The North Norfolk Railway has reached an agreement with The Gresley Society that secures the long term future of Gresley N2 No. 1744.

The agreement should see the locomotive running again in 2025 following its overhaul.

1744 last ran in 2018 when it was withdrawn for a heavy overhaul, which was expected to take no more than 3 years.

However, the overhaul was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and increased costs, so although hoped to be completed in 2024, the cost was too great.

Under the agreement, Northern Steam Engineering will complete the work on the boiler, before the locomotive moves to Weybourne’s Workshop for the rest of the work to be completed.

The railway has agreed to cover the cost of the work, with the amount being repaid through the operation of the locomotive.

It is expected that 1744 should return to service on the North Norfolk Railway during Spring 2025.

“ This is really good news for the future of No 1744, Sir Nigel Gresley’s oldest surviving locomotive. The Society was created to preserve a working Gresley locomotive, and we owe it to our founders, and for the benefit and education of today’s generation, to maintain that vision. This agreement should ensure the N2’s future as a working locomotive for many years to come.

“ I especially wish to pay tribute to the North Norfolk Railway for their positive and constructive approach to the funding problem they could see we faced. We look forward to seeing No 1744 back in steam and performing a useful role for the Railway.

“ I also wish to thank Northern Steam Engineering, who have shown great flexibility in agreeing how their work programme on the N2 could be brought to an orderly close. As observed before, this has probably been the loco’s most extensive ever overhaul, at least in preservation, and the work looks to be first class.”

Philip Benham, Gresley Society Chairman