National Railway Museum (NRM)
The National Railway Museum in York is part of the National Museum of
Science and Industry.
Neasden Works
Main works for the former Metropolitan Railway in London.
Neath & Brecon Railway
Absorbed into Great Western Railway 1 July 1922.
Neilson, Reid & Co.
Locomotive builders based at the Hyde Park Street Works in Glasgow.
Manufacturing began in 1843 and the company was merged with others to form the
North British Locomotive Company in 1903.
Nene Valley Railway
A standard gauge preserved railway in Peterborough.
Nine Elms Works
Main works for the former London South Western Railway.
Nondescript Coach
Coach prepared to first-class seating standards, but able to be
re-classified as another class. Often used on Southern Railway Boat
trains, where seating was required in different proportions of first,
second and third class, depending on the individual ship's accommodation.
Class was indicated by removable metal plates on the doors. This was
particularly useful in the case of second class, since these were the only
trains to convey this classification of passenger. q.v. Unclassified.
Normal (referring to signal or points levers)
The position of a signal or points lever when it is pushed
forward, or in the centre position, in its frame. The normal position
indicates that the signal is on, or that the points are set for the
more commonly-used route (see also reversed).
North British Locomotive Company
Former in 1903 by the merger of three Glasgow locomotive builders;
Sharp Stewart & Co, Dubs & Co and Neilson, Reid & Co. At it's peak the company had
over 8000 employees and the works covered 60 acres. The company suffered greatly from
the demise of steam and had little success with building diesels, finally closing in 1962.
North British Railway
This railway was incorporated in 1844, to run from Edinburgh to
Berwick-upon-Tweed. It later absorbed several other small lines and in 1908
merged with the West Highland Railway to become one of the most extensive
and far-reaching railways in Scotland. Its total mileage eventually reached
1241 and included routes to Mallaig, Inverness-shire; Silloth, on the
Solway Firth; and Hexham, on the Newcastle and Carlisle section of the
North-Eastern Railway. It was absorbed into the London & North
Eastern Railway at the 1923 grouping.
Archie Noble has some
more information.
North Downs Steam Railway
A former railway preservation society which was developing a green field
site near Dartford in Kent. It unfortunately closed down in December 1995
due to the extremely high level of vandalism suffered. The society has now
merged with the Spa Valley Railway.
North Eastern Railway
This was a very prosperous and efficient railway, formed in 1854 by the
merger of the York, Newcastle and Berwick; the York and North Midland;
the Leeds Northern and the Malton and Driffield. Other companies were
absorbed later, notably the Newcastle and Carlisle in 1862, and the
Stockton and Darlington in 1863. As well as forming part of the East Coast
Route from London to Edinburgh the NER included important lines around Hull
and the coastal towns of East Riding. It was also a major mineral carrier,
mainly short hauls from the collieries in Northumberland and Durham to
nearby ports. It was absorbed into London & North Eastern Railway at the
1923 grouping.
North London Railway
Worked by London North Western Railway from Dec 1908, it was eventually
absorbed into London, Midland & Scottish Railway. Its original route was
from the London North Western Railway at Camden to the West India Docks,
Blackwall. Subsequent extensions and connecting lines enabled it to cover
much of the northern and eastern suburbs of London. It also had junctions
with the LNWR, Midland, Great Northern, Great Eastern, London Tilbury and
Southend, and Great Western.
North Norfolk Railway
A standard gauge preserved railway in Norfolk.
North of England Open Air Museum
The 200 acre site at Beamish, County Durham, recreates life around the turn
of the century and includes a railway station and some very old
locomotives.
North Staffordshire Railway
This was an important and prosperous local railway in the Potteries
district, and also an important connecting link in the popular alternative
route from London to Manchester, via Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield.
It was absorbed into the London, Midland & Scottish Railway in July 1923.
North Woolwich Old Station Museum
A standard gauge railway museum in London.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
A standard gauge preserved railway in North Yorkshire.
Northampton & Lamport Steam Railway
A standard gauge preserved railway in Northampton.
Notching Up
See entry for `cut-off' for a steam engine.
For electric locomotives and multiple units notching up describes the
process of increasing the voltage on the traction motors in steps. This can
be done manually or automatically.