Search is on for crews who powered Mallard through golden age of steam

The National Railway Museum, in York, is looking for the engine’s former drivers and firemen as part of its celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Doncaster-built engine breaking the world steam speed record.

Yesterday, former Mallard driver and fireman, Bernard Bell, 89, of York, was at the museum to appeal for other drivers, firemen and inspectors on Mallard to get in touch.

He said: “I started on the railways as a 16-year-old in 1939, I’ve worked on diesel but there’s nothing like steam and the Gresley locos were the best of them all. As many of us aren’t as young as we used to be, it makes sense to get in touch with the railway museum as I did.”

The museum wants to capture their experiences and is hoping to arrange a drivers’ day in October as part of its Mallard 75 series of events. Although several members of the crews that worked on the footplates of Mallard and her sister locos are already in touch with the museum, the hunt is on to track down those who can tell the tale of the steam era.

Bob Gwynne, the museum’s associate curator said the museum was also interested in hearing from the crew that worked on the locomotive in 1988, when it celebrated 50 years since Mallard raced into the record books.

Preparations for the July 3 anniversary of Mallard breaking the record are falling into place. For details of all the 75th anniversary plans and events, which include a ‘Great Gathering’ of Mallard and its sisters, visit the website: nrm.org.uk/mallard75.

Crew wanting to get in touch with the museum can call 08448 153139 or email [email protected].

On July 3 1938, Mallard was recorded as reaching the speed of 126mph on the East Coast Main Line.