Locomotive No. 1 Wroxham Broad | Bure Valley Railway

Steam Locomotive No.1 “Wroxham Broad”

Built in 1964, No.1 “Wroxham Broad” has led a fascinating life before becoming one of the best-known locomotives on the Bure Valley Railway. Originally constructed by Guest Engineering & Maintenance Ltd for Captain Hewitt, the locomotive was intended for export to the Caribbean.

When the order was cancelled partway through construction, the engine was completed as a steam-outline petrol-hydraulic and named “Tracey-Jo”, after Trevor Guest’s daughter. Since her completion, “Tracey-Jo” travelled widely, taking on a new identity at almost every turn. Her early years saw her working on a number of well-known miniature and narrow-gauge railways.

1964
1. Entered service on the Fairbourne Railway
1966
1. Returned to Guest Engineering & Maintenance Co. Ltd.
1967
1. Moved to the Dudley Zoo Railway
1970
1. Operated on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
1974
1. Rebuilt as a 2-6-2DM for Sir William McAlpine
1981 - 1983
1. Worked at the Blenheim Palace Railway and Lightwater Valley Railway
1983 - 1986
1. Based at Steamtown, Carnforth, before being purchased and rebuilt once again by B. Taylor of Shipley
1991
1. Bure Valley Railway purchased “Tracey-Jo”

No. 1's Origins & Build

In 1991, the Bure Valley Railway purchased “Tracey-Jo”, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the locomotive’s long and varied history. The following year, in 1992, she was rebuilt by Winson Engineering into a fully operational 2-6-4T steam locomotive and renamed “Wroxham Broad”, in honour of one of Norfolk’s most picturesque and well-loved stretches of water on the Broads.

Her many rebuilds and travels earned her a reputation as something of a wanderer within the world of miniature steam.

Still Hard at Work on the Railway

In 1999, ownership passed to a small group of dedicated supporters known as The No.1 Preservation Group, who continue to maintain and care for the locomotive. She remains on long-term loan to the Bure Valley Railway, where she proudly continues her working life.