50 Year Closure Commemorations

The North Norfolk Railway and the M&GN Joint Railway Society are gearing up for what will be one very memorable weekend on the NNR, with a special 1960s weekend to commemorate 50 years since the closure of the Sheringham to Melton Constable line under the Beeching Axe.

The last train to run under British Railways ran on Saturday 4th April 1964, and we will be running special services almost 50 years to the day on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April 2014.

The Muddle and Go Nowhere Real Ale Bar car will be in service, sporting the usual refreshing array of draught real ales and all the other refreshments you'd expect to find in such a fine establishment. British Railways Standard 4 2-6-0 76084 will be hauling the bar on Saturday, and our very own former Norwich engine, Class 31 D5631 will be doing the same on Sunday. Due to a Sunday lunch train also being in service, the bar will make two round trips in the morning, and will be stabled in Platform 3 on Sunday between 1330 and 1445.

Class 31 D5631 will also make a round trip in the afternoon on the goods train, which will be an enjoyable and highly authentic recreation. For the first time ever, the DMU is the star of the show as they were the last passenger trains to work the line.

Visitors are encouraged to wear clothes of the period - "Dress jazzy and look smart" being the tagline! It is hoped that several local 'Mods' will be visiting the railway, setting up shop on Platform 2 at Sheringham with their collection of Vespa motorcycles. On Sunday, look out for the NNR's own traveling skiffle bandPhil and the Eccentricswho will be making a debut performance out the back of an Austin A35 van.