A TRAIN enthusiast has used his skill as an artist to create a special painting to mark the 75th anniversary of the Mallard becoming a record breaker.

Artist Eric Thompson spent many hours as a youngster watching engines, including the A4 class Mallard, which became the world’s fastest steam engine in 1938, pass through the region.

His lifelong affection for the iconic locomotives has led him to produce a painting featuring all six of the remaining historic engines.

Mr Thompson, of Middlestone Moor, near to Spennymoor, said: “I decided to create the painting as I have being interested in steam engines since I was a child.

“I loved the trains as I was growing up. I saw Mallard and Bittern as quite a few of the A4s used to pass through Shildon, where I grew up.”

Mr Thompson, who has painted previously Mallard, spent hours photographing the six A4 engines at the National Railway Museum, in York.

He sketched an image of the engines as he thought they would look lined up outside of Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon. He then took three days to paint the image.

The painting measures 23 inches by 17 inches and it is on show at Mr Thompson’s Bondgate Gallery, in Bishop Auckland.

Mr Thompson’s father George Thompson and several of his uncles also have links with the railways as they worked at the former Shildon Wagon Works.

While as a youngster Mr Thompson travelled to Darlington Railway Station and to Aycliffe village so that he could view the engines.

Sarah Towers, Locomotion’s marketing and communications officer, said: “The A4s do inspire people.

“We’ve noticed that people have a lot of affection for them. We’ve had enquiries from across the world about them.”

Mr Thompson plans to create a series of small prints of his painting to sell. Details can be obtained from 01388-665919 or online at ukwatercolours.com/