The North Norfolk Railway has today announced the news that locomotive 80080 is set to join their steam locomotive fleet from late-May. Built in 1954, the engine initially worked commuter services on the Eastern Region’s London, Tilbury & Southend line.

The locomotive was then transferred to Wrexham in North Wales before being withdrawn in 1965. She then spent an unfortunate fourteen years in a scrapyard in Barry at the mercy of the elements, metal thieves and preservationists seeking parts for other restoration projects. Her fortunes changed in 1980 and the former metal shell underwent a full restoration, returning to mainline running in 1987.  80080 continued to work various mainline service throughout the 1990s, including London Underground steam, services on the Folkestone Harbour branch and stopping passenger services on the Settle & Carlisle line.

The locomotive is owned by The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust and has worked on a number of heritage railways since 2010. The partnership between NNR and PRCLT will see 80080 based on the Poppyline for an initial period of five years.

Graham Hukins, NNR General Manager, commented “We are looking forward to welcoming 80080 to Norfolk. The Class is probably the ideal heritage railway locomotive and I am sure the engine will be well suited to our day-to-day services, dining trains and special trains such as the Norfolk Lights Express and will also be a popular performer at our special events.

“The locomotive is scheduled to arrive in late May and will be an extremely useful addition to the fleet. I know when classmates have visited in the past they have proved popular with crews, visitors and photographers alike.” he added.

Chris Powell, PRCLT Chairman, said “We are very pleased to be working with the North Norfolk Railway: there is great synergy between our two organisations – we are keen to see 80080 in regular service, and the NNR runs services for which she is ideally suited.

The North Norfolk Railway’s 2025 main season commences on 5 April with the railway open most days until 2 November; more details can be found on the line’s website www.nnrailway.co.uk. Advance booking is strongly recommended and passengers doing so receive a generous 15% discount on their fares.