Reedham Railway Station

Image: © Ashley Dace Taken: 22 Jun 2010

It was in May 1844 that the first railway in Norfolk opened, with a line from Great Yarmouth to Norwich. The Yarmouth and Norwich Railway & Co was created in 1842, George Stephenson was the chairman at the first directors' meeting. The line was constructed as a single track standard gauge line with little engineering headaches, no tunnels or massive viaducts, following the low level course of the River Yare. Work began in April 1843, at Postwick Hall Farm, near Thorpe Asylum,1,500 men were employed in its construction. The contractors were Grissell and Peto, Samuel Morton Peto being the main engineer. The station was similar design to Beccles Station Image] which was built by Peto Brassey and Betts. Grissell became increasingly nervous of the risks taken by Peto and so dissolved the partnership in 1846. Peto then entered into partnership with Edward Betts, who had married his sister, Ann. Opening came on Wednesday, 1st of May 1844 next. Trains left Norwich Image] at 9 and 11 o‘clock in the morning, and 4 and 7 o‘clock in the afternoon. The 30th April 1844 saw the formal opening of the Yarmouth and Norwich line. Around 200 VIPs travelled in the first train. By 1845 Trowse swingbridge had been constructed Image] allowing through services to London via the again Grissel and Peto built Norwich to Brandon and Eastern Counties railway lines. The roundabout journey of 146 miles took about six-and-a-quarter hours killing off the horse drawn carriage trade. This was a huge moment in my family history as my Great Great Grandfather Sir Walter Gilby was put out of business by the railways in the 1840s.

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