A preserved railway is to be re-linked to the national network next month (February 2010) after £140,000 was raised by volunteers.
The link at Sheringham, Norfolk, should boost both the Norwich-Sheringham Bittern line, and the preserved Sheringham-Holt North Norfolk line.
Installing a new level crossing and laying track across Station Road, Sheringham, will allow special trains to travel on to the preserved line from the national network but it also opens up the possibility of making more use of the NNR for public transport.
The line was severed in 1964 after short-sighted officials left large areas of Norfolk without a rail option and created the conditions where millions of pounds had to be spent upgrading roads to take the extra traffic.
The crossing will be reinstalled in the fortnight beginning 15 February.
Norfolk Orbital Railway campaigners have a plan to relink Holt, Fakenham and Dereham to the National Rail network.
Norfolk Orbital Railway
NNR