26th December Mince Pie Specials

31st August Steam Gala

Back to its usual September slot, this years event featured six steam locos and an intensive timetable. Due to many other commitments this year, I was only able to take photos on Friday morning. Locos in service; BR 9F 92203 Black Prince; WD 2-10-0 90775; LNER J15 65462, N7 69621; SR Battle of Britain class 34081 92 Squadron (masquerading as 34057 Biggin Hill); and finally GWR 56XX 5643.

24–25th August Black Prince at the NNR

9F 92203 led a fairly uneventful life during its short eight year carrier for British Railways. But in 1967 is was bought (along with 75029) by David Shepherd (the renowned wildlife artist), and has been associated with him ever since. 92203's three week stay included a visit by The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (including the man himself), and ended with the 9F starring in the NNR's Steam Gala. During the loco's stay, I was lucky enough to crew the engine several occasions, and was fireman for David himself, when he drove the loco on a few (specially organised) trips on Bank Holiday Monday.

Also worth a mention is a certain Bentley, once owned by Ivo Peters. It seen below with 92203 (once a former S&D loco), and is the first time they have been seen together in 45 years.

Caption: Two old S&D favourites in North Norfolk!
Location: Weybourne

Caption: Heidi Mowforth (Driver), Cathy Paterson (Firewomen), and Amanda Reeve (Cleaner)
Location: Weybourne

29–30th June Great Eastern Steam Dream

The NNR's long awaited and much anticipated 'Steam Dream' finally came to fruition on the weekend of 30th June/1st July. The weekend started perfectly in the Friday evening sunshine, as the Great Eastern three took pride of place at Weybourne yard for a 'photo call'. As the sun broke on Saturday morning, a loco shed echoed once again to the magical sound of air pumps and shrieking whistles, for the first time in 44 years. During the weekend trains were hauled by B12 61572, J15 65462 and N7 69621and (Saturday only) 34081 92 Squadron. (It was hoped that 34081 would have been renamed/numbered for the event as 34057 Biggin Hill, but this will now take place at the Steam Gala.) The pictures shown below were taken on Friday and Saturday. I was unable to take pictures on Sunday (when the weather was more favorable) as I was taking my firing test on the J15, thankfully I passed – A weekend when 'Dreams Came True'.

Locos: 61572 and 69621
Location: Weybourne

28th April 6619 visits the NNR

6619 visited the NNR for two weekends. It was exchanged with N7 69621 allowing the loco to star at the North Yorkshire Moors' LNER/ECML Gala. The GWR 56XX is seen below during its first weekend in service along with Class 31 31162.

11th March

14th January Weybourne Shed