
The LNER Class A4 is a class of streamlined 4-6-2 steam locomotives designed by Nigel Gresley for the London and North Eastern Railway in 1935. Their streamlined design gave them high-speed capability as well as making them instantly recognisable, and one of the class, 4468 Mallard, holds the record as the world's fastest steam locomotive. Thirty-five of the class were built to haul express passenger trains on the East Coast Main Line route from London Kings Cross via York to Newcastle, and later via Newcastle to Edinburgh, Scotland. They remained in service on the East Coast Main Line until the early 1960s when they were replaced by Deltic diesel locomotives; they themselves proving to be worthy successors to the A4s. Several A4s saw out their remaining days until 1966 in Scotland, particularly on the Aberdeen – Glasgow express trains, for which they were used to improve the timing from 3.5 to 3 hours.
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Overview
Gresley introduced the Class A4 locomotives in 1935 to haul streamlined Silver Jubilee trains between London King's Cross and Newcastle. The service was named in celebration of the 25th year of King George V's reign.
During a visit to Germany in 1933, Gresley had been inspired by high-speed streamlined Flying Hamburger diesel trains. The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) had considered purchasing similar trains for use from London to Newcastle but the diesel units of the time did not have sufficient passenger carrying capacity and the capital investment in the new technology was prohibitive.
Gresley was sure that steam could do equally well with a decent fare-paying load behind the locomotive. Following trials in 1935 in which one of his A3 Pacifics, No. 2750 Papyrus, recorded a new maximum of 108 mph (173.8 km/h) and completed the journey in under four hours, the LNER's Chief General Manager Ralph Wedgwood authorised Gresley to produce a streamlined development of the A3. Initially four locomotives were built, all with the word 'silver' in their names. The first was 2509 Silver Link, followed by 2510 Quicksilver, 2511 Silver King and 2512 Silver Fox. During a press run to publicise the service, Silver Link twice achieved a speed of 112.5 mph (181.1 km/h), breaking the British speed record and sustained an average of 100 mph (160.9 km/h), over a distance of 43 miles (69.2 km).
Following the commercial success of the Silver Jubilee train, other streamlined services were introduced: The Coronation (London-Edinburgh, July 1937) and the West Riding Limited (Bradford & Leeds-London & return, November 1937) for which more A4s were built.
Design
The A4 Pacifics were designed for high-speed passenger services. The application of internal streamlining to the steam circuit, higher boiler pressure and the extension of the firebox to form a combustion chamber all contributed to a more efficient locomotive than the A3; consumption of coal and water were reduced. A further design improvement was fitting a Kylchap double-chimney, first on No. 4468 Mallard in March 1938. The double-chimney improved the capability of the locomotives further, and the last three locomotives of the class (4901 Capercaillie, 4902 Seagull and 4903 Peregrine) were fitted with the Kylchap exhaust from new and the rest of the class acquired it in the late 1950s.

The class was noted for its streamlined design, which not only improved its aerodynamics, increasing its speed capabilities, but also created an updraught to lift smoke away from the driver's line of vision, a problem inherent in many steam locomotives particularly those operated with short cut off valve events; fitting smoke deflectors was an alternative solution.: 56 The distinctive design made it a particularly attractive subject for artists, photographers and film-makers. The A4 Class locomotives were known by trainspotters as "streaks".
The streamlining side skirts (valances) designed by Oliver Bulleid to aerofoil shape that were fitted to all the A4 locomotives, were removed during the Second World War to improve access to the valve gear for maintenance and were not replaced. This apart, the A4 was one of few streamlined steam locomotive designs in the world to retain its casing throughout its existence. Many similar designs, including the contemporary Coronation Class, had their streamlining removed or cancelled to cut costs, simplify maintenance and increase driver visibility.
World record

On 3 July 1938, 4468 Mallard - the first of the class to enter service with the Kylchap exhaust - pulling six coaches and a dynamometer car, set a world speed record (indicated by the dynamometer) of 126 mph (202.8 km/h). Gresley never accepted it as the record-breaking maximum. He claimed this speed could only have been attained over a few yards, though he was comfortable that the German speed record of 124.5 mph (200.4 km/h) had been surpassed. Close analysis of the dynamometer roll (currently at the NRM) of the record run confirms that Mallard's speed did in fact exceed that of the German BR 05 002.: 64 The Mallard record reached its maximum speed on a downhill run and failed technically in due course, whereas 05 002's journey was on level grade and the engine did not yet seem to be at its limit. On the other hand, the German train was four coaches long (197 tons), but Mallard's train had seven coaches (240 tons). One fact, often ignored when considering rival claims, is that Gresley and the LNER had just one serious attempt at the record, which was far from a perfect run with a 15 mph permanent way check just north of Grantham; despite this a record was set.: 125 Gresley planned another attempt in September 1939, but was prevented by the outbreak of World War II.: 126 Prior to the record run on 3 July 1938, it was calculated that 130 mph (210 km/h) was possible; Driver Duddington and LNER Inspector Sid Jenkins both said they might well have achieved this figure had they not had to slow for the Essendine junctions.: 125
At the end of Mallard's record run, the middle big end (part of the motion for the inside cylinder) ran hot (indicated by the bursting of a heat-sensitive "stink bomb" placed in the bearing for warning purposes), the bearing metal had melted and the locomotive had to stop at Peterborough rather than continue to London.: 103, 126 Deficiencies in the alignment of the Gresley-Holcroft derived motion meant that the inside cylinder of the A4 did more work at high speed than the two outside cylinders – on at least one occasion this led to the middle big end wearing to such an extent that the increased piston travel knocked the ends off the middle cylinder – and this overloading was mostly responsible for the failure.[citation needed]
Performance in service
No other British steam locomotives have a longer or more consistent record of high speed running than the A4s. Instances of 100 mph running by them must exceed those of all other types combined, though 90 mph running was a relatively rare event with steam traction, much less 100 mph. It should also be remembered that A4s operated on the East Coast Main Line which has more opportunities for high speed running (particularly Stoke Bank) than any other in the UK.

