North Norfolk Railway News

Nine Locomotives From Across Britain Set to Star in Festival on Rails   The North Norfolk Railway is set to host a nine-day celebration of heritage trains as it stages A Festival on Rails from Saturday 24 August to Sunday 1 September. The 5½ mile steam railway has five locomotives visiting this summer to assist with its popular holiday services and the event will feature all of those plus the line’s resident working engines.   Britain’s newest steam locomotive No. 6880 “Betton Grange” will be a must-see for many visitors. The locomotive was completed earlier this year – the culmination [...]

North Norfolk Railway MD Retires After 17 Years as Line Reports Solid Results at AGM   Supporters attending the North Norfolk Railway’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday 20 July were advised that the Railway’s Managing Director, Hugh Harkett, has decided to retire after 17 years in the role. During that time he oversaw the development of the line into one of the Country’s leading heritage railways attracting around 150,000 passengers every year.   Hugh, who had reduced to workload after being taken ill earlier this year, suffered a relapse last month and is recuperating with his family in Wales. NNR [...]

Poppy Line appoints new General Manager   The NNR Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Hukins as General Manager of the North Norfolk Railway.   Graham has a 30-year track record of managing award-winning tourist and heritage attractions and considerable experience of leading and inspiring teams, increasing revenue, overseeing projects, exercising financial control, ensuring exceptional customer service and managing safety. Since joining the NNR in 2021, he has strengthened the Commercial Team and developed a cohesive Commercial Strategy for the business.   Chairman Steve Allen commented, “Following a thorough recruitment process I am delighted to appoint Graham. [...]

Guest Locomotives, Guest Beers and Guest Bands line-up for Rails & Ales 2024   There’s a fantastic event brewing at the County’s leading heritage railway on 7, 8 and 9 June as the North Norfolk Railway is set to stage Rails & Ales 2024! The popular event will feature 10 historic steam and diesel locomotives, including 5 that are visiting the line for the long weekend. In addition there will be over 40 local ales to sample across the lines stations and on board the trains plus a dozen or so Norfolk ciders as well as live music performances from [...]

Poppy Line Spaceship to Land at Bressingham   The North Norfolk Railway and Bressingham Steam Museum today announce a partnership that will see out of ticket 9F No. 92203 “Black Prince” head from her North Norfolk base and spend the next two years on loan as one of the star exhibits at the famous Steam Museum.    NNR Interim General Manager, Graham Hukins explained “This is an excellent arrangement for both the NNR and Bressingham: we need to store Black Prince until workshop space and funding are available for her overhaul and the Steam Museum has room in their standard [...]

Poppy Line announces a chance to go behind the scenes and see “Black Prince” Last month the North Norfolk Railway announced that their 9F No. 92203 “Black Prince” had been withdrawn from traffic at the end of her “ten-year” boiler ticket having been a regular performer and covering almost 35,000 miles over the last decade. Today the heritage line has announced a rare chance for visitors to visit the locomotive behind the scenes before she is stored awaiting funds and space in the engineering works for overhaul.    No. 92203 was removed from the scheduled Christmas line up in December [...]

Heritage Railway Issues Reminder on Crossing Safety   The North Norfolk Railway has reminded walkers, cyclists and motorists to stop when the warning lights show at the Sweet Briar Lane level crossing near Sheringham golf course, after the heritage line’s train drivers reported a number of users “jumping the lights” in recent weeks.   New signage to reinforce the safety message has been installed at the crossing ahead of the line’s main season which commences on Friday 29 March with historic steam trains and heritage diesels running most days until October.   The railway’s management is keen that all road [...]

Unique Steam Locomotive to Visit Poppy Line Visitors to the North Norfolk Railway this summer will have the chance to travel behind a type of steam locomotive not seen for almost 60 years as the line plays host to 6880 ‘Betton Grange’ for a three month visit from August. The engine has been created by a dedicated team over the past 30 years after all 80 original members of the class were scrapped in the 1960s. The completion of No. 6880 ‘Betton Grange’ is the culmination of 30 years’ work by a small and dedicated team to create what is [...]

Poppy Line welcomes visiting steam locomotive   The North Norfolk Railway has announced the upcoming arrival of its second visiting engine for the 2024 season which kicks off on March 29 with a special line-up of three steam trains for the Easter weekend.  Austerity No. 22 is usually based at the Appleby-Frodingham Railway on the British Steel Works in Scunthorpe, and is due to arrive later this week.   Built in 1956 by the Hunslet Engine Co. its original purpose was to haul trains for the National Coal Board. A powerful tank engine class, No. 22 was built to the [...]

Visiting locomotives are announced for North Norfolk Railway Gala   The North Norfolk Railway has today announced details of two locomotives scheduled to visit for its “Rails & Ales” event which runs on 7, 8 and 9 June this year. Class 50, 50008 “Thunderer” and Class 33, 33012 “Lt. Jenny Lewis RN” are anticipated to arrive at the Poppy Line as part of a Hanson & Hall rail tour, and are planned to be part of the line’s 8 plus locomotive line up alongside a visiting London Underground 4TC set.   All arrangements are subject to contract with Class 50, [...]