signal box was only opened in the morning at this time and the evening Ely–Newmarket service had to reverse at Chippenham Junction as the direct route was not available. However the line may have survived for freight until 2 February 1966 which was when Warren Hill signal box closed, although with the line being singled at this time, whether any trains actually ran via the Warren Hill Junction to Snailwell Junction curve is unknown. Warren Hill Tunnel was only ever single track. On 5 August 1966 the Suffolk Mercury reported that Barbara Castle, the Minister of Transport, had given approval for the closure of the stations at Fulbourne, Six Mile Bottom, Dullingham, Kennet, Higham, Saxham & Risby, Thurston and Elmswell. The closures were to take effect from 5 November that year but on 4 October it was announced that Dullingham, Kennet, Thurston and Elmswell would remain open. On 2 January 1967 Fulbourne, Higham, Six Mile Bottom and Saxby & Risby stations closed and the remaining minor stations became unstaffed with the introduction of conductor guard working. On 21 February 1967 the last shunting horse to work on British Rail, "Charlie" at Newmarket retired. Needham station was closed in 1967 but reopened in 1971 as Needham Market. Newmarket Goods Yard was also closed on 2 February 1969 with Snailwell Junction Signal Box closing a week later. Further line rationalisation took place in 1978 when on 1 October tokenless block working was introduced between Newmarket and Dullingham stations. Five years later in May 1983 the line between Dullingham and Coldham Lane Junction was singled leaving a passing loop at Dullingham. Although general goods services were withdrawn from Thurston in 1967 coal trains ran until early 1976 (usually the Bury st Edmunds diesel shunter worked this train). The yard was lifted on 1 June 1976. Upon sectorisation in 1982 Provincial (renamed Regional Railways in 1989) became responsible for all local passenger services. The privatisation era In April 1994 Railtrack became responsible for the maintenance of the infrastructure. Railtrack was succeeded by Network Rail in 2002. Passenger services have been operated by the following franchises: April 1994 – December 1996 Operated as a non-privatised business unit under the InterCity name January 1997 – March 2004 Anglia Railways – owned by GB Railways but bought out by FirstGroup in 2003 April 2004 – February 2012 National Express East Anglia February 2012 – present Abellio Greater