12th December 1981

British Rail (Norwich Division)
(Merrymaker Excursion)

Loco Used 55002 'The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry'
Stock Used 13 mark 2 coaches

Route : 1G06 throughout

Loco Route
55002 Norwich - Thetford - Brandon - Ely North Jn - Ely West Jn - March - Whittlesea - Peterborough - (via ECML) - York
55002 York - (reverse of outward route) - Norwich

Notes :
(1) David Sheppard comments: I remember how cold it was and that there was trouble with the brakes freezing up. I stood at the door all the way outward and return making an audio recording of 55002. I think that after leaving March on the return one engine was shut down. 55002 was left at Norwich till the following Tuesday. The stock was local vac braked mark 2 coaches. I also stood and recorded 55002 when I had got off the train at Brandon I could hear the Napier sound on the cold night air nearly all the way to Thetford before walking nearly a mile home. How I never got frostbite that day I don't know.

Sources : various including Chris Harley (from contemporary reports) &
David Sheppard (Joined/left the train at Brandon)

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