Having reached the end of its 10 year boiler ticket and covered over 35,000 miles in service during that time, the North Norfolk Railway withdrew 9F 2-10-0 No.92203 Black Prince from service.
There will be a last chance for members to get up close to this massive steam engine, before it gets put into store away from the public.
92203 is one of nine 9Fs preserved which are regarded by most as the pinnacle of Robert Riddles standard class engines.
In the run up to Christmas last year, 92203 was taken off its planned services because of an expected failure in the main internal steam pipe, which carries the steam from the regulator valves to the superheater header in the smokebox.
During investigation, the team discovered a leak where the pipe expands in the smokebox tubeplate before it meets the superheater header.
Unfortunately the location of the fault and the amount of work needed means it is not possible to carry out a cost-effective repair given the limited use possible before the boiler ticket expires in early May.”
Interim General Manager Graham Hukins (Speaking in December 2023)
With many other engines under overhaul at Weybournes' workshop, it will be necessary to store 92203 in the interim, but before it does, there will be a chance for the public to see it one more time, as tours of the locomotive are scheduled to take place on Sunday 28th April.
The tours will focus on the working life of Black Prince, and its time in preservation, most notably on the North Norfolk Railway, a tour of both the locomotive carriage sheds is included.
The tour is subject to donations (suggested minimum £10) and these can be booked in advance via enquiries@nnrailway.co.uk.
Those that wish to travel by train on the day are advised to take the train from Sheringham or Holt to Weybourne before the tours start, standard fares will apply and the purchase of a Day Rover will enable you to have unlimited train travel on all the North Norfolk service trains that day.
This is a rare chance to get up close to Black Prince and some of our other locomotives at ground level, from where you can appreciate the sheer size of these mammoth machines – there's nothing like standing next to one of “Black Prince's” driving wheels which are five feet in diameter to get a real sense of scale.”
Interim General Manager Graham Hukins
Hi in the fiftys I was a fireman on the GWR and fired the first eight 9F ie 92000 to 92007 from Newport Docks to Ebbw Vale Steel works.