North Norfolk Railway prepares for a weekend of firsts as ‘lost’ steam locomotive “Newstead” is unveiled

The North Norfolk Railway has today announced that Hunslet locomotive “Newstead” is set to make its public re-entry to service at the popular heritage line on July 12, hauling its first passenger trains during the Poppy Line’s special 50th anniversary weekend running. The engine was thought to have been scrapped in the 70’s, but was discovered hidden away at a Carmelite convent near Ware in 2016. After rescue in 2017, it has undergone a comprehensive 8-year overhaul and July 12 marks the first time it will have ever hauled passenger trains.

 

After its withdrawal from service in 1971, “Newstead’s” future prospects looked rather dire until news reached the ears of Malcolm James Saul. Saul was a great lover of all things mechanical and had had long standing ambition to own a steam locomotive. Thus, the engine was saved for the first time and was looked after by Saul on a small plot of land on a nearby Carmelite convent where he tended the gardens, though his ambition of a private running line never came to fruition. He built a shed around the engine to help protect from the elements and, having planted poplar trees in front, the engine simply disappeared which led many to believe it had been scrapped.

 

After Saul’s passing in 2015, rumours circulated of the “lost” engine, in a long-forgotten shed next to the nunnery. Locomotive owner Alex Alder recalled the discovery, “I never thought I would be driven down a Hertfordshire country lane, following a wild tip off about a lost engine. I could never have imagined taking tea and biscuits with one of Mother Superior at a convent, and hearing of ‘Malcolm’s engine’!”

 

He continued “I fully expected to see a rusty 5” gauge model. But there, quite impossibly, beneath a thin layer of dust, was the unmistakable lines of a 16” Hunslet. Thanks to the late Malcolm Saul, she had been well cared for and given an overhaul in the early 90’s. I gained a sense of debt toward Malcom Saul for saving and preserving the engine so well, and a sense of duty that his good care should be continued.”

 

“Restoring the engine has been a labour of love for the past 8 years and I am thrilled she will be joining the running fleet at the North Norfolk Railway – it was childhood visits to the line that sparked my interest in steam and engineering.”

 

North Norfolk Railway General Manager, Graham Hukins, commented “We are delighted to be welcoming “Newstead” to the railway. The engine is the sister to Ring Haw which has been part of our fleet for many years and is currently undergoing a major overhaul.

 

“Alex and his team have done an outstanding job in restoring ‘Newstead’ and we’re looking forward to her being part of our fleet, especially in our 50th Anniversary year where she will help conjure up the spirit of the early years of preservation when the service was handled entirely by small tank engines,” he added.

 

On July 12 “Newstead” will be introduced into service in style with a welcoming ceremony at 10.30am at Sheringham Station. It will then haul three round trips of the line throughout the day, with many who have supported the locomotive’s return aboard the first of the day.

 

July the 13, which marks 50 years since the North Norfolk Railway first opened its doors, will see a special Golden Recreation train out on the line. The special train will steam out of Sheringham Station 50 years to the minute after the reopening special in 1975 and will run to Weybourne and return as, in those days, the heritage line only ran that far – the track from Weybourne to Holt having been lifted and it would be a further 15 years before service could resume to Holt! Visitors will also get the chance to ride on this special train during the railway’s Vintage Week and Golden Years events throughout July; see www.nnrailway.co.uk/special-events/ for more details.

 

The railway is now open every day until mid-September, when the line will close on Mondays and Fridays until November 2; 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.