North Norfolk Railway - Level Crossing Celebration Gala 12th-14th March

The NNR has now announced that A4 60019 Bittern is scheduled to attend for this event, subject to confirmation from Network Rail and West Coast Railway Company. The loco is currently hoped to arrive on the afternoon of 11th March (the same day as the first mainline charter with 70013), via the new level crossing.

Other locos confirmed to appear are:

N2 0-6-2T 1744 (visiting from the GCR)
N7 0-6-2T 69621 (home based)
J15 0-6-0 65462 (home based)
0-6-0ST 1982 Ring Haw (home based)

A diesel locomotive will also be in operation to allow an intensive 6 locomotive service, expected to be Class 25 25057.

The Quad-Art set will be running each day, paired with the N2. The usual selection of Mark 1s will be running, including a short 2 coach train. A short goods train is also due to operate.

Details are on the NNR website:
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/page.php?pid=5#celebration

 

Unfortunately Bittern will not be attending as the costs proved prohibitive.

 

that's a shame, would of been a massive draw, disappointing all the effort of getting the crossing reinstated then the cost of moving mainline locomotives by rail all that way is to much.

 

If that is the case then in the future I would of thought that to make moves viable tours will have to be arranged. With steam one way and diesel return. So the cost of moving is at no cost to the railway and an operator makes a little profit. Plus the local businesses get that local business that the NNR has been promoting to them.
Do you think another loco will be arranged then?

 

My understanding is that this particular move was going to be exceptionally expensive, more so than normal. Maybe this is because of the short notice, I'm not sure?

The railway is currently working hard to try and source another guest loco, which if found may arrive by road or rail. Hopefully there will be some news on whether this has been successful soon.

I also understand there were pathing issues with Bittern. The charter with Oliver Cromwell is marketed as being the first train over the crossing and the gala is the next day, so it allowed a very small window on Thursday afternoon in which the loco could arrive. It also means West Coast Railway Company would have needed to operate two separate trains to the NNR on one day, this might have caused staffing problems.

Apart from being "out on a limb" in Norfolk, one of the problems is the need to reverse at Cromer. Any engine bringing a support coach would need to be diesel hauled as far as Cromer, as there are no run round facilities there.

The above problem would also apply for engines arriving on rail tours and staying for a few days. The return trip would still need to be topped and tailed because of needing to reverse at Cromer, so then you're looking at 2 diesels and the steam engine. The costs start adding up. Also the length of trains is restricted at Cromer, so having to bring a support coach on a charter as well would be impractical.

However I'm assured that every effort is being made to acquire another engine and to ensure we do not have a similar disappointment in the future. Please bear with us...this is our first time after all. :cool1:

 

Don't know what the chances are but would be nice to see the WD, could even brink out 90775 to sit along side here, could make a nice photo shoot and fund raiser for the WD.

 

The dub-dee is tucked away and is immaculately clean. I doubt it would be possible to fish her out and risk making her dirty.

 

Anyone know if the M&GN brake van will be out?
Just about to book my lineside pass for the weekend, only a month to go


Is there any plans for another night shoot? (I'm getting to like them)

 

I do hope that was said with a tongue firmly in the nearest available cheek? hwell:

 

I'm not aware of there being anything, and if there is it won't be like last September

 

No. It is in Bridge Road sheds and so had to be made perfectly clean before being allowed in there. Even the coal dust was removed from the tender.

 

Who on here is coming to the gala? I will be around all 4 days doing various jobs.

 

I possibly might be going.

 

I'm going, got my LS pass this morning
Lets hope the Weather plays fair

 

me! will b there the thursday (just looking as college in the morning...) and TTI the Saturday dunno about the sunday yet

 

Any news on a replacement for Bittern? Read somewhere they were looking into a GWR 4-6-0 from Tyseley or loco from NYMR by road.

 

5619. It is coming to live with us for 2 years.

 

Timetable has been finalised and is on the NNR's website at:

http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/page.php?pid=5#celebration

For some bizarre reason it's not advertised on the home page or the news page as being published yet though.


Daily line-up confirmed as:

N2 0-6-2T 1744 (from GCR for this event)
56xx 0-6-2T 5619 (debut on NNR - staying on the line for 2 years)

N7 0-6-2T 69621 (home fleet)
J15 0-6-0 65462 (home fleet)
Industrial 0-6-0ST 1982 Ring Haw (home fleet)
Class 25 25057 (home fleet)

There will be 4 passenger sets of mark 1s (including a 'local' 2 coach train), the Quad-Art set and Pigeon Van and a short goods train.

Working Timetables with the loco allocations will be available on the day or from Sheringham Office (01263 820800), hopefully in the near future.

 

Bringing locos LE onto the NNR could well be too expensive, like Bittern, so I presume there will be more railtours from Norwich in the near future to justify building the crossing. I also supose trips terminating at Norwich locos could then run LE to Sheringham with smaller costs. Could the NNR start their own mainline charters to capitalise on the crossing? Shuttles from Norwich?

 

It does make one wonder just how much use the crossing is going to get as I can't really see too many tours running through to the NNR due to the operational difficulties at Cromer which limit the train length and require top-and-tail operation, and I doubt whether promoters will want to run steam only one-way to/from Norwich when it's easy to turn the loco at Norwich. Maybe the NNR could get some of their locos and coaches certified to run through to Cromer in a similar way to the NYMR runs to Whitby, although as Sheringham is already a tourist destination in its own right, I doubt whether the extra revenue would make this viable.