Wissington Light Railway
 

Welcome to Norfolks Disused Railways Wissington Light Railway Page

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Wissington Light Railway opened in 1906 to benefit the local farms in the Norfolk area.

In 1925 the sugar beet factory at Wissington was built and at the time had no road access to the factory. 

The factory Traffic relied on the railway and barges from the river.

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In the modern times the Factory has far better road access and lorry's carry all the beet traffic from roughly a 50mile radius

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Wissington Railway Branched off From The Downham Stoke Ferry Line Between Denver & Stoke Ferry at Abbey & West Dereham

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Wissington Railway was unique as it's never had an act or Parliment to build this railway.

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Three Barges Called Wissington-Hilgay-Littleport were used pulling Steel Barges with Coal or Beet in Steel Barges.

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During World War II The factory was deemed important and the Ministry of Agriculture took over the railway in March 1941. And in 1943 river traffic had stopped being used.

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The Ministry of Agriculture drafted in Italian Prisioner's of war to work on the Railway and to help to build better road access to the factory & Farm land.

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After World War II The Ministry Of Agriculture took over & Brought the Railway And in 1957 Parts of the line Started to close as road access was Taking over all Traffic to the Factory & Farmland.

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The Final Closure was in 1982 When the line closed for good.

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In This Day All I could find was this old Bridge seen Below Just Out Side the Beet Factory at Wissington.The Beet factory still Stands today and is still in use during the winter Beet Campaign

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Abbey & West Dereham Station Remains 

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The old line Bed here is used as skip Storage for a local waste Management Company.

The Only Surviving Remain I could find from the old Railway this Disused Railway Bridge just out Side Wissington.

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I have been told also there is another Bridge closer to the factory that is now used.

Or Demolished and another bridge put in its place to carry industrial pipes.

After Leaving The Beet Factory looking at these maps dated from 

1937-1961

We see the line going on to various other parts of the local area to various farms around this area.

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Mostly Close to Feltwell & Methwold

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Thanks to the National Library of Scotland for the use of these Maps