In August 1936, the Silver Jubilee train on the descent of Stoke Bank headed by No. 2512 Silver Fox driven by George Henry Haygreen achieved a maximum of 113 mph (181.9 km/h), then the highest speed attained in Britain with an ordinary passenger train. The fastest recorded post-war speed with British steam was also recorded by an A4. This occurred on 23 May 1959 on the Stephenson Locomotive Society Golden Jubilee special when No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley achieved 112 mph when hauling 400 tons down Stoke Bank. The driver, Bill Hoole, had hoped for an attempt to beat Mallard's record, but Alan Pegler, who was on the footplate and mindful of the risks, told him to ease off.: 90–92
Although A4s were primarily designed for high speed express work they were also capable of high power outputs. In 1940, 4901 Capercaillie exerted 2,200 drawbar horsepower on the straight and level track north of York when hauling 21 coaches (730 tons gross) at an average of 75.9 mph for 25 miles.: 153 On W.A. Tuplin's method for grading steam locomotive performance based on both power output and duration of effort, this was the highest value ever achieved by any British locomotive, at Grade 26.
The highest recorded power output from an A4 was 2,450 drawbar horsepower when Mallard herself was hauling 11 coaches (390 tons tare, 415 tons gross) up Stoke Bank at a sustained 80 mph in 1963. O. S. Nock thought this performance superior to Mallard's world record run in 1938. An A4 with the same load on a "good run" would be doing about 50 to 60 mph at the summit of Stoke Bank. On a run on 8 September 1961 Mallard had its train travelling at 78 mph.
Post-war history

Although newer Pacifics had been introduced since the war and the streamlined trains were never reinstated, the A4s continued on top link duties, notably on the London to Edinburgh services.
Even after the war was over, the A4s still continued to perform non-stop services. In August 1948, No. 60028 Walter K. Whigham managed to perform a non-stop service run from King's Cross to Edinburgh, setting the record for distance travelled for 408.65 miles. It would hold this record until No. 4472 Flying Scotsman's visit to Australia in 1988.
Improved methods of aligning the Gresley conjugated valve gear in the 1950s led to tighter tolerances for the bearings used within it and, consequently, to almost total eradication of the overloading of the middle cylinder.[citation needed] History repeated itself with the inside big end being replaced by one of the Great Western type, after which there was no more trouble, provided that maintenance routines were respected.
The wholesale application of double Kylchap chimneys to the entire class was entirely due to the persistence of P.N. Townend, the Assistant Motive Power Superintendent at London King's Cross from 1956. He, at first, met with considerable resistance from higher authority. When permission was eventually given, it was found that the economy obtained over the single chimney A4s was from six to seven pounds of coal per mile, which more than justified the expense of the conversion.
These improvements led to greatly increased availability.
Locomotive data
Original LNER number | Final LNER number | BR number | Doncaster Works number | Original name (rename(s)) | Entered service | Withdrawn | Notes |
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2509 | 14 | 60014 | 1818 | Silver Link | 7 September 1935 | 29 December 1962 | |
2510 | 15 | 60015 | 1819 | Quicksilver | 21 September 1935 | 25 April 1963 | |
2511 | 16 | 60016 | 1821 | Silver King | 5 November 1935 | 19 March 1965 | |
2512 | 17 | 60017 | 1823 | Silver Fox | 18 December 1935 | 20 October 1963 | |
4482 | 23 | 60023 | 1847 | Golden Eagle | 22 December 1936 | 30 October 1964 | |
4483 (585) | 24 | 60024 | 1848 | Kingfisher | 26 December 1936 | 5 September 1966 | |
4484 (586) | 25 | 60025 | 1849 | Falcon | 23 January 1937 | 20 October 1963 | |
4485 (587) | 26 | 60026 | 1850 | Kestrel (Miles Beevor from November 1947) | 20 February 1937 | 21 December 1965 | |
4486 (588) | 27 | 60027 | 1851 | Merlin | 13 March 1937 | 3 September 1965 | |
4487 | 28 | 60028 | 1852 | Sea Eagle ( from October 1947) | 20 March 1937 | 29 December 1962 | |
4488 | 9 | 60009 | 1853 | Union of South Africa (Osprey, its originally allocated name, during 1980s–90s due to opposition to apartheid) | 29 June 1937 | 1 June 1966 | Preserved |
4489 | 10 | 60010 | 1854 | Woodcock (Dominion of Canada from June 1937) | 4 May 1937 | 29 May 1965 | Preserved |
4490 | 11 | 60011 | 1855 | Empire of India | 25 June 1937 | 11 May 1964 | |
4491 | 12 | 60012 | 1856 | Commonwealth of Australia | 22 June 1937 | 20 August 1964 | |
4492 | 13 | 60013 | 1857 | Dominion of New Zealand | 27 June 1937 | 18 April 1963 | |
4493 | 29 | 60029 | 1858 | Woodcock | 26 July 1937 | 20 October 1963 | |
4494 | 3 | 60003 | 1859 | Osprey (Andrew K. McCosh from October 1942) | 12 August 1937 | 29 December 1962 | |
4495 | 30 | 60030 | 1860 | Great Snipe (Golden Fleece from September 1937) | 30 August 1937 | 29 December 1962 | |
4496 | 8 | 60008 | 1861 | (Dwight D. Eisenhower from September 1945) | 4 September 1937 | 20 July 1963 | Preserved |
4497 | 31 | 60031 | 1862 | Golden Plover | 2 October 1937 | 29 October 1965 | |
4498 | 7 | 60007 | 1863 | Sir Nigel Gresley | 30 October 1937 | 1 February 1966 | Preserved |
4462 | 4 | 60004 | 1864 | Great Snipe (William Whitelaw from July 1941) | 10 December 1937 | 17 July 1966 | |
4463 | 18 | 60018 | 1865 | Sparrow Hawk | 27 November 1937 | 19 June 1963 | |
4464 | 19 | 60019 | 1866 | Bittern | 18 December 1937 | 5 September 1966 | Preserved |
4465 | 20 | 60020 | 1867 | Guillemot | 8 January 1938 | 20 March 1964 | |
(605) | 6 | 60006 | 1868 | Herring Gull (Sir Ralph Wedgwood from January 1944) | 26 January 1938 | 3 September 1965 | |
4467 | 21 | 60021 | 1869 | Wild Swan | 19 February 1938 | 20 October 1963 | |
4468 | 22 | 60022 | 1870 | Mallard | 3 March 1938 | 25 April 1963 | Currently holds the world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph (203 km/h), preserved |
4469 | – | – | 1871 | Gadwall (Sir Ralph Wedgwood from March 1939) | March 1938 | 6 June 1942 | Damaged beyond repair by bomb on 29 April 1942. |
4499 | 2 | 60002 | 1872 | Pochard (Sir Murrough Wilson from April 1939) | 12 April 1938 | 4 May 1964 | |
4500 | 1 | 60001 | 1873 | Garganey ( from March 1939) | 26 April 1938 | 12 October 1964 | |
4900 | 32 | 60032 | 1874 | Gannet | 17 May 1938 | 20 October 1963 | |
4901 | 5 | 60005 | 1875 | Capercaillie ( from September 1942) (Sir Charles Newton from June 1943) | 8 June 1938 | 12 March 1964 | |
4902 | 33 | 60033 | 1876 | Seagull | 28 June 1938 | 29 December 1962 | |
4903 | 34 | 60034 | 1877 | Peregrine (Lord Faringdon from March 1948) | 1 July 1938 | 24 August 1966 |
The first four locomotives included the word 'silver' in their names because they were intended to haul the Silver Jubilee train. 2512 Silver Fox of this batch carried a stainless-steel fox near the centre of the streamline casing on each side, made by the Sheffield steelmakers Samuel Fox and Company.: 120 The next batch of A4s were named after birds, particularly those that were fast flyers, Gresley being a keen bird-watcher. Five (4488–92) were named after British Empire countries to haul the new Anglo-Scottish Coronation train; and two (4495/6), intended to haul the new West Riding Limited, received names connected to the wool trade: Golden Fleece and Golden Shuttle.

