Mid-Norfolk Railway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mid-Norfolk Railway |
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| Locale | England |
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| Connections | Network Rail (at Wymondham South Junction) |
| Commercial operations | |
| Name | The Mid-Norfolk Railway |
| Built by | Samuel Morton Peto |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Preserved operations | |
| Operated by | Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust |
| Stations | 5 |
| Length | 17 miles 40 chains (28.2 km) 15 mi (24 km) operational |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1845 |
| Closed to passengers | 6 October 1969 |
| Closed | Between 1980 and 1989 |
| Preservation history | |
| 1974 | Wymondham, Dereham and Fakenham Rail Action Committee formed |
| 1978 | Fakenham & Dereham Society formed |
| 1995 | Dereham Rash's Green to Yaxham re-opens to passengers |
| 1997 | Dereham railway station re-opens to passengers |
| 1998 | Dereham to Wymondham section re-opens to goods |
| 1999 | Dereham to Wymondham section re-opens to passengers |
| 2013 | First passenger train to Hoe |
| 2018 | First passenger train to Worthing |
| Headquarters | Dereham |
The Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) is a 17+1⁄2 miles (28.2 km) long heritage railway in Great Britain. It is one of the longest of its kind. People started trying to save the railway in 1974. However, it only reopened for passengers in the mid-1990s. The MNR owns and runs most of the old Wymondham-Fakenham branch line. This line was part of the Norfolk Railway.
The original branch line opened in 1847. Passenger services slowly closed between 1964 and 1969 due to the Beeching cuts. The line fully closed for goods in 1989. Today, the Mid-Norfolk Railway runs regular steam and diesel trains. These trains travel 11+1⁄2 miles (18.5 km) through the middle of Norfolk. They connect the towns of Wymondham and Dereham. The route passes through Yaxham, Thuxton and Kimberley Park. Sometimes, special trains go north of Dereham to Worthing. The railway is also used for moving goods and for training staff for bigger railway companies. The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust (MNRPT) owns and runs the line. Most of the work is done by volunteers.
Contents
History of the Mid-Norfolk Railway
The Railway's Early Days
The railway line from Wymondham to Wells opened in different parts between 1847 and 1857. This happened after Parliament agreed to it in 1845. By 1862, the whole line became part of the Great Eastern Railway. The section between Wymondham and Dereham got a double track in 1882. The line north of Dereham stayed as a single track.
In 1923, many British railway companies joined together. The line became part of the London and North Eastern Railway. The railway was very busy during World War I and World War II. Extra tracks were added at Dereham in 1943 for military use. Dereham was also a place where materials for building local airfields were received.
After the "Big Four" railway companies were taken over by the government in 1948, the line became part of Eastern Region of British Railways. Some parts of the line started to close. The section between County School and Wroxham closed to passengers in 1952.
Passenger trains between Dereham and Wells stopped running in 1964. Dereham then became a stop for trains going from Norwich to King's Lynn. In 1965, the Wymondham to Dereham section was changed to a single track. It had a loop at Hardingham for trains to pass each other. Passenger services from King's Lynn ended in 1968. The last passenger trains between Wymondham and Dereham stopped in October 1969.
Goods trains still used the line after passenger services ended. In 1974, a group called the Wymondham, Dereham and Fakenham Railway Action Committee was formed. They wanted to bring back passenger trains. British Rail said it would cost £247,000, but the local council said no. Goods services on the line finally stopped in June 1989.
Saving the Railway
Fakenham and Dereham Railway Society
The Fakenham and Dereham Railway Society (F&DRS) was an early group that wanted to save the railway. It started in 1978. Their goal was to keep the line between Wymondham and Fakenham as it was in 1980. They also wanted to encourage the use of the line for both goods and passengers.
In 1980, the F&DRS tried to save a section of the line but failed. Instead, they rented Hardingham station in 1983. They laid new track and got a small diesel train. This idea did not make enough money. So, the society had to leave Hardingham and move to Yaxham station for a short time.
In 1987, the local council bought County School station. They gave the F&DRS a very long lease. The society planned to connect the station to the main railway line. This would allow special charter trains to visit. However, this plan was stopped when the whole line was set to close in 1989.
Mid-Norfolk Railway Society and Great Eastern Railway (1989) Ltd.
