Back on track

We parked next to the station in Sheringham this morning and I was pleased to see that this locomotive had returned.  For those interested, it's an 'N2' No 1744 designed by Sir Nigel Gresley which first entered service in February 1921 and is one of my favourite locomotives on the railway.  In its working life it used to run commuter trains on the suburban lines out of Kings Cross.

It was withdrawn for a major overhaul in 2018 and has been at an engineering works in Stockton-on-Tees ever since.  It was hoped to be back in service by 2020 but Covid and escalating costs put paid to that.  An agreement was made between the owners, the Gresley Society, and the North Norfolk Railway that the railway would fund the remainder of the overhaul which would be repaid by the engine running on the line without the normal steaming fees.

The major work has now been completed so it has been returned to Sheringham.  It will be moved to the railway's engineering works at Weybourne where all the running gear and cladding will be replaced.  It should be ready for service next year and I am really looking forward to seeing it back in steam.