Heritage line’s General Manager to retire after 40 years in the rail industry

The North Norfolk Railway announced that General Manager, Andrew Munden, will retire in January after five years at the helm of the popular tourist attraction and a career in the UK Rail Industry that has spanned 40 years.

Andrew masterminded the line’s introduction of the highly-acclaimed Norfolk Lights Express in 2019 with the innovative seasonal services now in their third successful season. More recently, he has overseen the heavily restricted operations in 2020 and full reopening following the end of lockdown early this year. The truncated 2021 season has been particularly busy, with passenger numbers for late summer and autumn bouncing back to the levels enjoyed in 2019.

Andrew said: “It has been a real privilege to lead the team at the Railway and I am particularly grateful to the team of staff and volunteers who have risen so well to the challenges the last two years have thrown at us. After four decades in the industry, now is the right time to step back enjoy a little more leisure time.”

His first job in the rail industry came in 1981 when he joined British Rail (Southern Region) as a trainee quantity surveyor. He subsequently worked in various roles including being part of the British Railways Board team setting up the privatised industry in 1994 and then with national infrastructure bodies, Railtrack and Network Rail eventually serving as Route Director for the Sussex, Kent and Anglia Routes before taking up the post of Operations & Safety Director at Chiltern Railways. Andrew took over as General Manager at the North Norfolk Railway at the start of 2017.

Managing Director, Hugh Harkett, said: “Andrew has provided a steady hand on the tiller and the line’s recovery post-COVID is a testament to his leadership skills.

“We’re delighted that Andrew isn’t completely severing his ties with the Railway and are pleased he has accepted our invitation to join the Board of Directors where his ongoing input will be extremely valuable.”

Photo credit: North Norfolk Railway

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