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Our purpose is to study and celebrate the life and works of Sir Nigel Gresley in particular, and the works and achievements of the London & North Eastern Railway in general. As a charity we have a remit to educate, and this we do through a programme of meetings and talks, and by erecting memorials of various kinds at appropriate places.
We own and operate the oldest extant Gresley locomotive in the world, Great Northern Railway class N2 No. 1744. It acts as a flag-bearer for the Society on many heritage railways.
We were first set up as an unincorporated society in 1963, but in 1998 we established a company limited by guarantee, number 3852084, and we obtained charitable status, as Registered Charity number 1081581. We currently have around 500 members.
We invite you to explore this website, and to join us if you can, to support our work.
In 2026, under the strapline “A Legacy of Innovation, Speed and Elegance”, the Gresley Society is planning a year-long celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of the legendary railway engineer on 19th June 1876. The Society, in collaboration with Doncaster City Council and other partner railway organisations, will host a series of events to commemorate his extraordinary impact that continues to endure.
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Latest news
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Name of new railway training centre is revealed after public vote
Network Rail is delighted to announce that Doncaster’s new railway training centre will be named The Gresley Institute – following a public vote, held in partnership with City of Doncaster Council, which attracted over 3,500 responses.
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Nationwide appeal to find Sir Nigel Gresley’s voice recording
Doncaster, UK – 12 October 2025: The Gresley Society Trust is today announcing a nationwide appeal to uncover any existing recordings of the voice of the renowned railway engineer Sir Nigel Gresley, as part of the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of his birth in 2026.
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Sir Nigel Gresley’s oldest locomotive passes steam test
Doncaster, UK – 21 September 2025: The Gresley Society is delighted to announce that Gresley class N2 GNR No.1744 successful completed its steam test at the workshops of the North Norfolk Railway in mid-August 2025. In addition, The N2 Overhaul Completion Club has raised over £30,000 to-date.
Meetings & Events
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Gresley 150th anniversay symposium and dinner
20 June 2026 10:00am
The Mansion House, Doncaster
We are delighted to invite you to a special symposium and gala dinner to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sir Nigel Gresley’s birth, honouring his remarkable life, achievements, and enduring legacy. This milestone event promises to be a memorable occasion for the Gresley Society and its members.
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AGM 2025
29 November 2025 1:30pm
The Danum Gallery, Library and Art Museum Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BZ
The Annual General Meeting will commence at 13:30hrs and afterwards there will be a talk entitled ‘The Journey Matters’ – Dundee to King’s Cross, via Edinburgh on ‘The Coronation’ – by renowned author and broadcaster Jonathan Glancey illustrated with a presentation by Ian MacCabe.
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The Gresley Society on tour
4 October 2025 10:00am
Locomotion, Shildon
The Society with have a presence at a number of events over the coming months. The next event will be the Shildon Rail 200 Event Model Railway Exhibition at Locomotion on 4th/5th October 2025.