North Norfolk Railway News

Poppy Line Shortlisted for Four Prestigious National Awards Staff and volunteers at the North Norfolk Railway are cock-a-hoop at the news that the popular 5½ mile steam railway has been shortlisted in no fewer than four categories in the 2025 Heritage Railway Association Awards.    The Association is the leading body for the heritage rail sector with over 300 members including railways, tramways and locomotive owners. This year’s awards attracted a record number of entries and a judging panel headed by National Railway Museum Senior Curator Anthony Coulls whittled that down to a shortlist in each category. The North Norfolk [...]

North Norfolk Railway Restructure will put Heritage Line at the Heart of Charitable Organisation The North Norfolk Railway PLC has today (Thursday 12 December) announced that it will be asking shareholders to approve a new governance model for the railway that will see the line working more closely with its supporting charity, the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society. When much of the former Midland & Great Northern system was closed by British Railways in 1959, the Society was formed to save part of this characterful network. In turn, the Society created the PLC as a suitable body to [...]

 Norfolk Holiday Extended For New Locomotive “Betton Grange”   Having proved very popular with passengers this summer, visiting new-build steam locomotive 6880 “Betton Grange” is to remain at the North Norfolk Railway until late November and is set to haul a series of special trains, to give visitors a further chance to travel behind her before she leaves the line.   6880 is set to work Poppy Line services on 19, 20, 22, 23, 24 October and then daily for half-term week 26 October to 3 November, including the HallowS.T.E.A.M. event (30 October – 2 November) that will allow young [...]

Investment in Engineering Skills to Help Secure Future of Historic Locomotives   The North Norfolk Railway and its supporting charity, the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society, have today announced a collaboration that will see essential skills being passed to the next generation of engineers as they help restore the line’s oldest locomotive.   The Railway has engaged two new apprentices who will start work at the line’s Weybourne Engineering Works later this month. The M&GNJR Society is supporting the initiative with a grant to cover all employment and training costs of one of the apprentices. During their three [...]

Nine Locomotives From Across Britain Set to Star in Festival on Rails   The North Norfolk Railway is set to host a nine-day celebration of heritage trains as it stages A Festival on Rails from Saturday 24 August to Sunday 1 September. The 5½ mile steam railway has five locomotives visiting this summer to assist with its popular holiday services and the event will feature all of those plus the line’s resident working engines.   Britain’s newest steam locomotive No. 6880 “Betton Grange” will be a must-see for many visitors. The locomotive was completed earlier this year – the culmination [...]

North Norfolk Railway MD Retires After 17 Years as Line Reports Solid Results at AGM   Supporters attending the North Norfolk Railway’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday 20 July were advised that the Railway’s Managing Director, Hugh Harkett, has decided to retire after 17 years in the role. During that time he oversaw the development of the line into one of the Country’s leading heritage railways attracting around 150,000 passengers every year.   Hugh, who had reduced to workload after being taken ill earlier this year, suffered a relapse last month and is recuperating with his family in Wales. NNR [...]

Poppy Line appoints new General Manager   The NNR Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Hukins as General Manager of the North Norfolk Railway.   Graham has a 30-year track record of managing award-winning tourist and heritage attractions and considerable experience of leading and inspiring teams, increasing revenue, overseeing projects, exercising financial control, ensuring exceptional customer service and managing safety. Since joining the NNR in 2021, he has strengthened the Commercial Team and developed a cohesive Commercial Strategy for the business.   Chairman Steve Allen commented, “Following a thorough recruitment process I am delighted to appoint Graham. [...]

Guest Locomotives, Guest Beers and Guest Bands line-up for Rails & Ales 2024   There’s a fantastic event brewing at the County’s leading heritage railway on 7, 8 and 9 June as the North Norfolk Railway is set to stage Rails & Ales 2024! The popular event will feature 10 historic steam and diesel locomotives, including 5 that are visiting the line for the long weekend. In addition there will be over 40 local ales to sample across the lines stations and on board the trains plus a dozen or so Norfolk ciders as well as live music performances from [...]

Poppy Line Spaceship to Land at Bressingham   The North Norfolk Railway and Bressingham Steam Museum today announce a partnership that will see out of ticket 9F No. 92203 “Black Prince” head from her North Norfolk base and spend the next two years on loan as one of the star exhibits at the famous Steam Museum.    NNR Interim General Manager, Graham Hukins explained “This is an excellent arrangement for both the NNR and Bressingham: we need to store Black Prince until workshop space and funding are available for her overhaul and the Steam Museum has room in their standard [...]

Poppy Line announces a chance to go behind the scenes and see “Black Prince” Last month the North Norfolk Railway announced that their 9F No. 92203 “Black Prince” had been withdrawn from traffic at the end of her “ten-year” boiler ticket having been a regular performer and covering almost 35,000 miles over the last decade. Today the heritage line has announced a rare chance for visitors to visit the locomotive behind the scenes before she is stored awaiting funds and space in the engineering works for overhaul.    No. 92203 was removed from the scheduled Christmas line up in December [...]