Yaxham Station
Norfolk Railway

Station History:

Yaxham station was opened on 15th February 1847. The line was single so there was only one platform with a small crossing keeper’s cottage opposite. In 1881 the railway was double tracked and a second, down, platform was added, with a separate GER style waiting room. That platform joined the adjacent cottage which was given a second storey and additional rooms. A GER style waiting room was added to the original up platform structure, with a tall signal box next to the level crossing. Sidings served a new goods shed and a granary north of the station. A station master’s house was built on land behind the up platform.

Few changes then took place until the 1960’s, though the introduction of diesel units in 1955 led to the shortening and rebuilding of the platforms. The goods yard closed in 1964. Though not down for passenger closure in the Beeching Plan of 1963, the line was due to be rationalised, so it was singled, and the ‘box was closed in June 1965. The down platform remained in use but the GER waiting room was demolished. The station was de-staffed n 1966 but a crossing keeper continued till 1969. The buildings on the up side survived, having been rented out by a neighbouring building contractor. The station cottage and station master’s house were both sold off privately together with part of the down platform. The passenger service gradually declined with the closure of the Wells and Kings Lynn lines, and finally ended in October 1969. A freight service to Dereham and beyond continued till 1989.

The station came to life on occasions from April 1978 to 1988, when charter trains were operated to various destinations in East Anglia and further afield. In 1980 the lease on the up side station buildings was taken over by John Hull. They were in a poor state. The roof leaked, floors had collapsed and there was no mains water or electricity. In 1984 the BR Property Board put the buildings and land that had been part of the station master’s garden up for auction, and they were bought by John and his friend Paul Hemnell. In the meantime, the roof had been repaired, a new floor put in and the building was in use by an upholsterer. Both waiting rooms are still in use as office and workshop, and until recently the lamp room was used for its original purpose.

Over the last 40 years there has been constant work on the buildings, much of which has been on the signal box, where four new windows have been fitted and several rotten upright supports replaced. MNR crossing keepers use the ‘box as a base, though as yet there is no lever frame. This ‘box and the associated buildings are unique in that they are the only original up side buildings on the line as all others were demolished. The 2ft Yaxham Light Railway operates on what was the old station master’s garden.

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[Please note the up platform buildings are private and not MNR property]

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Written by J Hull