A jazz train and craft fair will be the first events on offer when a much-loved heritage railway reopens next month.
The Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) has announced that it is now planning to reopen Wymondham Abbey Station as well as Dereham when the railway begins passenger services on Wednesday, June 23.
The reopening, which is contingent on the roadmap going ahead, means passengers will be able to join trains at the Wymondham end of the line as well as at Dereham. The MNR’s other stations will, however, still remain closed.
Charlie Robinson, chairman of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust, said: "The railway has taken a cautious approach to reopening. This was to ensure that we could offer as close to normal service as was possible, bearing in mind the advice on Covid-19 precautions.
"We therefore think the time is now right to be able to plan on this reopening for our first day of public service."
The first special events the railway is planning to run are a craft fair on Saturday, July 17 at Dereham Station and, in the evening of the same day, the MNR's first Jazz Train of 2021.
The Craft Fair is planned to have at least 25 stallholders set up in front of the main station building, in the MNR marquee and on the platforms at the station.
The stalls will include designers who work in floristry, woodturning, garden products, art, glass, textiles, jewellery, chocolate, recycled materials, cakes and candles among other areas, and much more.
Kathy Lloyd, a volunteer at the Mid-Norfolk Railway and the organiser of the craft fair, said: “This is a new event for the railway and after the prolonged restrictions of Covid-19, we are looking forward to being able to host our stallholders and visitors on what promises to be a special day for the railway.”
The jazz train will see live music played from departure throughout the journey.
Ticket details will be published on the new Mid-Norfolk Railway website in due course.
This is where full details of all events, plus the season’s timetables, will appear -midnorfolkrailway.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here