4498 was the hundredth Gresley Pacific to be built and was named after him. Subsequently, some other A4s were later renamed, usually to names of directors of the LNER.
Withdrawal
One locomotive was withdrawn and scrapped after being damaged beyond repair in a German bombing raid on York on 29 April 1942 during World War II; this was No. 4469 Sir Ralph Wedgwood, which at the time had been overhauled and was based at Gateshead. It was running local trains to run it in and was stabled in York North Shed (now the National Railway Museum) where it suffered a direct hit; however, its tender survived and was later coupled to a Thompson A2/1.
The next five withdrawals, in December 1962, were: 60003 Andrew K. McCosh, 60014 Silver Link, 60028 Walter K. Whigham, 60030 Golden Fleece and 60033 Seagull. The rest of the class was withdrawn between 1963 and 1966. The last six in service were: 60004 William Whitelaw, 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, 60009 Union of South Africa, 60019 Bittern, 60024 Kingfisher and 60034 Lord Faringdon. 60019 and 60024 were the last to be withdrawn in September 1966.
Year | Quantity in service at start of year | Quantity withdrawn | Locomotive numbers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1942 | 35 | 1 | 4469 | Destroyed by bomb. |
1962 | 34 | 5 | 60003/14/28/30/33 | |
1963 | 29 | 10 | 60008/13/15/17/18/21/22/25/29/32 | 60008/22 preserved. |
1964 | 19 | 7 | 60001/02/05/11/12/20/23 | |
1965 | 12 | 6 | 60006/10/16/26/27/31 | 60010 preserved. |
1966 | 6 | 6 | 60004/07/09/19/24/34 | 60007/09/19 preserved. |
Preservation
Six of the locomotives have been preserved; three of them were assigned to sheds in Scotland after the closure of King's Cross shed (34A) to steam in 1964.[citation needed] Four A4s are in the UK and have run on the BR main lines at some point during their preservation career. Another two (Dominion of Canada and Dwight D. Eisenhower) were donated to the Canada and the US, respectively, upon withdrawal by British Railways. Both North American-based A4s, along with the other three British-based A4s were moved to the National Railway Museum, York, in late 2012 on three-year loans as part of the NRM's 2013 celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Mallard breaking the world speed record for steam, bringing all six preserved A4s together. During 2013, 4464 'Bittern' underwent a series of high-speed runs, partly in commemoration of Mallard's record, partly to see if mainline speeds for certain heritage steam locomotives could be increased (The current maximum is 75 mph.). During the "Tyne Tees Streak" run, Bittern broke its own 91 mph speed record set just a few months prior by reaching a maximum speed of 93 mph (149.7 km/h).
From 2015 to 2020, Union of South Africa was the only A4 operational with a valid mainline certificate until it expired in 2020; 60007 was withdrawn for overhaul on 20 September 2015 and 4464 operated until the end of 2015 at the Watercress Line when it was withdrawn and placed on static display in 2018 at Crewe. Union of South Africa was withdrawn in October 2021 due to boiler issues and with the coming expiration of its boiler certificate in early 2022. Sir Nigel Gresley returned to the mainline on 21 April 2022 and worked its inaugural railtour on 21 May 2022 following the completion of its major overhaul. As of 2023, 5 of 6 surviving A4's are on static display, the only working one being 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley. 60019 is planned to be moved from Margate to North Yorkshire for a mainline standard overhaul in 2024.
Loco numbers in bold mean their current number.
Image | Numbers | Name | Built | Withdrawn | Service life | Home base | Current livery | Corridor tender | Owner | Condition | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Original LNER number | LNER 1946 | BR number | |||||||||||
![]() | 4464 | 19 | 60019 | Bittern | Dec 1937 | Sept 1966 | 28 years, 8 months | Crewe LNWR | LNER Garter Blue | Yes | Jeremy Hosking [citation needed] | Static Display | Last to be withdrawn alongside 60024 Kingfisher. Currently in LNER Garter Blue livery and static display at the former Hornby factory in Margate, Kent. Planned to be moved to North Yorkshire for overhaul in 2024. |
![]() | 4468 | 22 | 60022 | Mallard | Mar 1938 | Apr 1963 | 25 years, 1 month | National Railway Museum | LNER Garter Blue | No | National Collection | Static display | First to enter preservation. Was operational between 1986 and 1988. |
![]() | 4488 | 9 | 60009 | Union of South Africa (Osprey 1988–1990) | June 1937 | June 1966 | 28 years, 11 months | Thornton Yard | BR Brunswick Green, late crest | Yes | John Cameron[citation needed] | Static display | Withdrawn from service on 5 October 2021 due to boiler issues and boiler ticket expiry in early 2022. Due to controversial and political issues in South Africa in the 1980s involving racial apartheid the engine was renamed to Osprey. It returned to its original name in the 1990s. |
![]() | 4489 | 10 | 60010 | Dominion of Canada (originally Woodcock until June 1937) | May 1937 | May 1965 | 28 years | Canadian Railway Museum | LNER Garter Blue | Yes | Canadian Railway Museum | Static display in Canada. | Originally planned to be named Buzzard, but was changed to Woodcock and then changed to Dominion of Canada. The name Woodcock was given to engine No. 4493. |
![]() | 4496 | 8 | 60008 | Dwight D. Eisenhower (originally until September 1945) | Sept 1937 | Jul 1963 | 25 years, 10 months | National Railroad Museum | BR Brunswick Green, late crest | No | National Railroad Museum | Static display in the USA. | Originally planned to be named Sparrow Hawk but was named Golden Shuttle instead and was eventually renamed to Dwight D Eisenhower. The name Sparrow Hawk was used for engine No. 4463. |
![]() | 4498 | 7 | 60007 | Sir Nigel Gresley | Oct 1937 | Feb 1966 | 28 years, 3 months | Locomotive Services Ltd. Crewe depot | BR Express Passenger Blue, early emblem | Yes | Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust | Operational, Boiler Ticket Expires: 2032. | Moved to the Severn Valley Railway for test running and appeared at the April Spring Steam Gala. Worked Inaugural mainline railtour on 21 May 2022. |
Models
One of the first two Hornby Dublo locomotive models produced, in 1938, was an A4. In 1999 a 'Super Detail' Hornby A4 was released,[citation needed] later complemented by a budget 'Railroad' model[citation needed] Hornby also produced an 'OO'-scale live steam version in September 2003, that used an electrically heated boiler to produce steam – not previously possible in such a small model. Trix produced an 'OO' scale model A4 from 1970; it was re-branded as a Liliput model in 1974 and survives to this day in modified form as a Bachmann model – Kader, Bachmann's parent company, had bought Liliput in 1993. In September 2004, Hornby unveiled retooled OO gauge models of the A4 in LNER blue, LNER black and BR green.
