The line ran from Thetford, via Watton to a junction with the Lynn and Dereham Railway at Swaffham.

[4] On 21 July 1879 the combined line was leased to the Great Eastern Railway for 999 years, commencing 1 March 1880.

[5] The line was closed to passengers on 15 June 1964, with a two-car diesel multiple unit (DMU) driven by driver David Grant of Dereham operating the final service.

[11] Two more Manning Wardle tanks, and two Sharp, Stewart and Company 0-4-2 tender locomotives were added by September 1876.

Watton station has also been demolished and the site redeveloped, although a level crossing gate survived on Church Road as late as 1983.

[13] One of the ballast quarries created during the construction of the railway through Watton was converted into a leisure park and bathing lake known as Loch Neaton.