BrickishRail

22/07/2026

New Video! North Norfolk Railway - 'The Golden Years' Weekend - 18/07/26
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP9u8yq_Mek

Following the launch day and reintroduction into service of GNR N2 1744, the locomotive hauls her first public trains at the North Norfolk Railway's Golden Years event, with the engine paired with the railway's unique LNER Quad Art Coach set.

The event saw an intensive four train service, with 1744 throughout the weekend running alongside visiting BR Standard 4MT Tank 80080, in addition to home based 16" Hunslet No. 1589 'Newstead', British Rail Class 37 D6732 and the railway's Class 101/104 DMU set.

North Norfolk Railway PLC
NNR Engineering Works Updates

Following the launch day and reintroduction into service of GNR N2 ...

21/07/2026

Currently looking back at some previous photo charters I've been fortunate to attend over the past couple of years.

My first foray into the world of photo charters was 30742 Charters' day at the Bristol Harbour Railway in February 2025, with GWR 1366 Pannier Tank 1369. The announcement of 1369, an ex-portside loco, performing run-pasts with a mixed freight set was too good an opportunity to pass on. The day was a fantastic experience, making me question why I had left it so long to attend a photo charter, with some fantastic images as a result.

Fast forward to August 2025, with LNWR Coal Tank 1054 visiting Peak Rail, and another charter hosted by 30742 Charters. Being a railway near enough on my doorstep, this was another 'must-do' charter, with the day bringing some wonderful light and plenty of angles to be had of the loco along the line, including with the loco being turned at Rowsley for some more variety in the afternoon.

Then back in January of this year, the Nene Valley Railway's Wagon Group hosted a charter with visiting BR Standard 2MT 78019, dressed as last of the class 78064, running with a full mixed freight set and with some reenactors to add some extra visual interest. Despite the bitterly cold temperatures, the day provided some unique opportunities, making full use of double track sections of the line, and the chance to cross off a bucket list shot of a loco taken from inside a tunnel. The cherry on top was a evening shoot in the yard at Wansford, with plenty of reenactors and vintage vehicles posed with several wagons.

30742 Charters
Nene Valley Railway Wagon Group
Bristol Museums
South Devon Railway
Peak Rail
Bahamas Locomotive Society
Nene Valley Railway

18/07/2026

New Video! Gresley N2 Returns! | GNR N2 1744 Launch - North Norfolk Railway - 17/07/26
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNYDNS6MIYM

Originally hoped to return to steam in 2021 to mark the locomotive's centenary, GNR N2 1744 finally re-enters service five years later, coinciding with 2026 being the 150th anniversary of Gresley's birth. 1744 is the oldest Gresley designed locomotive in preservation, built by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow in 1921.

The launch event took place at Sheringham station, with the N2 backed onto the railway's Quad Art coach set. Philip Benham, Chairman of The Gresley Society, gave a short speech, thanking society members and the North Norfolk Railway for their support in the locomotive's £800,000 overhaul. The engine was officially launched by society President, John Cameron, before a pair of round trips along the line for society members.

Running alongside the N2 throughout the day was BR Standard 4MT Tank 80080, owned by the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust, and resident British Rail Class 37 D6732.

North Norfolk Railway PLC
NNR Engineering Works Updates

Originally hoped to return to steam in 2021 to mark the locomotive'...

15/07/2026

What if...? | 6244 'King George VI'

Originally named 'City of Leeds', LMS Princess Coronation Class 6244 was built in 1940, entering service on 12th July, being the penultimate Duchess to be outshopped in Streamlined LMS Crimson livery. Shortly after entering service, in April 1941, the loco was renamed in honour of King George VI, with the original 'City of Leeds' name later being reused on 6248. On 21st July 1947, 6244 was derailed and overturned at 60mph, owing to the poor condition of trackwork post WWII. The incident resulted in 5 fatalities and 64 injuries, including nineteen major.

Despite being overturned, the engine only sustained superficial damage and was subsequently repaired, with the removal of her streamlined casing. Throughout her service life, she was, like many of her classmates, a common sight on the West Coast Mainline, initially being allocated to Camden and later Carlisle Upperby and Kingmoor sheds. By withdrawal in September 1964, 46244 had covered nearly 1.4 million miles, before being scrapped in December at Troon.