During the 1980s, Minitrix produced British N gauge models of Mallard, both as 4468 in LNER blue and 60022 in BR green, and 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley in LNER blue. From the 1990s, Graham Farish produced British N gauge models of the A4. In 2012, Dapol introduced a British N gauge model of 60017 Silver Fox in BR green.
References
- Fox, Peter; Hall, Peter; Pritchard, Robert (2007). Preserved Locomotives of British Railways (Twelfth ed.). Platform 5, Sheffield. ISBN 978-1-902336-57-2.
- Marsden, Richard. "The Gresley A4 Pacifics". LNER Encyclopedia. Winwaed Software Technology LLC. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- Hughes, Geoffrey (2001). Sir Nigel Gresley: The Engineer and his Family. The Oakwood Press. pp. 128–129. ISBN 0-85361-579-9.
- Nock, O.S. (1945). The Locomotives of Sir Nigel Gresley. London: The Railway Publishing Co. p. 129.
- Allen, Cecil J. Locomotive Practice & Performance.
- Robertson, Kevin (2007). The Leader Project: Fiasco or Triumph?. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 978-0-86093-606-0.
- Hughes, Geoffrey (2001). Sir Nigel Gresley: The Engineer and his Family. The Oakwood Press. p. 147. ISBN 0-85361-579-9.
- Semmens, P. Speed on the East Coast Mainline.
- "Fastest Steam Locomotive". www.germansteam.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 April 2006.
- Boddy, M.G.; Neve, E.; Yeadon, W.B. (April 1973). Fry, E.V. (ed.). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 2A: Tender Engines – Classes A1 to A10. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-25-8.
- Allen, CJ. Two Million Miles of Train Travel. ISBN 0-7110-0298-3.
- Nelson, R. Locomotive Performance. p. 12.
- Jones, Robin (2013). Mallard 75. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group Ltd. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-909128-15-6.
- Tuplin, W.A; Allen, George. British Steam since 1900. Unwin / Pan Books.[page needed]
- Nock, O.S. (1985). British Locomotives of the 20th Century vol 3: 1960–the present day. London: Guild Publishing/Book Club Associates. pp. 89–91. CN9613.
- Farr, Keith (July 2013). Pigott, Nick (ed.). "Practice & Performance: New Light on ... Mallard the Magnificent". The Railway Magazine. Vol. 159, no. 1347. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. pp. 16–17. ISSN 0033-8923.
- Marsden, Richard. "The Gresley A4 Pacifics". LNER Encyclopedia. Winwaed Software Technology LLC. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- Scott, Ron; Reed, Brian (1971). "Gresley A4s". Loco Profile. No. 19. Berks UK: Profile Publications. p. 166.
- Rogers, Col. H.C.B. (1979). Thompson & Peppercorn Locomotive Engineers. London UK: Ian Allan. p. 52. ISBN 0-7110-0910-4.
- Ian Allan (1946). The ABC of L.N.E.R. Locomotives (Renumbering ed.).
- "Union of South Africa locomotive to steam into Shildon". BBC. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- Boddy, Neve & Yeadon 1973, fold-out sheet inside rear cover.
- Boddy, M.G.; Fry, E.V.; Hennigan, W.; Proud, P.; Yeadon, W.B. (July 1963). Fry, E.V. (ed.). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 1: Preliminary Survey. Potters Bar: RCTS. p. 52.
- "BBC News – Mallard 'sister locomotives' arrive at Liverpool docks". bbc.co.uk. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
- "Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust Members Tour (Crewe - Carlisle)". RailAdvent. 12 May 2022.
- "Steam locomotive 60019 Bittern set for overhaul in North Yorkshire". RailAdvent. 9 June 2023.
- "History is made as A4 locos reunite at York". York Mix. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- "60010 Dominion of Canada (LNER 4489, LNER 591, LNER 10 & BR 60010)". Preserved British Steam Locomotives. WordPress.com. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- "60008 Dwight D Eisenhower (LNER 4496, LNER 598, LNER 8 & BR 60008)". Preserved British Steam Locomotives. WordPress.com. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust (13 November 2024). "News".
- Holden, Michael (24 January 2023). "Steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley unveiled in blue livery". RailAdvent. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- "LNER 4-6-2 'Sir Nigel Gresley' Class A4". Hornby Railways. Archived from the original on 1 February 2010.
- Ramsay, John; Hammond, Pat (2002) [1998]. King, John (ed.). Ramsay's British Model Trains Catalogue (3rd ed.). Felixstowe: Swapmeet Publications. pp. 298, 302, 33. ISBN 0-9528352-7-4.
- "Hornby's new A4 and Gresley coaches unveiled at the NRM". British Railway Modelling. Vol. 12, no. 8. Bourne: Warners Group Publications. November 2004. p. 36. ISSN 0968-0764. OCLC 1135061879.
- Jones, Ben (May 2012). "Dapol 'A4' 4-6-2". Model Rail. No. 169. Peterborough: Bauer. pp. 18–21. ISSN 1369-5118. OCLC 173324502.
Further reading
- Leigh, Chris (Spring 1998). "Gresley's renowned record-breakers!". Model Rail. No. 2. Peterborough: EMAP Apex. pp. 22–32. ISSN 1369-5118. OCLC 173324502.
