Richard BatsonA busy tourist attraction railway is gearing up for a new season, after seeing a near 19pc rise in visitors last year.Richard Batson

A busy tourist attraction railway is gearing up for a new season, after seeing a near 19pc rise in visitors last year.

The Bure Valley Railway, running from Aylsham to Wroxham, carried more than 121,000 passengers in 2009.

Business manager Susan Munday said it was down to more people taking stay-at-home holidays, combined with the line holding of more special events over a longer season.

The railway's best ever season was 2003 when it had 127,906 passengers.

At the end of last year one of its locos, Blickling Hall, clocked up 100,000 miles - a total of 5,555 trips on the 18-mile return trip, or 370 annually during its 15 year history.

It is now undergoing a routine winter overhaul ahead of the new season which begins on February 13 in the school half term holidays with some Teddy Bear specials, but really takes off with daily services on March 27.

Operations manager Neil Cumming said 500 sleepers had also been delivered ready for track work in the coming weeks.

The Evening News launched its Do Different Do Norfolk campaign to make the most of what our fine county has to offer.

For more information about the Bure Valley Railway call 01263 733 858 or visit www.bvrw.co.uk