The section of the Eastern & Midlands Railway now known as
'the Poppy Line' opened in June 1887. It was well used but was soon
also run by the Midland and the Great Northern Railways, until
Nationalisation in 1948. Like many rural railways, traffic declined
from about the mid-1930s, and most of the line was closed in 1959,
with the remainder closing in 1964.
Yet a preservation society was formed at the first closure in 1959,
as they believed that the charming scenery of the Norfolk Broads
would be a popular tourist attraction, allowing them to operate as
a heritage railway. After some extensive restoration work, the line
re-opened in 1976. Now with the nickname 'the Poppy Line' due to
the number of flowers it passes, the line has proved very popular
ever since.
(305 reviews)
