View source for Lowestoft railway station

{{Short description|Railway station in Suffolk, England}}
{{use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox station
| name = Lowestoft
| symbol_location = gb
| symbol = rail
| image = Lowestoft gare.jpg
| caption = Lowestoft railway station
| borough = [[Lowestoft]], [[East Suffolk (district)|East Suffolk]]
| country = England
| grid_name = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|Grid reference]]
| grid_position = {{gbmapscaled|TM547928|25|TM547928}}
| manager = [[Greater Anglia (train operating company)|Greater Anglia]]
| platforms = 3 (numbered 2, 3 and 4)
| code = LWT
| classification = [[United Kingdom railway station categories|DfT category]] C2
| original = [[Norfolk Railway]]
| pregroup = [[Eastern Counties Railway]] <br /> [[Great Eastern Railway]]
| postgroup = [[London and North Eastern Railway]] <br /> [[Eastern Region of British Railways]]
| years = 1 July 1847
| events = Opened as ''Lowestoft''
| years1 = 1855
| events1 = Rebuilt
| years2 = 1 October 1903
| events2 = Renamed ''Lowestoft Central''
| years3 = 3 May 1971
| events3 = Renamed ''Lowestoft''
| mpassengers = 
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.406 million}} 
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.103 million |interchange={{pad|2em}}1,837}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 0.355 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 7,307}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 0.397 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 9,046}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2023/24 |passengers={{increase}} 0.426 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 9,571}}
| footnotes = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
}}
'''Lowestoft railway station''' (formerly '''Lowestoft Central''') serves the town of [[Lowestoft]], Suffolk. It is the eastern terminus of the [[East Suffolk Line]] from {{rws|Ipswich}} and is one of two eastern termini of the [[Wherry Lines]] from {{rws|Norwich}} (the other being {{rws|Great Yarmouth}}). Lowestoft is {{convert|23|mi|41|chain|km}} down the line from Norwich and {{convert|48|mi|75|chain|km}} measured from Ipswich; it is the easternmost station on the [[National Rail]] network in the United Kingdom.{{sfnp|White|2004|p=39}}{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=53}}

The station is currently managed by [[Greater Anglia (train operating company)|Greater Anglia]], which also operates all of the trains that call. Services are typically formed of [[British Rail Class 755|Class 755]] [[Stadler FLIRT|FLIRT]] trains.

According to [[Office of Rail Regulation]] usage figures for 2010/11, Lowestoft was the fourth-busiest station in Suffolk, after Ipswich, {{rws|Stowmarket}} and {{rws|Bury St Edmunds}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/xls/station_usage_1011.xls|title=2010-11 station usage report and data|access-date=2012-07-22|author=Office of Rail Regulation|author-link=Office of Rail Regulation|date=29 March 2012|format=XLS|url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510000239/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/xls/station_usage_1011.xls}}</ref> Until the late 1960s, the station was served more frequently, with regular express trains for holidaymakers in the summer to and from [[Liverpool Street station|London Liverpool Street]] and local services to Great Yarmouth. As part of Greater Anglia’s latest franchising agreement in 2016, direct services between Lowestoft and London will return; however, there are currently "no indications of when services may be introduced".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Could direct trains run from Lowestoft to London again? |last=Hanson |first=Reece |work=Eastern Daily Press |date=17 January 2021 |access-date=13 May 2023 |url= https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/20709299.direct-trains-run-lowestoft-london/ |quote=}}</ref>

==History==
===Early days===
On 30 June 1845, the Lowestoft Railway and Harbour Company was incorporated to build a harbour and dock railway in Lowestoft.{{sfnp|Awdry|1990|p=145}}{{sfnp|Moffat|1987|p=53}} The scheme, which was promoted by [[Morton Peto|Samuel Morton Peto]], included a {{convert|11|mi|30|chain|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} line from Lowestoft to the [[Yarmouth & Norwich Railway]] with which it formed a junction near [[Reedham railway station (Norfolk)|Reedham]].{{sfnp|Awdry|1990|p=145}}{{sfnp|Moffat|1987|p=53}}{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=179}}{{sfnp|Oppitz|2003|p=39}} On 3 July 1846, the [[Norfolk Railway]] obtained a lease to construct the line, which it did by May 1847.{{sfnp|Awdry|1990|p=145}}{{sfnp|Allen|1975|p=31}} The line was opened to goods on 3 May and to passengers on 1 July 1847.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=179}}{{sfnp|Awdry|1990|p=145}}{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=5}} A second route was opened on 1 June 1859 with the completion of the [[East Suffolk Line|Lowestoft and Beccles Railway]] which entered the town via a [[swing bridge]] over [[Oulton Broad]], where a {{convert|1.75|mi|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} freight line branched off to the south bank of [[Port of Lowestoft|Lowestoft harbour]].{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=181}}{{sfnp|Oppitz|2003|p=40}}{{sfnp|Awdry|1990|p=145}}{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=20}}{{sfnp|Body|1986|p=109}} The new line connected Lowestoft with London, {{rws|Ipswich}}, {{rws|Bungay}} and other places more conveniently without having to go via {{rws|Norwich}}.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=181}}{{sfnp|Joby|1987|p=77}}

Lowestoft station opened on 1 July 1847.{{sfnp|Butt|1995|p=151}}{{sfnp|Quick|2009|p=260}} At the time of construction, the station was separated from the town on the clifftop by about ½-mile of green fields and farmland, although a new [[Toll road|turnpike road]] (now known as London Road North) linked it to Lowestoft.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=25}} Development was stimulated by the construction of the harbour later in 1847 and extension of the railway to a new fish market and cattle sheds.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=25}} Initially, only two platforms were provided, but rebuilding took place in 1855 by [[Lucas Brothers (company)|Lucas Brothers]] when a more substantial and well-designed building was provided.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=176}}{{sfnp|White|2003|p=67}} The [[Italianate architecture|Italianate]] station is a fine example of their work, which also includes buildings such as the [[Royal Albert Hall]],{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} [[Liverpool Street station]], [[York railway station|York station]] and the [[Felixstowe Branch Line|Felixstowe Railway]].{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=20}} In 1855, the station's roof burnt down and timber for the new roof was brought in from Scandinavia by Peto's North of Europe Steam Navigation Company.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=25}} The main buildings were arranged in an L-shaped configuration, with the booking, enquiry and parcels offices laid out on the north side bordering Denmark Road, the refreshment rooms were on the east side opening into Station Square and the toilets and bookstall were to the south.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=176}} The concourse was covered by an overall roof which extended some way over the tracks and platforms to provide a small [[train shed]].{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=176}}{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2010|loc=fig. 107}}

