Hundreds of passengers took a trip into the past on Saturday 9 September as they travelled on a newly-restored Class 104 railcar on the North Norfolk Railway (NNR).
Travellers were able to ride in the driving coach of a 1958 railcar which last carried passengers 36 years ago. It is now back in service after a nine-and-a-half year restoration by father and son team Paul and Chris Moxon.
The railway, which runs between the Victorian seaside resort of Sheringham and the Georgian town of Holt, would regularly see Class 104 railcars in use on Norwich-Cromer-Sheringham services in the late 1970s.
The restored vehicle, M56182, will see regular use from Sheringham's original station and is due to run alongside steam locomotives and other heritage diesels as part of NNR's autumn services. These will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as weekends until the end of October.
It was built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company for British Rail, and formed part of the modernisation plan which saw many diesel trains take over from steam.
The extensive restoration has returned the railcar back to almost its original condition. There is varnished woodwork in the passenger saloons and salvaged seats matching the original style of the 1950s have been used throughout.
Vehicle frames have been overhauled, wheels refurbished and rusty bodywork has been removed and replaced. The whole railcar has been repainted in its original green livery along with the distinctive warning ‘whiskers' on the front, something of a daring and modern touch at the time. Wiring has been renewed and instruments on the driver's desk have been repaired.
There will be a Steam Back to the Forties event on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September.
Graham Huskins, the railway's Commercial Manager, said: “The coach is in pristine condition oozes period atmosphere. Our Autumn timetable features the railcar running alongside one of our historic steam trains allowing passengers an authentic experience of rail travel from the time when steam was just starting to give way to diesel motive power.”
Co-owner and restorer, Chris Moxon, commented “We are delighted to return M56182 to action and very pleased that the vehicle has proved popular passengers – particularly the first class saloon which affords an excellent driver's-eye view of the line ahead!”