External links

- LNER Encyclopedia Page covering the history and development of the LNER A4 Pacifics
- Detailed list of the names, numbers and production dates of LNER A4 locomotives
- Class A4 Details at Rail UK
- Screenshots from Elizabethan Express
- Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust
Video links
- 1935, Demonstration run of Silver Jubilee to Grantham
- 1944, Retirement of driver Duddington
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The LNER Class A4 is a class of streamlined 4 6 2 steam locomotives designed by Nigel Gresley for the London and North Eastern Railway in 1935 Their streamlined design gave them high speed capability as well as making them instantly recognisable and one of the class 4468 Mallard holds the record as the world s fastest steam locomotive Thirty five of the class were built to haul express passenger trains on the East Coast Main Line route from London Kings Cross via York to Newcastle and later via Newcastle to Edinburgh Scotland They remained in service on the East Coast Main Line until the early 1960s when they were replaced by Deltic diesel locomotives they themselves proving to be worthy successors to the A4s Several A4s saw out their remaining days until 1966 in Scotland particularly on the Aberdeen Glasgow express trains for which they were used to improve the timing from 3 5 to 3 hours LNER Class A460009 Union of South Africa in 1951Type and originPower typeSteamDesignerNigel GresleyBuilderLNER Doncaster WorksBuild date1935 1938Total produced35SpecificationsConfiguration Whyte4 6 2 UIC2 C1 h3Gauge4 ft 8 1 2 in 1 435 mm standard gaugeLeading dia 3 ft 2 in 0 965 m Driver dia 6 ft 8 in 2 032 m Trailing dia 3 ft 8 in 1 118 m Length71 ft 3 8 in 21 650 m Inc Tender Width9 ft 0 in 2 743 m Height13 ft 1 in 3 988 m Loco weight102 long tons 19 cwt 230 600 lb or 104 6 t Total weight167 long tons 2 cwt 374 300 lb or 169 8 t Fuel typeCoalFuel capacity8 long tons 0 cwt 17 900 lb or 8 1 t Water cap 5 000 imp gal 23 000 L 6 000 US gal Boiler pressure250 psi 1 72 MPa CylindersThreeCylinder size18 5 in 26 in 470 mm 660 mm Valve gearOutside WalschaertsInside Gresley conjugatedLoco brakeVacuumTrain brakesVacuum 60007 60009 amp 60019 have been fitted with air brakesPerformance figuresMaximum speed90 mph 140 km h in regular service 126 4 mph 203 4 km h maximum recorded Tractive effort35 455 lbf 157 71 kN CareerOperatorsLondon and North Eastern Railway British RailwaysClassA4Power classBR 8P6FNumber in class35NumbersLNER until 1946 47 2509 2512 4462 4469 4482 4500 4900 4903 LNER from 1946 47 1 34 not in order BR 60001 60034Nicknames Streak LocaleEast Coast Main LineWithdrawn1942 1 1962 1966Preserved4488 4489 4464 4496 4498 4468DispositionSix preserved remainder scrapped OverviewGresley introduced the Class A4 locomotives in 1935 to haul streamlined Silver Jubilee trains between London King s Cross and Newcastle The service was named in celebration of the 25th year of King George V s reign During a visit to Germany in 1933 Gresley had been inspired by high speed streamlined Flying Hamburger diesel trains The London and North Eastern Railway LNER had considered purchasing similar trains for use from London to Newcastle but the diesel units of the time did not have sufficient passenger carrying capacity and the capital investment in the new technology was prohibitive Gresley was sure that steam could do equally well with a decent fare paying load behind the locomotive Following trials in 1935 in which one of his A3 Pacifics No 2750 Papyrus recorded a new maximum of 108 mph 173 8 km h and completed the journey in under four hours the LNER s Chief General Manager Ralph Wedgwood authorised Gresley to produce a streamlined development of the A3 Initially four locomotives were built all with the word silver in their names The first was 2509 Silver Link followed by 2510 Quicksilver 2511 Silver King and 2512 Silver Fox During a press run to publicise the service Silver Link twice achieved a speed of 112 5 mph 181 1 km h breaking the British speed record and sustained an average of 100 mph 160 9 km h over a distance of 43 miles 69 2 km Following the commercial success of the Silver Jubilee train other streamlined services were introduced The Coronation London Edinburgh July 1937 and the West Riding Limited Bradford amp Leeds London amp return November 1937 for which more A4s were built DesignThe A4 Pacifics were designed for high speed passenger services The application of internal streamlining to the steam circuit higher boiler pressure and the extension of the firebox to form a combustion chamber all contributed to a more efficient locomotive than the A3 consumption of coal and water were reduced A further design improvement was fitting a Kylchap double chimney first on No 4468 Mallard in March 1938 The double chimney improved the capability of the locomotives further and the last three locomotives of the class 4901 Capercaillie 4902 Seagull and 4903 Peregrine were fitted with the Kylchap exhaust from new and the rest of the class acquired it in the late 1950s An unidentified A4 showing their original appearance with streamlined skirts covering the wheels The class was noted for its streamlined design which not only improved its aerodynamics increasing its speed capabilities but also created an updraught to lift smoke away from the driver s line of vision a problem inherent in many steam locomotives particularly those operated with short cut off valve events fitting smoke deflectors was an alternative solution 56 The distinctive design made it a particularly attractive subject for artists photographers and film makers The A4 Class locomotives were known by trainspotters as streaks The streamlining side skirts valances designed by Oliver Bulleid to aerofoil shape that were fitted to all the A4 locomotives were removed during the Second World War to improve access to the valve gear for maintenance and were not replaced This apart the A4 was one of few streamlined steam locomotive designs in the world to retain its casing throughout its existence Many similar designs including the contemporary Coronation Class had their streamlining removed or cancelled to cut costs simplify maintenance and increase driver visibility World recordPlaque on Mallard in commemoration of breaking the previous world speed record of 124 5 mph On 3 July 1938 4468 Mallard the first of the class to enter service with the Kylchap exhaust pulling six coaches and a dynamometer car set a world speed record indicated by the dynamometer of 126 mph 202 8 km h Gresley never accepted it as the record breaking maximum He claimed this speed could only have been attained over a few yards though he was comfortable that the German speed record of 124 5 mph 200 4 km h had been surpassed Close analysis of the dynamometer roll currently at the NRM of the record run