Mid-Norfolk Railway

About the museum

The Mid-Norfolk Railway runs on part of the old Wymondham to Wells branch, which Parliament approved in 1845 and which opened in stages from 1847. Passenger trains between Dereham and Wells ended in 1964, the Wymondham to Dereham passenger service was withdrawn in 1969, and all trains stopped running over the line in 1989.

A society to save the line was formed in 1978. Passenger services returned to Dereham in 1997 and ran again between Dereham and Wymondham from 1999, when Wymondham Abbey station opened. Today the railway runs regular trains over about 11 miles between the two towns. The track north to North Elmham and County School is being restored, and the full line will be about 17.5 miles long.

Dereham station is the headquarters of the railway. Visitors can ride heritage diesel railcars and steam and diesel trains, and call at preserved stations at Yaxham, Thuxton, Kimberley Park and Wymondham Abbey. A Museum Room at Dereham tells the story of the line from its opening to the present, and the whole railway is presented as a working museum with the sights and sounds of the 1950s and 1960s.

Highlights

• Heritage diesel and steam train rides between Dereham and Wymondham Abbey
• Museum Room at Dereham station with local railway exhibits
• Preserved country stations at Yaxham, Thuxton and Kimberley Park
• Station tea rooms at Dereham and County School
• Special events, galas and seasonal Polar Express trains

Permanent exhibition

• Museum Room at Dereham station – Local and regional railway exhibits telling the story of the line from its opening to the present, with a steward usually on duty.

Admission & discounts

Fares shown are for the Green timetable: the return fare is the lowest adult fare and the day rover allows unlimited travel for the day. Steam days, special events and dining trains are priced separately. Tickets can be booked online in advance at a discount or bought at Dereham or Wymondham Abbey ticket offices; at the request stops they are sold on the train for cash only.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Dereham station has step-free access, an accessible toilet and wheelchair-accessible shop and museum, with designated parking at the front that may be limited at special events. Most trains have wheelchair ramps, but most lack accessible toilets. At Wymondham Abbey the platform ramp is steep and wheelchair users need help, and the small stations at Kimberley Park, Thuxton and Yaxham have narrow platforms and gates. Assistance dogs are welcome on trains and at stations.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Two children travel free with each full-paying adult on Green timetable days, and free activity sheets are available at Dereham station. Seasonal Polar Express trains run in November and December.

Getting there & parking

From the A47 take the A1075 and follow the brown signs to the station on Station Road in Dereham. Wymondham Abbey station is at Becketswell Road, Wymondham, NR18 9PH.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The Station Tea Room at Dereham and a second tea room at County School open on selected days. There is a gift shop at Dereham station and an online shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The railway offers group visits and charters and has a wedding venue page.

Plan your visit