Onlookers marvelled as they got a got a rare glimpse of one of the country's most historic steam engines passing through the county.

British Railways locomotive No. 76084 travelled from the National Railway Museum to the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) on Thursday, March 23.

Trainspotters were out in force at stations across the route, which included Brandon, Thetford, Wymondham, Norwich, North Walsham and Cromer.

One of those who lined the route near Brandon was 76-year-old Tony Parsfield.

He said 'I remember seeing steam trains when I was evacuated.

'I hadn't seen one for some time, so I thought it would be nice to see.

'I positioned myself on the footbridge so that I had a good front view as it came towards me.

'There were also other people of the bridge and the platforms as well.

'Shortly after the level crossing barriers went down, the smoke was visible in the distance.

'Then it came round the bend in the track and there it was and past within a few moments, but it was worth the wait and I was able to get a couple of photographs.

'There was a real mood of excitement, as it is not something you see every day.

'It bought back memories of my youth, particularly when I was evacuated to Yorkshire with my cousins.

'I think there should be more events like this and it would be good if they were used to spend more time ferrying holidaymakers around.'

He added that steam engines like No. 76084 are part of our history but said: 'It's a dying breed and sometimes younger people don't know what it's like to experience one of these going past or even getting on one.'

British Railways locomotive No. 76084 was produced at the Horwich works in 1957 and served across the country before it was scrapped in 1967.

For many years it was thought to have been left languishing in South Wales before it was bought by an enthusiast.

A 16-year restoration programme assisted by North Norfolk Railway brought it back to life in 2013.