"53809 and 76084 rest in Weybourne yard"
Evening all. This one is the first of two posts documenting our short but sweet visit to the wilds of Norfolk, in search of well known alarm clock snoozer 'Eddie the Late'. This morning, early but certainly not bright, I was on my way to Rugby ready to pick up JB for our journey to the coast. A short while later, with 70 miles or so under our belt, it was only right that we made a stop off at Peterborough Services in order to grab some breakfast. After all, we were on our holidays and JB was desperate for some "kin' coffee". (Must be some kind of special brew). Anyway, the breakfast was just what the doctor ordered and was great fuel for our onward journey to Sheringham...
After a surprisingly pleasant run across the countryside, we made it to Eddie's place in Beeston Regis a touch after 11:00am. Having swapped our transport for the Ed-mobile and its enticing Sheringham car pass, we made our way down to our first railway of this expedition: the North Norfolk. By now we were ready for some more coffee and so trotted across to the refreshment room to await the next arrival from Holt. Shortly, a loudening rumble heralded the arrival of the rostered steam locomotive: GER Y14 No564 of 1912. Before long, the blue 0-6-0 was swiftly run round to the front of the five-coach train, ready to form the 11:55am departure...
Once coupled up, the crew readied the engine for a fairly imminent departure back up to Holt via Weybourne. We were interested to ask a few questions about the engine but the driver didn't seem to be the chattiest so we kind of gave up on that idea. We did learn that the chuffing air pump was used to brake the engine whilst running light, before the usual vacuum system was employed to work a train, but that's it. Due to the length of the set and the proximity to the end of platform barrier, it was difficult to catch a decent shot of the Y14 at this point, but I kind of managed it...
Leaving Sheringham on time with a well patronised train, the Y14 took us steadily along the seaside route, the total length of which is 5.25 miles. Despite seeming to work hard whilst climbing the steady gradient, 564 seemed to be the perfect midweek engine for a line like this. She had all the power required whilst still no doubt being fairly economical in comparison to something like the NNR-based 9F No92203. At Weybourne, we came to a stand and awaited the Sheringham-bound DMU...
With the single line tokens exchanged, the Guard gave the "right away" and 564 summoned her strength to climb the remaining hill to Holt...
The 1 in 80 climb towards Kelling Heath certainly saw the little 0-6-0 in good voice, with the regulator on the stop as she lumbered her way up there...
Soon enough, 564 slowed and came to a stand at the peaceful and tranquil terminus of Holt. Here, she enjoys a short breather following her efforts...
Once again the engine was swiftly run round to the other end of the train prior to a 20-minute or so break. We visited the informative little museum and the model railway before returning to the platform to inspect the engine further. Trainee fireman Bob was on the footplate today, shovelling in the rock. I believe he is also training at the Bure Valley (where Ed is a regular driver) and so it wasn't long before he and JB were chewing the fat on the footplate of 564 as departure time neared...
Leaving Holt, the engine took us steadily downgrade back to Weybourne where we alighted from the train for our pre-arranged tour of the sheds. ("It's not what you know" comes to mind!). We duly met up with our friendly guide Bryan who gave us an informative walk around the locomotive shed, carriage and wagon department and the boiler shop. For us as footplate people, this kind of experience is arguably much more enjoyable than riding on a train and we were most grateful for the hospitality of Bryan and the NNR as a whole. Here, the huge bulk of 9F No92203 "Black Prince" stands in the shed undergoing a spring change. JB was in his element...
The shed tour was particularly enjoyable for me as we got to see things that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to study up close. The highlight for me was the 1925-built 7F 2-8-0 No53809. This was the first time I'd seen a 7F in the metal...
Bryan kindly allowed me to take a snap on the footplate of the 7F and the heat emanating from the doorplate confirmed she was still warm, having been in service the day before. I do like these older engines and would relish a go on something like this. What a nice old thing that I'm glad to have finally seen...
Our tour of the boiler shop was also really interesting and it looks like they're doing some great work. (No pictures were taken in there out of respect for customers who the NNR carry out contract work for). Leaving the boiler shop, Riddles 2-10-0 No90775 presented herself whilst undergoing repairs. She was in steam last time I visited the North Norfolk back in 2018. Hopefully she'll be back in service soon...
Before we left, I snapped this final shot of the other Riddles 2-10-0: "Black Prince": as she continued to receive attention from the engineering staff...
After a little chuff out of Weybourne, 564 shut off steam again for the steady downgrade run into Sheringham. The assembled hoards of onlookers grabbed their snaps whilst the engine was uncoupled ready for another run round...
Here, an eager 564 blows off as she runs around her train...
With that, the Y14 headed back to the front of the next departure and we three headed off in search of the Ed-mobile. I suppose I should include a bit of Y14 history just to finish. Designed by T.W.Worsdell, this class of mixed traffic 0-6-0s eventually numbered 289 examples by the time the last was produced in 1913. With a 160psi boiler plumbed up to 17.5" cylinders, the class gave out a tractive effort of 16,940lbs. They were very successful machines and 127 of them (reclassified as J15 by the LNER) were in service when BR took over the big four in 1948. Today, only this one survives. I do like the GER blue livery, although personal taste doesn't permit me to like the yellow cab internals, despite it being prototypical.
After a brilliant third visit to the North Norfolk Railway, we returned to Ed's for a workshop tour of his own whilst enjoying yet another cuppa'. At around 4:00pm myself and JB headed off to find our accommodation on the Sheringham seafront. Having parked up just a stone's throw away from the sea, we trotted a short distance up the road to our home for the night: The Two Lifeboats...
Once checked in, I headed downstairs for a pint in the pub garden whilst overlooking the sea. I certainly wouldn't mind having this view everyday...
2 comments:
Wonderful part of the world where we've been holidaying for many years. I find it such a shame that the railway wasn't able to get to the former Holt station, now the bypass runs over the trackbed. The nearly 2 mile walk into Holt discourages many from using the railway, I believe.
Do love the pre-grouping stock revived and contributing at least close to their original hunting grounds.
First time I've come back to your blog since you left the Shack......
And it's still great. Thanks for keeping it up.
Evening Rob. Thanks very much for your comment and your kind words. It’s always nice to hear someone is reading. The blog is mainly a memory bank for me but also provides welcome stress relief as I find the writing up quite relaxing. I echo your thoughts about the NNR. It would be nice to get to Holt station but it does seem busy enough - even on a midweek September day like this visit it was pretty busy. Long may it continue. Thanks for reading and please do come back again. I’ll try to keep at it. Cheers, Sam
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