44767 to miss Titfield Thunderbolt trip



44767 digs in to the steep climb at Blackbrook on the Cauldon Lowe Branch with West Country No.34028 "Eddystone" working hard at the rear.

Steam Railway Magazine confirmed over a month ago that the unique Stephenson link Black 5 No.44767 "George Stevenson" will miss its mainline run on the "Titfield Tunderbolt" excursion as the owning group have discovered cracks in the firebox and have therefore had to stop the locomotive for repairs.

The train is to be hauled as far as Norwich by Battle of Britain No.34067 "Tangmere", where 44767 was to attach to the rear for a scurry along the branch to Cromer. GWR Pannier No.9466 will now undertake the Nowich-Cromer part of the excursion. After the run to Cromer, "Tangmere" will take charge again for the journey from Cromer to Sheringham, where the train will join the North Norfolk Railway for its journey to Holt. This will provide a unique oppurtunity for photographers to catch a Battle of Britain Pacific performing against the spectacular backdrop of the North Sea. Following this, the train will return to London. 

Despite the problems, the trip still goes ahead as planned.

Chris Nelson,

Steam Correspondent

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