With the arrival of the railway, Lowestoft's population doubled in 16 years to reach 10,000 and by the end of the century it had increased to 36,000.{{sfnp|Baker|1990|p=80}} In 1849, Peto constructed the esplanade and the Royal Hotel was opened.{{sfnp|Baker|1990|p=80}} The Norfolk Railway was taken over by the [[Eastern Counties Railway]] in 1848,{{sfnp|Awdry|1990|p=126}} which provided a Friday service of cheap trains to London from summer 1859, with Lowestoft coaches being collected at {{rws|Beccles}} by expresses from Yarmouth.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=21}}

===Growth===
The Port of Lowestoft expanded rapidly to cover an area of {{convert|74|acre|ha|abbr=off}} in less than a century, which included over {{convert|6000|ft|m|abbr=off}} of quay dealing in commodities and nearly {{convert|4500|ft|m|abbr=off}} of quay dealing with fish traffic.{{sfnp|Oppitz|2003|p=40}} This resulted in track and signal alterations between Lowestoft and Coke Ovens Junction in 1885 which were carried out by the [[Great Eastern Railway]],{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|pp=176-177}} which had taken over the Eastern Counties Railway in 1862.{{sfnp|Awdry|1990|p=126}} The two single lines from the junction were turned into double track, and an extra (third) platform  was added at the station.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=177}}{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=5}} Two new signalboxes were provided: one at Coke Ovens and the other on the north side of Lowestoft station.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=177}}{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=5}} Engine sheds and a turntable were also provided.{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=5}}

The Great Eastern introduced the first direct services to and from London in 1863, with services leaving [[Bishopsgate railway station]] at 10.00am and taking 3¼ hours to complete the journey.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=22}} On 1 June 1872, a new curve between Marsh Junction on the [[Yarmouth to Beccles Line]] and Swing Bridge Junction on the Yarmouth side of [[Haddiscoe High Level railway station]] enabled direct services between Lowestoft and {{rws|Yarmouth South Town}} via {{rws|St Olaves}}.{{sfnp|Joby|1985|p=76}}{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=22}} The 1883 timetable shows eight stopping trains each way between Ipswich, Lowestoft and Yarmouth, with two or three services a day from London.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=22}} A Mondays only service ran from Liverpool Street with stops at Ipswich, {{rws|Halesworth}} and Beccles.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=22}} The first non-stop express between London and Lowestoft ran in summer 1900 and by 1904 non-stop runs were provided on a regular basis during the summer period.{{sfnp|Oppitz|2003|p=41}}{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=23}}{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=184}}{{sfnp|Allen|1975|pp=169-170}}{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=7}} The traditional access to London was however by shuttle train connection out of the Yarmouth services at Beccles or by portions split and worked forward from there.{{sfnp|Body|1986|p=110}} Nine or ten passenger services to Norwich operated on weekdays and four on Sundays in 1905, the frequency increasing to 12 each way on weekdays by 1921.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=34}}

Holiday traffic to Lowestoft prospered,{{sfnp|Oppitz|2003|p=40}} particularly after 13 July 1898 when the [[Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Railway|Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Committee]] opened a [[Yarmouth–Lowestoft Line|new line]] from {{rws|Yarmouth Beach}} and Yarmouth South Town via {{rws|Gorleston-on-Sea}}, {{rws|Hopton-on-Sea}} and {{rws|Corton}} to Lowestoft, where a second station serving the town, named {{rws|Lowestoft North}}, was opened.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=181}}{{sfnp|Wrottesley|1970|p=96}}{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=189}}{{sfnp|Allen|1975|p=65}} The opening of a second station in the town resulted in the main station being renamed ''Lowestoft Central'' in 1903.{{sfnp|Butt|1995|p=150}}{{sfnp|Quick|2009|p=260}} The Great Eastern sought to foster the holiday traffic by providing a bus service to [[Southwold]] from 18 July 1904 to January 1913 and also one to Oulton Broad.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=183}}{{sfnp|Allen|1975|p=170}}{{sfnp|White|2003|p=68}}{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=7}} The increased naval activity brought on by the [[First World War]] saw the number of passengers using Lowestoft Central via the Norfolk & Suffolk double from a pre-war average of 25,000 per year to a near-record of 54,506 in 1918.{{sfnp|Joby|1975|p=35}} The record was reached in 1919 when 63,859 used the station.{{sfnp|Joby|1975|p=37}} In Summer 1924, a long-distance restaurant car express ran from Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield to Lowestoft and Yarmouth, while an all-year round service began operating to and from York with portions for Lowestoft and Yarmouth dividing at Reedham.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=34}} The journey to York took just over six hours, while Liverpool was reached in seven hours.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=34}} A restaurant car was added to the York express by the early 1930s and the service remained in the timetable until the mid 1960s, although in its later years a buffet car was used instead.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=34}} The Holiday Camps Express ran via Lowestoft to serve the holiday camps along the coast from 1934 to 1939 and then after the war until 1958.{{sfnp|White|2004|p=84}}{{sfnp|Wrottesley|1970|pp=134-135, 153-154}} Another express, [[The Easterling]], was introduced in June 1950 to run non-stop between Liverpool Street and Beccles where a portion would be detached for Lowestoft.{{sfnp|White|2004|p=118}}

Goods traffic had been constant for many years.{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=7}} The chief materials brought into Lowestoft included coal (from Leicester and Melton Mowbray), bricks (to Lowestoft North), pipes, glass, sheet  metal plates, flour, beer, grain and wheel-rims to be exported to the Netherlands.{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=7}} Goods sent out from Lowestoft included canned foods, wood cases and fish to London and Bury St. Edmunds.{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=7}} Between 1899 and 1914, a [[travelling post office]] left the station at 2000 each evening, reaching Ipswich at 2340.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=23}}

