‘Scene’ on the North Norfolk Railway 2015

A short holiday in the Norfolk coast gave me a chance to take a look at the ‘North Norfolk Railway’ (NNR) initially on a normal service day and later in the week on a diesel gala day.

 

76084

 

A British Railways (BR) Standard class 4 2-6-0 loco. Owned by the ‘Locomotive Company Limited’.

 

Built at Horwich works in 1957, it spent most of its short working life (10 years) based in Northwest England.

 

M51192

A Metro Cammell Class 101 DMU built in 1957.

 

Unlike today where the front of loco’s and units are covered in yellow paint. At the time these entered service, the small yellow panel under the cab window was considered sufficient.

 

D 3940

A Class 08 diesel shunter dating from 1960 when it was built at Derby. 

 

Prior to being preserved it was 08772.

 

D 5401

A Class 27 loco that was formerly  27064, 27210 and 27116.

 

Built by the Birmingham Railway & Carriage Company (BRCW) in 1962. Powered by a Sulzer 6LD28B  engine. The class numbered 69.

 

Initially working in the Midlands it moved to Scotland in 1969 where as 27210, it worked on the Glasgow /Edinburgh push pull services.

 

Withdrawn from BR service in 1986.

 

25057

A Class 25 loco built at Derby works in 1963. withdrawn in 1987 when it was based at Crewe, it is now based on and owned by the ‘NNR plc’.

 

D5343

 

A Class 26 loco that was later numbered 26043. Built by the Birmingham Railway & Carriage Company (BRCW) at Smethwick in 1959.

 

The loco spent most of its working life in Scotland being withdrawn in 1993.

 

Purchased by the ‘Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group’ the loco normally resides at Toddington on the ‘Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway’.

 

D 7076

A Class 35 diesel hydraulic loco built specifically by Beyer Peacock in 1962 for ‘BR’ Western Region. 

 

Powered by a Bristol Siddeley built Maybach designed engine model No. MD 870. Like all diesel hydraulics, it suffered early withdrawal in 1973.

 

Now preserved on the ‘East Lancashire Railway’.

 

 

D5631

A Class 31 loco that was later 31207. Built by Brush as a mixed traffic loco in 1960. 

 

Powered by Mirrlees 1,250 HP engines that were eventually replaced with English Electric engines when the original engines proved unreliable.

 

Having spent much of its working life in East Anglia it is fitting that it is preserved on the ‘NNR’ and owned by the ‘Midland & Great Northern Railway Society’.

 

37059

 

A Class 37 loco owned by ‘Direct Rail Services’ (DRS) of Carlisle.

 

Built in 1962 by English Electric and powered by that company’s 12CSVT engine.

 

One of the most successful early designs that remain in service today. The loco was subject of an extensive overhaul in 2014 at Derby RVEL.

 

D 6732

 

later 37032.

 

A Class 37 built by English Electric and powered by that company’s 12CSVT engine

Dating from 1962, it started work at Hull Dairycoates depot and was withdrawn from Tinsley depot. 

 

The loco received a heavy general overhaul in 2013 and is owned by the ‘Anglia Type Three Association’.

 

2015

 

This delightful model saddle tank at the head of a trainload of wagons full of geraniums graces platform 2.

 

It is nice to see that a sense of humour is still in fashion.

 

 

‘Scene’ on the North Norfolk Railway (NNR)

I recently had a day out on the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) which runs from Sheringham via Weybourne to Holt. The day was a father’s day outing paid for by my son Andrew and his wife Joy.

 

We got there by way of ‘East Midland Trains’ from Nottingham to Norwich and then by ‘abellio-greateranglia’ to Sheringham.

 

Its pleasing to see that the NNR uses the ‘British Railways’ signage from the 1950’s which is entirely in keeping with a ‘Heritage Railway’.

There is a direct link with the rest of the railway network to the East. Beyond the level crossing is the start of the line that runs through to Norwich.

 

While to the West the line runs parallel to the coast as far as Weybourne and then swings slightly inland to terminate at Holt.

 

 

The ‘NNR’ is what remains of the ‘Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway’ (M&GNR) which prior to largely being axed in the 1960’s served a wide network across North Norfolk.

 

From the grouping of 1923 the ‘M&GNR’ which itself was an amalgamation of many smaller lines dating from 1893 became part of the LNER. Today the major rolling stock on the line reflect that companies ownership.

 

There were two loco’s in steam on the day. Resplendent in LNER Apple Green was No. 8572. A B12 class loco built in 1928 to an earlier Great Eastern Railway design.

 

 

 

and British Railways (BR) No. 44767 George Stephenson. An LMS Stanier ‘Black Five’ which is unique in that it was the only one in a class of 842 locomotives built to be fitted with the ‘Stephenson’ type of valve gear.

 

It’s other claim to fame being that it was completed on the 31st of December 1947 so being the last loco to be finished for the LMS and on the following day, the LMS became part of ‘BR’.

 

 

The main purpose of the visit was to see and ride on the Gresley ‘Quad-art’ coaching stock  that is the jewel in the ‘NNR’s crown. 

 

I first saw this at Weybourne 40 years ago when it was in a run down condition. At that time I seriously doubted that it would ever run again. Now and half a million pounds later, it looks magnificent.

 

 The ‘Quadruple-Articulated’ principle was the work of Nigel Gresley (before he became Sir) when he was the Great Northern Railway’s (GNR) Carriage and Wagon Superintendent.

 

Initially converted from older coaches and then as new build stock they were an exercise in reducing cost. ie Five bogies in four coaches instead of eight. 

