The Mid-Norfolk Railway will reopen on 29 April with trains initially running from Dereham to Thuxton. This will give a 12-mile round trip to the rebuilt station that is planned to fully open this year.
Trains will run on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday with tickets available on the day from Dereham station. The station has extensive free car parking and the popular 'Kids Go Free' promotion with a paying adult will run for standard operating days this year.
The following Coronation weekend will see trains run on the Sunday and extra Bank Holiday Monday. The station buffet will be open for hot and cold food and drinks, as will the shop on standard running days.
The 30th April will see the first ‘Heart of Norfolk’ afternoon tea service of the season. This will be followed by a Coronation Tea Service on the 7th May. Tickets for the tea service must be pre-booked via the MNR Website at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk. Standard ticket holders can still however travel but will not be able to enjoy the tea service.
Charlie Robinson, the Chairman of the Mid -Norfolk Railway said: “We are all excited and also relieved to be running services again. The last few years have been difficult, but the hard work is beginning to pay off. There is still lots to do and I am pleased to say the ‘Back on Track Appeal’ has got off to an excellent start with £15000 raised in the first few weeks.
There is lots more to raise before the key issue of the bridge at Crownthorpe can be tackled and the eventual return to Wymondham”.
For details of how to donate and the donation packages available, please visit the Mid Norfolk Railway Website donation page at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/donations.
The first trains to run will feature the return to service of Mk 1 First Class Compartment coach, M13225, that has finished its rebuild. The work, the most extensive that the MNR has ever attempted, was made possible following a Government Heritage Fund Covid Recovery Grant.
The previously announced programme is being updated, but the majority of announced events will run with details to be found on the railways website. In addition to the special events the railway is launching on selected weekends the ‘The Brecklander Ploughman's
Luncheon’.
This will be in addition to the return of the ever popular ‘Breckland Fryer’ fish and chip trains during the evening of selected Saturdays and what is now being branded as the ‘Heart of Norfolk’ Afternoon Tea service on selected Sunday afternoons.
The railway will make a ticket sales announcement for this year’s Polar Express shortly.