confirms that Mallard s speed did in fact exceed that of the German BR 05 002 64 The Mallard record reached its maximum speed on a downhill run and failed technically in due course whereas 05 002 s journey was on level grade and the engine did not yet seem to be at its limit On the other hand the German train was four coaches long 197 tons but Mallard s train had seven coaches 240 tons One fact often ignored when considering rival claims is that Gresley and the LNER had just one serious attempt at the record which was far from a perfect run with a 15 mph permanent way check just north of Grantham despite this a record was set 125 Gresley planned another attempt in September 1939 but was prevented by the outbreak of World War II 126 Prior to the record run on 3 July 1938 it was calculated that 130 mph 210 km h was possible Driver Duddington and LNER Inspector Sid Jenkins both said they might well have achieved this figure had they not had to slow for the Essendine junctions 125 At the end of Mallard s record run the middle big end part of the motion for the inside cylinder ran hot indicated by the bursting of a heat sensitive stink bomb placed in the bearing for warning purposes the bearing metal had melted and the locomotive had to stop at Peterborough rather than continue to London 103 126 Deficiencies in the alignment of the Gresley Holcroft derived motion meant that the inside cylinder of the A4 did more work at high speed than the two outside cylinders on at least one occasion this led to the middle big end wearing to such an extent that the increased piston travel knocked the ends off the middle cylinder and this overloading was mostly responsible for the failure citation needed Performance in serviceNo other British steam locomotives have a longer or more consistent record of high speed running than the A4s Instances of 100 mph running by them must exceed those of all other types combined though 90 mph running was a relatively rare event with steam traction much less 100 mph It should also be remembered that A4s operated on the East Coast Main Line which has more opportunities for high speed running particularly Stoke Bank than any other in the UK George Henry Haygreen left on his retirement day with Fireman Charlie Fisher In August 1936 the Silver Jubilee train on the descent of Stoke Bank headed by No 2512 Silver Fox driven by George Henry Haygreen achieved a maximum of 113 mph 181 9 km h then the highest speed attained in Britain with an ordinary passenger train The fastest recorded post war speed with British steam was also recorded by an A4 This occurred on 23 May 1959 on the Stephenson Locomotive Society Golden Jubilee special when No 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley achieved 112 mph when hauling 400 tons down Stoke Bank The driver Bill Hoole had hoped for an attempt to beat Mallard s record but Alan Pegler who was on the footplate and mindful of the risks told him to ease off 90 92 Although A4s were primarily designed for high speed express work they were also capable of high power outputs In 1940 4901 Capercaillie exerted 2 200 drawbar horsepower on the straight and level track north of York when hauling 21 coaches 730 tons gross at an average of 75 9 mph for 25 miles 153 On W A Tuplin s method for grading steam locomotive performance based on both power output and duration of effort this was the highest value ever achieved by any British locomotive at Grade 26 The highest recorded power output from an A4 was 2 450 drawbar horsepower when Mallard herself was hauling 11 coaches 390 tons tare 415 tons gross up Stoke Bank at a sustained 80 mph in 1963 O S Nock thought this performance superior to Mallard s world record run in 1938 An A4 with the same load on a good run would be doing about 50 to 60 mph at the summit of Stoke Bank On a run on 8 September 1961 Mallard had its train travelling at 78 mph Post war historyNo 60034 Lord Faringdon hauling a train at Peterborough railway station in 1959 Although newer Pacifics had been introduced since the war and the streamlined trains were never reinstated the A4s continued on top link duties notably on the London to Edinburgh services Even after the war was over the A4s still continued to perform non stop services In August 1948 No 60028 Walter K Whigham managed to perform a non stop service run from King s Cross to Edinburgh setting the record for distance travelled for 408 65 miles It would hold this record until No 4472 Flying Scotsman s visit to Australia in 1988 Improved methods of aligning the Gresley conjugated valve gear in the 1950s led to tighter tolerances for the bearings used within it and consequently to almost total eradication of the overloading of the middle cylinder citation needed History repeated itself with the inside big end being replaced by one of the Great Western type after which there was no more trouble provided that maintenance routines were respected The wholesale application of double Kylchap chimneys to the entire class was entirely due to the persistence of P N Townend the Assistant Motive Power Superintendent at London King s Cross from 1956 He at first met with considerable resistance from higher authority When permission was eventually given it was found that the economy obtained over the single chimney A4s was from six to seven pounds of coal per mile which more than justified the expense of the conversion These improvements led to greatly increased availability Locomotive dataOriginal LNER number Final LNER number BR number Doncaster Works number Original name rename s Entered service Withdrawn Notes 2509 14 60014 1818 Silver Link 7 September 1935 29 December 1962 2510 15 60015 1819 Quicksilver 21 September 1935 25 April 1963 2511 16 60016 1821 Silver King 5 November 1935 19 March 1965 2512 17 60017 1823 Silver Fox 18 December 1935 20 October 1963 4482 23 60023 1847 Golden Eagle 22 December 1936 30 October 1964 4483 585 24 60024 1848 Kingfisher 26 December 1936 5 September 1966 4484 586 25 60025 1849 Falcon 23 January 1937 20 October 1963 4485 587 26 60026 1850 Kestrel Miles Beevor from November 1947 20 February 1937 21 December 1965 4486 588 27 60027 1851 Merlin 13 March 1937 3 September 1965 4487 28 60028 1852 Sea Eagle from October 1947 20 March 1937 29 December 1962 4488 9 60009 1853 Union of South Africa Osprey its originally allocated name during 1980s 90s due to opposition to apartheid 29 June 1937 1 June 1966 Preserved 4489 10 60010 1854 Woodcock Dominion of Canada from June 1937 4 May 1937 29 May 1965 Preserved 4490 11 60011 1855 Empire of India 25 June 1937 11 May 1964 4491 12 60012 1856 Commonwealth of Australia 22 June 1937 20 August 1964 4492 13 60013 1857 Dominion of New Zealand 27 June 1937 18 April 1963 4493 29 60029 1858 Woodcock 26 July 1937 20 October 1963 4494 3 60003 1859 Osprey Andrew K McCosh from October 1942 12 August 