GWR visitor among others at big Poppy Line steam gala

GWR heavy freight 2-8-0T No. 4270 will be one of seven locomotives running at the North Norfolk Railway’s August 27-29 bank holiday steam gala.

The 1919-built locomotive, visiting from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, will join the home fleet of Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway 7F 2-8-0 No. 53809, BR Standard 9F No. 92203 Black Prince and fellow 2-10-0 War Department No. 90775 The Royal Norfolk Regiment, BR Standard 4MT No. 2-6-0 No. 76084 and GER Y14 0-6-0 No. 564.

It is hoped to book a second visiting locomotive for the event, which will feature a varied schedule of passenger services including double-heading, nonstop expresses and local workings, plus demonstration goods trips. The line’s train of unique four and six-wheeled carriages dating from Victorian times will run, along with the unique LNER Quad-Art teak set that has just undergone periodic maintenance including the revarnishing of all four carriages and specialist reprofiling of the wheels. Also running will be two sets in 1950s and 1960s livery, which will include on-board catering. More details are at www. nnrailway.co.uk