The North Norfolk Railway, a heritage line operating in Norfolk, England, has a large collection of heritage rolling stock, mostly relating to the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) branch lines in Norfolk. The rolling stock preserved on the North Norfolk Railway is used to operate trains on the NNR, also known as the "Poppy Line", which runs between the coastal town of Sheringham and Holt. Some vehicles are also approved to operate over Network Rail, mostly in connection with dining services to Cromer.Dining train steams to the rescue of stranded passengers at Cromer
There is a variety of preserved steam and diesel locomotives and diesel multiple units, passenger coaches and goods wagons. Some are owned by the railway itself but most are owned by individuals or voluntary groups. The line is also regularly visited by locomotives based elsewhere.
Maintenance facilities The main restoration sheds are at Weybourne. These have space to accommodate four standard length British Railways Mark 1 coaches and six large steam or diesel locomotives. Additional carriage storage sheds have been built near Holt, using Heritage Lottery Funding. These have the capacity to store the equivalent of 18 Mark 1 coaches.
Information about rolling stock available from: www.nnrailway.co.uk/rolling_stock/
Steam locomotives
Operational Number and name Built for Type Livery Mainline CertifiedOwners Notes Image1589 "Newstead"Hunslet Engine Company 16-inch Saddle TankAlex AlderBuilt in 1929 and purchased by Kirby Featherstone and Hemsworth Collieries, subsequently in service with the National Coal Board at Woolley Colliery until 1971 or 1972; purchase by Malcolm Saul, light overhaul at Suffolk Steam followed by storage at a convent. After rediscovery after Saul's death in 2015, extensively overhauled and returned to service on 12 July 2025."Hunslet 16″ 0-6-0ST No 1589 'Newstead'", North Norfolk Railway, retrieved 12 September 2025."Industrial steam locomotive rediscovered in convent shed", BBC News, 20 April 2016, retrieved 12 September 2025."Annual Steam Gala", Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, retrieved 12 September 2025.1700 "Wissington"British Sugar CorporationHudswell Clarke 0-6-0STGreenNoM&GN Joint Railway SocietyReturned to service in June 2022 after overhaul. Returned to the North Norfolk Railway in March 2024.1744Great Northern RailwayGNR Class N2 0-6-2TGNR lined greenPending The Gresley SocietyBuilt in 1921. Returned to service after overhaul in July 2026. To be mainline certified for use between Sheringham & Cromer 90775 "The Royal Norfolk Regiment"War DepartmentWD AusterityBR unlined black with early crestNoM&GN Joint Railway SocietyOperational, boiler ticket expires in 2027. Returned to service in May 2017 following the completion of its latest overhaul. The locomotive was named in September 2017, having previously carried the name "Sturdee" in preservation. Built in 1943.90775 (WD 3652, WD 76352 & SEK Lb951) Not permitted to run on mainline due to flangeless middle wheels.80080BRBR Standard 4 2-6-4TBR Lined Black with late crestNoPrincess Royal Class Locomotive TrustRecently arrived at the railway as part of the home fleet for an initial period of five years.
Undergoing Overhaul/Repairs/Stored Number and name Built for Type Livery Mainline CertifiedOwners Notes Image564Great Eastern RailwayClass Y14GER lined blueNoM&GN Joint Railway SocietyReturned to service in 2015 following overhaul. Built in 1912.65462 (GER 564, LNER 7564, LNER 5462 & BR 65462) Withdrawn in May 2024 after failing its annual boiler inspection.1982 "Ring Haw"Nassington QuarryHunslet Engine Company Lined greenNoM&GN Joint Railway SocietyBuilt in 1940. Purchased by the M&GN Joint Railway Society in April 2020 in order to aid the North Norfolk Railway PLC financially and in order to secure the overhaul of the locomotive.Hunslet Works No 1982 Ring Haw 0-6-0ST Currently undergoing overhaul, boiler lifted Nov 2022.61572 (8572)Great Eastern RailwayGER Class S69 4-6-0LNER apple greenNoM&GN Joint Railway SocietyUnder Overhaul76084BRBR Standard Class 4 2-6-0BR Lined Black No 76084 Locomotive Company Boiler ticket expired 24th Dec 2023. Overhaul started in July 2026 with boiler lifted.
