The East Norfolk Railway was a pre-grouping railway company operating a standard gauge 25 mile, mostly single track, railway running between Norwich Thorpe railway station and Cromer in the English county of Norfolk. It opened in 1874, reaching Cromer three years later, and remains mostly operational. The company also operated a branch between Wroxham and County School, which closed to passengers in 1952, and had proposed a branch to Blakeney in 1878, which was never constructed.
History
The plans for the East Norfolk Railway's Aylsham, Cromer and North Walsham lines were first deposited in 1859. The line opened as far as North Walsham in 1874, but was in an incomplete state – with neither crossing keeper's cottages or goods sheds being finished. This contributed to a lack of early cash flow, and liquidity, delayed the extension to Cromer. A temporary railhead was opened at Gunton on 29 July 1876. Gunton station, and the crossing keeper's cottages to the south, were built by Lord Suffield to blend into the estate. The single track railway between Norwich and Cromer being finally opened for the summer of 1877 – although the lightly constructed sand embankments were noted as a concern by the line's inspector. At this time, North Walsham contributed 68.5% of the line's receipts.
The 1864 Act included plans for a line to Aylsham, diverging south of Wroxham station. In 1876 this plan was revived, and modified, to leave the main line north of Wroxham station. The branch line diverged on a tight 10 chain curve at Wroxham Junction. A large granary was provided at Aylsham, stables were provided at Coltishall for the malt trade and a local man paid for a large shed at Buxton. The Great Eastern Railway had taken control of the East Norfolk Railway in 1881, before this line was completed. The branch joined the Great Eastern Railway's line from Dereham to Fakenham at Broom Green, where there was a 20 chain curve. The complete line opened in 1882.
Although nominally independent, the East Norfolk Railway was operated by the Great Eastern Railway from the start of services, and soon passed into ownership of the latter company. Fares on the line, along with goods rates, were harmonized with, and set by, the Great Eastern Railway.
Routes
Norwich to Cromer
Leaving Norwich Thorpe station, the line followed the Norfolk and Yarmouth Railway until it reached a small halt at Whitlingham railway station. This station has been closed, and the platforms removed. The East Norfolk line leaves the Norfolk and Yarmouth; climbing a 1 in 80 bank for about a mile northwards from Whitlingham Junction.
Leaving the Yare valley, trains arrive at Salhouse station, 6 miles from Norwich, which retains two operational platforms, although the goods yard closed on 18 April 1966. The original ENR timber building on the down platform has been demolished, although the later GER building on the up platform survives.
The next station was reached after passing over the longest viaduct on the route, a 55-foot structure originally built using timber but rebuilt in the 1890s, over the River Bure. Wroxham was 8½ miles from Norwich. This was formerly the junction for the ENR branch line to Aylsham and County School, and also marks the limit of the double track section. The branch line formerly diverged from the Cromer line a short distance north of the station, but closed to all traffic in 1982 and was subsequently dismantled, replaced by the Bure Valley Railway. The station had coal and grain handling facilities in the yard north east of the station and, although this yard is no longer in use, the isolated tracks remain.
Worstead railway station, 13 miles from Norwich, is the next halt. Although originally equipped with two platforms, only one remains in use. The goods yard was closed on 13 July 1964, but the abolished signal box remains in situ as a shed and garage.
The next station, located 16 miles from Norwich, was formerly known as North Walsham Main railway station to distinguish it from North Walsham Town railway station on the rival Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway, but is now simply referred to as North Walsham. The station was also formerly used to serve trains working on the Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Railway route to Mundesley. The station is equipped with a passing loop, although the original station buildings and signal box have been demolished.