PLANS to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Mallard’s world record breaking exploits this weekend are on track as the final historic engine steamed in to Shildon.
The A4 class engine Sir Nigel Gresley travelled along the track today (Thursday, February 13) to take its place in The Great Goodbye display.
The former LNER engine usually carries passengers on the North York Moors Railway.
Only six A4s remain and the Sir Nigel Gresley is the final one to arrive at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon.
They have been brought together to mark the 75th anniversary of Mallard becoming the world’s fastest steam engine with a speed of 125.88mph on July 3 1938.
Anthony Coulls, senior curator of railway vehicles, said: “This engine is the last bit of the jigsaw.
“It’s the end of a lot of preparation but the beginning of the most fantastic event that the museum has ever staged.
“This will be nine days of the engines being together at Shildon and we’re expecting a high number of visitors.”
Mallard and Sir Nigel Gresley are on show with fellow A4s Dwight D Eisenhower, Union of South Africa, Dominion of Canada and Bittern.
The Great Goodbye runs between Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 23 with doors open from 9.30am to 5pm between and free entry.
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