‘DUB‑DEES’ AT THE DOUBLE FOR NORTH NORFOLK GALA

The first pairing of a WD 2-8-0 and 2-10-0 in preservation will take place at the North Norfolk Railway’s ‘Autumn Steam Gala’ on September 1-3, with the announcement of No. 90733 as the first visiting engine. The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway-based 2-8-0 will line up alongside the ‘Poppy Line’s’ resident ‘Dub-Dee’ 2-10-0 No. 90775, which has recently returned to steam following overhaul (SR467). A number of WD 2-8-0s were allocated to March shed in BR days, and members of the class ran over the former Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway network, of which the Sheringham-Holt line once formed a part. There will be another 2-8-0 at the three-day event, as S&D ‘7F’ No. 53809 has also been booked to attend, courtesy of the West Somerset Railway. It will be making a return visit to the 5¼-mile line following its attendance at the ‘Autumn Steam Gala’ last year. All of the NNR’s operational steam fleet will be in action, including a second 2-10-0 in the shape of ‘9F’ No. 92203 ‘Black Prince’. In addition, BR Standard ‘4MT’ No. 76084, ‘B12’ No. 8572, 16in Hunslet 0-6-0ST Ring Haw and ‘Y14’ 0-6-0 No. 564 will be working. Three weeks after its turn at the NNR, No. 564 will be making its debut at the Severn Valley Railway ‘Autumn Steam Gala’ (see story, left).