The North Norfolk Railway is to host a Sixties Weekend on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July recalling the atmosphere of the transformative decade with steam and diesel trains working side-by-side plus live music from the era and displays of some of the iconic road vehicles of the time.
The railway’s two BR Standards – 4MT No 76084 and 9F 92203 “Black Prince” are scheduled to be in action for the two days. The pair were almost new when the 1960s dawned, having been built in 1957 and 1959 respectively, but both were withdrawn in 1967 as BR’s modernisation plan took hold. They will haul a train of BR Mark I carriages typical of the era and the line’s unique LNER “Quad-Art” set of teak bodied articulated carriages dating from the 1920s which were, remarkably, still in regular use until 1966. The set will be making its first appearance this season following revarnishing and tyre-turning.
Class 37, D6732, which celebrated its 60th Birthday earlier this year will also be hauling passenger trains along with visiting Sulzer Type 2, D7659 which will be making its final appearance on the East Anglian line before returning to its base at Peak Rail. One of the diesels will be paired with the railway’s 4-car rake of BR suburban carriages while the second will haul a set of Mark I corridor coaches.
A half-hourly service will operate between Sheringham and Holt with rover tickets allowing passengers to hop on and off all day to travel behind several different locomotives and to see the activities at Weybourne Station. Here, classic cars, scooters and caravans with their distinctive designs will help conjure up the ambience of the period and live music will add to the atmosphere.
Commercial Manager, Graham Hukins, commented “We’re looking forward to transporting visitors back six decades to the time of drainpipe trousers, mini-skirts, flower power and pop music while the locomotives and carriages of the era will doubtless evoke memories for many.”
Full details of the events and activities, including train times, can be found at www.nnrailway.co.uk. Passengers booking in advance via the website enjoy a generous discount on train fares.
Following the event, the NNR’s daily programme of steam and heritage diesel services runs until 30 October – full details can be found at www.nnrailway.co.uk.
Photo credit: Norfolk Railway
