Today only parts of the former line between Peterborough and Sutton Bridge still survive. The Platelayers’ hut at the former Mill Hill Crossing to the east of the village on Nipcut Road in Eye is the first building you will come across as you head east from Peterboorugh. It was a popular past-time walking along the old track bed in Eye before the bypass was built. Sadly over the last 50 years, all but two of the stations have been demolished. Tydd station is one of the survivors, the only station with part of the platform intact, now a private residence although though in pretty poor shape. Ferry Station also stands although also a private residence.
Pictured above is the Platelayers’ Hut on Nipcut Road in Eye. These huts are small buildings that were constructed beside railway lines at regular intervals to store the tools and equipment and provide somewhere to shelter during meal breaks and periods of bad weather to anyone working on the track.
Move the slider across the images below to find out what it may look like today.
Looking from Crowland Road Foot Bridge
Looking along the track bed to the east of the village
Today the memory of the line is kept alive by the M&GN Circle and the North Norfolk Railway (NNR)
The M&GN Circle is a a society dedicated to the preservation of documents, photographs and other items of memorabilia. The NNR is a 10.5-mile railway through the Norfolk countryside on last working part of the M&GN. The stations and line have been restored to how they would have been in the days of the M&GN. Below are some photos from a recent visit.
Trains and carriages
Buildings and more
North Norfolk Railway: www.nnrailway.co.uk
What If…
And for a twist what would one of the modern signs look like if the track was still in operation today?
Further reading
M&GN on Wikipedia – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_Green_railway_station
2009 marked 50 years since the closure of the M&GN: www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk
Locomotives of the M&GN: transportsofdelight.smugmug.com