The N7 is on long term loan to the North Norfolk Railway from the East Anglian Railway museum at Chappel. Like the B12 and J15, the N7 is the last remaining loco of its class. Built by the London and North Eastern Railway in 1924, it was originally numbered 999E. In total 134 N7s were built, and replaced the J69 and G4 classes on suburban commuter trains out of London Liverpool Street. Over 100 of the class were shedded in and around London in 1950, the remaining members were scattered throughout East Anglia. Norwich had an allocation of four in 1950.

69621 was withdrawn from BR in the early 1960s and was purchased by Dr. Fred Youell. It moved to the East Anglian Railway Museum in 1973, but work wasn't to started on restoring the N7 to steam until 1981. The loco returned to steam in 1989, and spent the next ten years visiting many preserved railways including; Severn Valley, East-Lancs, Swanage, Nene Valley and North Norfolk. In 1991 the N7 also visited Stratford (where 69621 was build and shedded) to mark the closure of the works.

69621 re-entered into service after its second general heavy overhaul in September 2005. The loco has become the third GER designed loco at work on the NNR, completing the railway's Great Eastern "Steam Dream".

Photo: Benjamin Boggis