Freight traffic continued on the tramway until 1966. For a brief period in 1930-1931 the steam tram engines were supplemented by two LNER Class Y10 Sentinel geared steam locomotives, prior to them moving to the Yarmouth Quay line. From 1952, the line was worked by modified Drewry 0-6-0DM (Class 04) diesel shunters, again fitted with sideplates. It thus became the first line in Britain to be wholly worked by diesel locomotives. The line did not survive the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, and was officially closed on 23 May 1966, although the last train, consisting of Drewry Shunter D2201, three wagons and a brake van ran on 20 May.