New waiting room for historic Wymondham train stop

Passengers on the Mid-Norfolk Railway can now enjoy the comfort of a new waiting room thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Wymondham Rotary Club.

Last year, the club donated more than �1,300 to the trust which maintains a service on the formerly disused line between Dereham and Wymondham.

The money, which was raised through a fish and chip supper, was used to buy a portable office which volunteers have repainted and turned into a small ticket office and waiting room.

Companies Aviva, in Norwich, and HB Glass and Stone and The Kitchen Centre, in Wymondham, donated office furniture, a glass screen and a counter to complete the transformation.

Now positioned on the line's Wymondham Abbey Halt stop, about 40 people gathered yesterday to celebrate its official opening with Wymondham Town Mayor Colin Foulger. The group was treated to a short train journey to nearby Thuxton where a new passing loop and signal box are being constructed.

Mike Bush, press and publicity officer for Wymondham Rotary Club, said it was a welcome addition to the popular platform which attracts many tourists.

In June, the GWR steam locomotive, King Edward II, is due to travel the MNR line as part of a diary of special events.

For more information, visit www.mnr.org.uk