Away on loan Number and name Built for Type Livery Mainline CertifiedOwners Notes Image985North Eastern RailwayLNER Class Y7LNER blackNoNorth Norfolk Railway PLCUndergoing overhaul, boiler at NNR weybourne and bottom end still at MSLR. On loan to the Mid Suffolk Light Railway. Built in 1923.The T.W. Worsdell Y7 (NER Class H) 0-4-0 Shunters92203 "Black Prince"British RailStandard Class 9FBR black with late crestNoNorth Norfolk Railway PLCReturned to service in 2019 after major firebox repairs. Built in 1959.92203 Black Prince Sidelined in December 2023 with leaks in the main internal steam pipe and withdrawn in March 2024.
Not permitted to run on mainline due to flangeless middle wheels.
Currently on display at the Bressingham Steam Museum until space and the funds are available to overhaul the loco.
Visiting Steam Locomotives Number and nameBuilt forTypeLiveryMainline CertifiedOwnersNotesImage4277 “Hercules”Great Western RailwayGWR 4200 ClassBlackNoDartmouth Steam Railway On loan for the 2025 season. United Steel Company No.22United Steel Company Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0STUnited Steel Company MaroonNoPrivate Owner - Theaker Joinery LTD15 year loan to North Norfolk Railway
Diesel locomotives
Operational Number and name Built for Type Livery Notes ImageD5631British RailClass 31BR green with late crestReturned to service in July 2021. Built in 1960. Steam heat boiler installed, awaiting commissioning.D3935British RailClass 08BR green with late crestBuilt in 1961. Returned to service in 2018 following overhaul, purchased by the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society in 2018. In use as the Weybourne yard pilotClass 08 - D3935D3940British RailClass 08BR green with late crestBuilt in 1960. Returned to service in 2022, purchased by the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society in 2023, now in use as the Sheringham station pilot.Class 08 - D3940D6732British RailClass 37British Rail crest and yellow warning panelsBuilt in 1962. Began operating on the North Norfolk Railway in 1996. Returned to service in 2013 following a major overhaul, but was withdrawn with an earth/generator fault in January 2017. Following extensive repairs, tyre turning and installation of a pre-heater unit at Barrow Hill, the locomotive returned to and re-entered service at the railway in April 2019.BR Class 37 - D6732 The locomotive underwent a full repaint by Heritage Painting at the start of 2022. The locomotive is also fitted with a pre-heater.
Out of Traffic - Undergoing overhaul/repairs + Number and name Built for Type Livery Notes Image12131British RailClass 11Black Out of traffic. Overhaul starting.