1937 29 December 1962 4495 30 60030 1860 Great Snipe Golden Fleece from September 1937 30 August 1937 29 December 1962 4496 8 60008 1861 Dwight D Eisenhower from September 1945 4 September 1937 20 July 1963 Preserved 4497 31 60031 1862 Golden Plover 2 October 1937 29 October 1965 4498 7 60007 1863 Sir Nigel Gresley 30 October 1937 1 February 1966 Preserved 4462 4 60004 1864 Great Snipe William Whitelaw from July 1941 10 December 1937 17 July 1966 4463 18 60018 1865 Sparrow Hawk 27 November 1937 19 June 1963 4464 19 60019 1866 Bittern 18 December 1937 5 September 1966 Preserved 4465 20 60020 1867 Guillemot 8 January 1938 20 March 1964 605 6 60006 1868 Herring Gull Sir Ralph Wedgwood from January 1944 26 January 1938 3 September 1965 4467 21 60021 1869 Wild Swan 19 February 1938 20 October 1963 4468 22 60022 1870 Mallard 3 March 1938 25 April 1963 Currently holds the world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph 203 km h preserved 4469 1871 Gadwall Sir Ralph Wedgwood from March 1939 March 1938 6 June 1942 Damaged beyond repair by bomb on 29 April 1942 4499 2 60002 1872 Pochard Sir Murrough Wilson from April 1939 12 April 1938 4 May 1964 4500 1 60001 1873 Garganey from March 1939 26 April 1938 12 October 1964 4900 32 60032 1874 Gannet 17 May 1938 20 October 1963 4901 5 60005 1875 Capercaillie from September 1942 Sir Charles Newton from June 1943 8 June 1938 12 March 1964 4902 33 60033 1876 Seagull 28 June 1938 29 December 1962 4903 34 60034 1877 Peregrine Lord Faringdon from March 1948 1 July 1938 24 August 1966 The first four locomotives included the word silver in their names because they were intended to haul the Silver Jubilee train 2512 Silver Fox of this batch carried a stainless steel fox near the centre of the streamline casing on each side made by the Sheffield steelmakers Samuel Fox and Company 120 The next batch of A4s were named after birds particularly those that were fast flyers Gresley being a keen bird watcher Five 4488 92 were named after British Empire countries to haul the new Anglo Scottish Coronation train and two 4495 6 intended to haul the new West Riding Limited received names connected to the wool trade Golden Fleece and Golden Shuttle A rare gathering of three ex LNER A4 locomotives at Grosmont North Yorkshire Moors Railway on 4 April 2008 as 60009 Union of South Africa 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and 60019 Bittern lined up at 7 30 am in preparation for service 4498 was the hundredth Gresley Pacific to be built and was named after him Subsequently some other A4s were later renamed usually to names of directors of the LNER WithdrawalOne locomotive was withdrawn and scrapped after being damaged beyond repair in a German bombing raid on York on 29 April 1942 during World War II this was No 4469 Sir Ralph Wedgwood which at the time had been overhauled and was based at Gateshead It was running local trains to run it in and was stabled in York North Shed now the National Railway Museum where it suffered a direct hit however its tender survived and was later coupled to a Thompson A2 1 The next five withdrawals in December 1962 were 60003 Andrew K McCosh 60014 Silver Link 60028 Walter K Whigham 60030 Golden Fleece and 60033 Seagull The rest of the class was withdrawn between 1963 and 1966 The last six in service were 60004 William Whitelaw 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley 60009 Union of South Africa 60019 Bittern 60024 Kingfisher and 60034 Lord Faringdon 60019 and 60024 were the last to be withdrawn in September 1966 Year Quantity in service at start of year Quantity withdrawn Locomotive numbers Notes 1942 35 1 4469 Destroyed by bomb 1962 34 5 60003 14 28 30 33 1963 29 10 60008 13 15 17 18 21 22 25 29 32 60008 22 preserved 1964 19 7 60001 02 05 11 12 20 23 1965 12 6 60006 10 16 26 27 31 60010 preserved 1966 6 6 60004 07 09 19 24 34 60007 09 19 preserved PreservationSix of the locomotives have been preserved three of them were assigned to sheds in Scotland after the closure of King s Cross shed 34A to steam in 1964 citation needed Four A4s are in the UK and have run on the BR main lines at some point during their preservation career Another two Dominion of Canada and Dwight D Eisenhower were donated to the Canada and the US respectively upon withdrawal by British Railways Both North American based A4s along with the other three British based A4s were moved to the National Railway Museum York in late 2012 on three year loans as part of the NRM s 2013 celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Mallard breaking the world speed record for steam bringing all six preserved A4s together During 2013 4464 Bittern underwent a series of high speed runs partly in commemoration of Mallard s record partly to see if mainline speeds for certain heritage steam locomotives could be increased The current maximum is 75 mph During the Tyne Tees Streak run Bittern broke its own 91 mph speed record set just a few months prior by reaching a maximum speed of 93 mph 149 7 km h From 2015 to 2020 Union of South Africa was the only A4 operational with a valid mainline certificate until it expired in 2020 60007 was withdrawn for overhaul on 20 September 2015 and 4464 operated until the end of 2015 at the Watercress Line when it was withdrawn and placed on static display in 2018 at Crewe Union of South Africa was withdrawn in October 2021 due to boiler issues and with the coming expiration of its boiler certificate in early 2022 Sir Nigel Gresley returned to the mainline on 21 April 2022 and worked its inaugural railtour on 21 May 2022 following the completion of its major overhaul As of 2023 5 of 6 surviving A4 s are on static display the only working one being 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley 60019 is planned to be moved from Margate to North Yorkshire for a mainline standard overhaul in 2024 Loco numbers in bold mean their current number Image Numbers Name Built Withdrawn Service life Home base Current livery Corridor tender Owner Condition Notes Original LNER number LNER 1946 BR number 4464 19 60019 Bittern Dec 1937 Sept 1966 28 years 8 months Crewe LNWR LNER Garter Blue Yes Jeremy Hosking citation needed Static Display Last to be withdrawn alongside 60024 Kingfisher Currently in LNER Garter Blue livery and static display at the former Hornby factory in Margate Kent Planned to be moved to North Yorkshire for overhaul in 2024 4468 22 60022 Mallard Mar 1938 Apr 1963 25 years 1 month National Railway Museum LNER Garter Blue No National Collection Static display First to enter preservation Was operational between 1986 and 1988 4488 9 60009 Union of South Africa Osprey 1988 1990 June 1937 June 1966 28 years 11 months Thornton Yard BR Brunswick Green late crest Yes John Cameron citation needed Static display Withdrawn from service on 5 October 2021 due to boiler issues and