The Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society (M&GNJRS) has announced that they have purchased steam locomotive Hunslet 0-6-0ST No.1982 “Ring Haw” along with providing other support to help the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Acquiring “Ring Haw” is a key part of helping the NNR. The initial sale of the engine provides immediate finances in this difficult period but also ensures the engine, which has been based at the railway since 1970, remains at the heritage line.
This will also mean Ring Haw's next overhaul will provide work for Weybourne Locomotive Works and further income for the railway.
Another useful vehicle the Society has purchased is 1971 built Grove Allen H404 crane “Horace”. With a lifting capacity of 40 tonnes, “Horace” earns its keep by eliminating the need for hiring in cranes to move boilers for example. As an overhaul is needed, this will be funded by the Society.
Further support will be provided in the form of reduced hire fees on the Society's locomotive which are used on the NNR, start some projects earlier and offer grants to fund other projects.
What did the officials say?
The Society said:
“We feel confident that members will be behind us in offering this package to help secure the future of the Railway during and beyond the emergency and we have asked for their ongoing support in continuing membership and donations to the Society for us to put to such good use.”
“We look forward to the end of the restrictions, a return to normality and to the reopening of the Railway we all love.”
Steve Allen, Chairman for the North Norfolk Railway says
“I would like to thank the Society for this speedy assistance at our time of need. Not only will this help the NNR get through the current crisis it also means that ‘Ring Haw' is assured a safe future and secured for future use on the NNR. This will also see ‘Ring Haw' overhauled more speedily than had been planned.”
For more information or to support the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society, please click here or North Norfolk Railway here.
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Basically shuffling figures around rather than creating new cash seeing as the M&GNJRS and the NNR are the same raiwlay.