To save the line, a company called Great Eastern Railway (1989) Limited was formed. The F&DRS supported this plan. The society changed its name to the Mid-Norfolk Railway Society (MNRS) in 1990. They helped with money and people to develop the County School site. The railway line was made longer towards North Elmham. The first passenger train ran at County School in 1991.
In 1991, the company said it had raised money to start regular passenger trains by 1993. They hoped 400 people would use the service each day. There were also plans for special trips, like shopping trips to London.
Later, the GER(1989) company planned to remove the track between Dereham and Wymondham. The MNRS stopped supporting them and made their own offer for the line. In 1994, the MNRS was allowed to look after the railway line between Wymondham and North Elmham. This was to stop damage from vandalism. The first group of volunteers worked at Dereham station in July 1994.
In December 1994, two Class 20 diesel trains were moved to Dereham. On Christmas Eve, they travelled along the line to Yaxham station. In 1995, problems arose with the Great Eastern Railway (1989) Ltd. The council wanted them to give up the lease for County School station. The company fought this decision.
In July 1995, two coaches belonging to the Mid-Norfolk Railway Society were moved without permission to a scrap yard. In 1996, the council threatened to stop trains at County School. This was because someone other than the leaseholder was running trains. The council then put security guards at County School to stop things from being taken. County School station was boarded up and left to become derelict.
Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust
The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust (MNRPT) was formed in 1995. It brought together different groups that wanted to save the railway. The new charity's goal was to save and run the historic railway line. This included the tracks, buildings, and trains between County School and Wymondham.
In July 1995, two Mk2 coaches were moved to Dereham. They joined the Class 20 trains already there. These coaches were then pulled to the MNR's temporary base at Yaxham. More coaches arrived in August.
On November 29, 1995, the railway section between Yaxham and Dereham was checked. Permission was given to run passenger trains from December 23, 1995. Many trains ran between these dates. In October 1995, the local council thought about buying the line from British Rail. They planned to lease it to a railway group, with the Mid-Norfolk Railway being the top choice.
In 1998, the MNRPT bought the line between Wymondham and Dereham for £100,000. This included Dereham station and its goods yard. They also bought the track between Dereham and North Elmham for £25,000. The MNRPT also took over County School station.
Dereham station reopened to passengers on July 26, 1997. The first trains were pulled by a steam engine called 'Sir Berkeley'. The line between Wymondham and Dereham was officially given to the MNRPT in September 1997. The first train to run on the preserved line between Dereham and Wymondham was a works train in February 1998. The first commercial goods train ran in July 1998.
Passenger trains between Dereham and Wymondham started in 1999. This was when Wymondham Abbey railway station opened. Thuxton station also opened as a request stop. However, Kimberley Park and Hardingham stayed closed.
After more work, steam passenger trains returned to the Dereham to Wymondham Abbey section in April 2006. The Mid-Norfolk Railway officially took ownership of the line between Dereham and North Elmham in October 2001.
Other independent railway projects exist nearby. The Bure Valley Railway uses part of the old line from County School to Wroxham. The Wells and Walsingham Light Railway is a miniature railway. Another plan, the "Norfolk Orbital Railway", aims to connect the MNR to the North Norfolk Railway and the coast.
The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust has permission from the government to run the railway. This permission covers the length of the track and level crossings. Plans to restore the line to County School were approved in 1992.
The Mid-Norfolk Railway Today
The 11+1⁄2 miles (18.5 km) section of line between Dereham and Wymondham is used regularly. Another 3+1⁄2 miles (5.6 km) to Worthing is approved for use. This longer section is mainly for special events and work trains. The company also owns the next 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of disused line to County School. This makes the Mid-Norfolk Railway one of the longest heritage railways in the United Kingdom. Beyond the railway's land, the old trackbed to Fakenham is mostly still there. The council has saved it for future railway use.
The MNR has preserved stations at Yaxham, Thuxton, Hardingham, Kimberley Park, and Wymondham Abbey. Trains run most weekends from late February to December. They also run on Wednesdays and Thursdays in summer. There are many special events throughout the year.
Steam Trains
The Mid-Norfolk Railway mostly uses diesel trains. However, it also has steam trains. The first train from Dereham after the railway was saved was pulled by a steam engine called "Sir Berkeley". The railway has always planned to run both steam and diesel trains.
