INFORMATION FOR THE VISITOR
RCD’s Overview
This is one of the UK’s premier heritage lines and gets our very top rating.
This railway is one of the UK’s longest established preserved railways, and as such has collected over time an impressive collection of ex-main line and branch steam locomotives. It is not one of the longest heritage railways, but it makes up for this in the quality and variety of what it offers, and the impressive scenery through which it travels including views of the Norfolk coast and countryside. Its large locomotive collection enables it to run an intensive service, both in terms of the number of days of operation, and the number of trains run on those days.
This railway has an historical depth few other heritage railways can match. Its locomotives include a number of pre-grouping locomotives (from the GER and GNR), as well pre-nationalisation carriages, including a LNER 'Quad Art' set of coaches and a M&GNJR 6-wheel carriage, amongst others. A vintage train set operates under the title 'Victorian Sundays’ every Sunday from late July to early September, and at other times as part of various 'Vintage Weeks'.
The support group is the 'M&GN Joint Railway Society' (see 'Information on the Suport Group' below).
Happening This Month on the Railway
Go to 'Homepage' and click into 'Railway Club Calendar'
Key Facts (where and when)
Extent of Railway (where to where):
Sheringham via Weybourne to Holt (Norfolk)
Principal Visitor Centre:
Sheringham station
Period of Operation*
- February Half Term services
- March: Most Sundays
- April, May and September, October: Near daily basis
- June, July and August: Daily
- November and December (Special event trains)
[* This is a summary. Please go to the railway’s website for definitive operating days]
Key Facts (what you’ll see)
Services usually steam or diesel?
Predominantly steam with frequent diesel services added too
Type of Steam / Diesel Locomotives Used:
Full range of steam and diesel locos (large, mid and small-sized)
Length of Line:
5.5 miles
Time taken for a round trip:
1 hour 20 minutes
Number of trains per day:
8 to 11 in each direction
Number of Stations
3 stations
Prices (slightly higher in mid-summer):
Adult Rover: £18. Child Rover: £13. Society Member: £5
Time to allow for Visit:
Half day
Museum:
Yes
Shop/Cafe:
Yes/Yes
Picnic/Play areas:
Yes
Special Features:
Scenic coastal and countryside railway
Preservation Established:
1965
Car Park Facilities:
Sheringham (pay & display), Weybourne (limited) and Holt.
Key Facts (Galas/Events/Dining)
Dining Trains:
- Premier Sunday Lunch Trains
- Premier Lunchtime Dining Trains
- North Norfolkman Evening Dining
- Fish & Chip Trains
- Cream Tea on a Steam Train!
- The Gin Train
Event Trains:
- Norfolk Lights Express: Mid November to early January
- Santa Specials: Mid November and December
Principal Galas:
- Mixed Traction Gala: June
- Autumn Steam Gala: August/ September
- Home Fleet Weekend: October
Experiences:
- Steam Driver Experience (taster to 5 day)
- Diesel Driver Experience
- Signalling Experience
Contacts
Email: enquiries@nnrailway.co.uk
Telephone: 01263 820800
Website: www.nnrailway.co.uk
Social Media: www.facebook.com/NorthNorfolkRailwayPLC
Also on Twitter/ Instagram/ YouTube/ Flickr
INFORMATION FOR THE ENTHUSIAST
Brief History of the Railway and its Preservation
The line once formed part of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway's Melton Constable to Cromer Beach branch line. It was opened in 1887 and connected at Melton Constable with M&GN services enabling travel from Cromer to Norwich and Great Yarmouth, as well as to London Kings Cross. The majority of the M&GN system was closed to passengers in 1959, however the section between Melton Constable and Cromer retained its passenger service becoming an extension of the former GER line from Norwich. The Beeching Report recommended closure of the section between Melton Constable and Sheringham, which closed in 1964. The Midland & Great Northern Joint Railways Preservation Society was formed in 1959 and by 1963 it had formed North Norfolk Railways Limited to preserve the line between Sheringham and Weybourne which was reopened in 1975. The line was subsequently extended to Holt where it presently terminates.
Steam Operational Locomotives:
(1) GER Class Y14 (J15) (Worsdell) - No. 564
(2) S&DJR Class 7F - 53809
(3) Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 - ‘Wissington’ (away on loan)
Diesel Operational Locomotives/DMU:
(1) BR Class 08 - D3935
(2) BR Class 08 shunter - D3940
(3) BR Class 20 - 20 227 ‘Sherlock Holmes’ (away on loan)
(4) BR Class 31 - D5631
(5) BR Class 37 - D6782
(6) Heritage DMU Class 101- 51188/56352
(7) Heritage DMU Class 101 - 51228/56062
(8) Waggon und Maschinenbau Railcar E79960 (away on loan)
Steam Locomotives Under Overhaul:
(1) GNR Class N2 (Gresley) - No 1744
(2) GNR Class S69 (LNER B12) (Holden) - No. 8572
(3) Hunslet Works - No 1982 ‘Ring Haw’
(4) WD Austerity 2-10-0 - 90775 ‘The Royal Norfolk Regiment’
(5) BR Standard 4 - 76084
(6) BR Standard 9 - 92203 ‘Black Prince’
Diesel Locomotives Under Overhaul:
(1) BR Class 08 shunter - D3940
Stored/ Under Restoration/ Out of Service:
None reported
INFORMATION ON THE SUPPORT GROUP
Name of Support Group:
M&GN Joint Railway Society
Annual membership fee:
Adult: £24. Senior: £22. Junior: £11 Family: £46. Life: From £420
Website: www.mandgn.org
Email: members@mandgn.org
Benefits of membership:
- Up to 70% off NNR travel (10% off at special events)
- Discount on selected Society produced publications
- Free travel on our Society Members’ Day.
- Quarterly Magazine: ‘Joint Line’
How to Join: Go to www.mandgn.org
What They Say About Volunteering:
If you have visited the North Norfolk Railway before, you are sure to have seen some of our fantastic volunteers, the Driver, the Fireman, the Guard, the Signalmen, the Booking Office Clerk just to list a few. In fact, you could get involved with any aspect of the North Norfolk Railway. When you volunteer on the North Norfolk Railway you are sure have fun whilst meeting new friends and making a big difference, whatever your age. Some of our volunteers come through our Youth Development Club, some work full time, some have retired, while others take their holidays working on the railway.
How to Volunteer: Go to www.nnrailway.co.uk/volunteering
How to Donate: Go to www.mandgn.org/donations
WHY JOIN: With its large collection of locomotives and rolling stock, help is always needed to maintain this prestigious railway.
INFORMATION ON OTHER SOCIETIES WITH RELATED INTEREST
Those interested in this railway may also be interested in the following railway societies also listed on this
website:
Traditional Railway Societies:
- M&GN Circle
- Great Eastern Railway Society
- The Gresley Society
- Norfolk Railway Society
Locomotive Societies (steam):
- The Gresley Society
Model Railway Clubs:
- Norwich Model Railway Club