Loco double act on show outside rail museum

History was made in York yesterday when two of the world's most famous steam locomotives appeared outside the National Railway Museum.

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Jun 2010, 21:54 BST

Updated 22nd Jun 2010, 21:55 BST

The engines Mallard and Tornado were in the museum's car park ready to travel on together today to Locomotion, the NRM'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 July 3 1938.

Tornado, the new 3m Peppercorn class A1 Pacific steam locomotive, was built over almost 20 years by the A1

Steam Locomotive Trust in Darlington.

NRM director Steve Davies said fitting in with mainline operating schedules meant it was not immediately clear exactly when Mallard would leave and who would be around when it did, hence the display in the car park."

The museum will be open for visitors to use the toilets leading up to the pair's departure.