In 2000, a small steam engine called 'Little Barford' visited. It was too small for regular services. But it was the first steam train in preservation to travel the whole line between Dereham and Wymondham. In 2001, another steam train, 61264, passed through Dereham for repairs.
In 2006, steam trains started running passenger services again. This happened after Dereham Station was restored and facilities for steam trains were added. The first steam engine to run scheduled services was GWR 9466. This engine returned in 2007. Another large steam engine, 34067 Tangmere, also visited. It ran some scheduled trains and pulled the first steam charter train from Dereham to London. Steam services continue to run during the summer months.
Mainline Connections
Commercial Goods Trains
The Mid-Norfolk Railway helps with commercial goods trains. It connects to the main railway network at Wymondham. Dereham yard is used by Direct Rail Services for servicing trains. It also stores Network Rail track equipment.
The railway's loading ramp at Dereham is used by main line train companies. They load damaged trains onto road vehicles here. These trains often come from Norwich, where there are no loading facilities. They are then moved by road for repairs.
The line has also been used to carry equipment for army units. This happened most recently in March 2020. These trains use both the railway's own engines and main line engines. Local councils have suggested that Fakenham and Great Ryburgh could become freight hubs. This would happen if they were connected to the Mid-Norfolk Railway.
Storing Mainline Trains
The Mid-Norfolk Railway has worked with Abellio Greater Anglia to create a train storage area. This is near Kimberley Park station. The £3 million sidings were paid for by Abellio Greater Anglia. They use them to store their new Class 745 and 755 trains. These trains are stored until they are ready to be used for passengers.
Training and Testing
Mainline railway companies often use the Mid-Norfolk Railway for training their staff. They also store and test new railway machines here. These include machines that fix tracks. Since 2001, the line has been used every year for "skidpan training". This teaches train crews how to stop trains on slippery tracks.
The line is also used for training exercises by emergency services. This includes the ambulance service, police, and fire brigade. They practice for major incidents, sometimes with air ambulances.
Special Charter Trains
Before the line was saved, special trains ran to show support for bringing back passenger services. These trains carried over 5,000 passengers. The connection with the main line at Wymondham allows the Mid-Norfolk Railway to still be used by many special charter and excursion trains.
TV, Film, and Theatre Use
After passenger services stopped, County School station was used for a TV show called Weavers Green. The same station was also used as "Gare de Nouvion" in the comedy series ['Allo 'Allo!].
In 2001, a show called Off the Rails featured the railway's activities and volunteers. In 2004, County School was used for a documentary about American troops in World War II. In 2005, it was used for a film about a composer. Dereham station and the railway's coaches have also appeared in films and TV shows.
In 2010, Michael Portillo filmed an episode of Great British Railway Journeys on the railway. He used the Mid-Norfolk's green diesel train. In 2012, Dereham station was used for a musical called The Railway Children. In 2016, the line and Dereham station were featured in the horror film Possum. In 2018, the railway was used for the opening scenes of the BBC drama Bodyguard. That same year, Dereham station was used for a German beer advert. In 2019, a Bollywood film called The Girl on the Train was filmed at Dereham station.
Community Railway
The Mid-Norfolk Railway was set up to be used for many things. This includes services for the local community, tourists, and goods. The railway believes that a commuter service between Dereham and Norwich is still possible. They could run it themselves or work with another train company. One challenge is that there are five manual level crossings between Dereham and Wymondham. These need to be operated by hand.
In 2009, a railway group suggested bringing back regular services on old branch lines, including the Dereham line. This plan would cost £30 million. In 2020, the railway announced they had applied for money to study reopening the line for regular commuter services. This plan has the support of local councils and the local MP. In June 2021, a bid was submitted to restore the Wymondham-Dereham line. It was not successful, but another bid was submitted.
The railway is also a place for vintage car shows and other special events. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Dereham station was used for medical testing.
Awards and Recognition
- County School station received an award in 1990.
- Hardingham station won the Ian Allan Heritage Award in 2001.
- In 2012, the railway won an award for its excellent work with 1970s diesel trains.
- In December 2013, the railway was named the Ian Allan Heritage Railway of the Year.
