A popular exhibition featuring photos and memories of the former Lowestoft to Yarmouth Railway will run at Gorleston Library from Monday 1 to Friday 5 June.
Image above: The peultimate service from Lowestoft to Yarmouth Train at Lowestoft, courtesy of Peter Cogar
The Lowestoft Central Project compiled the exhibition in conjunction with the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership to mark 70 years since the lines closure and are pleased to be working with Gorleston Library Friends to offer the public another chance to see it as part of this year’s Community Rail Week.
The Lowestoft to Yarmouth line opened in 1903 with stations at Lowestoft North, Corton, Hopton On Sea, Gorleston Links Halt, Gorleston, Gorleston North, Yarmouth South Town and Yarmouth Beach. It was a popular route and in Summer would welcome thousands of holiday makers arriving by rail staying at coastal holiday camps in Corton, Hopton and Gorleston.
Image above: Lowestoft North Station, courtesy Wherry Lines CRP
The line was trimmed back in the 1950s due to costs involved in maintaining the Breydon Viaduct across to Yarmouth Beach Station but was later upgraded in 1959 with the closure of the Beccles – Yarmouth South Town route. Sadly, a series of rationalisations and re-routing of holiday traffic saw the line and services downgraded with full closure coming in May 1970.
Gorleston which had three stations along the route was badly affected by the lines closure, leaving it one of the largest towns in the UK without a railway station.
Today much of the line has been redeveloped with roads, housing and industrial facilities built on the route however traces of the line, its embankments, bridges and one station building survive. The exhibition includes a host of images and memories from both passengers and people who worked the line.
Image above: Last timetable front, courtesy of Steve Flowerday
Tim Miller from the Lowestoft Central Project said, “We are very pleased, as part of Community Rail Week, to be working with Gorleston Library Friends to bring our Lowestoft – Yarmouth Railway Exhibition to Gorleston Library. The exhibition always proves very popular as It features lots of information and photographs and some very special memories from people who travelled or lived near to the line.”
The Lowestoft – Yarmouth Railway Exhibition will run inside the Carnegie Room, upstairs at Gorleston Library on Monday 1 June from Midday until 5pm, Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 June between 10am and 5pm and on Friday 5 June from 10am until 2pm. Admission is free and there is no need to book.