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Railway » The Wells & Walsingham Light Railway
  Day out/Attraction Name The Wells & Walsingham Light Railway
  Event Website View Site
  Event Reference CTI59162711
  Event Type Railway
Picture(s)
 
Property Details
  Country England
  Region East of England
  County/Town/Village Norfolk
  Nearest City/Town Walsingham
Local Map for : NR23 1QB
  Postcode/Zip Code NR23 1QB
  Map: Latitude 52.950225
  Map: Longitude 0.859986
  Summary Description Visit the longest 10¼ inch narrow gauge steam railway in the world and see the unique Garratt locomotive ''Norfolk Hero'' which was especially built for this line. A great adventure for all the family in the delightful countryside of the North Norfolk coast.
Full Description
  Visit the longest 10¼" narrow gauge steam railway in the world and see the unique Garratt locomotive "Norfolk Hero" which was especially built for this line.

A great adventure for all the family in the delightful countryside of the North Norfolk coast.

Enjoy our timetable service from the seaside and harbour town of Wells to the picturesque town of Walsingham, famed for centuries as a centre of pilgrimage. A scenic journey with five bridges through lovely countryside. Halts at Warham St Mary and Wighton. With the regular service you have ample time to explore Walsingham with its shops, restaurants and inns as well as the famous shrine before catching the train back.

Our main station at Wells has a charming restored signal box where refreshments and souvenirs are available. The unique Garratt steam locomotive was built in 1986 specially for the line.

Evening charter trains are also bookable, full details can be obtained from the Wells Station or by phoning 01328 711630. Coach parties and group bookings welcome by prior arrangement.


The Wells & Walsingham Light Railway was born out of one man's passionate dream, hard work and sheer determination. Lt. Cmdr. Roy Francis ( pictured left ) had already built the mile long 10¼" gauge Beach railway at Wells. In 1979 he started to construct the WWLR on the four miles of old Great Eastern track bed from Wells to Walsingham. Work was completed in 1982 and on 6th April services began on schedule making it the longest 10¼" narrow gauge steam railway in the world.

"Pilgrim", an 0-6-0 side tank engine, hauled the train until 1987 when the new unique 2-6-0 + 0-6-2 Garratt locomotive "Norfolk Hero" came into service. Two extra coaches were added to the train increasing the seating capacity to 76. A redundant signal box was moved from Swainsthorpe to Wells, where the ground floor was converted to provide a shop and tearoom. The full history of the railway, the journey described, engineering, locomotive and permanent way details,can all be found in the guidebook. This and other memorabilia can be purchased from the station shop.


If you want any more information about the Railway or the Support Group, please contact:

Cmdr. Roy Francis,WWLR,
Wells Next-the-Sea, Norfolk. NR23 1QB.
(Telephone: 01328 711630 - 8.00am to 8.00pm.)

Calls between these hours will normally be answered in person by Cmdr. Francis or one of his staff. Messages can be left if nobody is available to answer your call.