The station at Diss was initially proposed by the Ipswich & Bury Railway as part of their planned route to Norwich. However, the railway industry experienced significant changes over time. In 1847, the Ipswich & Bury Railway merged with the Eastern Union Railway, which began operations in 1849. Later, in 1854, it became part of the Eastern Counties Railway (ECR). In 1862, the ECR joined with several other companies to form the Great Eastern Railway (GER).

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William Betts, Lord of the Manor of Frenze, built a railway from Diss to nearby Scole in 1850, which which stretched seven miles and had two engines. It had a connection into the Diss station yard, and was used to transport horse manure to fertilise the fields, transporting root vegetables back. ​

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In the early 1900s, the goods yard at the station was extended twice, and during World War I, an Army Service Corps depot was set up next to the station.

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When the railways were nationalised in 1948, the station was run by the Eastern Region of British Railways. Even so, some goods were still moved around by horses right up until 1959.

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Trains to Diss used to stop at smaller stations like Mellis, Burston, and Tivetshall, but this service ended in 1966 when these smaller stations were shut down.

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Famous & Infamous people linked to Diss Railway station

 

Sir John Betjeman came to Diss in 1964 to visit his friend Mary Wilson, who was born in Diss. She was the wife of Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

 

The film Something About Diss was made of this visit. It followed him on a tour of the town. On his arrival at Diss Railway station there is a shot of a railway sign similar to the one in our collection.

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Ethel Clara Neave, known as Ethel Le Neve, was the mistress of the infamous Dr Crippen. She was born in Diss, the eldest child of Walter William Neave, who a railway clerk, possibly at Diss Railway. She was hired as a typist by Crippen in 1900, before becoming his mistress in 1905. Crippen was hanged for the murder and mutilation of his wife in 1910.