boiler ticket expiry in early 2022 Due to controversial and political issues in South Africa in the 1980s involving racial apartheid the engine was renamed to Osprey It returned to its original name in the 1990s 4489 10 60010 Dominion of Canada originally Woodcock until June 1937 May 1937 May 1965 28 years Canadian Railway Museum LNER Garter Blue Yes Canadian Railway Museum Static display in Canada Originally planned to be named Buzzard but was changed to Woodcock and then changed to Dominion of Canada The name Woodcock was given to engine No 4493 4496 8 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower originally until September 1945 Sept 1937 Jul 1963 25 years 10 months National Railroad Museum BR Brunswick Green late crest No National Railroad Museum Static display in the USA Originally planned to be named Sparrow Hawk but was named Golden Shuttle instead and was eventually renamed to Dwight D Eisenhower The name Sparrow Hawk was used for engine No 4463 4498 7 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley Oct 1937 Feb 1966 28 years 3 months Locomotive Services Ltd Crewe depot BR Express Passenger Blue early emblem Yes Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust Operational Boiler Ticket Expires 2032 Moved to the Severn Valley Railway for test running and appeared at the April Spring Steam Gala Worked Inaugural mainline railtour on 21 May 2022 ModelsOne of the first two Hornby Dublo locomotive models produced in 1938 was an A4 In 1999 a Super Detail Hornby A4 was released citation needed later complemented by a budget Railroad model citation needed Hornby also produced an OO scale live steam version in September 2003 that used an electrically heated boiler to produce steam not previously possible in such a small model Trix produced an OO scale model A4 from 1970 it was re branded as a Liliput model in 1974 and survives to this day in modified form as a Bachmann model Kader Bachmann s parent company had bought Liliput in 1993 In September 2004 Hornby unveiled retooled OO gauge models of the A4 in LNER blue LNER black and BR green During the 1980s Minitrix produced British N gauge models of Mallard both as 4468 in LNER blue and 60022 in BR green and 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley in LNER blue From the 1990s Graham Farish produced British N gauge models of the A4 In 2012 Dapol introduced a British N gauge model of 60017 Silver Fox in BR green ReferencesFox Peter Hall Peter Pritchard Robert 2007 Preserved Locomotives of British Railways Twelfth ed Platform 5 Sheffield ISBN 978 1 902336 57 2 Marsden Richard The Gresley A4 Pacifics LNER Encyclopedia Winwaed Software Technology LLC Retrieved 18 October 2020 Hughes Geoffrey 2001 Sir Nigel Gresley The Engineer and his Family The Oakwood Press pp 128 129 ISBN 0 85361 579 9 Nock O S 1945 The Locomotives of Sir Nigel Gresley London The Railway Publishing Co p 129 Allen Cecil J Locomotive Practice amp Performance Robertson Kevin 2007 The Leader Project Fiasco or Triumph Oxford Oxford Publishing Company Ltd ISBN 978 0 86093 606 0 Hughes Geoffrey 2001 Sir Nigel Gresley The Engineer and his Family The Oakwood Press p 147 ISBN 0 85361 579 9 Semmens P Speed on the East Coast Mainline Fastest Steam Locomotive www germansteam co uk Archived from the original on 20 April 2006 Boddy M G Neve E Yeadon W B April 1973 Fry E V ed Locomotives of the L N E R part 2A Tender Engines Classes A1 to A10 Kenilworth RCTS ISBN 0 901115 25 8 Allen CJ Two Million Miles of Train Travel ISBN 0 7110 0298 3 Nelson R Locomotive Performance p 12 Jones Robin 2013 Mallard 75 Horncastle Mortons Media Group Ltd p 54 ISBN 978 1 909128 15 6 Tuplin W A Allen George British Steam since 1900 Unwin Pan Books page needed Nock O S 1985 British Locomotives of the 20th Century vol 3 1960 the present day London Guild Publishing Book Club Associates pp 89 91 CN9613 Farr Keith July 2013 Pigott Nick ed Practice amp Performance New Light on Mallard the Magnificent The Railway Magazine Vol 159 no 1347 Horncastle Mortons Media Group pp 16 17 ISSN 0033 8923 Marsden Richard The Gresley A4 Pacifics LNER Encyclopedia Winwaed Software Technology LLC Retrieved 28 October 2020 Scott Ron Reed Brian 1971 Gresley A4s Loco Profile No 19 Berks UK Profile Publications p 166 Rogers Col H C B 1979 Thompson amp Peppercorn Locomotive Engineers London UK Ian Allan p 52 ISBN 0 7110 0910 4 Ian Allan 1946 The ABC of L N E R Locomotives Renumbering ed Union of South Africa locomotive to steam into Shildon BBC 19 October 2012 Retrieved 31 January 2017 Boddy Neve amp Yeadon 1973 fold out sheet inside rear cover Boddy M G Fry E V Hennigan W Proud P Yeadon W B July 1963 Fry E V ed Locomotives of the L N E R part 1 Preliminary Survey Potters Bar RCTS p 52 BBC News Mallard sister locomotives arrive at Liverpool docks bbc co uk 3 October 2012 Retrieved 25 February 2013 Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust Members Tour Crewe Carlisle RailAdvent 12 May 2022 Steam locomotive 60019 Bittern set for overhaul in North Yorkshire RailAdvent 9 June 2023 History is made as A4 locos reunite at York York Mix 3 July 2013 Retrieved 3 July 2013 60010 Dominion of Canada LNER 4489 LNER 591 LNER 10 amp BR 60010 Preserved British Steam Locomotives WordPress com 6 July 2017 Retrieved 28 October 2020 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower LNER 4496 LNER 598 LNER 8 amp BR 60008 Preserved British Steam Locomotives WordPress com 6 July 2017 Retrieved 5 November 2020 Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust 13 November 2024 News Holden Michael 24 January 2023 Steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley unveiled in blue livery RailAdvent Retrieved 4 August 2023 LNER 4 6 2 Sir Nigel Gresley Class A4 Hornby Railways Archived from the original on 1 February 2010 Ramsay John Hammond Pat 2002 1998 King John ed Ramsay s British Model Trains Catalogue 3rd ed Felixstowe Swapmeet Publications pp 298 302 33 ISBN 0 9528352 7 4 Hornby s new A4 and Gresley coaches unveiled at the NRM British Railway Modelling Vol 12 no 8 Bourne Warners Group Publications November 2004 p 36 ISSN 0968 0764 OCLC 1135061879 Jones Ben May 2012 Dapol A4 4 6 2 Model Rail No 169 Peterborough Bauer pp 18 21 ISSN 1369 5118 OCLC 173324502 Further readingLeigh Chris Spring 1998 Gresley s renowned record breakers Model Rail No 2 Peterborough EMAP Apex pp 22 32 ISSN 1369 5118 OCLC 173324502 External linksWikimedia Commons has media related to LNER Class A4 LNER Encyclopedia Page covering the history and development of the LNER A4 Pacifics Detailed list of the names numbers and production dates of LNER A4 locomotives Class A4 Details at Rail UK Screenshots from Elizabethan Express Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive TrustVideo links1935 Demonstration run of Silver Jubilee to Grantham 1944 Retirement of driver Duddington