In 1914, a [[railroad tie|sleeper]] depot was opened on a reclaimed mud bank in [[Lake Lothing]].{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=185}} It grew to cover {{convert|13|acre|ha|abbr=off}} and had a capacity of 450,000 sleepers as well as a {{convert|1000|ft|m|abbr=off|adj=on}} wharf enabling ships to unload directly.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=185}} Following the closure of [[Melton Constable Railway Works|Melton Constable Works]] in 1936, the depot became a centre for the construction of many items such as fenceposts and building parts, which were sent all over the [[London and North Eastern Railway|LNER]] and [[Eastern Region of British Railways|Eastern Region]].{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=192}} The depot, which had its own {{convert|3|ft|mm|abbr=on|adj=on}} [[narrow gauge railway]],{{sfnp|White|2003|p=93}}{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=51}} incorporated a pre-cast sleeper depot which supplied over half of the Eastern Region with two or three special trains leaving it each week.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=185}}{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=198}} In an average year, about 328,000 sleepers were dispatched with 10,600 tons of [[Rail chair#Chairs|chairs]] and baseplates and many tons of small permanent way accessories.{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=198}} The activity continued until 1964 after which the land was used by [[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]] for offices, a helipad, supply ship berths and a stores complex.{{sfnp|White|2003|pp=92-93}}{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=185}} A siding serving Shell was closed later in the 1970s.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=42}}

===Decline===
As early as the 1930s, the fish traffic began to decline until there were only seasonal specials on the Norfolk & Suffolk in addition to the fish vans on the daily return goods trip.{{sfnp|Joby|1975|p=39}} The fall in income from fish traffic was only partially replaced by the development of holiday camps along the coast.{{sfnp|Joby|1985|p=77}} In addition, the drop-off in traffic on the line between Yarmouth and Lowestoft via the Haddiscoe curve resulted in its closure in 1934 and lifting in 1939.{{sfnp|Joby|1985|p=76}}{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=35}} The service had not been as fast as trains on the Yarmouth-Lowestoft line and by the 1930s it was also facing competition from buses on the A12.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=35}} Nevertheless, the summer timetable for 1939 still showed seventeen services each way, most of which were all-stoppers, while others were combined with Yarmouth services at Reedham before continuing to Norwich in a journey time of up to one hour and sixteen minutes.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=35}}

During the early years following [[Transport Act 1947|nationalisation]], services on the Norfolk & Suffolk line were busy on summer Saturdays but less patronised at other times when a single [[Push–pull train|push and pull]] unit hauled by a [[GER Class M15]] or a [[GER Class G69]] sufficed.{{sfnp|Joby|1975|p=45}} Reliance on summer traffic was not enough and when [[British Railways]] started making losses from 1952 onwards, attention was turned to pruning the network by closing unremunerative lines.{{sfnp|Joby|1975|p=47}} Thus in 1953 when major repairs to [[Breydon Viaduct]] were required, it was decided that Lowestoft could be adequately served during the summer season by diverted trains via Norwich Thorpe, and so the ordinary passenger and freight services were withdrawn as from 20 September.{{sfnp|Joby|1985|p=77}}{{sfnp|Wrottesley|1970|p=154}} A good service nevertheless continued between Yarmouth South Town and Lowestoft, as well as a Saturdays through train from [[Birmingham]].{{sfnp|Wrottesley|1970|p=154}} In May 1956, [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Philip]] visited Lowestoft to open the new South Pier Pavilion and [[LNER Thompson Class B1]] No. 61399 was used to haul the train from Wickham Market Junction.{{sfnp|White|2004|p=46}}

On 2 November 1959, passenger services on the Yarmouth-Beccles line ceased, partly due to the expense of maintaining the swing bridges at Beccles and St Olaves,{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=35}} and it was reported that the [[British Transport Commission]] wished to re-route the line's traffic via Lowestoft.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=27}}{{sfnp|Brodribb|2009|p=240}}{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|pp=205, 239}}{{sfnp|Wrottesley|1970|p=168}} However, although the Lowestoft-Yarmouth line was upgraded to take express traffic, including the lengthening of the station platforms,{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=36}} the London expresses to Yarmouth were sent via Norwich as from 18 June 1962.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=27}}{{sfnp|Joby|1985|p=77}}{{sfnp|Brodribb|2009|p=68}} The line was subsequently recommended for closure in the [[Beeching report]], together with the East Suffolk line from {{rws|Westerfield}} as far as Lowestoft.{{sfnp|Beeching|1963|p=105}} At this time, there was a daily pick-up goods service between Yarmouth South Town and Lowestoft but this ceased on 4 November 1967 and the same weekend the line was singled.{{sfnp|Wrottesley|1970|p=169}} The Yarmouth-Lowestoft line closed on 4 May 1970{{sfnp|Joby|1985|p=77}}{{sfnp|Oppitz|2003|p=43}}{{sfnp|Brodribb|2009|p=235}}{{sfnp|Baker|1990|p=83}}{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=30}}{{sfnp|Body|1986|p=109}} but the East Suffolk line was reprieved by [[Barbara Castle, Baroness Castle of Blackburn|Barbara Castle]] on 29 June 1966.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=29}}{{sfnp|Oppitz|2003|p=41}}{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=246}} The closure of the Yarmouth-Lowestoft line and Lowestoft North station resulted in the "Central" being dropped from Lowestoft's name as from 3 May 1971.{{sfnp|Quick|2009|p=260}} The late 1960s also saw the platform awnings cut back, although the roof over the main concourse was left intact.{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2010|loc=fig. 109}}

