The North Norfolk Railway and The Gresley Society invited RailAdvent down to Sheringham today (17th July 2026) to see the formal launch of Gresley N2 No. 1744.
1744 is returning to service on the railway following a full overhaul, which has cost around £800,000 and has taken since late 2018 to complete.
The locomotive has undergone extensive testing since being completed, including its first steaming on the 12th May 2026 and its Part 2 Steam Exam on the 20th May 2026.
The livery that has been chosen for the locomotive is the distinctive Great Northern Railway’s green livery.
Built in 1921, 1744 is the oldest surviving Gresley locomotive, and the overhaul included work on the boiler, driving wheels, pony truck, firebox, and new superheater tubes.
As part of the day, we were able to be on board the locomotive’s first passenger train to Holt and back, and John Cameron was at Sheringham to smash a bottle of bubbly against the loco to welcome it back into service.
1744 hauled the NNR’s LNER Quad Art set of coaches and looked right at home on the line.
The public gets their chance to ride behind the loco for the first time this weekend as it operates during the North Norfolk Railway’s Golden Years weekend, with classic cars, caravans, music and buses making it a great weekend for the whole family.
A big thank you to The Gresley Society for inviting RailAdvent to the North Norfolk Railway for their special day.
Responses
Great to have the N2 back and looking superb my late father would be happy he worked at High Barnet pre war when the N2s were running there