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163:, in 1846. Lynn was 16 miles from Hunstanton and a railway connection was projected. A Parliamentary Bill for the line from Lynn to Hunstanton gained Royal Assent on 1 August 1861. The Lynn and Hunstanton Railway was incorporated, with authorised capital of £60,000. The terminus at New Hunstanton, south of the old centre was where development was possible.
413:
Hunstanton station was reduced to a single platform from 12 February 1967 and reductions in operating facilities followed when the one engine in steam system was instituted from
Wolferton to Hunstanton on 5 March 1967. King's Lynn to Wolferton was reduced to single track on 2 April 1967 when the line
314:
in North
Norfolk hit the company's income: receipts amounted to £1,355 for the final quarter year of 1866, and no dividend was paid. After the financial success of the Lynn and Hunstanton line, this was a disappointment but the course of the line, which was some distance from the coast and the towns
298:
There were generally four trains each way between Wells and
Heacham, five on Saturdays and market days. In the earliest days passenger trains ran from Lynn to Wells via Hunstanton, passing Heacham twice; but soon most services terminated at Heacham apart from one through working to Hunstanton, which
450:
Despite the implied support of the 1993 protection of the route, the ongoing efforts to restore the line and national level listing of the project, a public house was allowed to be constructed on the formation at
Hunstanton and in 2020 plans were released for flats to be built on the former station
409:
On the main line, diesel multiple units were introduced from 3 November 1958, and through trains from
Liverpool Street to Hunstanton were withdrawn in November 1960, the branch passenger service was operated as a shuttle from King's Lynn. Operation as a basic railway was brought in from 6 June 1966
218:
The
Wolverton station is on the estate of the Prince of Wales (through which the line runs for nearly three miles), and is to be enlarged at the expense and for the accommodation of his Royal Highness. The Hunstanton terminus is near the verge of the cliffs. The line is worked by the Great Eastern
198:
Railway
Intelligence... Lynn and Hunstanton: This line was opened for traffic on Friday. The first train started at a little after noon, and conveyed the directors, contractors, and officers of the company, shareholders and others, to the number of about 150. A luncheon was served at the Hunstanton
135:
station was used by the Royal Family and visiting heads of state. Hunstanton developed a thriving holiday trade, and day trip excursions became popular. After 1950 decline set in, and the Wells line closed to passengers in 1952; Hunstanton through trains to and from London ended in 1960 and further
371:
Pullman cars were run on some trains from 1921, but were not popular. From 1929, a day excursion train from London, the
Eastern Belle, ran to different seaside destinations from day to day, and typically visited Hunstanton every two weeks on a Tuesday. In 1937 Hunstanton station was enlarged. Its
294:
The line curved sharply north at Wells to use Wells and
Fakenham Railway station on the line that had opened in 1857. Another platform was provided for West Norfolk trains. Triangular junctions were planned at Heacham and Wells, but although a west curve formation was made at Wells, no track was
367:
West
Norfolk trains terminated at Heacham, not usually running through to Hunstanton. There was no runround facility at Wells and after disembarking the passengers, the engine propelled the coaches back up the gradient, and after shunting the engine, the coaches were run down to the station by
343:
In the final years of the century, Hunstanton developed as a holiday resort, not only for holiday stays, but many wealthy business people lived there and travelled to London for business. Golfing stays at Hunstanton became popular and from 1905, a Sunday restaurant car express from London was
414:
was worked as a single section and a no-signalman key token instrument was placed at Hunstanton. Despite this an investment of £25,000 was made that year in the shape of automatic half-barrier level crossing gates. All freight was withdrawn on the line in 1964. The line closed on 5 May 1969.
363:
required ceremonial procedures, which were not always expedient. Between 1884 and 1911, 645 royal trains used Wolferton station. Ordinary express passenger trains ran to St Pancras, or conveyed coaches for St Pancras that were slipped at Tottenham Hale or detached there. In the 1930s, Sunday
335:. The Lynn and Hunstanton main line was relatively successful but smaller railways became more fragile in the latter decades of the 19th century, and on 1 July 1890 the Lynn and Hunstanton Railway was sold to the Great Eastern Railway for £160,000 and £5,000 for legal expenses.
199:
terminus. The line is 15 miles in length from the junction with the East Anglian division of the Great Eastern at Gaywood , and its cost amounted altogether to only £80,000. The late Mr. L'Estrange, the proprietor of Hunstanton , sold the land for about
430:
In 2018 a formal campaign to restore the railway was launched. In September 2019 Norfolk County Council began a study into the restoration of the rail link between King's Lynn and Hunstanton, despite noting the challenges of any reconstruction.
