The Bure Valley Railway

Running from Aylsham to Wroxham in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, the Bure Valley Railway provides both families and narrowgauge enthusiasts with excitement daily throughout the year. Built in 1990, its nine mile route follows the old trackbed of the East Norfolk Railway, dating back to 1880, and has intermediate stations at Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall.

Its base at Aylsham is the setting for its engine sheds, souvenir shop and restaurant.At the other end of the lineWroxham provides a link with the national rail network and access to boat trips around the protected wetland landscape of the Norfolk Broads, Britain’s third largest inland waterway which has equivalent status to that of a National Park.

Throughout the year the BureValley Railway stages special events such as Thomas the Tank Engine days, a Gala Weekend and Santa Specials. If you find yourself hooked on the narrow gauge experience, it is also possible to go one step further and learn how to drive these miniaturised steam locomotives for yourself.

In this evocative collection of over 140 colour photographs Andy Stansfield records in intimate detail this delightful line, its rolling stock, locomotives and the glorious stretch of English countryside within which it lies.

Andy Stansfield is a photographer, feature writer and author specialising in travel and outdoor leisure. His first book was finally added to his extensive portfolio of magazine work in 2006 and was so successful that he now concentrates almost entirely on writing and illustrating books, mostly for Halsgrove.