Most vehicles are maintained at Weybourne (pictured).
The North Norfolk Railway, a heritage line operating in Norfolk, England, has a large collection of heritage rolling stock, mostly relating to the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) branch lines in Norfolk. The rolling stock preserved on the North Norfolk Railway is used to operate trains on the NNR, also known as the "Poppy Line", which runs between the coastal town of Sheringham and Holt. Some vehicles are also approved to operate over Network Rail, mostly in connection with dining services to Cromer.[1]
There is a variety of preserved steam and diesel locomotives and diesel multiple units, passenger coaches and goods wagons. Some are owned by the railway itself but most are owned by individuals or voluntary groups. The line is also regularly visited by locomotives based elsewhere.
The main restoration sheds are at Weybourne. These have space to accommodate four standard length British Railways Mark 1 coaches and six large steam or diesel locomotives. Additional carriage storage sheds have been built near Holt, using Heritage Lottery Funding. These have the capacity to store the equivalent of 18 Mark 1 coaches.
Operational, boiler ticket expires in 2022. Built in 1957.[3] Mainline certified. Recently undergone re-tube following discovery of leaking tubes. Certified for full mainline use on the National Network, including between Sheringham and Cromer.[4]
Operational, boiler ticket expires in 2027. Returned to service in May 2017 following the completion of its latest overhaul. The locomotive was named in September 2017, having previously carried the name "Sturdee" in preservation.[5] Built in 1943.[6]
First stage of stripping engine for overhaul has begun. Built in 1940. Purchased by the M&GN Joint Railway Society in April 2020 in order to aid the North Norfolk Railway PLC financially and in order to secure the overhaul of the locomotive.[9]
Built in 1962. Returned to service in 2013 following a major overhaul, but was withdrawn with an earth/generator fault in January 2017. Following extensive repairs and tyre turning at Barrow Hill, the locomotive returned to and re-entered service at the railway in April 2019.[16]
Crimson & Cream – Mainly used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham station[26]
M3116
British Railways
Mk1 FO
Crimson & Cream – Mainly used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham station[27]
E3868
British Railways
Mk1 TSO
Maroon – Has operational toilets. The first Mk 1 coach preserved when purchased in 1969[28]
E4236
British Railways
Mk1 TSO
Maroon - Received intermediate overhaul in 2017[29]
E4372
British Railways
Mk1 SO
Crimson & Cream – Mainly used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham station[30]
E4641
British Railways
Mk1 TSO
Crimson & Cream - Major overhaul completed in 2016. Mainly used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham station[31]
E4651
British Railways
Mk1 TSO
Maroon – Toilets removed to provide an area for pushchairs/bicycles[32]
E4667
British Railways
Mk1 TSO
Crimson & Cream - Mainly used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham station[33]
Body of 1899-built four-wheel, 5 compartment coach. Formerly part of private residence near Reepham. Now restored as a museum display residence at Holt Station.[48]
Suburban coaches[]
Part of the Suburban 4 project, funded by a £99,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore four of these coaches together to complement the vintage Quad Art set which they replaced in the 1950s.[49]
Short for "Quad-Articulated", this unique set of permanently coupled coaches have been overhauled and restored in LNER varnished teak condition. Used as the backbone of NNR services until 1979, due to the age and historical importance of these coaches they are now only used periodically throughout the year. They were restored using a match funded Heritage Lottery grant of £341,000, with an additional £308,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund providing the Bridge Road Carriage Sheds, which were built to store the Quad-Art set.[54]
Built at Stratford 1907 for Norfolk Coast Express. Previously used on NNR as volunteer dormitory coach. Stored, out of service. Will be restored in varnished teak and work with the Quad Arts or Vintage Set and will provide Disabled access to both.[65]
"Vintage Set" Coaches[]
These carriages are or will be restored to form a rake of Victorian 4 or 6 Wheeler Carriages.
Built at York 1929 for the Great Eastern/Midland and Great Northern section. Previously in static use as a shop at Weybourne. Lined teak, operational. Used either as part of the vintage train or attached to the Quad-Arts Set.[66]
Built at Doncaster 1887, becoming Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway stock in 1903. In service, part of the vintage train. Initially restored using a converted wagon chassis, a new, more authentic, six-wheeled underframe has now been fitted.[68][69]
Built in at Derby 1886 as Picnic Saloon 1616. To M&GN in 1903 as No. 3. Restoration completed in October 2015. Part of the vintage train. Painted in lined maroon.[70][71]
Operational. Used in Melton Constable breakdown train and built in 1887.[79]
Goods wagons[]
The North Norfolk Railway also operate a number of goods vehicles. These are classified as either 'operational' for use in engineering trains, 'heritage' which are suitable for use in a demonstration heritage freight train that is used on special occasions, or 'museum' if only allowed to run short distances.[80]
Former North Norfolk Railway rolling stock[]
Since the preservation reopening of the line, several items of rolling stock have worked or been based on the North Norfolk Railway, but have since departed. A number of vehicles have also been stripped and partially (or fully) scrapped on the railway.
