the line included repairs to 17 bridges, a new tunnel under the Aylsham bypass, a 105ft long girder bridge over the River Bure. The track was laid on 6,000 tons of shingle. After an expenditure of £2½ million the line was opened on 10 July 1990.

 

Unfortunately the BVR was forced into receivership when the parent company stopped trading. Since then the railway has been run by a number of companies but the present owners, seem to have secured its finances.

 

Five steam locomotives are resident at the BVR they are No.1 'Wroxham Broad' 2-6-4T, No.6 'Blickling Hall' 2-6-2, No.7 'Spitfire' 2-6-2, No.8 'Thunder' 2-6-2, No.9 'Mark Timothy' 2-6-4. Built between 1992 - 2003 the steam engines are modern with electric generators and radio communication. There are 26 carriages which provide a comfortable ride for passengers, half of them have electric heating.

 

Further photos of the Bure Valley Railway can be found in the Gallery section.

 

Nene Valley Railway

 

 

 
Address: Wansford Station, Stibbington, Peterborough PE8 6LR
Telephone: 01780 784444  Email: nvrorg@nvr.org
Talking Timetable: 01780 784404
Line Length: 7 miles  Gauge: 4ft 8½ inches
Route: Peterborough (Nene Valley) to Yarwell Junction  Journey Time: 30 minutes
Service: Sunday 3 January - 31 October / Saturday 3 April - 30 October / Bank holidays / school holidays / every day except Monday in August / some extra days
Tickets: Adult £12.00, Child £6.00, Family £30.00 (2 adults and 3 children) unlimited travel on day of issue
Parking: Free at Wansford Station PE8 6LR and free at Orton Mere Station   
Website: www.nvr.org.uk    YouTubevideo    location map

 

Wansford Station: The main building dates from 1995 but there is the old station building dating from 1844 (not at present in NVR ownership), shop, cafe, picnic area, children's play area, model railway, locomotive turntable

 

Peterborough (Nene Valley) Station: shop, refreshments, Railworld (a museum not owned by the railway, extra charge applicable)

 

Yarwell Junction Station: picnic area

 

Parliamentary approval was given for a line to be constructed by the London and Birmingham Railway, it started in Blisworth, Northamptonshire and went to Peterborough. A passenger train service started on 2 June 1845 departing from Peterborough and travelling along the Nene Valley. The London and North Western Railway took over the line until 1923 when it became part of the London Midland and Scottish Railway. The route became a significant connection from Norwich and Cambridge to Northampton and Rugby. Passenger traffic to Northampton ended in 1964, with the service to Rugby finishing two years later. Freight continued to be carried until 1972 when British Rail closed the line.

 

In 1968 the Reverend Richard Paten purchased a British Railways class 5 locomotive No.73050. His intention had been to display it outside Peterborough Technical College. When examined closely the engine was found to be in excellent condition with only a minimal amount of restoration required to bring it back to working order. Baker Perkins offered a siding where the work could be carried out. Later No.73050 now aptly named 'City of Peterborough' moved to the British Sugar Corporation's factory siding where footplate rides were given.  

 

A Hunslet 0-6-0 'Jack's Green' became the next locomotive acquired in 1971. At this time the Peterborough Railway Society was set-up with the idea of preserving the length of track that ran through the Nene Valley. British Railways stopped using the line and in 1973 the Peterborough Development Corporation bought the track from Longueville Junction to Yarwell Junction. The Corporation leased the line to the PRS enabling them to operate a tourist railway through the country park.

 

Initially the Society was was going to use ex-BR steam engines but by this time the only locomotives left were at Barry scrapyard. After years of exposure to salt air they were rusting badly, renovation would be costly and time consuming. The solution came in the form of a Swedish Railways Class S1 2-6-4T offered for use on the railway. This was built to the continental loading gauge which meant it was wider and higher than BR stock. A survey of the line revealed that modifications to the platform at Wansford and demolition of an overbridge would make the line suitable. This meant the Nene Valley Railway (NVR) could run continental and BR trains, giving a wider scope for acquisitions in the future.

 

Passenger services recommenced on 1 June 1977 from Wansford to Orton Mere using 'Nord' a French locomotive and a Swedish tank engine. In the early 1980s the NVR extended the track to Peterborough where they have their own station. A new platform was constructed at Yarwell Junction giving the terminus a station which opened in 2007. A notable feature at Wansford is the signal box which is the largest fully preserved box in the country.

 

Two steam locomotives are in use at the NVR, No.73050 British Railways class 5 'City of Peterborough'  4-6-0 and No.1800 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T which is the "official" Thomas named by the Reverend Awdry himself. A number of diesel locomotives and one DMU are available.


Further photos of the Nene Valley Railway can be found in the Gallery section.

 

Colne Valley Railway

Address: Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DZ
Telephone: 01787 461174  Email: info@colnevalleyrailway.co.uk
Line Length: 1 mile  Gauge: 4ft 8½ inches
Service: Most Sundays 28 March - 31 October / some Saturdays 3 April - 30 October / Wednesday & Thurday and extra days during holiday periods
Tickets: Adult £8.00, Child £5.00, Family £28.00 (2 adults and 3 children) unlimited travel on day of issue
Parking: Castle Hedingham Station CO9 3DZ free
Website: www.colnevalleyrailway.co.uk     YouTubevideo    location map

 

Castle Hedingham Station: Refreshments, souvenirs, miniature and model railway, exhibition centre, signal box, picnic tables

 

Opened in 1858 the Colne Valley and Halstead Railway was closed to passengers on 31 December 1961.

 

Dick Hymas purchased a 0-6-0 Austerity class saddle tank steam locomotive in 1972, he then had the problem of finding a home for it. Together with another enthusiast the search began to find a suitable site. A location was found at Castle Hedingham where there was one mile of trackbed. A great deal of interest was shown by the local community so a group was formed called the Colne Valley Railway Preservation Society. Protracted negotiations were started with British Rail, culminating in the group gaining possession of Castle Hedingham in 1973.

 

There were no rails remaining with the whole area being completely overgrown. Fortunately three of the original buildings existed at Castle and Sible Hedingham, these were transfered brick by brick and rebuilt. A two hundred foot platform was built and with the buildings it has the authentic appearance of the original Castle Hedingham station. One mile of track was laid with all the associated pointwork and signalling. There is only one station so the railway runs round trips only


The Colne Valley Railway has three steam locomotives Hudswell Clarke 'Jennifer' 0-6-0T, Castle Donnington No.1 0-4-0ST , Avonside 'Barrington' 0-4-0ST and three diesel locomotives/DMUs.


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