North Norfolk Railway managing director retires after 17 years

Hugh Harkett, who reduced his workload after being taken ill earlier this year, suffered a relapse last month and is recuperating with his family in Wales.

The railway’s chairman, Steve Allen, paid tribute to Mr Harkett, telling its AGM: “Hugh’s management of the finances has helped us keep our head above water, especially during Covid when he stoically captained the ship through choppy waters.

“He is an inspiration to us all.”

Hugh Harkett, the North Norfolk Railway's former managing director who has retired after 17 years in the role (Image: Leigh Caudwell)

The North Norfolk Railway, which operates steam and heritage diesel trains along five-and-a-half miles of restored track from Sheringham to Weybourne and Holt, also reported an upturn in financial performance at its AGM, recording an operating profit of £58,798 in 2023/24 – a turnaround of £267,816 compared to the previous year.

Overall passenger numbers totalled 148,801 last year, down from 152,322 in 2022.

However, public trains operated on approximately 30 fewer days than in 2022 to reduce the pressure on staff and volunteers, but loadings per day increased by 9pc to 627.

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Locomotive 4277 Hercules heading a train from Sheringham to Holt – one of ten locomotives expected to be in action on the line in the coming weeks (Image: North Norfolk Railway)

Recently appointed general manager, Graham Hukins, provided an update on 2024 so far, saying at the end of June the line had carried 46,330 passengers, which is within a day’s loadings of last year.

He said the railway’s income is also above budget and ahead of last year.

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“Events, dining trains and driver experiences are performing particularly well with visitors looking for special experiences and value-for-money,” Mr Hukins said.

“The day-to-day market is ever so slightly softer for us, but we seem to be doing better than many attractions and other heritage lines.”

Graham Hukins, North Norfolk Railway general manager (Image: Leigh Caudwell)

He thanked staff and volunteers and assured shareholders that “the railway is in good hands”.

Two historic steam trains and one of the line’s heritage diesels will be in action every day until early September, with trains running between Sheringham and Holt from around 10am to 16.20pm each day.