[[File:Lowestoft 9 77444 1.jpg|thumb|left|Lowestoft station in September 1977, before removal of the overall roof]]
[[Dieselisation]] was gradually implemented in Suffolk from the 1950s onwards.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2009|p=225}}{{sfnp|Wrottesley|1970|p=156}} It began in 1954 when many steam engines were withdrawn from the Lowestoft area, followed in 1955 by the introduction of the two and four car diesel railcar units for the short services.{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=7}} After June 1960, the East Suffolk line was only served by diesel trains.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=27}} The last recorded steam hauled passenger train left the station in June 1962, although for a number of years afterwards Class B1s were allocated to Lowestoft during the winter months to provide steam heating for hauled stock prior to departure behind diesel locomotives.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=101}}{{sfnp|White|2004|p=49}}{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=7}} The next steam-hauled passenger train at the station was not until 4 May 2002 when [[BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0]] No. 76079 headed 'The Easterling' from Liverpool Street via Norwich.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=19}} By the early 1960s, steam engines had almost disappeared from Lowestoft and in September 1962 the engine sheds and turntable finally closed.{{sfnp|White|2004|p=49}}{{sfnp|White|2003|p=81}}{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=199}} Long distance through services were also cut down with the loss of the through trains to Birmingham and York in late 1964 on the basis that Lowestoft did not have sufficient facilities for the storage and cleaning of coaches.{{sfnp|Mitchell|1966–1967|p=7}} The closure of the line between Lowestoft and Yarmouth South Town in 1970 saw the removal of the rails into platform 1.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} This section of the trackbed, as well as the [[rail siding|siding]] which ran alongside, now forms part of the station car park.{{sfnp|White|2004|p=37}}

Services on the East Suffolk Line consisted of eight or nine diesel multiple unit weekday workings to Ipswich, with a single [[InterCity (British Rail)|InterCity]] train to London, supplemented by a second service on summer Saturdays.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=41}} On winter Sundays, there were three services each way in the afternoon and evening.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=41}} An hourly service was provided on the Lowestoft-Norwich line, with seven or eight trains each way on Sundays.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=41}} The station continued to receive excursion traffic, mainly private charters by the Railway Development Society, as well as special services for football matches and Christmas shoppers.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=43}}

===Present day===
====Direct London services====
The final direct London service of the British Rail era ran on 12 May 1984.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=98}}{{sfnp|Joby|1987|p=81}}{{sfnp|White|2004|p=50}} On 26 September 1999, [[Anglia Railways]] reintroduced the service when the first service departed at 1005 drawn by one of Anglia's new [[British Rail Class 170|Class 170]] units.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=252}} The weekday service left at 0656, arriving at Liverpool Street at 0931 and returning at 1900.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=252}} Through Sunday services were withdrawn from the start of the summer 2000 timetable. As of December 2010 services to/from London via the East Suffolk Line and Norwich have been withdrawn.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=252}}

====1992 rebuilding====
Up until 1992 Lowestoft station retained many of its original features, including the wooden trussed ceiling, [[London and North Eastern Railway|LNER]] clock and traditional departure boards.{{sfnp|Joby|1987|pp=55, 57}}{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2008|loc=fig. 107}}{{sfnp|Body|1986|p=110}} In 1992, alterations were carried out in the name of modernising and simplifying the structure; these involved removing some brickwork, refurbishing an area of the platforms, removing the station roof and canopies to create a new open, paved concourse and demolishing the bookstall and toilet block.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=76}}{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2008|loc=fig. 108}}{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2010|loc=fig. 111}} In addition, a new toilet was provided for all passengers, trees were planted and interior alterations were carried out to the booking hall and office.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=76}} The removal of the station's roof now provides no shelter for passengers from the North Sea wind.{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2008|loc=fig. 109}} Although few amenities remain, the station does nonetheless retain a staffed booking office and ticket issuing machine.{{sfnp|White|2004|p=36}}

Much of the original historical structure nevertheless remains, including one of the last original [[British Rail]] enamel signs in situ on its frontage, displaying ''"British Railways - Lowestoft Central"''.{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2010|loc=fig. 108}}<ref>{{cite web |last=RMC1490 |date=24 November 2010 |title=Remarkable Survivor - British Railways Sign at Lowestoft 24/11/10 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/46341292@N05/5209291769/ |access-date=2012-07-22 |work=[[Flickr]]}}</ref> The original platforms 2 and 3 remain in daily use with platform 4 also available although not used for regular services;{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} the platforms were not renumbered following the removal of platform 1.<ref>{{cite web |last=Denny |first=Glen |date=18 September 2010 |title=Lowestoft station, platforms 2, 3 and 4 |url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2112004 |access-date=2012-07-22 |work=[[Geograph Britain and Ireland|Geograph]]}}</ref>

The station was a finalist in [[Railtrack]]'s Station of the Year 1999.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

====2013 refurbishment====
In May 2012, the station was described by local MP [[Peter Aldous]] as a "blot on the landscape" and a "pale shadow of its former self".<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |last=McGurran |first=Deborah |date=17 May 2012 |title=MP calls to upgrade most easterly station at Lowestoft |work=[[BBC News Online]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18096720 |access-date=2012-07-22}}</ref><ref name="Hansard">{{cite web |date=15 May 2012 |title=House of Commons Hansard Debates |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm120515/debtext/120515-0004.htm#120515106000226 |access-date=2012-07-22 |work=[[Hansard]]}}</ref> He called for its refurbishment to be included as part of the next [[East Anglia franchise|Greater Anglia franchise]].<ref name="BBC" /><ref name="Hansard" />

In early 2013, work began on redeveloping the exterior of the station with £1 million of funding from [[Suffolk County Council]].<ref name="bbc25jan13">{{cite news |date=25 January 2013 |title=Lowestoft railway station's £1m interchange work |work=[[BBC News Online]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-21204473 |access-date=2013-07-28}}</ref> One aim of the redevelopment was to create a more efficient transport interchange with [[Buses in Lowestoft|bus routes]] within the town.<ref name="bbc25jan13" /> The works include the resurfacing of the car park and adjoining land to create 70 additional car parking spaces, as well as redesigning the taxi rank and installing modern bus shelters with electronic information boards.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dickson |first=Annabelle |date=29 June 2013 |title=Call to smarten up Lowestoft station |work=EDP24 |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/call_to_smarten_up_lowestoft_station_1_2256404 |access-date=2013-07-28}}</ref> Initial discussions took place in mid 2013 to renovate empty units within the station, in particular the former café which was housed in the large structure facing Station Square, with the help of local groups.<ref>{{cite news |last=Boggis |first=Mark |date=5 July 2013 |title=New project to renovate Lowestoft railway station is discussed |work=EDP24 |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/new_project_to_renovate_lowestoft_railway_station_is_discussed_1_2265984 |access-date=2013-07-28}}</ref> On 18 February 2014, Peter Aldous MP officially opened a "Bike & Go" outlet at the station.<ref>{{cite journal |date=5–18 March 2014 |title=Lowestoft cycle hire |journal=[[RAIL (magazine)|RAIL]] |issue=743 |page=14 |editor=Nigel Harris}}</ref>

