Hardingham railway station

Hardingham
Location
Place Hardingham
Area Breckland, Norfolk
Grid reference TG049057
Operations
Managed by Norfolk Railway
Great Eastern Railway
Owned by London and North Eastern Railway
Eastern Region of British Railways
Platforms 1 (special events only)
History
15 February 1847 Opened
18 April 1966 Closed to freight
6 October 1969 Closed to passengers
Stations on heritage railways in the United Kingdom
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Hardingham railway station is a railway station in the village of Hardingham in the English county of Norfolk. The station is periodically served by heritage services operated by the Mid-Norfolk Railway on the line from East Dereham to Wymondham, but the station is generally closed to the public.

The former yard is now used by an independent rolling stock company, Great Eastern Traction Ltd., specialising in trading in industrial locomotives. Other items of privately owned rolling stock have also been preserved in the former station yard.

There is no public access to this station.

History

Hardingham railway station (1906)

Legend
 Line towards Dereham
Bridge 1684 Blackwater River
Bridge 1683 (Mill Road)
Signalbox
Station
Goods shed wagon turntable
Bridge 1682 B1135 Danemoor Bridge
Line towards Wymondham

The Wymondham-Dereham branch line was built by the Norfolk Railway and the line and stations were opened on 15th February 1847. Hardingham was North of Kimberley and south of Thuxton. Ref: Butt

The Tudoresque main station building was built on the down side of the line, and was of a similar style to the other stations on the line. The station included a two-storey station master's house and a single storey waiting room. The platform was protected by two canopies, one of which was possibly an original Norfolk Railway structure. The up platform buildings were more basic, comprising a simple waiting room. The GER signal cabin, with a 21 lever frame, was located at the north end of the up platform.

The goods yard was located on the down side, providing two sidings, each with a headshunt. A wagon turntable gave access to three short spurs. An additional siding was provided north of the station. Facilities included cattle pens, a loading dock, and a rail connected granary.

When the branch was singled in June 1968, Hardingham was retained as a passing loop until passenger services ended in October 1969.[1]

Rolling stock

Hardingham yard, 2015
Mk1 coach in Hardingham yard, 2011

Diesel locomotives

Carriages

Signal box

Location Original location Built by Notes Photograph
Hardingham Snettisham, Norfolk Great Eastern Railway The original signal box was located to the north of the station's up platform, but it was demolished after passenger closure with parts of it used to construct a number of sheds and shelters in the Stationmaster's garden. The non-operational replacement is located on a new site to the south of the down platform. The signal box is private property and does not constitute an operational structure on the railway.

The eight year restoration of the box was recognised through a FirstGroup Craft Skills Award.[2]
Preceding station Historical railways Following station
Thuxton
Line and station open		   British Rail
Eastern Region
Wymondham to Wells via East Dereham		   Kimberley Park
Line and station open
  Future services  
Thuxton
Line and station open		   Norfolk Orbital Railway
Mid-Norfolk Railway		   Kimberley Park
Line and station open

References

  1. ↑ Jenkins, Stanley C. (1993). The Lynn and Dereham Railway: The Kings Lynn to Norwich Line. The Oakwood Press. pp. 135–137. ISBN 0-85361-443-1.
  2. ↑ National award for Hardingham signal box renovation


Coordinates: 52°36′37″N 1°01′29″E / 52.61041°N 1.02486°E / 52.61041; 1.02486

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