North Norfolk Railway News

Steam Galore as Poppy Line Celebrates 50th Anniversary   From Saturday 23 August, the North Norfolk Railway is set to stage a nine-day Festival on Rails featuring eight steam locomotives. The event will culminate with a spectacular Steam Gala on 29, 30 and 31 as part of this year’s celebrations to mark the line’s 50th Anniversary.   The popular heritage railway re-opened in 1975 and activities will include a recreation of the first train operated by pioneering volunteers five decades ago.   It is hoped that one of the locomotives that worked trains half a century ago, Ashington No 5, will [...]

North Norfolk Railway Announces Solid 2024/5 Financial Results   Shareholders attending the North Norfolk Railway PLC’s AGM on Saturday 19 July heard that the popular heritage railway had returned to profit in the year ending 31 January 2025 achieving a surplus of £207,987 for the full year – a welcome turnaround after the losses of £24,791 and £267,494 for the previous two years.   General Manager, Graham Hukins, who was appointed to the position in early 2024, paid tribute to the team of hard-working staff and volunteers that had contributed to the turnaround, “Last year was undoubtedly one of change [...]

North Norfolk Railway prepares for a weekend of firsts as ‘lost’ steam locomotive “Newstead” is unveiled The North Norfolk Railway has today announced that Hunslet locomotive “Newstead” is set to make its public re-entry to service at the popular heritage line on July 12, hauling its first passenger trains during the Poppy Line’s special 50th anniversary weekend running. The engine was thought to have been scrapped in the 70’s, but was discovered hidden away at a Carmelite convent near Ware in 2016. After rescue in 2017, it has undergone a comprehensive 8-year overhaul and July 12 marks the first time [...]

BUMPER LINE-UP FOR RAILS & ALES AS POPPYLINE CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY The North Norfolk Railway’s 50th Anniversary celebrations get into full swing next month as the line stages its popular Rails & Ales event on 13, 14 & 15 June. Around fifty local ales and ciders, including one brewed specially for the occasion, will feature at the three-day extravaganza which will see two steam locomotives and eight diesels in action. A highlight for many will be the naming of a modern mainline Class 69 engine “North Norfolk Railway” in honour of the Poppyline’s 50 years of progress. Three locomotives will arrive [...]

Full Steam Ahead for Golden Anniversary Brew   Attleborough’s Wolf Brewery has teamed up with the North Norfolk Railway to brew a very special ale in honour of the popular heritage line’s 50th Anniversary. The beer, named “Golden Poppy Ale” will debut at the railway’s annual Rails & Ales event on 13, 14 & 15 June and then be available in bottle at the line’s stations throughout the summer.   The brew has been hand crafted by Wolf’s Head Brewer, Will Edwards, who said “We’ve created an easy drinking golden beer to mark the Poppyline’s 50th Anniversary using barley grown [...]

GB Railfreight Class 69 Locomotive to be named “North Norfolk Railway” as heritage line celebrates 50th Anniversary The North Norfolk Railway is set to welcome a further locomotive to its annual Rails & Ales event on 13, 14, 15 June with Class 69 set to join the impressive line-up of diesel and steam locomotives. What is more, owners GB Railfreight, have agreed to name the state-of-the-art engine “North Norfolk Railway” in honour of the popular heritage line’s 50th Anniversary with the special ceremony set for 13 June. Whilst the exact identity of the locomotive has not yet been confirmed, it [...]

All aboard! Railway on the lookout for new volunteers  The North Norfolk Railway will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 7 June to give visitors interested in volunteering at the Poppy Line the chance to meet current volunteers, visit different areas of the Railway and discover the various roles available. The Railway is run year-round almost entirely by dedicated volunteers, whose passion and love help to keep the much-loved line on track. Volunteer Ambassador Ann More commented, “Our amazing team of volunteers are at the heart our railway. From the people greeting and assisting you on the platform and [...]

Diesel Locomotive “Cromer Lifeboat” set to visit Poppy Line  The North Norfolk Railway has today announced an exciting addition to the locomotive line up for the popular Rails & Ales event, taking place this year on June 13 – 15. The new visitor is set to be 66714 “Cromer Lifeboat” and rarely hauls passenger trains so the addition of the smart blue and yellow livery to the heritage line will be something rather different. Owned by GB Railfreight, the organisation regularly gives their support to the North Norfolk line’s events and the line’s Golden Anniversary is no exception.   The [...]

The North Norfolk Railway has today announced the news that locomotive 80080 is set to join their steam locomotive fleet from late-May. Built in 1954, the engine initially worked commuter services on the Eastern Region’s London, Tilbury & Southend line. The locomotive was then transferred to Wrexham in North Wales before being withdrawn in 1965. She then spent an unfortunate fourteen years in a scrapyard in Barry at the mercy of the elements, metal thieves and preservationists seeking parts for other restoration projects. Her fortunes changed in 1980 and the former metal shell underwent a full restoration, returning to mainline [...]

Exciting visitor “Britannia” to help North Norfolk Railway celebrate Golden Anniversary finale News has been released today that renowned steam locomotive 70000 “Britannia” is set to visit the North Norfolk Railway this autumn, and will help the popular heritage line celebrate the close of their Golden Anniversary year. After entry into traffic in January 1951, some of the locomotive’s most regular journey’s during its early life were to haul “The Norfolkman” and “The East Anglian” express services between London and Norwich, making the visit even more special.   Today, the celebrity engine is usually based at Crewe and works a [...]