Steam locomotives and shunters previously based on the NNR[]
Number & Name
Description
Notes
Picture
1970 "John D. Hammer"
Peckett 0-6-0 saddle tank locomotive
Built in 1939 as works number 1970 for the Ashington Coal Company in Northumberland. Arrived on NNR in 1969, and was sold in 1991. It is now "Jackie Milburn 1924-1988" at the Stephenson Railway Museum.[81]
3777
Hunslet 0-6-0 saddle tank locomotive
Built in 1952 for the National Coal Board (NCB) by the Hunslet Engine Company. Operated as 68030 at NNR. Now Llangollen Railway.[82]
3809
Hunslet 0-6-0 saddle tank locomotive
Built in 1954 for the National Coal Board (NCB) by the Hunslet Engine Company. In 1963 it was fitted with a Giesl ejector chimney and blast-pipe. Moved to the NNR in 1988, and sold to the Weardale Railway in 2006.[83]
5470 "Colwyn"
Kitson 0-6-0 saddle tank locomotive
Built in 1933 for Stewarts and Lloyds to work at the quarry at Corby. Arrived on NNR in 1971, starring in an episode of Dad's Army in 1973. It was sold in 1985 and is now at the Northampton & Lamport Railway.[84]
2107 "Harlaxton"
Andrew Barclay 0-6-0 side tank locomotive
Built in 1941 for Stewart & Lloyds, who operated the steelworks at Corby and the ironstone quarries nearby at Harlaxton and Woolsthorpe. It spent several years operating in M&GN livery on the NNR, and is now at the Caledonian Railway as "Thomas".[85]
7765
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorne 0-6-0 side tank locomotive
Built in 1954 by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn for the National Coal Board (NCB), specifically for working passenger trains on the NCB system at Ashington in Northumberland. It operated on the NNR in the 1970s, moving to the Colne Valley Railway and is now on the Weardale Railway.[86]
7845
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorne 0-6-0 side tank locomotive
Built to work at Hams Hall Power Station at Sutton Coalfield, where it was No 12. It was displayed at Sheringham on the NNR until the 1990s, moving briefly to County School railway station and is now displayed at the Hawes railway station in BR livery.[87]
2680
WG Bagnall 0-6-0 saddle tank locomotive
Built in 1942 the Birchenwood Gas and Coke Co works near Stoke-on-Trent. It arrived in the 1970s, and was taken apart for an overhaul that was never completed, with Weybourne shed being built around it. It departed in 2009 and is now operational at the Ribble Steam Railway.[88]
2918 "Pony"
Hawthorne Leslie 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive
Built in 1912 for Blyth Harbour Commission. It arrived from the Yorkshire Dales Railway, and was briefly used as a station pilot. It departed in the 1990s, initially to County School railway station, and is now in works at Tyseley.[89]
2168 "Edmundsons"
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive
Built in 1943 and spent its working life at Little Barford Power Station in Bedfordshire. It was briefly used on the NNR but departed in the 1990s, initially to County School railway station, and is now in works at the Rushden Transport Museum.[90]
2370
Bagnall 0-6-0 fireless locomotive
Built for the Distillers Company and delivered to their Salt End Works, Kingston upon Hull, in May 1929. It arrived in late 1979, and went on static display at Sheringham before moving circa 2004. Now derelict alongside the Leicester-Birmingham railway line.[91]
Diesel locomotives and shunters previously based on the NNR[]
Informally named 'TIPOCKITY'. Went to Swanage, then Shillingstone, before being donated to the Whitwell & Reepham railway. Now operational at Whitwell & Reepham railway station.
On 30 June 1962, this locomotive collided with a diesel multiple unit at Cricklewood carriage sidings, London due to confusion over a hand signal. The engine is now preserved and stored at Barrow Hill Roundhouse.[95]
This three car Class 117 was privately preserved in 1994, and operated on the North Norfolk Railway until 2003. Power cars then to Eastleigh Works for failed plan to return to the main line. Only 51388 still survives.[97]
BR 975874
LEV 1
This single car experimental passenger vehicle, owned by the National Railway Museum, is a prototype for the later Pacers, and periodically operated on the NNR from 2004 to 2012.[98]
Built 1913. Preserved 1969, and used as static buffet at Sheringham until condition forced withdrawal. Sold 2003 to a private owner at Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.[107]
624
London Midland and Scottish Railway
4w bogie
Sleeper Third
Built 1952. Preserved 1976 and moved to NNR as volunteer accommodation at Sheringham, until scrapped in 1997.[108]
Built for Brighton Belle in 1932. Preserved 1981 and moved to NNR, and used on luxury dining trains until 2000. Sold to '5BEL Trust' in 2009.[109]
291
4w bogie
Pullman Third
Driving brake Pullman Parlour Brake built 1932 for the Brighton Belle. Preserved 1981 and moved to NNR, and used on luxury dining trains until 2000. Sold to 5Bel Trust in 2009.[110]
34495
British Railways
Mk1
BSK
Built 1954. Grounded for use as store at Weybourne, until scrapped in 2015.[111]
35341
Mk1
BSK
Built 1962. Donated to North Norfolk by Courier Rail, from Norwich Crown Point, 2003. Sold to private owner and moved to Mid-Norfolk Railway in 2017[112]