- In 2019, the Mid-Norfolk Railway's Polar Express Train Ride was voted Runner Up for Seasonal Event of the Year.
Accidents on the Line
- On March 20, 2011, a car hit the level crossing gates at Kimberley Park station, breaking one of them.
- On September 7, 2011, a passenger train hit a lorry at an un-gated level crossing in Dereham. No one was hurt.
- On June 30, 2012, a steam locomotive hit a parked diesel train. The damage was estimated to be very expensive. No one was injured.
- On December 20, 2020, a rail vehicle being delivered by road broke through a level crossing gate.
The Railway Route
Heading south from Fakenham, the line crosses the old Midland & Great Northern route. Plans suggest building a new station near Fakenham. This first section is owned by the Norfolk Orbital Railway. It is open to the public as a footpath.
The line then passes behind the Pensthorpe Natural Park. At Ryburgh, the platform was removed. The path is blocked by buildings and a private driveway. This five-mile section is not owned by the railway.
South of Great Ryburgh, two bridge decks have been removed. The section through Sennowe Park is not open to the public. The railway route from Fakenham to County School is protected for future rail use. A section of the line near Yarrow Lane is a public bridleway.
The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust owns the trackbed starting north of Yarrow Lane. This area is a special nature site.
The line south of County School station is owned by the Mid-Norfolk Railway. Some track has been relaid here. There is still a one-mile gap in the track between North Elmham and County School. The line goes through the Wensum Valley. There is only one level crossing on this section, on a private road.
After North Elmham, the line becomes operational. It runs behind RAF Swanton Morley and past the village of Hoe before reaching Dereham. This section has six public road level crossings. It is rarely used by passenger trains because there are no stations open and no signalling systems in Dereham. This part of the line climbs into Dereham, passing old maltings buildings.
After Dereham station, the line goes through fields and over the River Tud. It then reaches Yaxham. This was the first section of the railway to be restored. The single track continues through Yaxham station, passing the Yaxham Light Railway. It then goes through hills and valleys to a level crossing at Garvestone. The line then goes down into the Yare valley. It becomes a double track at Thuxton for trains to pass and for storage.
Work to complete a passing loop at Thuxton was finished in 2010. This allows more frequent trains. A new signal box controls the signals. Double track extends south of Thuxton for a long storage siding. The single operating line continues to Hardingham.
Most trains do not stop at Hardingham. There is no public path from the road to the station. Double track goes south from Hardingham over Danemoor Bank. This section is used for a large storage yard for mainline trains.
After the storage sidings, the single track continues south. It passes the village of Wicklewood in a deep cutting. The line then drops into the Tiffey valley and reaches the edge of Wymondham. Most trains stop at a halt near Wymondham Abbey. This is a historic church founded in 1107.
Wymondham Abbey has a loop for trains to turn around. The line continues for another 1 mile (1.6 km) to join the main line at Wymondham railway station. This final section is not usually used by passenger services.
Here are the stations on the Mid-Norfolk Railway, from north to south:
| Location | Status | Opened | Closed | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fakenham East | Redeveloped | 1857 | 5 October 1964 | The station was taken down after it closed in 1980. The area is now housing. The Norfolk Orbital Railway owns part of the old line south of the station. Plans for the railway include building a new station in a different spot. | |
| Ryburgh | Closed / Private | 1857 | 5 October 1964 | The remaining buildings are privately owned. The original station was destroyed in a bombing raid. |
| Location | Status | Opened | Closed | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County School | Visitor Centre | 1886 | 5 October 1964 | This station has a car park, picnic area, toilets, and a tea room. It's a good starting point for walks in the Wensum Valley. It has also been used for filming. The Mid-Norfolk Railway sometimes offers bus services from here during special events. | |
| North Elmham | Closed / Private | 20 March 1849 | 5 October 1964 | The building and platform are privately owned. There are plans to lay new track and build a new platform to bring back passenger services. |
| Location | Status | Opened | Closed | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dereham | Open | 15 February 1847 | 6 October 1969 | This is the main base of the railway. It has been restored to look like it did in the 1950s. The station has a large car park and is close to the town centre. | |
| Yaxham | Open | 15 February 1847 | 6 October 1969 | Many of the original buildings are still here, including the signal box. There are no passenger facilities on the platform. Yaxham is also home to the Yaxham Light Railway. | |
| Thuxton | Open | 15 February 1847 | 6 October 1969 | The waiting room on one platform has been restored as holiday accommodation. The station house is a private home. | |
| Hardingham | Closed / Private | 15 February 1847 | 6 October 1969 | Hardingham station is restored but is private. Few scheduled trains stop here. There are no public paths to the station. The station yard is privately owned and has sheds for train maintenance. | |
| Kimberley Park | Open | 15 February 1847 | 6 October 1969 | The station building is a private home. The platform for trains going south has been restored for passengers. It has a small shelter. New owners are restoring the station to its original look. | |
| Wymondham Abbey | Open | 2 May 1999 | - | This station is a simple platform near Wymondham Abbey. Mid-Norfolk Railway trains do not go to the main Wymondham railway station. That station is served by other trains. The two stations are about a mile apart. |
There are plans for new stations at Hoe, Garvestone, and Wymondham Junction railway station.
