Another round of celebrations has been ordered at North Norfolk Railway (NNR) following an additional award for their unique 1958 diesel railcar, M56182.

Hot on the heels of one award, the team which returned M56182 to her former glory was highly commended at the national Heritage Railway Association (HRA) Awards which took place on Saturday 10 February. The North Norfolk Railway, also known as the ‘Poppy Line’, runs services between Sheringham and Holt.

The restoration process took more than nine years and M56182 had already taken silver at the Railcar Association’s annual awards held in the early part of last month. The restored railcar entered service on the NNR late last year.

The railcar, a class 104 driving coach, will be running services during the upcoming half-term break. It will be one of two historic trains which will be in action. The other service will be hauled by former Great Western Railway steam locomotive number 4277, ‘Hercules‘.

The locomotive recently made the long journey from the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway.  Now 104 years old, the powerful locomotive once hauled coal trains in the South Wales valleys.

The half-term services will run each day between Saturday 17 and Sunday 25 February.

The annual HRA awards celebrate the best achievements from the 300 members of the association.

These include not only heritage railways operating historic locomotives at locations nationwide, but also electric tramways, miniature lines, cliff railways, preservation groups and museums.

North Norfolk Railway Commercial Manager, Graham Hukins, said “We’re looking forward to kick starting our 2024 season at half-term with two very special trains in action.  We are very proud of the team that have restored M56182 and are delighted that their efforts have been recognised on a national stage.

“Having the railcar working alongside ‘Hercules’ will allow passengers to make the most of the unlimited travel afforded by our Day Rover tickets and they can hop on and off and experience travel in two contrasting heritage trains. There will also be special activity booklets for children plus traditional refreshments and light lunches from the station buffet at Sheringham, so passengers can enjoy a whole day out with us.”