====Goods traffic====
Even by the late 1970s Lowestoft was still handling 25,000 tonnes of freight, an increase of some 18,000 compared to the mid 1970s.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=42}} Goods consisted of domestic coal which was brought by train to a concentration depot at the end of Rotterdam Road, imported steel ingots which were sent on by rail, scrap metal exported to Spain by A. King & Sons and brought to Lowestoft by rail, imported [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] cars and container trains after an [[Orient Overseas Container Line]] ship was diverted from Felixstowe.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=42}} The sleeper works was also producing around five wagon loads of concrete sleepers, posts and platform sections a day.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=43}} Traffic declined in the 1980s as a result of national policies and trends, the withdrawal of vacuum-braked wagons leading to a loss in coal traffic and the increase in charges for imported steel resulting in this traffic moving to other ports.{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=45}}

There are still sidings to the station which are rarely used,{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2010|loc=fig. 109}} although they no longer cross Station Square into the docks or across Commercial Road to what is today a car park and shop.{{sfnp|Body|1986|p=110}} Lowestoft remains a destination for specialised freight services which carry materials used in the offshore North Sea gas production industry.{{sfnp|White|2004|p=51}}{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=184}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Suffolk County Council |author-link=Suffolk County Council |date=February 2007 |title=Suffolk Rail Strategy |url=http://scdc.onesuffolk.net/assets/Documents/LDF/C5a/C38SuffolkRailStrategy.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129062930/http://scdc.onesuffolk.net/assets/Documents/LDF/C5a/C38SuffolkRailStrategy.pdf |archive-date=29 January 2016 |access-date=2012-07-22 |at=para. 8.4}}</ref>{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2010|loc=fig. 110}} A wide variety of diesel locomotives have hauled these trains to {{rws|Aberdeen}} over the years, including Classes [[British Rail Class 31|31]], [[British Rail Class 37|37]], [[British Rail Class 47|47]], [[British Rail Class 58|58]], [[British Rail Class 66|66]] and [[British Rail Class 67|67]].{{sfnp|White|2004|p=51}}{{sfnp|White|2003|p=98}} For many years, the frozen food industry in the area despatched much of its production by rail and in 1989, there was still a daily [[Speedlink]] service to the town.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=184}} Little track rationalisation has taken place since the 1980s and the rail approach to the town is characterised by expanses of rarely used track.{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2010|loc=fig. 110}}

=== Motive power depot ===
The first [[Motive power depot|engine shed]] at Lowestoft was a two-road brick structure on the north side of the station with a [[Railway turntable|turntable]] on a separate spur.{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=195}} It lay close to Denmark Road on the site of what was later the [[goods shed]].{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=195}} The shed could only accommodate four locomotives and attracted complaints from local residents due to the smoke from the locomotives.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=81}} New four-road sheds were built in 1882 at a cost of £5,650 on the north shore of Lake Lothing beyond what later became Coke Ovens Junction.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=81}}{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=195}} The sheds were fine and ornate in the style of those at Yarmouth Vauxhall and {{rws|March}} with extravagant brick detail and a vast iron water tank supported by tall vaulting running the width of the shed.{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=195}} The turntable was first on a single spur alongside the yard but later was enlarged to {{convert|65|ft|m|abbr=off}} and repositioned at the western boundary of the yard.{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=195}} In the 1930s, new coal handling and water softening plants were installed at a cost of £2,828.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=81}}{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|pp=199-200}}

By October 1954 the shed boasted the following allocation: 6 [[GNR Class H4|K3s]], 1 [[GER Class T26|E4]], 5 [[GER Class Y14|J15s]], 3 [[GER Class G58|J17s]], 2 [[GER Class M15|F4s]], 6 F5s, 6 [[GER Class G69|F6s]], 3 [[LNER Thompson Class L1|L1s]], 1 [[GER Class R24|J67]] and 1 [[GER Class C72|J68]].{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=199}} Prior to 1954, Lowestoft was home to the last [[GER Class C32|F3 class]] No. 67127 which first entered service in 1893 and was condemned at Ipswich in April 1953.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=80}}<ref>{{cite web |title=LNER F3 class No. 67127 |url=http://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&type=S&id=600603020&loco=67127 |access-date=2012-07-22 |work=BRDatabase Complete BR Locomotive Database 1948-1997}}</ref> Coded 32C by British Railways, the shed was officially closed in September 1960, although visiting locomotives continued to use the shed until it reportedly 'closed completely' on 7 July 1962.{{sfnp|White|2004|p=49}}{{sfnp|White|2003|p=81}}{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=199}} After a period as a cattle quarantine station, the sheds were demolished in 1983.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=81}}{{sfnp|Hawkins|Reeve|1986|p=199}}

=== Harbour lines ===

==== North Quay ====
A short {{convert|0.25|mi|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} single-track tramway was constructed by the Norfolk Railway from Lowestoft station heading eastwards across the [[A12 road (England)|A12 road]] to Lowestoft Fish Quay.{{sfnp|Joby|1985|p=134}}{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2010|loc=fig. 107}}{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=26}} A flagman was needed to cross the road and services were often hauled by small [[tank engine]]s or [[Sentinel Waggon Works|Sentinels]].{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=192}} In 1866, the line was replaced by conventional rails and over the next 60 years was extended to {{convert|0.75|mi|km|abbr=off}} to reach the end of the North Pier which had been constructed in response to the expansion of the fishing trade at Lowestoft.{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2008|loc=fig. XXII}}{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=26}} The Great Eastern Railway and other railway companies invested greatly in the harbour and its infrastructure, although they were not constructed with the fishing industry in mind.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=100}} By 1892, £320,000 had been invested in the harbour which covered {{convert|20|acre|ha|abbr=off}} where nearly 1,000 registered fishing boats.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=183}} [[Herring]] catches from the [[North Sea]] contributed to the 50,000-60,000 tons of fish landed annually in the early part of the twentieth century, the bulk of which were sent by rail to London.{{sfnp|Oppitz|2003|p=40}}{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=183}}

