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Last month the North Norfolk Railway announced that their 9F No. 92203 “Black Prince” had been withdrawn from traffic at the end of her “ten-year” boiler ticket having been a regular performer and covering almost 35,000 miles over the last decade.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 2023 and thorough investigations by the railway’s Engineering Team revealed a leak in the main internal steam pipe. The leak was traced to the point where the pipe is expanded into the smokebox tubeplate behind the superheater header. Interim General Manager Graham Hukins commented at the time, “Unfortunately the location of the fault and the amount of work needed means it is not possible to carry out a cost-effective repair given the limited use possible before the boiler ticket expires in early May.”

With several other locomotives currently undergoing overhauls in the line’s engineering facility at Weybourne, it will be necessary to store 92203 until funding and workshop space becomes available but visitors will have a chance to see “Black Prince” by joining a special tour on Sunday 28 April.  The tours focusing particularly on “Black Prince”, it’s history and role at the North Norfolk Railway, will provide the chance to see behind the scenes in the locomotive and carriage sheds that are not normally open to the public.  The tours are offered in return for a donation (suggested minimum £10) and can be booked via enquiries@nnrailway.co.uk or 01263 820800, Option 4 then Option 1. Passengers taking tours should travel by train from Sheringham or Holt – standard fares apply and Day Rover tickets allow unlimited travel all day.

Graham added “This is a rare chance to get up close to Black Prince and some of our other locomotives at ground level, from where you can appreciate the sheer size of these mammoth machines – there’s nothing like standing next to one of “Black Prince’s” driving wheels which are five feet in diameter to get a real sense of scale.”

The railway’s steam services run on most days between April and October, with additional activities during special events. Trains run through 5½ miles of wonderful scenery between the Victorian resort of Sheringham and the Georgian town of Holt. Full details and timetables can be found at www.nnrailway.co.uk/opening-dates/ and passengers booking online in advance receive a generous discount.