POP ON THE POPPY LINE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2017 :: RMTnews 22 The heritage North Norfolk Railway (NNR) has been recognised for its contribution to the local economy in Norfolk, winning the 2016 Norfolk and Suffolk Attractions best large attraction award. This prestigious award comes at a time when the railway has recently completed a number of impressive projects including the impressive new Tourist Information centre, shop and toilets at Sheringham station. The beautifully restored station is smack bang in the town centre and local businesses support the NNR – known as the ‘Poppy Line’ – as without it Sheringham would not be the bustling town that it is. Other expansion plans include the purpose-built machine shop and a boiler overhaul facility at the Weybourne Engineering works costing just under a million pounds. Retiring general manager Trevor Eady said that the NNR was delighted to receive the award which recognised the efforts of all the railway staff and volunteers. “The North Norfolk Railway has over the past few years developed it services and events including this year the first dining trains operating through to Cromer on the main line. “We are very aware that you cannot stand still and that new elements have to be added to ensure continued interest. “Changes to the timetable now allow additional trains to be added providing the opportunity to highlight some of the older stock including the vintage train and the Wooden Quad Art Coaches. “The railway now handles around 166,000 passengers a year with many more visitors just visiting the stations and museum. “The education department hosts visits from around 100 schools a year providing historic experiences for children,” he says. The NNR runs between the coastal town of Sheringham and Holt with two stops between them – Weybourne and Kelling Heath. These request stops have lots of fantastic walks through the woods. Steam trains only stop there on the journey from Holt as the hill is too steep for them on the way to Holt to get started again, diesel services POP ON THE POPPY LINE The award-winning heritage North Norfolk Railway is a fundamental part of the coastal economy