Fishing boats returning with their catches were moored alongside the pier on which were railway wagons ready to receive the fish.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=100}} A spacious covered market was opened by the Great Eastern in 1865 by the North Pier, lit by gas lamps and with landing stages {{convert|580|ft|m}} long.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=183}}{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=26}} The extent of the fish traffic necessitated fishworkers' specials to Lowestoft from Scotland for the autumn herring season when Scottish women from as far afield as {{rws|Kyle of Lochalsh}} were brought down by the trainload to gut the herring and act as relief crew on the fishing boats.{{sfnp|Joby|1975|p=39}}{{sfnp|Joby|1985|p=77}}{{sfnp|Joby|1987|p=81}}{{sfnp|White|2003|p=69}}{{sfnp|Wrottesley|1970|p=145}} The Norfolk & Suffolk succeeded in capturing 5,000 tons per year of this fish traffic, around 10% of the total.{{sfnp|Joby|1975|p=30}}

The fish trade suffered from continental competition and fish migration and ever decreasing quantities were shipped by rail as lorries were used for their transport.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=184}}{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2008|loc=fig. 116}} Traffic was lost to road not only because the prices were too high but also perhaps because transport by road saw fish rise to the top of the ice-packed containers in which they were shipped, whereas this did not happen on a smooth rail ride.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=192}} Services eventually ceased in September 1973 at which time two vans of fish offal to be used as pet food were dispatched nightly.{{sfnp|Joby|1987|p=82}}{{sfnp|White|2003|p=86}} Although a new trade in [[Whitefish (fisheries term)|whitefish]] developed and a new fish market opened in October 1987, rail plays no role in their transport.{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=184}}

==== South Side docks and Kirkley ====
The Lowestoft and Beccles Railway Act 1856 authorised a branch from a junction to the east of {{rws|Oulton Broad South}} to South Side docks, as well as a short branch to a coal and goods depot at [[Kirkley]].{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=51}}{{sfnp|Oppitz|2003|p=43}}{{sfnp|Gordon|1990|p=181}} The line was known for a curious [[Railway semaphore signal|signal]] with an arm fixed at danger on both sides to warn drivers to take care.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=51}} At Kirkley goods station, the single line fanned out into two groups of sidings: one on each side of the yard and both extending across Belvedere Road into the South Quay where wagon turntables were used to access the sidings.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=189}} Another siding, reached only by turntable, ran parallel to the quay into Morton's [[cannery]] in Belvedere Road.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=189}} When a [[The Co-operative Group|Co-op]] factory opened, it was connected to the harbour line by a siding just east of a [[level crossing]] over Durban Road.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=189}}{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2008|loc=fig. 72}} South Side was worked according to the [[one engine in steam]] principle and horses were sometimes used for shunting.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=189}} Outward traffic included joinery from [[Boulton & Paul]]'s and cannery products, as well as confectionery and preserves mostly from Mortons and the Co-op.{{sfnp|Brodribb|2003|p=192}} Inward traffic comprised oil for the Co-op's factory boilers, timber for Boulton & Paul and steel for the [[Brooke Marine]] shipyard.{{sfnp|White|2003|p=96}} The Kirkley branch was closed in 1966 and the South Side line beyond Durban Road followed on 6 November 1967 with tracklifting a year or so later.{{sfnp|Cooper|1982|p=51}}{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2008|loc=fig. 76}} The rest of the line remained open until 31 December 1972 to serve the Boulton & Paul yard, by which time it had become somewhat of an anachronism.{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2008|loc=figs. 79-80}}{{sfnp|Garrod|1997|p=42}} Extensive redevelopment of the area in the early 21st century obliterated most of the remains of the South Side lines and the industrial businesses which they served.{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2008|loc=fig. 80}}{{sfnp|White|2003|p=97}}

==Facilities==
Lowestoft station is conveniently situated between the south end of the shopping area in the town centre and the north end of the sea front.{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2008|loc=fig. 105}}{{sfnp|Body|1986|p=109}}{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2010|loc=fig. XXIII}} Facilities at the station include shelters, seating in the booking hall and toilets. There is also a ticket machine and a ticket office, which is staffed during the day.

A [[pay and display]] car park is provided, as is a taxi rank and cycle storage. Local buses call at the station, which is a [[Plusbus]] location.<ref name="NatRail">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/lwt/details.html|title=National Rail Enquiries: Station facilities for Lowestoft|access-date=2012-07-22|author=National Rail|author-link=National Rail}}</ref>

==Services==
{{As of|2021|January}}, the typical Monday-Saturday off-peak service at Lowestoft is as follows: <ref>{{Cite web |title=Timetables |work=Greater Anglia |date= 2023 |access-date=13 May 2023 |url= https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/timetables |quote=}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable vatop"
! Operator
! Route
! Rolling stock
! Typical frequency
|-
| [[Greater Anglia (train operating company)|Greater Anglia]]
| Lowestoft - {{rws|Oulton Broad North}} - {{rws|Somerleyton}} - {{rws|Haddiscoe}} - {{rws|Reedham|Norfolk}} - {{rws|Cantley}} - {{rws|Brundall}} - {{rws|Norwich}}
| [[British Rail Class 755|Class 755]]
| 1x per hour in each direction
|-
| [[Greater Anglia (train operating company)|Greater Anglia]]
| Lowestoft - {{rws|Oulton Broad South}} - {{rws|Beccles}} - {{rws|Brampton|Suffolk}} (on request) - {{rws|Halesworth}} - {{rws|Darsham}} - {{rws|Saxmundham}} - {{rws|Wickham Market}} - [[Melton railway station, Suffolk|Melton]] - {{rws|Woodbridge}} - {{rws|Ipswich}}
| [[British Rail Class 755|Class 755]]
| 1x per hour in each direction
|}



