The Return of the N2
The N2 Returns: A First Visit to the North Norfolk Railway
At the beginning of the year, I had not expected to be attending the return of the N2 on July 17, rather pointing my camera skyward for the fast jets on display at RAF Fairford for the Royal International Air Tattoo, rather than trackside photographing Sir Nigel Gresley's N2 class of 0-6-2T that he designed for the Great Northern Railway, shortly before the GNR was amalgamated into the London, North Eastern Railway in 1923. On the whole I prefer tank engines over tender engines, and a chance to see the only N2 example in the country, paired with the wonderful Quad Art carriages, was a suitable alternative to the fast jets of RAF Fairford. In this blog we review the first day back in service of the N2, and for me, the first visit to the North Norfolk Railway.
Off to the Course: N2 No1744 goes to the golf course after a busy first day back since 2018.
Settings: Camera: Nikon Z8, Lens: Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8, Focal Length: 49mm, Shutter Speed: 1/640, Aperture f6.3, ISO: 64
Getting There: My First Trip in an Electric Car
The journey was in some style, as we had the loan of an electric car for the day (A Cupra Tavascan) from great friend Gareth, who some of you might know as the supplier of tea and bacon sandwiches who is often lineside during a Bluebell gala who was coming on his first adventure lineside with @chaileystowe and myself. It was also my first experience of driving an electric car any distance, however, more on that later. As it turned out, this was the least important "first" of the day, because more significantly, this was my first ever visit to the North Norfolk Railway. An early start saw us leaving Sharpthorne at 0600, I would say Coffee in hand but I can’t stand the stuff and the Cupra Sat Nav plotting a route across the country while I tried to forget that range anxiety exists in these cars.
Before we get into the day itself, a word on the research that goes into a trip like this. I want to thank @therailwayrover for suggesting some spots to photograph the railway, it isn't always easy to find new locations at a railway you've never visited, but joining a few Facebook groups dedicated to the line is a great way to scout locations, simply by reviewing other people's pictures and geo-locating them from the background details. I'd also recommend footpathmap.co.uk as another useful tool, letting you identify footpaths and bridleways that can get you to photography spots the road can't.
Photography tip: Do your homework a few days before. A quick scroll through geotagged photos from a line tells you far more about sun direction, foliage, and vantage points than turning up cold ever will. Cross-reference what you find against a footpath map and you'll walk into the day with two or three "banker" shots already planned, leaving you free to improvise on the rest.
First Sight: Weybourne Station
Our first proper sight of the N2 came at Weybourne station, before we headed along to Sheringham for the rededication ceremony. We wanted to see what the main passenger locomotive was for the day, and was pleasantly surprised when it was confirmed as being 80080, another locomotive newly returned to NNR metals. However, we spied the N2 sat at Weybourne yard, being steamed and final checks taking place before she made her first trip over the line since 2018. There's something about seeing a freshly outshopped locomotive for the first time in the flesh, the GNR paintwork was wonderful, even from a distance and although not the sunniest day, it stood out amongst the locomotives being prepared for the railways 1960s weekend that started on Saturday. We tried several shots, one from the footbridge over the station, however, my favourite shot was definitely taken from the end of platform 2. Definitely glad I had the Z8 with its higher megapixel count and long lens, to allow to get that shot of the N2 as she simmered away on shed.
Photography tip: Static shots at the shed or platform are your chance to be thorough rather than quick. Take the wide "environmental" shot that shows the locomotive in its setting, then work in for detail shots of nameplates, numberplates, and any fresh lining or lettering — these close-ups are often the ones that age best, especially on a day when so much of the paint and brass is brand new.
Preparing for the First Day: No1744 is on shed at Weybourne as she raises steam for her first day back in service.
Settings: Settings: Camera: Nikon Z8, Lens: Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8, Focal Length: 85mm, Shutter Speed: 1/320, Aperture f6.3, ISO: 64
The Rededication Ceremony at Sheringham
From Weybourne it was on to Sheringham for the rededication ceremony itself, which turned out to be a genuinely interesting occasion. My first time at a rededication ceremony which I have to say was a really interesting experience. There were talks covering the scale of the project, an £800,000 overhaul to bring the N2 back into steam, which really brought home just how much work, fundraising, and sheer stubborn dedication goes into returning a locomotive like this to a heritage railway. It's easy to admire a finished, gleaming engine and forget the years of volunteer hours and donations that sit behind it. The undoubted highlight for the crowd, though, was the traditional champagne bottle christening, or rather, several increasingly determined attempts at it. Anyone who has watched one of these ceremonies knows it rarely goes to plan on the first swing, and this was no exception, to the great amusement of everyone gathered on the platform. With the third attempt, the bottle smashed and all the invited guest got onto the train and headed towards Holt for the first of two runs that the N2 would undertake during the day.