Visiting Diesel Locomotives Number and name Built for Type Livery Notes Image
Diesel multiple and single units
Operational Number Built for Type Livery Notes ImageE56352BRClass 101BR GreenOn loan from the NRM M56182BRClass 104BR GreenReturned to service in September 2023 after 10-year overhaul. Privately owned and paired with M51188E51228BRClass 101BR GreenOwned By the M&GN societyM51188BRClass 101BR GreenOwned by privately on loan from ecclesbourne valley railway
Under Repair/Restoration
BR Class 101 51192. Engines removed and currently stored in Bridge Road Carriage Sheds. On loan from the National Railway Museum. BR Class 101 56062. Undergoing bodywork overhaul in 2023, BR Green, Built in 1957.BR 56062 Class 101/2 DMU: Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory built 1957 BR Class 104 50479. Undergoing major restoration, BR Green, Built in 1958. Privately ownedBR 50479 Class 104 DMU: Driving Motor Brake Second built 1957
Away on loan BR Waggon- und Maschinenbau GmbH Donauwörth railbus 79960, built 1958, on loan to the Ribble Steam RailwayBR 79960 four-wheel German-built diesel railbus built 1958
On-track plant TRAMM – DR 98801 ex-Balfour Beatty Track Renewal & Maintenance Machine (operational)DR98801
Coaching stock
BR Mark 1 carriages Operational Number Built for Type Notes ImageE1969British RailwaysMk1 RBRCrimson & Cream – Used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham stationBR 1969 Mk 1 Unclassed Restaurant Car built 1960M3116British RailwaysMk1 FOCrimson & Cream – Used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham stationBR 3116 Mk 1 First Open built 1962E3868British RailwaysMk1 TSOMaroon – Has operational toilets. The first Mk 1 coach preserved when purchased in 1969BR 3868 Mk 1 Tourist Second Open built 1953E4236British RailwaysMk1 TSOMaroon - Received intermediate overhaul in 2017BR 4236 Mk 1 Tourist Second Open built 1956E4372British RailwaysMk1 SOCrimson & Cream – Used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham stationBR 4372 Mk 1 Second Open built 1955 E4641British RailwaysMk1 TSOCrimson & Cream - Major overhaul completed in 2016. Used as spare dining train coach.E4843British RailwaysMk1 TSOMaroon - Overhauled in 2019BR 4843 Mk 1 Tourist Second Open built 1959M4958British RailwaysMk1 TSOMaroon - Has operational toilets. Overhauled in 2014, reupholstered in 2022BR 4958 Mk 1 Tourist Second Open built 1962E21103British RailwaysMk1 BCKMaroon – Luggage area specially adapted for wheelchairsBR 21103 Mk 1 Brake Corridor Composite built 1956 Underwent an intermediate overhaul between 2021 & 2022W25189British RailwaysMk1 SKChocolate and Cream - Former Cambrian Coast Express 'Auto Buffet'BR 25189 Mk 1 Corridor Second built 1957M81033British RailwaysMk1 BG(K)Crimson & Cream – Mobile kitchen vehicle for Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham station. The vehicle is now in its final years of operation. It has had air conditioning fitted.BR 81033 Mk 1 Gangwayed Full Brake - now Kitchen Car built 1956E21224British RailwaysMk1 BCKCrimson & Cream - Returned to traffic in 2021 after an extensive overhaul. Is dual braked (vacuum & air) and is fitted with a CET (Controlled Emissions Toilet) system for the lavatory
Non-Operational/ In Works Number Built for Type NotesImage3984British RailwaysMk1 TSOCrimson – Static exhibition at Holt for the suburban 4 project.BR 3984 Mk 1 Tourist Second Open built 1954M15997British RailwaysMk1 CKBlue - Stored out of service in very poor condition.BR 15997 Mk 1 Corridor Composite built 1957E4521British RailwaysMk1 TSOMaroon - Overhaul started but stopped due to lockdowns.BR 4521 Mk 1 Tourist Second Open built 1956M81114British RailwaysMk1 BGGreen – Not in public use, used as storage.E4651British Railways Mk1 TSOMaroon- Toilets removed to provide luggage storage. Taken out of traffic in 2020 due to deteriorating condition. Roof is leaking.M26012British Railways Mk1 SKMaroon- Taken out of traffic in 2020 due to deteriorating condition. W35148British Railways MK1 BSKTaken out of traffic at the end of 2022 for an intermediate overhaul. E4667British Railways Mk1 TSOGreen- Now in static use as undercover seating at Holt station. Will return to service in future years. This vehicle has gained the informal nickname of "The Tiger Coach" as it was once used in a circus train to transport live tigers. M81269British RailwaysMk1 BGGreen – Not in public use, used as storage.
BR Mark 3 carriages Number Built for Type NotesImage10525British RailwaysMk3a SLEPMaroon livery. Built 1982. Static use only as luxury volunteer sleeping accommodation. Replacing now-scrapped 1952-built LMS Third Sleeper 624.BR 10525 Mk 3a Convertible Sleeper with Pantry built 1982LMS 624 Third Sleeper (scrapped) built 1952
Specialist carriages