On weekdays, the station sees an hourly service to Norwich, via the [[Wherry Lines]], with an extra service in the morning. The services tend to be timed regularly, usually departing at around 50 minutes past the hour during the day; the final service usually departs at 23:30. Saturday services follow a similar pattern, with a reduced service on Sundays. The journey time to Norwich averages 40 minutes.<ref name="Wherry">{{cite web|title=Norwich to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft |url=https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/sites/default/files/assets/download_ct/20220414/Kx-nTuRSfxsxuzdkZjyg7NTVU6oQoCakAmEZumjrbyI/ga2205_tt08_v4.pdf|access-date=2022-06-22|publisher=Abellio Greater Anglia|date=June 2022 |pages=4–5}}</ref>

The service to Ipswich, via the [[East Suffolk Line]], runs hourly following the opening of a passing loop at Beccles in December 2012;<ref>{{cite news|title=Hourly train service between Ipswich and Lowestoft after £4m works|date=8 December 2012|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-20626854|work=[[BBC News Online]]|access-date = 2012-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/sites/default/files/assets/download_ct/20220414/Th9PcNAeZvMupDQDbrT4Rgz3qEfEKKO3UsTuHCYJjnk/ga2205_tt06_v3.pdf|title=Greater Anglia's New Timetable Lowestoft to Ipswich |access-date=2012-12-09 |publisher=Abellio Greater Anglia|date=23 June 2022}}</ref> this usually leaves at 7 minutes past the hour. Sunday services run every two hours, but depart at 5 minutes past each hour from the first train at 08:05 to the last at 20:05. The average journey time to Ipswich is around 1 hour and 30 minutes.<ref name="ESuffolk">{{cite web |title=Train timetable – Valid from 13 December 2020 – Lowestoft and Felixstowe to Ipswich |url=https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/sites/default/files/assets/download_ct/20201117/bMBNaSLCO1spw-YJMWLa0iBIvLawpasQncUdMvbqJH4/ga2012_tt6.pdf}}</ref>

{{rail start}}
{{s-rail-national|toc=Greater Anglia|route=[[Wherry Lines]]<br /><small>Lowestoft branch</small>|next=|previous=Oulton Broad North|rows2=2}}
{{s-rail-national|toc=Greater Anglia|route=[[East Suffolk Line]]|next=|previous=Oulton Broad South|hide2=yes}}
{{s-rail-next|title=Disused}}
{{s-rail-national|previous=Lowestoft North|next=|toc=NSJR|route=[[Yarmouth-Lowestoft Line]]|status=Disused|note2=|note=Line and station closed}}
{{s-end}}

== Proposed developments ==

=== Relocation of the station ===
[[Waveney District Council]] had previously indicated in April 2010 that the station should be relocated 40m to the west and 80m to the south in order to "strike the optimum balance between commercial viability, technical feasibility and acceptability in the eyes of key stakeholders and landowners".<ref name="AAP">{{cite web|url=http://www.waveney.gov.uk/site/scripts/download.php?fileID=1595|title=Lake Lothing and Outer Harbour AAP: Further Preferred Options; Commentary on Draft Sustainability Appraisal and "Mini-Scoping" Exercise|access-date=2012-07-22|author=Waveney District Council|author-link=Waveney District Council|date=April 2010|format=PDF|at=para. 3.5.4|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120905172106/http%3A//www.waveney.gov.uk/site/scripts/download.php?fileID%3D1595|archive-date=5 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Relocation would "release a significant parcel of land for redevelopment in Peto Square between Denmark Road and Commercial Road", although it was said that "existing historic station buildings should be retained and integrated into any new development."<ref name="AAP"/> [[Network Rail]] has objected to this policy on the basis that this would reduce the patronage of the station as was the case with {{rws|Cromer}}, {{rws|Felixstowe}} and {{rws|Sheringham}} and would incur substantial financial cost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://consult.waveney.gov.uk/gf2.ti/aw/203170/12354/PDF/-/Network%20Rail.pdf|title=Policy TML4–Lowestoft Station Interchange-object|access-date=2012-07-22|last=Dingwall|first=James|publisher=[[Network Rail]]|date=11 June 2010}}</ref> Although the policy did not appear in the final version of the [[area action plan]] for Lake Lothing and the Outer Harbour Area, the document did nevertheless raise concerns as it purported to reduce the number of platforms at the station to two plus a siding for excursion trains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waveney.gov.uk/site/scripts/download.php?fileID=2475|title=Lowestoft Lake Lothing & Outer Harbour Area Action Plan Development Plan Document|access-date=2012-07-22|author=Waveney District Council|author-link=Waveney District Council|date=January 2012|format=PDF|at=para. 3.5.21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907054645/http://www.waveney.gov.uk/site/scripts/download.php?fileID=2475|archive-date=7 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Boggis|title=Mixed views over plan for Lowestoft railway station|date=17 December 2010|url=http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/mixed_views_over_plan_for_lowestoft_railway_station_1_756236?ot=archant.PrintFriendlyPageLayout.ot|work=Lowestoft Journal|access-date=2012-07-22}}</ref>

=== Direct Yarmouth services ===
In January 2015, a Network Rail study proposed the reintroduction of direct services between Lowestoft and Yarmouth by reinstating a spur at [[Reedham (Norfolk) railway station|Reedham]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Briscoe|first=Kim |url=http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/new_rail_study_suggests_reintroducing_direct_train_service_between_great_yarmouth_and_lowestoft_1_3903200|title=New rail study suggests reintroducing direct train service between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft |work=The Lowestoft Journal |date=2015-01-02 |access-date=2015-01-11 }}</ref><ref name="NR-IC2014">{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/long-term-planning-process/improving-connectivity.pdf |title=Improving Connectivity |publisher=[[Network Rail]] |date=December 2014 |access-date=2015-01-11 |at=p. 31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111233809/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/long-term-planning-process/improving-connectivity.pdf |archive-date=11 January 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Services could once again travel between two East Coast towns, with an estimated journey time of 33 minutes, via a reconstructed {{convert|34|chain|m|adj=on}} north-to-south arm of the former [[triangular junction]] at Reedham, which had been removed in {{circa|1880}}.{{sfnp|Adderson|Kenworthy|2010|loc=fig. XVI}}<ref name="NR-IC2014"/> The plans also involve relocating Reedham station nearer the junction, an idea which attracted criticism.<ref>{{cite news |last=Royall |first=Kate |url=http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/rail_plan_sparks_station_concerns_in_reedham_1_3910131 |title=Rail plan sparks station concerns in Reedham |work=Great Yarmouth Mercury |date=2015-01-08 |access-date=2015-01-11 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=24em}}