260:, a lightly constructed line feeding into the Lynn and Hunstanton Railway, possibly a tramway alongside public roads. A conventional railway was made, and the West Norfolk Junction Railway obtained Royal Assent on 23 June 1864. The line ran from
422:
There has been an ongoing interest in restoring the line. In 1993 the local council expressed interest in protecting the rail formation from development that could block restoration, but early efforts to re-open the line, endorsed by actor
442:
stating that the case needed strengthening, but that "the proposal has potential." In March 2021, a bid was submitted to restore the line from Kings Lynn to Hunstanton as part of the third round of the Restoring Your Railway fund. The
405:
was retained for goods traffic, but was closed after 28 December 1964. The 1953 floods engulfed a train on the main line north of Heacham on 31 January 1953; the train was stranded, and the line was not repaired until 23 February 1953.
272:. It was 18 miles long, and the authorised capital was £75,000. The new company could run trains to Hunstanton and Wells Harbour. The Great Eastern Railway subscribed £30,000 and agreed to work the line for 50% of gross receipts.
376:
there was heavy holiday traffic on the line, especially on Sundays, when a one way system was operated: nearly all incoming trains ran in the morning and all outgoing trains in the afternoon and evening. From 1949 a named train,
238:
The company was successful and a shareholders' meeting in August 1864, reported receipts of £3,500, and the profit after expenses was £1,372. A dividend of 4.5% was declared; by 1865 dividends of 6% were being distributed.
166:
The engineer for the line was John Sutherland Valentine. Finance was raised and the first sod was cut on 13 November 1861. Construction over the relatively flat terrain was completed in ten months within budget.
255:
The line's success led businesses to consider whether the North Norfolk coast, eastwards from Hunstanton, could be opened up by a railway. Plans were made for a nominally independent company to build the
283:. The first Board of Trade inspection refused consent to open he line because of shortcomings in the signalling arrangements. After they were rectified, the line opened 17 August 1866.
389:
Poor passenger business on the West Norfolk line resulted in closure to passengers; the last passenger trains ran on Saturday 31 May 1952; but a special Pilgrims' train ran from
344:
provided specifically for golfers. As traffic developed, the track was doubled over the southern part of the line and completed between King's Lynn and Wolferton in 1898.
275:
Construction was swift and on 8 January 1866 the Prince and Princess of Wales had a semi-private journey several months before the official opening when they travelled to
347:
The Royal Family spent a lot of time at Sandringham. Royal trains reversed at King's Lynn where operation by local engines and crews took over. In London they ran to
523:
Wells; opened by Wells and Fakenham Railway 1 December 1857; renamed Wells-on-Sea 1 July 1923; renamed Wells-next-the-Sea 1 January 1957; closed 5 October 1964.
875:
187:
inspection, required for passenger operation, took place in September 1862, and the line opened for traffic on 3 October 1862. The line was worked by the
726:
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subsidised two omnibus services to Hunstanton from King's Lynn even though the town had a population of fewer than 500 people in 1861.
956:
280:
331:
The West Norfolk Railway was allied with the Lynn and Hunstanton Railway, and they amalgamated by Act of 8 June 1874, becoming the
299:
continued northwards after reversal at the junction. Goods services consisted of one return working between King's Lynn and Wells.
887:
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97:
839:
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Could the railway line between King's Lynn and Hunstanton finally be re-opened, campaigners ask on its 150th anniversary
307:
348:
265:
447:
announced their support for the restoration of the line, coupled to the restoration of the dock's railway branch.
356:
402:
261:
435:
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four platforms were lengthened, and accommodation for passenger stock and locomotives was extended. After
828:
Hunstanton rail campaigners welcome county study plan, but warn action needed soon on 'connection crisis'
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ran from Liverpool Street to Hunstanton. Heacham also began to develop as a holiday destination.
269:
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427:, were met with hostility by several people who had purchased properties along the former route
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401:. The line was not reinstated as it was only open to goods traffic; the stub from Heacham to
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92:, England that opened in 1862. The railway was a major factor in developing Hunstanton as a
364:
excursions, particularly Sunday schools, and long distance holiday trains became dominant.
231:
The Sandringham Estate had been purchased in February 1862 for the Prince of Wales, later
223:
315:
and villages situated on it, militated against its use for goods and passenger purposes.
148:
as a seaside resort, and by the mid 1850s businesses were keen to attract visitors. The
517:
Burnham; opened 17 August 1866; renamed Burnham Market 1 June 1883; closed 2 June 1952;
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295:
laid, and no work was done at Heacham. At Heacham the line faced away from Hunstanton.
184:
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An excursion train from Coalville to Hunstanton, entering King's Lynn station in 1956
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Wolverton; opened 3 October 1862; renamed Wolferton 15 July 1863; closed 5 May 1969;
865:
Major boost for £100m campaign to reintroduce rail travel between two Norfolk towns
565:
A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: volume 5: the Eastern Counties
482:
Wootton; opened 3 October 1862; renamed North Wootton July 1869; closed 5 May 1969;
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373:
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on 29 June 1952. Heavy flooding in early 1953 caused the line to be breached at
108:
that was not a financial success. The companies amalgamated in 1874 to form the
65:
742:. Vol. 30, no. 345. Shepperton: Ian Allan. February 1969. p. 93.