Railway Projects
Big projects have been completed with money from Europe and the government. These include restoring Dereham station, building a place to fix trains, and adding facilities for steam trains. Most of the work, like maintaining tracks and running trains, is done by volunteers. However, some funding has created paid jobs.
Future projects include adding signalling systems at Dereham and Wymondham. The new Thuxton signal box started working in 2015.
Dereham Station Restoration
Dereham station was badly damaged after it closed, including a major fire in 1988. In 2002, the railway received over £600,000 in grants. This money allowed them to restore the station and other buildings. This included two railway-owned crossing cottages and a World War II pillbox.
In 2013, plans were approved to build a footbridge at Dereham Station. This bridge would connect platforms 1 and 2. The original footbridge from Whittlesford station was going to be used. However, in 2018, this footbridge was sold by the railway.
Dereham Train Shed
To fix and maintain trains, the railway decided to build a new shed in Dereham yard. In 2014, a suitable building frame was found and bought. The site in Dereham Yard was cleared in 2015.
In 2018, a new train maintenance shed was built. This was thanks to a £100,000 grant from the European Union. The grant covered 80% of the building cost. The original shed frame bought in 2014 was not used.
Dereham Turntable
In March 2015, the Mid-Norfolk Railway got the old Hitchin Turntable. They plan to install it at Dereham.
Thuxton Loop and Signalling
The railway planned to build a passing loop at Hardingham. But this idea was changed to a loop at Thuxton instead. In 2008, construction of the passing loop at Thuxton station began. This would allow trains to leave Dereham and Wymondham every hour. The first part of the work was finished in early 2009. The track for the loop was laid by the end of 2009. The level crossing will also be widened.
The loop started working in September 2010. The first scheduled passenger trains to pass at Thuxton did so during a special event in 2010. Full signalling will be added later. This will include signals and point motors. These will be controlled from a new signal box.
County School Station Restoration
In 1998, the MNRPT took over County School station. The track north of the platforms had been removed. The station was boarded up and damaged.
The MNR brought the station back to life as a visitor centre. They spent £28,000 restoring the station buildings. They made them look like they did during wartime. They also cleaned up the grounds. The station was then sold to the Mid-Norfolk Railway. The railway agreed to keep a footpath open for walkers.
County School Signal Box
The original signal boxes at County School were taken down. However, the base of the main box remained. The original signal cabin from Halesworth was moved to the site. But it was in worse condition than expected. In 2017, the Mid-Norfolk Railway decided to move the signal box to another museum.
Hardingham – Kimberley Park Storage
In 2018, an agreement was made with Greater Anglia. This £3.25 million deal was to provide space to store about 30 new Class 755 trains. Greater Anglia needed more storage while they brought in their new trains. The construction of the sidings is being paid for by Greater Anglia.
The project also included improving the signalling along the line. This allows easier access to the sidings for trains. New tracks were laid over Danemoor Bank and through Hardingham station. A connection was also added to Hardingham yard.
Dereham – Yaxham Road Crossing
In May 2020, the MNR replaced old parts of the Yaxham Road level crossing in Dereham. This work included replacing electronic equipment and the track under the road. The road surface was also upgraded. A public appeal raised £150,000 for this work.
This project used a new type of crossing system. Officials from Network Rail and Transport for London visited to see it. This type of crossing is planned for other parts of the UK rail network. A second new crossing was installed at Kimberley Park station in May 2021.
