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NORFOLK’S TUNNELS & VIADUCTS
CROMER TUNNEL
Did you know that Cromer has Norfolk's only original standard gauge railway tunnel?
This tunnel was once used by the Sheringham to Mundesley services and the Cromer High to North Walsham & Norwich railway lines.
Cromer High station, which opened on March 26th, 1877, was also located in the area but closed to passengers on September 20th, 1954, and to freight on March 7th, 1960.
Despite the fact that the railway is no longer in operation, the tunnel remains in excellent condition. Although there is some expected graffiti, I was pleased to see that there is no structural damage within the tunnel.
Walking inside, I was surprised by how dark it was for such a short tunnel. Additionally, I noticed a mortar spigot that was left behind from the war days. I also observed line wire carriers on the floor level that have survived within the tunnel and along the A149 bridge.
If you take a walk beside the Cromer Tunnel, you'll come across an ancient railway bridge that now supports the A149 Norwich Road. A contemporary footpath crossing has also been constructed beside it.
There is another tunnel located in Aylsham, which is the only railway tunnel in Norfolk that is currently open to trains. The tunnel is used by the narrow gauge Bure Valley Railway to pass under the Aylsham Bypass. It was constructed after the standard gauge East Norfolk Railway was closed.
Also, There was once a tunnel at Barsham that has since been partially demolished and is covered on this web page.
The Cromer Tunnel and Cromer High Station are both depicted on the maps provided by the National Library of Scotland.
Cromer Tunnel
Photographed July 2021
The arrival point at the tunnel location is on the left of the photo, where a recent pedestrian crossing has been put in place. On the right side of the picture, the A149 road crossing bridge is visible, with more information about it available on this webpage.
If you plan to enter the tunnel, please exercise caution while making your way down the bank. Once inside, be mindful of the overgrown surroundings and watch your step to avoid any potential trip hazards.
The portal of Cromer Tunnel.
Inside the old Cromer Railway Tunnel.
There is a mortar spigot that remains in the Cromer tunnel from the days of the war.
While visiting, I saw Cromer Tunnel Portal from the opposite side. However, it was impossible to continue further along the old track bed due to overgrowth.
Cromer A149 bridge crossing
As you approach the Cromer tunnel, there's a bridge that spans over the old track bed and carries the Norwich road with A149 markings. Even after all these years, the bridge is still in fantastic shape and is used daily by road traffic. A new steel footbridge has also been constructed between the A149 Bridge and the Cromer tunnel, ensuring safe passage for pedestrians over the old track bed. Additionally, I noticed wire carriers at the bottom of this bridge.
These Bridge Buttrressess are located just outside where Cromer High station once stood and would have carried the railway services from Cromer High over the road and towards the Cromer Tunnel.
Barsham Tunnel
The location of an old tunnel from the early 1900s is accurately displayed on these maps. However, it is important to note that the tunnel no longer exists and only the embankment remains.
Please see the My Google Maps above for the Exact location of where the tunnel once sat.
I took the photos of this site during the summer of 2022.
I would like to express my gratitude to the National Library of Scotland for providing the maps used in the above content.
The Barsham Tunnel was located on the Norfolk to Wymondham railway line, linking Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk. Constructed in the mid-1800s, this section of the line operated until 1964 when it was eventually closed down.
Although the railway had a much longer lifespan, the Tunnel's existence was relatively short.
The tunnel was built using red bricks and covered with a layer of concrete.
The Barsham Tunnel, situated 36 miles and 68 chains from Dereham, was the sole tunnel in Norfolk during the 1850s. It was built with a single line, spanning 176 yards in length and measuring 14ft in width. Subsequently, the Cromer Tunnel was also constructed.
The railway line had been constructed 60ft underneath the ground, but had to be shut down in 1898 due to structural problems. After some time, it was reopened with a sturdy embankment set in place. The excess debris was utilized to create a fresh embankment near the Stiffkey river.
Similar to the Cromer Tunnel, the Barsham Tunnel also had portals inside for workers to seek shelter during the passing of trains.
"The trackbed leads up to the site where the tunnel used to be."
Barsham Tunnel.
All that remains of the old Tunnel are these concrete supports.
During my visit, I was lucky enough to come across remnants of the old portals.
While exploring the remains of Barsham tunnel, I came across a spot where the concrete covering had fallen off, revealing the original red brick that the tunnel was built from.
The Barsham Embankments photographed in 2022
I am currently standing at the top of the Embankment, looking down at the brick and concrete supports approximately 60ft below.
I also stumbled upon this railway bridge located a short way from the tunnel.
East Runton Viaduct’s
Both viaducts in East Runton were constructed in 1902, but one was closed in 1952. The closed viaduct was designed as a diversionary route to bypass Cromer and provide a more direct path to Sheringham. The second viaduct, which leads to Cromer station, is still in use today on the Bittern line from Norwich to Sheringham via Cromer.
The photographs of this site were taken during the summer of 2022.
The Disused Viaduct
1902-1952
Bridge code RNW1 317 RNW1
Newstead Lane Junction to Runton West Junction
I would like to express my gratitude to railwaycodes.org.uk for providing the information.
The Second viaduct
The second Viaduct is currently being utilized on a daily basis for the Norwich to Sheringham route; trains need to reverse at Cromer.
WEST RUNTON STATION
The station that comes after the viaducts between Cromer and Sheringham is West Runton. It remains operational on the Bittern train line connecting Sheringham and Norwich via Cromer, and is the sole station on the Network railway system that showcases M&GN signage.
CROMER STATION
Cromer Station is situated on the Bittern Line. One viaduct was built to enable services to run directly into Cromer, while the other viaduct, which ceased operation in 1952, was constructed to create a more direct route for various long-lost services, bypassing Cromer altogether.
