Route Details
The section of line under the ownership of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust starts in the Wensum valley, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Candidate Special Area of Conservation, taking a roughly southerly direction. The line soon climbs out of the valley and enters the town of Dereham, passing two of the towns former maltings, including the Grade II* listed Crisps Malting buildings.
Leaving Dereham the route runs roughly southeast, passing over the River Tud, then dropping down to pass through the head of the Yare valley near the village of Thuxton. After passing Kimberley Park, the restored windmill at Wicklewood can be seen to the west of the line, before the line drops into the Tiffey valley and most services terminate at a halt close to the Grade I listed Wymondham Abbey, a former Benedictine priory founded in 1107 and now serving as the Parish Church. Although not open to regular services, the line continues a further mile before joining with the main line at Wymondham railway station.
The route of the MNR includes the following stations, listed from north to south:
- Under restoration
| Location | Status | Opened | Closed | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County School | Visitor Centre | 1886 | 5 October 1964 | Restored to LNER World War Two condition with help from European funding, the station was presented as a museum memorial to the contribution of railways to modern warfare until it was repainted in a different colour scheme in 2010. The station has a car park, picnic area, toilets, and tea room. It serves as the focus for several footpaths in the Wensum Valley. The station's unspoilt isolation has seen it used as a film location on several occasions.
The station was presented with a Highly Commended certificate in the 1990 Ian Allan National Heritage Railway Awards. |
|
| North Elmham | Closed / Private | 20 March 1849 | 5 October 1964 | Building and platform unrestored and in private ownership. |
- Operational
| Location | Status | Opened | Closed | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dereham | Open | 15 February 1847 | 6 October 1969 | The headquarters of the railway, and has been restored to 1950s condition with help from European and Government funding. The station has a large car park, and is situated close to the town centre.
The line continues northwards to North Elmham, but is not yet in passenger use. |
|
| Yaxham | Open | 15 February 1847 | 6 October 1969 | The station retains many of its buildings, including the signal box, in private ownership. It is also the home of the Yaxham Light Railway and a local boiler engineering company. | |
| Thuxton | Open | 15 February 1847 | 6 October 1969 | Thuxton's waiting rooms are, as with all the intermediate stations, private. The waiting room has been restored as holiday accommodation.
Work to complete a passing loop at this site, provide operational signalling and lengthen the up platform to accommodate longer and more frequent train services was completed in 2010. |
|
| Hardingham | Closed / Private | 15 February 1847 | 6 October 1969 | Hardingham station is restored and is passed between Thuxton and Kimberley Park. However this station, apart from the platforms, is private and no scheduled trains stop there. In 2001 the station was awarded the Ian Allan Heritage Award.
The station yard, also in private ownership and not connected to the main line, is equipped with two maintenance sheds. A variety of mainline and industrial rolling stock is maintained on site. |
|
| Kimberley Park | Open | 15 February 1847 | 6 October 1969 | The station building is a private home, but the down platform has been restored for local use. | |
| Wymondham Abbey | Open | 2 May 1999 | - | The station is a basic platform close to the original Wymondham Abbey. MNR trains do not serve the main Wymondham railway station, which is served by trains on the Breckland Line of the National Rail network. Wymondham and Wymondham Abbey stations are one mile (1.6 km) apart. |
There have been plans to create additional stations at Hoe, Garvestone and Wymondham Junction railway station on the boundary between MNR and NR, allowing a short walk from branch to main line.
Read more about this topic: Mid-Norfolk Railway
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