M&GN Joint Railway Society

  • Supporting charity of the North Norfolk Railway

  • Preserving and displaying historic locomotives and rolling stock since 1959

  • Proud owner of five steam locomotives, four diesel locomotives and a 1950s diesel multiple unit (DMU)

  • Custodian of heritage coaching stock, some dating from Victorian period and others comparatively “modern” having been built in the 1950s

  • Conserver of many thousands of railway artefacts, some on display in the William Marriott Museum at Holt Station

Midland Great Northern Joint Railway Society is a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales no. 03355411, and a registered charity no. 1063676.

Membership

By becoming a member you help us to continue supporting the North Norfolk Railway through the restoration, maintenance and operation of our five locomotives and many unique items of rolling stock and through the preservation of M&GN and railway memorabilia in the William Marriott Museum.

Your membership contribution will be used to ensure the Poppy Line lives on for many future generations to enjoy.

Benefits of becoming a Member

  • Up to 75% off NNR travel (10% off at special events, subject to T&Cs)
  • Quarterly editions of Joint Line*, the award winning full-colour magazine bringing you updates from the Railway
  •  Annual “Golden Ticket” allowing free travel to NNR event of your choosing (subject to T&Cs)
  • Invitation to other selected events, such as locomotive launches. Premier Life members are entitled to free travel, including special events. Premier Plus Life members can also bring a guest along to the Railway who can also travel free of charge on any running day, including special events.

*Please note that if you live outside of UK Mainland, you will receive a digital subscription to Joint Line. 

M&GN Society members can purchase discounted tickets in advance using the online booking system – follow the links from the Opening Dates page to find out what’s on and to book. Members will be required to show their membership card along with e-tickets when travelling.

The Society annually publishes reports and accounts in preparation for the annual general meeting which is usually held in July.

A copy of the Financial Statements for the year ending 31 January 2025 can be downloaded here.

MEMBERSHIP

A) All members i.e. principal and associate members age 16 and over have the right to vote;

B) All members under 16 have the right to attend and speak at meetings but have no right to vote;

C) Junior members reaching the age of 16 and student members reaching age 22 shall normally be required to pay the full adult subscription;

D) Membership is not transferable and shall cease immediately upon death; however in the case of death of a principal member any attached associate or family membership shall continue until the next renewal date; for Associate Adult Life members, membership continues until death.

E) Notice of general meetings shall be sent addressed the principal member who shall be responsible for ensuring all other members domiciled at the same address (for the purpose of their membership) shall be made aware of the notice and shall receive a voting proxy form if relevant.

F) Membership is valid for twelve months from the date of joining or the first quarter date for renewal arising thereafter. (Excludes life membership)

TERMINATION

Members have the right to terminate membership at any time by giving written notice to the membership secretary. The Society can terminate a member’s membership immediately in the event of non-payment of the subscription or at the recommendation of Council. In the event of termination of membership upon recommendation by the Council, the member shall have the right of appeal as set out below. No refunds of membership fees shall be made or due in the event of termination of a membership for whatever reason.

PRIVILEGES

A) Principal members will be entitled to receive copies of ‘Joint Line’. The purpose of associate membership is that all mailings will be sent only to the address of the principal member and associates and junior family members will not receive copies of general mailings.

B) A discount of up to 75% is available on the following fares to members travelling with a valid membership card on the North Norfolk Railway. The discount applies only on full return fares/rover tickets between Sheringham and Holt for families, adults and children excluding Special Events. There will be no discounts on single tickets, or part-journey single or part-journey return tickets.

Member discounts for Special Events will be advertised at each event. Each member will receive an annual “Golden Ticket” allowing free travel to NNR event of your choosing. Golden Tickets can be redeemed on all operating days (including Rails & Ales, Festival on Rails, the Summer Steam Gala and other events) with the exceptions of;

i) Steam Back to the Forties
ii) Any premium service that requires booking specific seats e.g. Santa, NLE, Mince Pie, or Dining Trains. Any additional days where this ticket is not valid will be communicated in advance. 
Golden Tickets cannot be prebooked – Members must present a Golden Ticket at Station Bookings Offices at the beginning of their visit, exchanging it for a Rover for travel on that day.

The reduced rate fare benefit cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounted, promotional or special fare. Members using the discounted rate will be ineligible for any North Norfolk Railway voucher that may be on offer.

C) Premier Life members are entitled to free travel and Premier Life Plus members are entitled to free travel for the member and one guest.

D) Other privileges may be offered from time to time as published in Joint Line or notified to the members.

MEMBERS’ RIGHT OF APPEAL
In the event of a dispute arising between a member and the Council, the member shall have the following right of appeal:

A) Initially the member should appeal in writing direct to the Chairman or Secretary of the Council. A committee of three Council members appointed by the Chairman or Secretary shall hear the member’s appeal. The member shall have the right to be represented. The outcome of the appeal shall be communicated to the member in writing within 7 days of the appeal hearing, and if accepted by the member the decision shall be binding on both parties.

B) If the decision reached by Council in (a) above is rejected by the member, the member shall have the right to request that his/her appeal be considered by the membership at the next scheduled General Meeting of the Society. The Council and the member shall be required to make all correspondence and other relevant documentation available for inspection by the membership at the meeting. The decision of the meeting shall be final and binding on both parties.

GENERAL

Membership of the Society does not entitle members to a right of access of the Society’s assets.

Members must abide by the rules of operation of the North Norfolk Railway PLC whilst visiting or working on the railway and volunteers must apply for and conform to the North Norfolk Railway’s requirements for volunteers. Copies of the relevant documents are available at Sheringham station, or are posted on the railway.

The M&GN Society’s Articles of Association can be requested by emailing webmaster@mandgn.org