Mid Norfolk Railway unveils track extension project

The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust wants to bring back into use another mile and a  half of the line from North Elmham, near Dereham, up to the former County School station.

It has launched a new fundraising campaign, called Back to School, to secure money for the work.

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A new appeal has been launched to bring the tracks and station at County School back into operation. (Image: Newquest) The trust owns and operates much of the former Wymondham-Dereham branch line and has unveiled its latest initiative to mark the 60th anniversary of the Beeching cuts, which gradually closed the line.

The branch opened in 1847 and was closed to passengers in stages from 1964 to 1969, as part of the cuts recommended by Dr Richard Beeching.

The heritage trust now runs services between Wymondham and Dereham, although the line is operational up to North Elmham.

Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust will work to restore the tracks between County School and North Elmham and bring the County School station into operation as the line's northern terminal. (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Mystery benefactor helps Dereham church create new entrance

It also owns the line up to the County School station and wants to restore it to an operational standard and make it the line's northern terminal.

County School once served a nearby boarding school set up in the 19th century, which later became a naval training school and a Dr Barnardo's home until its closure in 1953.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway, at 17.5 miles, is already one of the UK's longest heritage railways.

Once the latest extension is completed, it would be the third longest.

Richard Cullen, a volunteer station master for County School, said: "The idea is to relay the missing section of railway line between North Elmham and County School, where the tracks of the MNR currently end.

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Mr Cullen said the charity also plans to include additional upgrades to the facilities at County School, including the station's tea room and the footpaths that run alongside the railway line. 

"We've already made a start by rerouting the path north of the station, replacing the old, narrow route with a much more open path that can be enjoyed by families, walkers, cyclists and horse riders," he added.

"We've also made a start on the footpath we provide south from the station, but we'd like to make this more accessible as the Wensum Valley is such a fantastic place."

Anyone who wishes to donate to Mid-Norfolk Railway can do so its website or at Dereham and County School stations.