Harling Road railway station

Harling Road railway station is a rural railway station serving the village of East Harling in Norfolk. It is served by local services operated by Central Trains and 'one' on the Breckland Line 36 km (22¾ miles) west of Norwich to Peterborough and Cambridge.

[edit] The station

The station is situated 2 miles (3 km) north of East Harling, from which it takes its name. A footpath runs between the station and the village. Train services from the station run to Norwich, Cambridge, Ely, Peterborough, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly. Connections may be made to many other parts of the National Rail network.

Harling Road is a small station and has remained largely unmodernised over the years. There is a traditional signal box which is still in use. The level crossing gates are manually operated by the signalman, and semaphore signaling is still in operation. Passenger facilities are basic, with seating on both platforms and a passenger shelter on the Eastbound platform only. The shelter on the Westbound platform is for bicycles, but unfortunately there is nothing to which cycles may be chained. There is no ticket office, and tickets to any rail station in Britain may be bought from the conductor on the train. The station has a car park.

Harling Road station is located in a rural area, and is ideally placed to provide access to the countryside for those who can not, or do not wish to, make use of a car for transportation. There is easy access to several long distance footpaths, including the Peddars Way, Angles Way, Icknield Way, Iceni Way and the Hereward Way. There are plenty other opportunities with Knettishall Heath, West Harling Heath and Wayland Wood (where the events that inspired the "Babes in the Wood" took place) all being within walking distance. The little used country lanes in the area also provide plenty of opportunity for country walks.

[edit] Service

As of 2006, Harling Road sees a limited service. There are 2 daily westbound services, one of which is operated by Central Trains and runs to Liverpool Lime Street, the other operated by 'One' serves Cambridge. Eastbound, there are 2 early morning services to Norwich: one of which is operated by Central Trains the other by 'One'.

There is no Sunday service.

[edit] External links

Map sources for Harling Road railway station.
Train times and station information for Harling Road railway station from National Rail
Map and aerial photo of Harling Road railway station from Multimap.com