The National Railway Museum (NRM) has today announced that No.4468 Mallard will be leaving the York Museum in June. On 23 June 2010, record-breaking Mallard will be pulled by Tornado from the NRM site to Locomotion, the National Railway Museum’s sister Museum in Shildon, County Durham.
Mallard is one of the most well known steam locomotives in the world - famous for breaking the world speed record for steam traction by reaching a speed of 126mph on 3 July 1938. The new £3m Peppercorn class A1 pacific steam locomotive was built over almost 20 years by The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust in Darlington. Frequently headlined in the press and on TV, 60163 Tornado was the subject of a BBC documentary ‘Absolutely Chuffed: The Men Who Built a Steam Engine’ and starred in an episode of ‘Top Gear’.
Steve Davies, Director of the NRM, said: “Mallard has always been a favourite with our visitors since it first featured on the Museum floor in 1975 – but now we think its time to share one of the jewels in our crown with our sister Museum, Locomotion. Both Museums are very excited by the move – especially as Mallard will be pulled to Locomotion by Tornado. It’ll be quite a sight to see two of the most of famous locomotives in the world heading up the East Coast Main Line together.”
Mallard at York with the "Scarborough Spa Express" in 1986 - Ian McDonald
Cllr Eunice Huntington, a Durham City Council representative on Locomotion’s board, said: “I am delighted that Locomotion is going to be home to Mallard for the foreseeable future. Mallard is one of the most famous locomotives in the world and it is a great opportunity for visitors to Locomotion to see it."
The London & North Eastern Railway steam locomotive will be given the send off it deserves when in May Half Term 2010, the NRM in York puts on a range of festivities to wish Mallard a fond farewell. The space currently occupied by the mighty blue Mallard will be taken by South Eastern & Chatham Railway steam locomotive, No.737 and Pullman Car Company First Class carriage, Topaz.
Steve added: “We haven’t decided when Mallard will return to York, but in the meantime we’re sure that our visitors will enjoy No.737’s elaborate livery and the luxurious look of Topaz.”
Museum visitors will be able to witness Tornado and Mallard leaving the NRM site on the 23 June 2010 - full details will be announced nearer the time. Keep an eye on www.nrm.org.uk for more details coming soon.