Norfolk Pioneer
Rudyard Lake Railway
She was built (well finished) in 2011, being built by Tony Martin who is the Chief Mechanical Engineer for the Wells and Wallingsham Light Railway.
Pioneer, spent the first 8 years of her life at the WWLR as Tonys private engine, coming out for an occasional evening run or making an appearance at various special events double heading with the Garrats.
In 2019, we brought her when Tony decided he’d like to sell her on. Since we’ve owned her, shes visited a number of railways and returned to Wells for the 40th Anniversary gala, where we also had her official naming ceremony. And had a 10 year overhaul.
For those interested in the tender lettering and the name, the Tender lettering “W.W.E.R” stands for wibbly wobbly engineered railway, as Tony use to race motorbikes under a team name of Wibbly wobbly engineered.
The Name “Norfolk Pioneer”, was chosen as a mark of respect for a great man! Roy Francis, who by rights had a very colourful and varied life, but has no greater legacy than his Wells and Wallingsham Light Railway!
Pioneer is by far our most powerful steam locomotive.
