The North Norfolk Railway Mixed Traction gala welcomed the recently restored Class 25 D7659 from its home base of Peak Rail in Derbyshire. Owned by the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust this was the first time she had travelled since coming back into service towards the end of 2021 after a comprehensive restoration program. Also visiting the line was classic diesel traction 37401 courtesy of Direct Rail Services. From the home fleet, London Underground liveried Class 20, 20227 “Sherlock Holmes” was withdrawn a few days before the event with her slots on the published timetable being taken up by the remaining locos.
After a faultless Friday where the visiting locos appeared alongside resident Class 37, D6732 Class 31, D5631 and Class 08 D3935 and two of the line’s resident steam engines – Y14 Class No 564 and 7F No 53809, problems went from bad to worse on the Saturday as electrical problem with D7659 prevented her from operating her first service and D3935 developed a vacuum fault which untimely resulted in her blocking the line from Sheringham to Weybourne. D7659 was patched up in time to act as Thunderbird to rescue D3935 and her stock. As services restarted D6732 failed with a battery issue and an emergency timetable was introduced and the show carried on with a 30 minute service in each direction with 37401 pairing up in turn with the remaining class 31 and class 25 and the steam locos operating the other two services.
Home fleet
Class 31, D5631
Class 37, D6732
Class 101 DMUs
Class 08 D3935
J15/Y14 564
Standard 4 76084
Visiting Locos
Class 25, D7659
Class 37 37401
