Mallard makes tracks to say goodbye

The star of the collection at the National Railway Museum in York was hauled by sister Class 4 locomotive Union of South Africa for the last reunion of the six surviving locomotives in their class in Shildon, County Durham, as part of the Mallard 75 project.

Tens of thousands of people have seen the locomotives during celebrations of the Doncaster-built locomotive setting the record with a 126mph run on Stoke Bank on July 3 1938.

Only six of the 35 A4 locomotives built survive in the world.

Dwight D Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada have travelled from their home museums in Canada and the United States for the celebrations. Both will return home later this year.

All six will be on display at Shildon from February 15-23.

Visitors will be able to see them for free although a number of other events linked to the celebrations are sold out.

Sir Nigel Gresley, Bittern and Union of South Africa will be in light steam and there will also be a chance to climb on the footplate.

A celebratory dinner will also give enthusiasts a very last opportunity to view all six together without crowds.

It will also include a preview extract of Steamsong, a multimedia opera by John Kefala-Kerr inspired by Mallard and the story of the A4s including live vocal and instrumental performance blended with the unique sounds of chime whistles and footage from the British Transport Film archive. Tickets for the event on February 21 are priced £70.

Dominion of Canada, Dwight D Eisenhower, Bittern and Britain’s newest steam locomotive 
Tornado will be on show this weekend February 8-9 at the Barrow Hill Roundhouse, near Chesterfield.