Poppy Line to mark anniversary

DARTMOUTH Steam Railwaybased GWR 2-8-0T No. 4277 Hercules is making its inaugural visit to the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) this season – a year in which a milestone in the line’s history will be commemorated.

Following arrival at Sheringham on February 6, the ‘42XX’ hauled public trains during the February 17-25 halfterm school holiday.

No. 4277 is booked to be in operation during the March 29-April 1 Steam Into Spring event alongside GER ‘Y14’ 0-6-0 No. 564 and Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST Wissington (1700/1938).

Wissington returned to the NNR on January 25 from the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, where it has been on hire for the last two seasons. The loco is due to be in NNR service over the Easter weekend hauling a train of vintage four and six-wheeled carriages.

Anniversary

With the line from Sheringham to Melton Constable having been closed by BR on April 6, 1964, the NNR is to mark the 60th anniversary of that event on April 6/7 this year. When the majority of the former Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway network was closed in 1959, the section from Melton Constable to Sheringham survived with DMUs providing the service.

Appropriately therefore, the special timetable will feature a railcar made up of Class 104 and 101 DMU cars. Norwich veteran Class 31 diesel No. D5631 (31207) is also rostered. Two steam locos are booked to be in action – No. 564 is due to haul the Quad-Art train of teak bodied carriages, and No. 4277.

Meanwhile, BR ‘4MT’ No. 76084 was withdrawn on December 23 following the expiry of its boiler certificate. BR ‘9F’ No. 92203 Black Prince is currently stopped awaiting assessment.

Gresley ‘N2’ 0-6-2T No. 1744 is expected to return to action before the summer following the completion of its overhaul.

‘WD’ No. 90775 The Royal Norfolk Regiment is anticipated to be back in traffic for the summer. The 2-10-0 is having major boiler surgery following the discovery of a small crack where the barrel joins the firebox wrapper.

No. 564 goes out of ticket in late August and an extension is currently envisaged.

JAMES KINDRED No. 4277 Hercules begins the climb towards Kelling Heath after departing Weybourne on February 17, with a train from Sheringham to Weybourne.