The Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) has confirmed Class 26 No. 26043 as the first guest engine for their Spring Diesel Gala.

A brief history of 26043

26043 is the youngest preserved member of the Class 26 family, being built in 1959 at Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Works. After spending most of its working life in Scotland, 26043 suffered a power earth fault in 1993, ending its career with British Railways.

While in the process of being scrapped, the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group (CMDG) stepped in and saved 26043 for preservation. The CMDG have owned 26043 ever since, with the engine based at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

26043 was originally numbered D5343, receiving the number 26043 in 1974. The locomotive originally wore BR Green Livery, later carrying BR Blue and Civil Engineers’ ‘dutch’ Grey and Yellow. The locomotive is currently in BR Blue

The Gala

The dates for the gala are Friday the 16th, Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of March. The first train leaves Dereham at 8 A.M.

Tickets can be purchased now online at the MNR’s website.

• Visit the Mid-Norfolk Railway Website
  For more information