Infrastructure
The line is double track from Norwich to Hoveton and Wroxham where the line becomes single track, with a passing loop at North Walsham, and a two platform station at Cromer also allowing passing. The line is not electrified, has a loading gauge of W8 between Norwich and Roughton Road and W6 from Roughton Road to Sheringham, and a line speed of between 40-75 mph.
The line was resignalled in 2000, leading to the closure of a number of mechanical signal boxes with control moving to a panel in the Trowse Swing Bridge control room, although it is arguable if this is a real improvement since there have been a number of serious failures causing full or partial suspension of service during electrical storms. This is due to the system using high frequency pulses in the rail as opposed to standard track circuits to operate level crossings. This saw the end of one of the few remaining sections of single track main line controlled by tokens. The signalling meant that Cromer Signal box, the last surviving M&GN example, was decommissioned; however it has been saved as a museum.
The line uses Class 153, Class 156 and Class 170 diesel multiple units.
One of the main signalling problems lies in the data loggers at Whittlingham Junction which when the fail safe system trips them requires a manual reset. The same system has been installed on the Marston Vale Line Between Bedford and Bletchley, but the system was installed using automatic reset for the data loggers. Network Rail claim that they cannot justify the £93,000 to replace the manual ones at Whittlingham.
Read more about this topic: Bittern Line