The 6th October saw the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society hold its 3rd Annual Members' Day. Formed in 1959, the Society was the driving force behind what eventually became the North Norfolk Railway. The day saw members enjoy free travel on many of the Society's locomotives and rolling stock: LNER B12 8572, J15 7564, BR Class 31 D5631, LNER Quad-Arts (Set No. 74) and the 'Vintage Train' (which comprised of LMS Brake van No. 950133, Wisbech & Upwell Tramcar No. 7, M&GN No. 129, and LNER Pigeon van No. 6843.) For more information on the M&GN Society, visit our website www.mandgn.co.uk.

Tornado – need I say anymore! Since its completion in 2008 the new build A1 Pacific has been a sensation and become a household name. Its visit to the NNR coincided with the Autumn Steam Gala, and the 'Tornado Effect' certainly brought in the punters over a very busy three days. I was lucky enough to crew 60163 on the Friday (when the first four pictures were taken). I certainly never thought that I'd ever have the chance to fire and drive an A1 on the NNR when I started as a cleaner (just) seven and a half years ago. The remainder of the pictures were taken the following weekend, when the sun shone…, most of the time!

Many visitors to this website will be familiar with the Ealing comedy The Titfield Thunderbolt. The 1953 film tells the story of Titfield's residents desire to run their local branch line, which has been earmarked for closure. (A scenario that would preempt many of today's well established preserved railways!)

The NNR's recreation of this comedy classic was the brain child of (self confessed) Thunderbolt nut and NNR fireman Oliver Fosker. With the completion of Wisbech and Upwell tramcar coach No. 7 in 2010 (its sister coach, No. 8 starred in the film), Oliver's thoughts turned to the possibility of a special event at the NNR based around the film. A recreation wouldn't be complete without a thunderbolt, step forward Mike Little's 14xx 1450, which was especially repainted and renumbered as the film's star 1401 for the weekend. To complete the train, a toad brake (17392) was hired in from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. So that's the train taken care of, what about some of film's iconic road vehicles? A Bedford OB bus was sourced to play the villainous part of Pearce & Crump, which could be seen racing the Thunderbolt between Holt and Sheringham (renamed Titfield and Mallingford respectively for the weekend). Also on show were Sid James' Aveling & Porter Steamroller and John Gregson's Morris Car. Is that it? Well not quite! Saturday saw a railtour hauled by SR West Country 34067 Tangmere (a member of the class can be seen in the opening scenes of the film passing over Midford viaduct). This was top and tailed with GWR 94xx 9466.

Also in steam at the event were Black 5 45337 and 9F 92203 Black Prince.

As soon as it was announced that a Deltic would be starring at this year's Diesel Gala, a visit to see one of these iconic locomotives on the line was an almost certainty. Owned by The Deltic Preservation Society 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier was joined by visiting Class 47596 Aldeburgh Festival (which is usually based at the Mid-Norfolk Railway) together with the railway's home fleet: 47367, 25057, Class 101 DMU and DRB E79960. Also in operation was Black 5 45337.

This year's Spring Steam Gala reverted back to the usual three day format as the NNR played host to three headline 4-6-0s. The star of the show was undoubtedly the return to service of LNER B12 8572. The resplendent Apple Green machine saw employment almost entirely on the Quad-Arts throughout the weekend – what a sight to behold. Also looking immaculate and visiting from its usual home at Tyseley, GWR Hall Class 4936 Kinlet Hall had the honour of being the first 'big' GWR tender engine to visit the line. The final 4-6-0 of the trio was Black 5 45337, visiting from the East Lancs Railway. The remainder of the locos in service were drawn from the home fleet: GWR 56xx 5619; LNER J15 7564 (which was celebrating its 100th Birthday with a repaint into LNER Black); BR 9F 92203 Black Prince.