== Bibliography ==
{{Refbegin|2}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Adderson|first1=Richard|last2=Kenworthy|first2=Graham|title=Branch Lines around Lowestoft: From Yarmouth to Beccles|date=November 2008|publisher=Middleton Press|location=Midhurst, West Sussex|isbn=978-1-906008-40-6}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Adderson|first1=Richard|last2=Kenworthy|first2=Graham|title=Branch Lines East of Norwich: The Wherry Lines|date=February 2010|publisher=Middleton Press|location=Midhurst, West Sussex|isbn=978-1-906008-69-7}}
*{{cite book|last=Allen|first=Cecil J.|author-link=Cecil J. Allen|title=The Great Eastern Railway|publisher=Ian Allan|location=London|year=1975|orig-year=1955|isbn=0-711006-59-8}}
*{{Awdry-RailCo}}
*{{cite book|last=Baker|first=Michael H.C.|title=Railways to the Coast|publisher=Patrick Stephens|location=Wellingborough, Northants|year=1990|isbn=1-852600-58-6}}
*{{cite report|url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRB_Beech001a.pdf|last=Beeching|first=Richard |author-link=Richard Beeching |title=The Reshaping of British Railways |series=Part I: Report |place=London |publisher=[[Office of Public Sector Information|HMSO]] |year=1963|access-date=2013-12-26}}
*{{cite book|last=Body|first=Geoffrey|title=Railways of the Eastern Region|volume=1|publisher=Patrick Stephens|location=Wellingborough, Northants|year=1986|isbn=0-850597-12-9}}
*{{cite book|last=Brodribb|first=John|title=An Illustrated History of the East Suffolk Railway|publisher=Oxford Publishing Co.|location=Hersham, Surrey|year=2003|isbn=0-860935-72-8}}
*{{cite book|last=Brodribb|first=John|title=The Main Lines of East Anglia|publisher=Oxford Publishing Co.|location=Hersham, Surrey|year=2009|isbn=978-0-86093-629-9}}
*{{Butt-Stations}}
*{{cite book|last=Cooper|first=John M.|title=The East Suffolk Railway|publisher=The Oakwood Press|location=Tarrant Hinton, Dorset|id=LP 139|year=1982|isbn=0-853612-85-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Garrod|first=Trevor|title=England's most easterly railway: 150 years of the Lowestoft-Norwich line|publisher=Railway Development Society (East Anglian Branch)|location=Lowestoft|date=April 1997|isbn=0-950946-52-4}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Gordon|first1=D.I.|title=A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: The Eastern Counties|volume=5|year=1990|orig-year=1968|publisher=David St John Thomas|location=Newton Abbot, Devon|isbn=978-0-946537-55-6}}
*{{cite book|last1=Hawkins|first1=Chris|last2=Reeve|first2=George|title=Great Eastern Railway Engine Sheds|publisher=Wild Swan|location=Didcot, Oxon|volume=1|year=1986|isbn=0-906867-40-1}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Joby|first1=R.S.|title=Forgotten Railways: East Anglia|volume=7|year=1985|orig-year=1977|publisher=David St John Thomas|location=Newton Abbot, Devon|isbn=0-946537-25-9}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Joby|first1=R.S.|title=Regional Railway Handbooks|volume=2|year=1987|publisher=David St John Thomas|location=Newton Abbot, Devon|isbn=0-946537-36-4}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Joby|first1=R.S.|title=The Norfolk & Suffolk Joint Railways Committee|year=1975|orig-year=1970|publisher=Klofron|location=Norwich|ol=14612730M}}
*{{cite journal|title=Railways in and About Lowestoft|journal=Lowestoft Archaeological & Local History Society: Annual Report|date=1966–1967|first=Mr|last=Mitchell|volume=1|pages=5–7 |url=http://www.lowestoftlocalhistory.co.uk/reports/LA&LHS%20An%20Report%20vol%201.pdf|access-date=2012-07-22}}
*{{cite book|last=Moffat|first=Hugh|title=East Anglia's First Railways|publisher=Terence Dalton|location=Lavenham, Suffolk|year=1987|isbn=0-861380-38-X}}
*{{cite book|last=Oppitz|first=Leslie|title=Lost Railways of East Anglia|orig-year=1999|year=2003|publisher=Countryside Books|location=Newbury, Berkshire|isbn=978-1-85306-595-8}}
*{{Quick-Stations}}
*{{cite book|last=White|first=Malcolm R.|title=Rails to the Coast|year=2004|publisher=Coastal Publications|location=Lowestoft|isbn=0-954732-30-8}}
*{{cite book|last=White|first=Malcolm R.|title=The Lowestoft Train|orig-year=2002|year=2003|publisher=Coastal Publications|location=Lowestoft|isbn=0-953248-56-9}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Wrottesley|first1=A.J.F.|title=The Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway|year=1970|publisher=[[David & Charles]]|location=Newton Abbot, Devon|isbn=0-7153-4340-8}}
{{Refend}}

== Further reading ==
*{{Cite book|last1=Brooks|first1=Christopher J.|title=Railways Around Lowestoft 1847-1997: a Commemorative Album|year=1997|publisher=Jack Rose Old Lowestoft Society|location=Lowestoft|isbn=0-9520-3614-2}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{stn art lnk|LWT|NR322EG}}
{{Coord|52.4742|N|1.7498|E|type:railwaystation_region:GB|display=title}}

{{Railway stations served by Greater Anglia}}

[[Category:Railway stations in Suffolk]]
[[Category:DfT Category C2 stations]]
[[Category:Former Great Eastern Railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Greater Anglia]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1847]]
[[Category:Railway depots in England]]
[[Category:1847 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Lowestoft]]
[[Category:Cardinal points of the Great British railway network]]