North Norfolk Railway Gears Up for Rails & Ales Event in June 2025
North Norfolk Railway announces its much-anticipated Rails & Ales event, running from 13 to 15 June 2025, inviting fans of steam heritage and local brews to enjoy unlimited travel on steam and diesel trains alongside tastings of Norfolk’s finest ales and ciders. This festival of locomotion and local flavour promises a weekend full of historic engines, nostalgic rail travel, and the chance to sample a wide selection of regional drinks from hop fields to your glass.
Picture this: a gentle steam whistle echoing across the low-lying marshes, the scent of malt and hops drifting through old station platforms, and trains from a golden age of rail travel rolling into view. Rails & Ales at North Norfolk Railway captures that sense of living history while celebrating the vibrant brewing traditions of the county. Whether you arrive at Sheringham’s original Great Eastern station or Little Barford Halt, you will step back in time and savour every moment.
As you board one of the heritage steam locos or hop aboard a diesel unit, the promise of unlimited travel allows you to explore the line at your own pace. Take in the sweeping coastal vistas, the salt-marsh birdlife, and the countryside that inspired generations of holiday-makers. Each station along the route offers a new opportunity to sample a different ale or cider—carefully selected from local breweries and orchards—that highlights the character of Norfolk’s produce.
A particular highlight for rail enthusiasts this year is the return of the Class 40 diesel locomotive D213 “Andania”, kindly provided by Locomotive Services Limited. Built in 1959, Andania is one of only seven survivors from a class originally numbering 200 units. Its distinctive growl and sturdy frame make it a standout attraction, and passengers will love the chance to travel behind a machine with such a remarkable story. Alongside Andania, the charming DRB Railbus E79960 also makes its much-loved appearance, invoking memories of the early preservation days when this light railbus first graced the North Norfolk Railway.
Throughout the event, each drink stall sets up close to the tracks so visitors can watch engines steam in and out as they raise a glass. You might discover a tangy farmhouse cider made from county-grown apples, or a crisp, aromatic ale brewed just a few miles from the line. Local producers take pride in these offerings, and you will appreciate the skill of brewers who have honed their craft over generations. As you sip and savour, you begin to sense the deep connection between Norfolk’s railway heritage and its agricultural roots.
Yet Rails & Ales is more than a chance to taste and travel. It’s an opportunity to share a weekend with family and friends, creating new memories alongside echoes of those who once journeyed by steam. Children will delight in the rhythmic clank of the wheels, while older generations will recall trips taken on school excursions or half-day outings in years gone by. There’s a special magic in seeing a small grandchild’s face light up when a locomotive thunders past, just as it did for their grandparents.
In addition to the special locomotive visits, you will find knowledgeable guides offering informal talks on the history of each engine, the story of preservation, and the role Norfolk’s railways played in connecting remote coastal communities. These conversations bring the displays to life, helping visitors of all ages appreciate how important such lines were for trade, travel and social life. It’s fascinating to learn how a modest branch line could carry agricultural goods, maintain vital links during wartime, and even foster tourism by bringing holiday-makers to sandy beaches.
With unlimited travel available all weekend, wander at your leisure from Holt to Sheringham, pausing between drinks for scenic walks along the trackside paths. Take photographs at sunset when the low light turns the rails to gold, or watch the engines rest at Weybourne shed, awaiting their next turn of duty. Every corner of the line offers fresh discoveries, whether it’s a seldom-seen artefact in a museum coach or the sight of a perfectly restored footbridge.
As you plan your trip, early booking is advised to secure travel passes and tasting tokens. Friends and families often make this event a yearly tradition, returning to catch new locomotive arrivals and enjoy fresh batches from local breweries. You might even find that Rails & Ales becomes the highlight of your summer calendar, combining the joys of heritage travel with the simple pleasure of a well-crafted drink.
Image credit www.edp24.co.uk
Original source https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25205639.north-norfolk-railway-hosting-rails-ales-event-2025/
