On this day, 3 July 1938, LNER class A4 No. 4468 Mallard, with Driver Joseph Duddington and Fireman Thomas Bray, achieved a world speed record for steam traction that still stands today.

Descending Stoke Bank in Lincolnshire, Mallard reached an officially recorded speed of 126 mph – a pinnacle of British engineering excellence and a testament to the genius of Sir Nigel Gresley’s design.

To this day, Mallard remains the fastest steam locomotive in the world. Her achievement continues to inspire railway enthusiasts, engineers, and historians around the world.

The Gresley Society is proud to celebrate this landmark in locomotive history and the enduring legacy of Sir Nigel Gresley’s work in his 150th anniversary year – a legacy of innovation, speed and elegance.

If you’re near York, why not visit Mallard at the National Railway Museum?