By Justin Franz
The oldest surviving locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley — the famed British locomotive builder behind the world-famous Flying Scotsman — could return to the main line in 2025.
The Gresley Society recently secured an agreement with the North Norfolk Railway to complete the restoration of Great Northern Railway N2 0-6-0 1744 and is now raising money to help complete the rebuild expected to cost around £650,000. Details on how to donate can be found online at Gresley.org.
Locomotive 1744 was built in 1921 and is the only surviving tank engine designed by Gresley. The locomotive was acquired by the Gresley Society in 1963 and has run at a number of heritage railways in the decades since. In 2018, it was taken out of service for an extensive rebuild. Officials said the locomotive will operate at North Norfolk once it’s back in service.