Engineering works mean ‘no go’ for mainline steam locomotive visit to Norfolk

Source

Over on the 60009 Union of South Africa Facebook page, they have announced that there are no paths available for 60009 to attend the Mid Norfolk Railway.

The cancellation is due to engineering works that are taking place.

This means that Network Rail can’t provide a path for 60009 to the Mid Norfolk Railway via the mainline, and means its planned visit for the upcoming gala is now in doubt.


The non-availability of paths to the Mid Norfolk Railway also applies to the other mainline visitor, LMS Duchess, No.6233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’.

If cancellations are made, and if any replacements are found at short notice, then we shall update you as soon as possible.

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From the Mid-Norfolk Railway website ( https://www.mnr.org.uk/steamweekend )

STOP PRESS - 23rd June 2019

Steam Gala Update - We have recently been made aware of an issue with Network Rail being unable to gauge and path the locomotives to the Mid-Norfolk Railway in time for next weekends Steam Gala, despite both locos having been to us before.

At this late stage, we can confirm that neither Union of South Africa nor the Duchess of Sutherland will be able to attend. You will appreciate that this has come as a huge disappointment to us also, however, the organisers have been busy talking with other Railways and owners to see if we are able to source other visitors for the event.

We are pleased to confirm that we believe two replacement steam locomotives have been found, and a further confirmation will be hopefully posted on Monday.

Thank you for your understanding at this time

Seems to be a recurring issue in this part of the world. A few years ago I went on an RTC tour from Norwich to York. It was to be steam hauled by 6233 but ended up with a diesel as far as Peterborough because Network Rail didn't/couldn't gauge it round Ely West Curve. Despite the fact the loco ran that way earlier the same year.

trebor79 said:

Seems to be a recurring issue in this part of the world. A few years ago I went on an RTC tour from Norwich to York. It was to be steam hauled by 6233 but ended up with a diesel as far as Peterborough because Network Rail didn't/couldn't gauge it round Ely West Curve. Despite the fact the loco ran that way earlier the same year.

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And in the meantime, do you know if any work had been undertaken where clearance could have been compromised?
It is quite possible.

The first nice replacement has been lined up
https://www.facebook.com/midnorfolk...355609/2824677800892304/?type=3&theater&ifg=1

Alan Warren said:

The first nice replacement has been lined up
https://www.facebook.com/midnorfolk...355609/2824677800892304/?type=3&theater&ifg=1

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Not accessible even if I'm signed in to FB.

Q6 from NYMR plus the S160 from Churnet Valley. Was meant to be 9466 but this became unavailable this afternoon and within a matter of hours another replacement loco had been announced.

From the Duchess of Sutherland Facebook page it seems that the request for the path was submitted by Mid-Norfolk Railway too late for NR to process it in time.