2009 Year Report and 2010 Plan

2009 Report

2009 was a successful year for the railway.
The purchase of the Frank S at the very beginning of the year has been a success and the loco has seen much use throughout the year.
In the Spring and Autumn a set of four Isle of Man carriages arrived, and have proven very popular since being used on most services, and suits most of the steam locos.
In September our very first live steam locomotive arrived on the railway in the form of a Accucraft Edrig class loco which we have named "Little Nellie", this has come from the very last batch of Edrigs Accucraft will ever make! The loco has proved very popular since its arrival and will be a popular loco of choice in the future, we still have some detailing work to do on the loco as well as performing minor repairs to its safety valve over the winter.

Through out the year the railway was given four new locos, the Evensford and Midland Railway gave us the boiler and cab of a tank engine, we restored the loco to working order and is now running in midland red livery to reflect its original railway and has been named "Lilly". We also received a tank engine/tramway loco and a diesel shunter, along with a 2-4-0 tender engine which we have named "Black Beauty" after the famous story about a horse which was written only a few miles away.

We visited the Fundenhall Railway in August for their annual steam day, our locos in attendance were: "Frank S", "East Anglian", "William Marriot", as well as our Mamod Traction Engine "Charles".

2010 Plan

2010 aims to be a good year for the S&NLR with many exciting plans for the railway.
Over the winter we purchased a loco shed for Weybourne, this will be constructed and painted in the early spring, this will enhance the stations appearance considerably.
We will also be on the look out for new locos, and another live steam locomotive might join "Little Nellie", also look out for a famous cheeky blue tank engine!
We may also go on tour with some locos and stock to the Whitwell & Reepham Station for their Steam Rally Weekend! http://www.whitwellstation.com/

The events for 2010 are as follows in no particular order:

Spring and Autumn Steam Galas
Diesel Gala
Mixed Traffic Gala
Vintage Transport Festival
Halloween Special
Santa's Special
Mince Pie Special
Also a number of evening dining trains

2009 Year Report

The 2009 year report will be published shortly

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the S&NLR

Snow Time on the S&NLR

Over the last week snow arrived on the S&NLR giving a festive view from the carriage windows for our Santa's Specials passengers. Unlike full size trains in the UK "Little Nellie" ran extremely well with two of our Isle of Man carriages in the wintry weather.

Above: "Little Nellie" soon after arrivle at Weybourne

Above: Little Nellie steams through the wintry landscape

Above: Awaiting departure from Sprowston

Santa Specials

The Santa Specials are now running every Sunday, and Christmas Eve, the trains this year are being hauled by our live steam loco "Little Nellie".

Starting from boxing day until New Years day Nellie will be hauling the Mince Pie Specials.

After undergoing a spell of maintenance recently, "Little Nellie" was seen being tested ahead of the Santa's Specials yesterday evening (Saturday 6th December) with three of the railways IoM carriages

Above: "Nellie" seen at Sprowston shortly after arrival
Above: "Nellie" can be seen steaming through the late autumn countryside

Above: Departing Weybourne

Above: "Nellie" can be seen at Sprowston in the fading daylight

Nellie visits the ALR

On Saturday (7th November) "Little Nellie" visited The Ashmanhaugh Light Railway a 7 1/4 inch gauge railway near Wroxham. The loco was steamed up and ran on blocks.

Above: Big and small"Little Nellie" poses with ALRs "Lucille"
Above: Big and small "Little Nellie" poses with ALRs "Lucille"
Above: "Little Nellie" is steamed up on blocks with
ALRs "Thunderbox" in the background