- Class: B4
- Wheels: 0-4-0T
- Built: 1893
- Numbers Carried: 96, E96, 96, 30096
- Last Overhaul Completed: 1996
- Last Operational: 6 July 2006
- Current Status: Static display, overhaul to commence in 2024
- Owned By: B4 Loco Group, part of The Bulleid Society
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A deceptively powerful shunting locomotive, it spent most of its working days at Southampton Docks. After disposal by BR it was used, again at Southampton, shunting a private wharf, from where it was purchased by members of the Bulleid Society who later moved their stock to the Bluebell.
Remaining out of use for many years, only after it received an overhaul was it realised just how useful an engine it was. ‘Normandy’ has been called “the reason we don’t need a diesel”, and has put in sterling service on our works trains for the construction of the northwards extension. When its ten-year boiler certificate expired in 1995 it was given a very rapid overhaul to put it straight back into service.
For years it was used most weeks for our Monday and Thursday shunts, the only regular steam shunting turn in the country. It is not suited to high speed, and was only rarely to be found on passenger trains.
With the end of its boiler certificate in July 2006, it now awaits an overhaul, for which the owners have been gathering funds. To cover the interim, 08 and 09 diesels have been used alongside other suitable steam locomotives. The forthcoming overhaul is to take place in “Atlantic House” at Sheffield Park.
