Mallard
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Mallard is the world's fastest steam engine, holding a speed record of 126 mp/h. He is a very popular exhibit at the National Railway Museum and is very well looked after.
Mallard was built on March 3rd, 1938, at Doncaster, where Gordon, Flying Scotsman, Spencer, and Green Arrow were built. On July the 3rd of that year, while undergoing tests, he established a world speed record of 126 mp/h.
After the decline of steam, Mallard was immediately preserved and put on display at the Museum of British Transport in Clapham, London. In 1975 he was taken to the National Railway Museum, where he remained until 1986, when he was overhauled and taken onto the main line. In 1988, the 50th anniversary of his record, he was retired and put back on display.
It was announced in March 2010 that Mallard was to be moved to Locomotion, the National Railway Museum in Shildon, on June 23rd, 2010. He was pulled by the brand new steam locomotive Tornado; his departure from the museum was a result of the planned redevelopment of the NRM's Great Hall, which was recently cancelled due to unsuccessful funding.
Mallard returned to York in July 2011. He was due to travel to the DB Museum in Nuremberg, Germany for a speed exhibition later in the year, but the event was cancelled. Mallard was one of the engines at Railfest in June 2012.
Mallard will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of his world speed record in 2013, with arrangements already underway. As well as Mallard receiving a new coat of LNER Garter Blue, his two transatlantic A4 siblings, No. 60008 Dwight D. Eisenhower and No. 60010 Dominion of Canada have both been shipped back to the United Kingdom to take part in the anniversary. Also attending the event are fellow siblings No. 60009 Union of South Africa, No. 60019 Bittern, and No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.
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Basis
Mallard is a LNER A4 4-6-2. Spencer is also a member of this class.
Livery
Mallard is currently painted in the LNER's garter blue with red wheels and steel rims. In BR service, Mallard wore BR Brunswick Green and, for a brief period in August 2012, was painted in Wartime Black.
Appearances
Railway Series
Gallery
| National Railway Museum |
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| City of Truro • Flying Scotsman • Green Arrow • Mallard • Duchess of Hamilton • Iron Duke • Stephenson's Rocket • Boxhill |