The Dash to Windpump Crossing
With the ceremony done, it was time to get moving. We made a quick dash up the line to Windpump crossing, hoping to catch the N2's first run under its own steam since overhaul. It was tight, we beat the train to the crossing by all of two minutes, slightly out of breath and hurriedly checking composition as the sound of the whistle carried across the heath. The reward was a lovely shot of the N2 leading the Quad Art LNER coaches complete with destination board adding to that GNR identity. It is unfortunate, that the cloud slightly obscured the exhaust, however, for a 30 second composition I was relatively happy with the outcome.
Photography tip: When you're racing a train to a location, decide your composition in your head before you arrive, if you know the shot. Know roughly where you want the locomotive in the frame and what focal length you're using, so that when you jump out of the car you're checking focus and exposure, not still hunting for the shot. A couple of minutes' margin, like we had here, disappears fast once you're fumbling with settings.
Racing to Holt: No1744 races over Windpump Crossing with the Quad Art LNER coaching stock.
Settings: Camera: Nikon Z8, Lens: Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8, Focal Length: 38mm, Shutter Speed: 1/400, Aperture f6.3, ISO: 100
Kelling Heath Halt: The One That Got Away
From Windpump crossing we walked down to Kelling Heath Halt, hoping for a double bill: a Class 37 working alongside the N2's second run of the day. On paper it was a great plan, and we did get our shots of the 37, but the N2 image itself wasn't quite the one I'd wanted , a case of light, angle, and the trees hiding the exhaust. A simple case of mis-reading the shot before and not having anywhere near the local knowledge. Even with research and reviewing other photographers photos, sometimes the conditions don’t make it easy to get photographs and it can be as simple as trying another day to get the shot. Especially with a loco that has just started her 10 year boiler ticket, you’ve got plenty of time to perfect the shot.
Photography tip: If a shot isn't working, don't be afraid to change your position at the last minute rather than settle for a composition you know isn't right. If it still doesn't come together, take the lesson for next time and note the location for a return visit in different conditions.
Down to the Sheringham End: Light Engine by the Golf Course
For our final shot of the day, we headed back down towards the Sheringham end of the line and caught the N2 running light engine back past the golf course. Although, I must say I was preparing to duck and dive just in case any golf balls went flying over our heads, you never know how good the golfer are. However, it was nice to meet up with fellow photographers/videographers @thesoutherner and @brickishrail and have a good chat about the autumn galas coming up, can’t wait for these, although hoping for some rain to make sure we don’t get any cancelled. There's a particular charm to a locomotive running light, no carriages to worry about in the frame, just the engine itself against the landscape, and after a long day on our feet it felt like a fitting, quieter note to end the photography on.
Photography tip: Light engine moves are often overlooked in favour of full train shots, but they're a great opportunity for a cleaner composition. With no carriages trailing behind, you can afford to shoot tighter and let the locomotive fill more of the frame.
The Journey Home
And so it was back to the electric car for my first real experience behind the wheel of one, as we made our way back to Sharpthorne via our usual pit stop at the Golden Arches. Somehow I had blagged my way into being able to drive an electric car. I have driven many petrol/diesel cars over the years on my job driving down to my workplace in the South West, but never an electric car. The acceleration was well quite frankly electric, instant response and one of the smoothest drives I have experienced, it felt like you were floating, we could have done hundreds of miles without a stop. It was a great trip back, made better by the usual round of car karaoke, an eclectic mix that ran from "IT Boy" by BBno$ through to S Club 7. We like to keep things varied on the playlist, and after a day spent chasing an 100 plus year old locomotive around North Norfolk, there's something nice about having a relax and a singing along with your mates, after all it is these days that you work for.
Thank you once again for tuning into the blog, this one has been a bit delayed, work, the constant hot weather and the need sometimes to step back and take stock of where you want the channel to grow and recharge the batteries is needed. Hopefully this hot weather breaks and we can still enjoy our autumn of galas and charters across the UK. My personal highlight to look forward to in the next few weeks is doing a charter with the 9F from NYMR at Bluebell. Can’t wait to have long chats with some of you lineside in the next few weeks.
Have a great week,
Ben
