page_title: Norfolk Railway
section_title: Dereham and Fakenham branch
hierarchical_section_title: Norfolk Railway / Dereham and Fakenham branch
caption_attribution_description: English: Wymondham Station
context_page_description: The Norfolk Railway was an early railway company that controlled a network of 94 miles around Norwich, England. It was formed in 1845 by the amalgamation of the Yarmouth and Norwich Railway opened in 1844, and the Norwich and Brandon Railway, not yet opened. These lines were built out of frustration that the Eastern Counties Railway line that was expected to connect Norwich to London failed to be completed. The Norfolk Railway also leased the Lowestoft Railway and Harbour company, and built a branch to Dereham and Fakenham, opened in 1846 and 1849 respectively.
  It was successful in connecting Norwich to the emerging railway network, by connecting at Brandon with a line from London via Cambridge and also a line from the Midlands through Peterborough. However as a local line it was dependent on bigger partners, and it was threatened by new competing lines, so that its independence was always at risk. In 1848 it agreed with the larger Eastern Counties Railway that the ECR would operate its line, reducing the Norfolk Railway to a financial company only. In 1862 it amalgamated with other companies to form the Great Eastern Railway.
context_section_description: During 1845 a furious and controversial series of discussions took place in Norwich about a railway to Dereham and Fakenham, and the route it should take. A branch from Wymondham to Dereham was already authorised, and after considerable argument, it was proceeded with. It opened from Wymondham to Dereham on 7 December 1846 for goods trains and on 15 February 1847 for passengers.  The powers naturally passed to the Norfolk Railway. The following year, during construction, the Norfolk Railway sought an Act to extend the Dereham line to Wells and Blakeney; this was granted by an Act of 1846.
  The Wells and Blakeney extensions were not built, and the new work was confined to building to Fakenham only. The construction contract was let to Peto in the Spring of 1847.
caption: Wymondham station
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