Extending the Route
This project aims to reopen the line north of Dereham to County School in stages. The first stage was to Hoe. The railway decided to focus on restoring the track to North Elmham. This area has better access for visitors. However, a platform could still be added at Hoe later. The level crossing at Hoe has been rebuilt. Work to replace sleepers, fix drainage, and clear plants is ongoing towards North Elmham.
A railway inspector checked the section between Dereham and Hoe. They set rules for how often passenger trains could use the track. They also set a maximum speed limit of 15 mph due to the track condition.
The first full passenger train to use the line between Dereham and Hoe was a special main line train in May 2013. On May 19, 2018, the line between Hoe and Worthing officially opened for passenger trains. This made the railway over 15 miles long. The section north of Dereham will only be used on special event days until it fully opens to North Elmham station.
In March 2018, five ballast wagons were used to drop ballast between Hoe and Worthing. This was the first train to reach North Elmham from Wymondham since the line closed.
Permission to relay and operate the line between County School and North Elmham was given in 1992. The Mid-Norfolk Railway aims to restore the railway all the way to Fakenham. This would create a 23-mile (37 km)-long route. The old railway route is protected from building development.
Norfolk Orbital Railway
The Norfolk Orbital Line is a big plan for the future. It aims to create a railway line between Sheringham and Wymondham for regular passenger services. This would connect to the Network Rail system at both ends. This plan got a boost in 2008 when Network Rail considered allowing a level crossing between the North Norfolk Railway and the Bittern branch line.
In 2009, the Norfolk Orbital Railway tried to buy a section of the railway line in Fakenham. However, a developer bought it instead. The land was sold again in 2014 and was bought for the railway project. In 2016, the project received £60,000 to help fix bridges, create an education resource, and make a walking path.
Trains and Carriages
The Mid-Norfolk Railway has many trains, passenger carriages, and wagons. Most of these are from the 1950s to the 1990s. Various steam locomotives run on the MNR. A BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T steam engine, 80078, has been on long-term hire since 2018. Diesel locomotives also operate on the MNR. These include Class 03, 04, 14, 31, 33, 37, 47, and 50 trains. There are also Class 100, 101, 108, 117, 142, and 144 multiple units. You can find more information on the separate page: Rolling stock of the Mid-Norfolk Railway.
Funding and Support
The Mid-Norfolk Railway is owned and run by the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust, which is a registered charity. Money for developing the line comes from running the railway and from special fundraising appeals. The railway's opening was partly funded by loans from local councils.
In 2001, the railway offered special bonds to raise money. They aimed to raise over £300,000. This money was planned for:
- Restoring Dereham station and building maintenance facilities.
- Adding a loop at Wymondham Abbey for trains to turn around.
- Building a passing loop at Hardingham.
- Starting track restoration on the northern section towards North Elmham.
- Buying more passenger carriages.
In 2018, the railway received £100,000 from the European Union for a new train maintenance shed. The same year, Greater Anglia made a £3.25 million agreement with the MNR to store trains at Kimberley.
In 2020, the line received £190,500 from the Culture Recovery Fund. This fund is supported by the government and heritage organizations.
The MNR also has several groups that support it. Most of these groups focus on specific types of trains or carriages. Private owners also keep their trains at the line.
- The Class 37 Locomotive Group was formed in 1984. They maintain and operate train 37003.
- The Stratford 47 Group started in 2001 to save a Class 47 diesel train. They now own three trains that operate on the Mid-Norfolk Railway.
- The Class 50 Locomotive Association bought train 50019 in 1991. It moved to the Mid-Norfolk Railway in 1999.
- The North Norfolk Model Engineering Club is setting up a miniature railway at the MNR's County School station.
See also
Other railway preservation societies in Norfolk:
- Barton House Railway
- Bressingham Steam and Gardens
- Bure Valley Railway – built on part of the former County School to Wroxham branch.
- North Norfolk Railway – may be connected to the MNR through the Norfolk Orbital Railway
- Wells Harbour Railway
- Wells and Walsingham Light Railway – built on the northern section of the Wymondham to Wells line.
- Whitwell & Reepham railway station
- Yaxham Light Railway – situated at Yaxham station, beside the MNR.
