Suffolk rail line celebrates 165 years of keeping areas connected

An “essential” rail line that keeps rural areas connected is celebrating its 165th anniversary.

The East Suffolk Railway opened in 1859 connecting Lowestoft to Ipswich and still runs today.

The Station House at Wickham Market station in Campsea Ashe, which opened at the same time on the line, will hold celebratory events on Saturday and Sunday.

Rosamund Webb, manager and founder of the Station House, said the line was extremely important to the area.

Trains on the line also stop at Oulton Broad, Beccles, Brampton, Halesworth, Darsham, Saxmundham, Melton, Woodbridge and Westerfield.

“It’s the only main line that actually goes through the east Suffolk region so it’s crucial to the area,” said Ms Webb.

“Especially with the smaller communities that are now expanding, the railway line helps people live and go about their lives.”

Rail line users echoed Ms Webb’s sentiments. Karoline Newman, who lives in the area, said she preferred the train to driving.

“Looking at what the A12 is like these days with its various speed restrictions and overnight roadworks, it becomes a completely unpredictable journey,” she said.

“With the train – when it’s on time – I can be in London in two hours and that is fantastic.”

Ms Newman said the line represented “a lifeline to so many people”.

“When you look at the demographic and who it is serving every single day on the hour, every hour, it is absolutely essential,” she continued.

“Why drive when you can take a lovely train? It’s a fantastic little line to have, it’s gorgeous.”

Vic Stanbrook, from Framlingham, said he remembered the line when steam trains ran along it.

“I travelled from this station up to London when I worked for BT on a steam train – happy days,” he said.

His wife, Mary Stanbrook, added: “Our daughter lives at Melton and her groups of friends get on the train to come here, go to the pub and get the train back.

“So it does get used for different reasons.”

The anniversary celebrations include an exhibition of poetry inspired by the railway along with music performances and a rail-themed film.

Ms Webb was a leading figure helping to reopen the Station House back in 2017.

“Stations are those last kind of community spaces where people can bump into each other,” she said.

“That’s really what the Station House does, it joins people together across the region.”