Doncaster, UK – 17 July 2026: The Gresley Society, founded in 1963 to honour the life and works of Sir Nigel Gresley, is delighted to announce the return to traffic of Gresley class N2 No. 1744, Sir Nigel Gresley’s oldest surviving locomotive, on the North Norfolk Railway. The official launch and rededication ceremony took place today at Sheringham Station, marking the successful completion of an extensive eight year overhaul.

No. 1744 is the sole remaining class N2 and the only surviving Gresley tank engine. The Great Northern Railway (GNR) class N2 is an 0-6-2T side tank steam locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as a development of the Ivatt class N1 and introduced in 1920. Sixty locomotives were built for the GNR between 1920 and 1921, and these were followed by forty-seven Group Standard class N2s between 1925 and 1929 from Doncaster Works and outside contractors.

The class N2s were designed for suburban passenger operations, and worked most of the duties out of King’s Cross and Moorgate, hauling Quad-Art sets of eight articulated suburban coaches. They also hauled some empty coaching stock trains between King’s Cross and Ferme Park carriage sidings and class were a common sight in and around Glasgow and Edinburgh operating suburban services.

No. 1744 was built in the 1920-21 batch of 50 class N2s by the North British Locomotive Co. in Glasgow for the GNR and spent almost all of its working life at King’s Cross shed before moving to New England shed at Peterborough in May 1962, shortly before its withdrawal in September 1962. Renumbered to No. 4744 and later No. 9523 by the LNER and to No. 69523 by British Railways, it was saved for preservation by the Gresley Society in 1963. No. 1744 is also a film star, having played the part of ‘The Scotch Flyer’ in the film The Railway Children.

The locomotive was withdrawn from service in late 2018. The overhaul, which has cost approaching £800,000, included significant mechanical and boiler work and was conducted by initially by Northern Steam Engineering in Stockton-on-Tees and completed at the North Norfolk Railway at Weybourne. Key elements comprised new driving wheel and pony truck tyres, new front boiler ring and tubeplates, new firebox wrapper sections, and the manufacture of new superheater tubes. It now returns to service in its distinctive Great Northern Railway green livery during Sir Nigel Gresley’s 150th anniversary year and is the only working locomotive from the GNR.

The event programme included a special viewing at the NNR workshops in Weybourne, followed by a rededication ceremony at Sheringham Station. Guests had the opportunity to travel behind No. 1744 on special trains to Holt using the sole-surviving Quad-Art set of carriages.

After returning to traffic for this weekend’s ‘The Golden Years’ event, No. 1744 is scheduled to rejoin the North Norfolk Railway’s historic fleet, hauling services along the line which runs from Sheringham to Holt. The locomotive is also due to appear at some of the popular heritage line’s special events including the ‘Festival on Rails’ on 22-31 August and ‘Steam Back to the Forties’ on 19-20 September.

Philip Benham MBE, Chairman of The Gresley Society, commented: “We are delighted to see No. 1744 back in steam, fulfilling the vision of our founders to preserve a working Gresley locomotive for the benefit and education of current and future generations. This has been a much more complex overhaul than we at first envisaged, possibly the most extensive the locomotive has ever had, and of course more expensive! But now this magnificent tank engine, resplendent in GNR green, will once again haul trains on the North Norfolk Railway, including the unique Quad-Art carriages. We remain deeply grateful to all the contractors who have worked on the locomotive, but especially to the North Norfolk Railway for their generous support that has been so critical to ensuring completion of the overhaul.”

Graham Hukins, General Manager of the North Norfolk Railway, added: “It is a privilege for the NNR to host the return to traffic of this historic Gresley locomotive. No. 1744 is a wonderful addition to our fleet, and we look forward to operating it for visitors and enthusiasts alike in the coming years.”

Keith Ashford’s Appointment as Locomotive Manager

The Gresley Society is also pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Ashford C.Eng MIMechE as Locomotive Manager for Gresley class N2 No. 1744. A Chartered Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Keith brings over 50 years’ experience with the North Norfolk Railway, where he served as Chief Mechanical Engineer for seven years until his retirement in April 2026. He has been actively involved in the mechanical restoration and operation of preserved steam locomotives, including significant work on the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society’s fleet, of which he is a volunteer Trustee Director and Chief Mechanical Engineer. Keith will oversee the ongoing care, maintenance, and operation of No. 1744, ensuring the locomotive continues to operate safely and reliably for the benefit of visitors and enthusiasts on the North Norfolk Railway.

The N2 Overhaul Completion Club

The N2 Overhaul Completion Club has raised almost £60,000 towards the final £100,000 target, with strong ongoing support. The club offers attractive benefits for those contributing £1,000 each (payable in up to eight instalments). The North Norfolk Railway has generously funded the completion of the work, to be reimbursed through operational use of the locomotive.

Details of how to join The N2 Overhaul Completion Club are available at www.gresley.org.