Initially the service was relatively leisurely, departing Cromer at 6.28am, travelling via Norwich with an arrival in London at 10.16am.

In 1951, the service was improved by the introduction of Britannia class locomotives, and 26 minutes was cut from the schedule.

On 4 December 1957 a car crashed into the level crossing gate at Salhouse railway station.

The owner managed to remove the vehicle from the line, but the Broadsman hit the level crossing gate at 45 to 50 mph and uprooted a five-ton concrete post.

[4] The Great Eastern Main Line was upgraded in the 1960s with continuous welded rail, and diesel hauled services, and the named trains on this route lost their titles in 1962.