In 1846 Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds were linked to London by the new railways. The East Suffolk line now runs from Ipswich to Lowestoft, with a number of direct trains from Liverpool Street, London, each day. The first section of the line was opened in 1854 joining Halesworth to Beccles; five years later it was extended to Woodbridge, from where Eastern Counties Railway trains travelled to Ipswich and then to London. To say that such a link opened up the Suffolk coast is perhaps an understatement, for until the opening of the East Suffolk line it could take goods and people up to 48 hours to reach London by road.

Goods were frequently transported by barge and there were at that time numerous harbours and jetties along the estuary banks as well as a number of active ports along the coast. Few of these magnificent red-sailed wherries remain today, although those that do meet at Pin Mill on the Orwell every year for an exciting race along the estuary.

The success of the East Suffolk line led to demands for branch lines and by 1922 there were rail connections to Framlingham, Aldeburgh and Southwold, the Aldeburgh line having its junction with the East Suffolk line at Saxmundham Station, opened in 1859.

A connection to Aldeburgh allowed many more people access to the coast, both for day trips from places such as Framlingham, and for holiday makers from London. With its pier and bathing huts, Aldeburgh was already a popular destination for the Victorian holiday maker; its smart hotels accommodating the rich, while guest houses which lined the two streets to the seaward side of what is now Crag Path accommodated the middle classes.

World War I had an impact on railway profits, but it was not until the depression of the 1930s that branch line passenger services, became uneconomic. By the 60s road transport was the norm and the branch lines to Framlingham and Aldeburgh were closed. Southwold's branch although much fought for and finally opened in 1879 survived for just fifty years.

The Aldeburgh Line (still in use for freight traffic to and from Sizewell) left the East Suffolk line at Saxmundham, travelling via Leiston to Aldeburgh. For one family at least the railway enhanced their fortunes.

In 1778 Richard Garratt - a blacksmith, specialising in farm implements - moved from Woodbridge to Leiston. There he set up an agricultural engineering workshop, which, under his grandson, another Richard Garratt, became the first in the country to use production line techniques. At the height of the Garratt's business success the factory was exporting over 90% of its output, although it was this that nearly led to the company's demise at the start of the Russian Revolution. A large consignment of engineering equipment was ordered by the Tzarist government, but it arrived in Russia after Lenin had taken power and payment was never made. The equipment remained in Russia.

As for Aldeburgh, Tourism Guides of the late 19th century are full of 'Railway Excursions'.

Saxmundham to Aldeburgh - By Rail Distance 81/2 miles, Time: 22 minutes

The railway strikes off to the right from the main line, and ascends a stiff gradient to Leiston, one of the largest of the Suffolk villages owing to the thriving agricultural machine works of Messrs. Garratt being here. On the left of the station may be seen the fine east end of Leiston Abbey (founded by the Earl of Suffolk in 1363. The railway passes over Sizewell and Thorpe Commons, in sight of the sea, to Aldeburgh.

Tourists' Guide to Suffolk, Taylor (1887)