 The Lynn and Hunstanton Railway and the West Norfolk Junction Railway in 1866 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | East Anglia |
| Dates of operation | 1862–1969 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | Standard |
The Lynn and Hunstanton Railway was a line connecting King's Lynn and Hunstanton in Norfolk, England that opened in 1862. The railway was a major factor in developing Hunstanton as a seaside resort and residential community. The company was allied to the West Norfolk Junction Railway which built a line connecting Heacham, south of Hunstanton, to Wells-next-the-Sea that was not a financial success. The companies amalgamated in 1874 to form the Hunstanton and West Norfolk Railway, and in 1890 the company was sold to the Great Eastern Railway.
The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, acquired an estate at Sandringham, and Wolferton station was used by the Royal Family and visiting heads of state. Hunstanton developed a thriving holiday trade, and day trip excursions became popular. After 1950 decline set in, and the Wells line closed to passengers in 1952; Hunstanton through trains to and from London ended in 1960 and further decline resulted in closure in 1969.