The North Norfolk Railway has used a grant of £34,427 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund to carry out infrastructure improvements that it describes as “vital”.

The work, which is now complete, has including installing new lighting at the Railway’s engineering facilities at Weybourne Station. It has also included a new coal bunker and oil store.

The new lighting is LED and low-energy. It will create a better environment for the Railway’s staff and award-winning volunteers, and will cut electricity consumption.

The second bunker will allow the Railway to store smokeless solid fuel. This is blended with traditional coal, which reduces emissions and makes lineside fires less likely.

The heritage railway is also using a £5,000 grant from Future Skills NOW to train its staff in safety-critical tasks.

This includes training in the role of traffic marshall (formerly known as ‘banksman’) and slinger, a role responsible for ensuring that lifting is carried out safely. Staff are also being trained in woodworking, using chainsaws, and abrasive wheel machinery.

This North Norfolk Rural Business and Community project covering various infrastructure works is part-funded by the UK Government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, was supported by North Norfolk District Council and delivered in Partnership with Norfolk County Council.

It funds capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure. This will help to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy and rural communities.

Further information on the Rural England Prosperity Fund can be found via https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rural-england-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Norfolk County Council has worked with North Norfolk District Council to deliver training support, which has been funded through the government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

This year, the North Norfolk Railway is celebrating its Golden Anniversary. Fifty years ago, the line first operated steam services from Sheringham station. During the year ahead, it will run daily services, special events and dining trains. One of Sir Nigel Gresley’s oldest surviving locomotives will return to steam during the anniversary year.

More information is available via the Railway’s website.

“We are delighted to have received this support which will allow us to improve not only our current infrastructure but also the skills and understanding of our team. These improvements will make a material difference to day-to-day working conditions and also have a practical impact upon our running costs. In common with many heritage railways our overheads have increased significantly in recent years and it now costs approximately £3.8 million for us to run each year, making funding for enhancements such as these invaluable.”

Graham Hukins, North Norfolk Railway General Manager