As a consequence it reduced the weight and also kept the overall length to reasonable proportions for use in some of the more cramped stations such as Moorgate.

 

The articulated principle is still in use today. The Eurostar trains being prime examples.

 

The set now on the NNR were built as set No. 74 in 1924 by the LNER. Continuing in service with ‘BR’ it was withdrawn in 1966.

 

Initially destined to be scrapped, it was stored and eventually came to the ‘NNR’ where it became the lines early coaching stock.

 

Withdrawn again in 1979 because of its poor condition, it was stored for over 20 years before it was decided to restore it. The restoration which was undertaken at Carnforth starting in 2003 took five years to complete.

 

 

 

 

As well as the exterior, the interior was restored to the same standard.

 

The full story can be read on the information boards on display in the coaches.

 

The NNR attracts a lot of cyclists and for carrying their cycles provides this former LNER Pigeon Van is provided.

 

The line leaves Sheringham and runs across the top of the cliffs with extensive seaward views to the intermediate station at Weybourne.

 

This is where the lines workshops and storage is located.

 

The view from the footbridge looking East towards Sheringham.

 

The view from the footbridge looking West towards Holt. The brick built station buildings to the right is faced by the timber built signal box and waiting room opposite.

The buildings are painted in a tan and cream colour scheme which matches the livery in which the M&GR loco’s were painted.

 

 

 

For the last service of the day, this Metro-Cammell built Class 101 DMU was substituted for the B12/Quad art train.

D5631 

Formerly Class 31 207 was parked up at Weybourne. Built by Brush at Loughborough in 1960 and withdrawn in 2001. Owned by the M&GNR Society who have chosen to paint the loco in the livery it wore when first built.

 

As was Class 37 D6732 formerly 37032. Built by English Electric at Newton-le-Willows in 1962.

 

 Holt is the end of the line where there is the usual run round loop together with a small goods shed.

 

 

Parked at Holt is a small selection of wagons of which No. 12, a tool and brake van is probably the pick. Built by the M&GNR, it has been splendidly restored.

 

Another original is this van built for the mustard traffic which is grown widely in Norfolk.

 

Sandwiched between the two is this ‘ESSO’ tanker.

 

Another link with the past is the signal seen here on the right located at Holt being of the  Great Northern Railway ‘somersault’ type.

On the second train in service the cycles are accommodated in this former British Railways Covered Carriage Truck.

 

 

The obligatory Class 08 shunter at Sheringham is D3940 (which was formerly 08772). Built at Derby in 1960 and withdrawn in 1994.

 

 

'Scene' in Carlisle part one, Trains

Carlisle Citadel Station

 

In its heyday Carlisle Citadel Station (known these days as simply Carlisle) welcomed trains from the following railways. The  Midland, the Caledonian, the North Eastern, the London & North Western, the Maryport & Carlisle and the Glasgow & Southwestern.

 

It must have been a colourful and noisy scene.

 

Today it is still busy and proudly displays its place as the Northern terminus of the Settle and Carlisle line. This being regarded as one of the most scenic railway lines in the country.

 

 

 

A pair of Virgin Voyagers (221109 & 221111) at the Northern end of the station heading in opposite directions.

 

 

 

It is not surprising that many of the loco’s seen in and around Carlisle are owned by  ‘Direct Rail Services’ (DRS) because although they have depots around the country the company is headquartered in Carlisle.

 

DRS is wholly owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency and was established in 1995.  

 

57308 

Named ‘County of Staffordshire’ of (DRS) waits its next duty.

 

At one time 57308 worked for Virgin Trains as one of its ‘Thunderbird’ locos and at that time carried the name ‘Tin Tin’.

 

They were used as rescue loco’s on the West Coast Main Line and also for hauling diesel units from Crewe to Holyhead and return.

 

66434

Another DRS loco carrying the livery of 'Malcolm Rail' passes through on a Southbound freight. Most class 66 with DRS have come direct from General Motors but this one of five purchased secondhand from the defunct operator ‘Fastline Freight’. 

 

31106

Known as Brush type 2’s when originally built in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Originally numbered as D5224, at various times it has carried the names ‘The Blackcountryman’ and ‘Spalding Town’.

Now simply 31106 it is seen propelling a Network Rail test train.

 

Most passenger trains these days are made up are made up of multiple unit stock and here are a few that were present.

 

158795

In the colours of ‘Northern Rail’ had just arrived from Leeds. It had worked over the Settle and Carlisle line in bright sunny conditions. I had been a passenger on this from Settle.

 

156433

One of ‘Scotrails’ fleet of 156’s. 

There have been a number of ‘Scotrail’ liveries over the years but I think that this is the best.

 

221111

The trailing car on this Virgin Voyager set heads North over the border.

I find it strange that these diesel sets operate considerable mileage ‘under the wires’.

Surely bi-modal stock has to be the answer.

 

 

142020

One of the much derided Class 142 fleet. I personally like them and I think a lot of their so called rough riding characteristics come from running on old fashioned short lengths of track held together with fishplates. On welded track, I think that they are acceptable. 

 

9703

Built as a Brake Standard Open (BSO) at Derby in 1974. It was one of 14 converted to Driving Break standard Open (DBSO) to enable it to work in push pull mode with a loco on the rear of the train. Part of ‘Network Rail’s fleet.

 

999606

A former British Railways built Mark 1 coach now used for ultrasonic testing purposes. Part of ‘Network Rail’s fleet.

 

Further photos can be seen on my Flickr