Representing 6244 in this "What if?" photoshop is surviving classmate 6229 'Duchess of Hamilton'. Today part of the National Collection after being purchased from Sir Billy Butlin in 1987, who saved the loco from scrap (Alongside 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland'), she is a unique example of the class in preservation. Retrofitted with her streamlined casing at Tyseley between 2006 and 2009, she is now displayed in the National Railway Museum in York.

National Railway Museum

13/07/2026

Fenchurch on the Goods | LBSCR A1 Terrier No.72 'Fenchurch' departs Sheffield Park with a mixture of wagons, including this pair of SECR liveried plank wagons, 16/03/25.

Bluebell Railway
Bluebell Railway Goods Division

12/07/2026

Whilst the public at Warrington Bank Quay were enamoured with BR(W) Castle Class 7029 'Clun Castle' during a layover during Vintage Trains' "Ticket to Ride" tour (11/07/26), it seemed only enthusiasts were taking notice notice of the Class 37 on the rear of the train. More excitingly for me being one 37 which up-to now has evaded my camera. Always nice to cross off another loco!

With 37240 carrying Transrail livery, combined with industrial buildings dominating the landscape next to the station, it didn't take much to imagine the scene having been taken straight from the mid-1990s.

Vintage Trains

12/07/2026

New Video! Clun Beats the Heat! | BR(W) Castle Class 7029 'Clun Castle' - Ticket to Ride - 11/07/26
https://youtu.be/zURxqZMHfjY?is=Hjmi6ufiZsGDYC_r

With temperatures hitting 30°C, it was difficult to envy the crew of BR(W) 7029 'Clun Castle' on her run up to Liverpool hauling Vintage Trains' appropriately titled "Ticket to Ride" tour. The subsequent high risk of lineside fires saw 7029 make a steady run up to the North West, with Transrail liveried Class 37 37240 taking most of the strain, with the 37 also proving it's use on a turning move via Warrington later in the day.

We initially catch 7029 heading North having not long departed Stafford, before leapfrogging the tour to view the crossing the 1868 Runcorn Railway Bridge over the River Mersey; A route where steam is an infrequent sight. With the tour having arrived in Liverpool, our cameras turn to the empty stock move hauled by 37240, starting off at Rainhill station. A quick dash to Warrington Bank Quay sees some views of the stock stabled at the station whilst the crew of 'Clun Castle' take a break, hydrate, and prepare for the return journey. Back towards Liverpool and a view of the stock returning through the 1836 Edge Hill station, before finally departing the city for the return journey back south to the Midlands.

Vintage Trains

With temperatures hitting 30°C, it was difficult to envy the crew o...

08/07/2026

Ever feel like you've been left to do all the hard work? 😴

One of many candid scenes taken from last year's Railways at Work gala at the Great Central Railway.

Great Central Railway
Railways at Work - Great Central Railway
Quorn & Woodhouse Station

05/07/2026

Matching stock rocks! | One of my favourite aspects to the National Railway Museum's Station Hall is the opportunity to view pre-grouping locomotives and matching coaching stock displayed together, such as these examples with Midland Railway 115 Class Spinner No.673, LSWR M7 No.245 and GNR J13 1247.

How good would it be to see these locomotives out on a preserved line with a full matching set? One can dream!

National Railway Museum

01/07/2026

What if...? | 34083 '605 Squadron'

On 7th September 1940, 605 Squadron RAuxAF's Hurricane Fleet moved to RAF Croydon from Scotland, the same day in which the London Blitz would begin. The Squadron was later selected as the eponym for Bulleid Battle of Britain Class 34083, built under British Railways at Brighton Works, shortly following nationalisation in 1948, initially being allocated to Stewarts Lane Depot. She could often be found running Golden Arrow services out of London Victoria, which had been reintroduced in 1946 following the end of WWII.

34083 would primarily see service in the South East of England throughout the 1950s, later being based out of Ramsgate, Dover and Ashford, before moving to Exmouth Junction in November 1961, where she remained until withdrawal in July 1964, having remained in un-rebuilt condition throughout her life. She would be scrapped the following year at Birds, Bridgend.

Being completed in 1948, 34083 would initially receive British Railway's Malachite Green livery; an interim colour scheme following on from Southern Railways. This livery has in recent years been carried by 34081 '92 Squadron'; one of twenty Bulleid Light Pacifics to survive into preservation. Here she forms the basis of this "What if?" Photoshop, photographed during her appearance at Strictly Bulleid II at the Swanage Railway in June 2024.

Swanage Railway