End of an era: it's been a great 'at-track-tion' but Norton Hill Light Railway to close

It will be an emotional farewell after decades of entertaining and raising money for good causes.

As we get out of the car we hear a whistle and see the steam, and the miniature train passes us with the passengers happily smiling and waving. And already it’s easy to see why this has been charming visitors for decades.

“There is something inherently lovely about steam,” says Tom Smith, who’s a driver and a guard, and has been coming here for 30 years, “The first time was when I was 3 or 4 riding the trains, I’ve then been helping since I was 13 and now I’m 33. For a lot of us who help out we’ve literally grown up with it, it’s been lovely.”

"For a lot of the children this will be the first time they’ve seen steam, and there is nothing like seeing the face of a child who sees it for the first time, it’s pure delight when they realise 'oh wow - Thomas is actually real!'”

Volunteer Gabriel Sterling with Tom Smith 

We wait for the barriers to lift, step across the tracks, and make our way to queue for a ride. “We’ve sold 200 tickets in the first hour,” Angela Schumann says. Her and husband Michael open their farm in Snettisham for three weekends every summer to raise money for local good causes. Angela goes on to tell me this is the final year, “It is the end of an era, I feel very sad but also there is a sense of relief as it’s a big responsibility. I do love seeing people though - a few tears will be shed.”

Angela Schumann (left) with friend

We board the carriages as our driver, Greg Howell, empties the ash and refuels. “Steam has got so much spirit about it, it’s all out in the open so you can see how it works. I’ve travelled the world photographing steam trains, trying to capture it before it all disappears,” he says, adding, “It gets hot upfront, it’s actually very intense because it’s a fairly small boiler and things can happen very quickly - you can suddenly run out of water, out of steam.”

Then with a whistle we’re off along the 1km track through the countryside and tunnels, waving to whoever we see along the way. On board with us is 7 year old Amelie and her family from Nottingham. “It’s fun,” she says, “I love the whistle and you get to spot things.” We see some teddy bears on a hill having a picnic. Mum Victoria says they’ve been coming for the last 4 years, “It’s a lovely day out and we have really good time, what a shame it’s ending.”

As we get back the queue’s even longer and I’m introduced to owner Michael who’s sitting on a bench nearby. “Steam engines have always fascinated me and I wanted to build a railway, I spent a lot of time researching it. And it has been wonderful. We’ve had people come here as young kids, then they come when they’re married and they’ve got their own kids.”

Michael Schumann (left) with one of the drivers

“People like travelling on trains, a lot of grandparents come with their grandchildren and I sometimes think the children are indulging the grandparents! So I always say to the older generation, you don’t have to bring children to justify having a ride!”

“But the world moves on,” he adds, “We’ve done it for 35 years and I’m beginning to find it quite tiring, it’s time. I’ll miss it of course, it’s socially great fun, we meet a lot of people but you have to accept reality as the years go on."

I chat to more passengers who also express their sadness that it’s coming to an end, phrases like ‘we love it’ and ‘what a shame’ coming up often. This weekend the money raised is going to the Purfleet Trust, West Norfolk’s homelessness charity. Chairman Ray Johnson says, “It’s been wonderful being part of this event, we are so grateful to Mike and Angela. We’ll just have to do something similar somewhere else, sadly we won’t have the trains though - which is a big pull.”

What a privilege it's been to get to come to the farm before this iconic community event does close and introduce my one year old to steam trains, even though at first she wasn't too keen on the loud whistles!  

After eating some homemade cake, enjoying some live music and playing some of the games at the fete, we see Tom again who’s having a well deserved break. “It’s hard work - but we’re so happy and enjoying it. It’s rare in the world to be doing that and to help raise money for good causes too.”  Norton Hill Light Railway is going ‘out on a high’ he says, “Doing exactly what it’s done forever, being loved and being somewhere where people can come and enjoy steam engines safely and happily.”

“We’ve all loved our time here," he goes on to tell me, "It’s because of the incredible kindness of Mike and Angie that we’ve been able to do this for so many years.”

A sentiment that I’m sure is shared by many.

The last weekend will be August the 16th and 17th.