Mid-Norfolk Railway
The Mid-Norfolk Railway is an 11-mile standard-gauge heritage railway in Norfolk, running between Wymondham Abbey (close to the Network Rail station at Wymondham, on the Cambridge–Norwich line) and Dereham, with a further extension to Hoe and County School preserved as a separate working section. The line is the surviving central portion of the former Great Eastern Railway route from Wymondham through Dereham to Wells-next-the-Sea.
The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust acquired the line from Railtrack in 1995 and opened the first preserved trains in 1997. The line's 11-mile length makes it the longest single section of preserved track in eastern England, and the operation has unusually retained the engineering capability for through running of preserved diesels and DMU sets, including periodic running of preserved main-line diesels with permission to run onto the Network Rail at Wymondham.
The railway has a particular focus on diesel preservation, with a substantial fleet, but also operates regular steam services and hosts main-line steam tours.
History
The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust was formed in 1995 to acquire the closed Wymondham–Dereham line from Railtrack. The line had survived as a freight branch into the late 1980s before final closure. The first preserved trains ran from Dereham in 1997, with progressive extensions reaching Wymondham Abbey by 1999. The northern section to County School and Hoe is currently held but operates only on event days.
Original line history
The line was the eastern portion of the GER route from Wymondham through Dereham to Wells-next-the-Sea, which formed part of the joint Midland & Great Northern (M&GN) network in northern Norfolk. Passenger services were withdrawn from Wymondham–Wells in stages between 1964 and 1969; freight continued from Dereham to Wymondham until 1989, allowing the heritage line to take over an unusually intact route.
Stations and infrastructure
Wymondham Abbey is the southern terminus, with footpath connection to Wymondham Network Rail station. Dereham is the headquarters, with locomotive shed and signalling centre. Kimberley Park and Yaxham are intermediate stops.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The line is particularly known for its diesel galas, which regularly feature several visiting main-line registered locomotives. Other events include 1940s weekends, beer festivals, and Santa Specials.
Visitor information
Wymondham Abbey is a short walk from Wymondham Network Rail station; Dereham is signposted from the A47.