Norwich rail depot welcomes visitors for first public open day in decades

More than 1,200 people visited Greater Anglia’s Norwich Crown Point depot over the weekend as the railway facility opened its gates to the public for the first time in nearly four decades.

The open day offered railway enthusiasts, families and local residents a rare opportunity to explore one of East Anglia’s busiest train maintenance centres and gain an insight into the work involved in keeping passenger services running.

Among the attractions was a 12-car Class 745 electric train operated by Greater Anglia, alongside several Class 755 bi-mode trains. Visitors were able to step inside the cabs, explore passenger areas and learn more about the technology behind the fleet. Displays of train components, including wheelsets, traction motors and engines, provided further insight into railway engineering and maintenance operations.

Historic and freight locomotives also drew strong interest throughout the day. Guests were given access to the cabs of Class 37 and Class 56 locomotives supplied by Colas Rail Freight, while the Wissington steam locomotive from the North Norfolk Railway showcased the region’s railway heritage.

Another notable exhibit was a Freightliner Class 90 locomotive, a type once familiar on Norwich-to-London services before the introduction of Greater Anglia’s current intercity fleet in 2020.

The depot’s own Class 08 shunting locomotive was displayed alongside a miniature steam-powered road train, which provided rides around the site for visitors of all ages.

Several railway organisations from across the region attended the event, including the Bure Valley Railway, Mid-Norfolk Railway, and the Bittern and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnerships. The British Transport Police also took part, giving visitors the chance to see one of their operational vehicles and learn more about policing on the railway.

Norwich Model Railway Club added to the event with a series of model railway layouts and demonstrations.

Reflecting on the success of the day, Norwich Crown Point Yard Operations Manager Helen Dickerson said:

“It was a brilliant day and a real pleasure to open the gates, welcome everyone in and show people how our depot works.

“The engines and locomotives on display came from near and far, but all with a strong East Anglian connection, which was further strengthened with local heritage railways, partner organisations and community rail partnerships all taking part.

“There was a great buzz throughout the day, and Greater Anglia and Network Rail teams were only too happy to talk to visitors about their roles and provide tours of the train cabs, yard controller offices and signal box.”

Greater Anglia’s Head of Engineering & Assurance, Steve Mitchell, highlighted the importance of showcasing the work carried out behind the scenes.

“We were proud to open Norwich Crown Point depot to the public for the first time in almost 40 years.

“It was a brilliant opportunity to show the skill, care and teamwork that goes into preparing trains for passenger service every day and deliver a very punctual and reliable service. We hope it inspired some visitors to consider a future career on the railway.”

Norwich Crown Point depot first entered service in October 1982, replacing the city's former engine shed and creating a central maintenance hub for intercity services. The site was subsequently electrified as part of the wider modernisation of the Great Eastern Main Line during the mid-1980s.

Since railway privatisation, responsibility for the depot has passed through several franchise operators before returning to public ownership under Greater Anglia in October 2025.

Today, the facility supports the maintenance and preparation of up to 27 trains each day, carrying out tasks including cleaning, refuelling and sanding operations.

The event also highlighted increasing collaboration across the region’s railway industry, bringing together Greater Anglia, Network Rail, heritage railways and community organisations. It comes as Greater Anglia, c2c and Network Rail Anglia continue to work under the developing GBR Anglia model, which aims to improve integration between infrastructure and train operations to deliver a more efficient railway for passengers.