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miles of the line at its agricultural value, and took the price in shares...
33:
The Lynn and Hunstanton Railway and the West Norfolk Junction Railway in 1866
390:
132:
28:
434:
A bid was made in November 2020 for funding from the second round of the
840:"The '20 minute' coastal train line near Cambs that could re-open soon"
398:
101:
89:
900:"Flats plan submitted for site of Hunstanton's former railway station"
926:
Railway Passenger Stations in England Scotland and Wales—A Chronology
876:
In full: The 85 abandoned rail schemes vying for restoration funding
322:
285:
246:
222:
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Lynn; opened 27 October 1846; relocated 27 August 1871; renamed
264:, the first station south of Hunstanton, to the terminus of the
942:
1962 John Betjeman film of Kings Lynn to Hunstanton journey
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The Lynn and Hunstanton Railway and the West Norfolk Branch
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and residential community. The company was allied to the
888:
Port support for King's Lynn to Hunstanton railway plan
719:
The Wells-next-the-Sea Branch via Wymondham and Dereham
817:
Campaign to rebuild railway closed nearly 50 years ago
155:
The northern part of the Lynn and Ely Railway reached
508:
Sedgeford; opened 17 August 1866; closed 2 June 1952;
497:
Hunstanton; opened 3 October 1862; closed 5 May 1969;
491:
Snettisham; opened 3 October 1862; closed 5 May 1969;
488:
Dersingham; opened 3 October 1862; closed 5 May 1969;
479:; former divergence of the Lynn and Fakenham Railway;
438:
fund. It was unsuccessful, with transport minister
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Holkham; opened 17 August 1866; closed 2 June 1952;
514:
Stanhoe; opened 17 August 1866; closed 2 June 1952;
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Docking; opened 17 August 1866; closed 2 June 1952;
64:
59:
51:
43:
38:
596:, Countryside Books, Newbury, 1999, reprint 2000,
494:Heacham; opened 3 October 1862; closed 5 May 1969;
928:, The Railway and Canal Historical Society, 2002
670:, Ian Allan Ltd, Shepperton, fifth edition, 1968
721:, The Oakwood Press, Usk, second edition 2011,
645:, The Oakwood Press, Usk, second edition 2011,
8:
21:
787:"Rail route to Hunstanton is safeguarded".
567:, David & Charles, Newton Abbot, 1977,
759:, Stenlake Publishing Ltd, Catrine, 2016,
637:
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473:; connection to the Alexandra Dock branch;
359:was not used because royalty entering the
112:, and in 1890 the company was sold to the
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697:The Times (newspaper), 6 October 1862
144:In 1846 efforts were made to promote
136:decline resulted in closure in 1969.
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688:, in the Railway Magazine, June 1910
333:Hunstanton and West Norfolk Railway
110:Hunstanton and West Norfolk Railway
802:"Rail idea runs into opposition".
290:Wells-next-the-Sea railway station
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410:in an attempt to contain costs.
119:The Prince of Wales, later King
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16:Railway line in Norfolk, England
806:. King's Lynn. 12 August 1993.
100:which built a line connecting
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258:West Norfolk Junction Railway
98:West Norfolk Junction Railway
594:Lost Railways of East Anglia
906:. King's Lynn. 25 June 2020
738:"Motive power miscellany".
310:'s bank and an outbreak of
308:Overend, Gurney and Company
78:Lynn and Hunstanton Railway
22:Lynn and Hunstanton Railway
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846:. King's Lynn. 2 July 2020
266:Wells and Fakenham Railway
251:Snettisham railway station
179:Hunstanton railway station
140:Promotion and construction
104:, south of Hunstanton, to
957:Rail transport in Norfolk
668:The Great Eastern Railway
306:following the failure of
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357:Liverpool Street station
304:financial crisis in 1866
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436:Restoring Your Railway
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114:Great Eastern Railway
227:Wolferton signal box
194:The Times reported:
150:East Anglian Railway
844:Cambridgeshire Live
717:Stanley C Jenkins,
641:Stanley C Jenkins,
440:Chris Heaton-Harris
418:Restoration efforts
159:, known locally as
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385:Decline after 1950
349:St Pancras station
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243:Extending to Wells
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106:Wells-next-the-Sea
52:Dates of operation
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501:Extension:
465:King's Lynn
459:Main line:
157:King's Lynn
129:Sandringham
123:, acquired
82:King's Lynn
66:Track gauge
47:East Anglia
528:References
455:Topography
395:Walsingham
379:The Fenman
146:Hunstanton
121:Edward VII
86:Hunstanton
904:Lynn News
391:Kettering
368:gravity.
351:over the
279:to visit
133:Wolferton
125:an estate
60:Technical
951:Category
910:24 March
850:14 March
70:Standard
39:Overview
403:Burnham
399:Holkham
262:Heacham
208:⁄
171:Opening
102:Heacham
90:Norfolk
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355:line.
131:, and
44:Locale
467:1911;
270:Wells
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