doncaster railfest 1998

doncaster, south yorkshire

The Railfest was held as a celebration of the 60th anniversary for the world speed record for steam traction at 126mph by the Gresley A4 Pacific Mallard. It was also the Open Day for Doncaster Works, although no longer held in the historic Works itself, but in the new freight terminal. Mallard was brought out of the National Railway Museum at York for the occasion, and was kept company by sister A4 Sir Nigel Gresley and by Peppercorn A2 Pacific Blue Peter. Mallard does not have a boiler certificate at present, so could not be steamed, but Sir Nigel Gresley and Blue Peter were in steam, though static, and their whistles were much in use by the hordes of footplate visitors!

For more details, please visit The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotion Preservation Trust Ltd or National Railway Museum Home Page