The North Norfolk Railway’s 50th Anniversary celebrations get into full swing next month as the line stages its popular Rails & Ales event on 13, 14 & 15 June. Around fifty local ales and ciders, including one brewed specially for the occasion, will feature at the three-day extravaganza which will see two steam locomotives and eight diesels in action. A highlight for many will be the naming of a modern mainline Class 69 engine “North Norfolk Railway” in honour of the Poppyline’s 50 years of progress.

Three locomotives will arrive via Network Rail tracks and use the level crossing at Sheringham, the reinstatement of which is one of the line’s major achievements of the last five decades. These include two from GB Railfreight – the Class 69, which has never before visited a heritage railway, and Class 66, 66714 “Cromer Lifeboat”. Local RNLI volunteers will join the railway’s volunteers and supporters for the naming ceremony on 13 June with the Cromer & Sheringham Brass Band adding to the festive atmosphere.

The third mainline engine will be Class 40, D213 “Andania”, appearing courtesy of Locomotive Services Limited. The engine was built in 1959 at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton Le Willows, Lancashire. The class were used extensively on services on the West Coast Mainline and across the North of England before being cascaded to secondary and freight duties meaning they made occasional appearances across much of the national network. “Andania” is one of just seven survivors from a class that was once 200 strong and nowadays she mainly works exclusive charter trains meaning the chance to ride behind her on a heritage line is extremely rare.

The fourth “visitor” is DRB Railbus E79960 which worked NNR off-peak services when the line reopened in 1975 and for much of the 1970s and 80s. The vehicle has been on loan to the Ribble Steam Railway for many years but is returning for this special event. Today, the line is busier so generally uses two-coach railcars to supplement its steam services and this event will see three railbuses running together in a six-car train – the first time the line has run a passenger train of this formation!

Steam trains are not forgotten and two of the line’s steam engines will join the visitors and four resident diesels to provide an intensive service each day. Tickets for the event are valid for unlimited travel to allow passengers to sample travel in behind several different locomotives.

General Manager, Graham Hukins said “We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to this exciting and varied event. The heritage railbus will provide a tangible link to the pioneering days when the first preserved trains ran in 1975, while having a modern mainline engine named after the railway is a real honour and shows just how far we’ve come in 50 years.

“Of course, there are steam trains for the traditionalists plus plenty of fantastic local brews including Golden Poppy Ale – a beer brewed specially for our fiftieth, so we’d urge people to come along, enjoy the trains and raise a toast to our five decades of progress!” he added

The railway anticipates that it will showcase around 50 local ales and ciders at the Rails & Ales event which will also feature live music from local musicians on Friday and Saturday. Visitors can board trains at Sheringham or Holt and travel on the line all day, spending some time at Weybourne Station where there will be a real ale tent and live performances. A range of bottled beers and ciders will be available at Sheringham and Holt as well as on selected trains.

For full details of the event, and to book, please see www.nnrailway.co.uk/rails-ales/