Sustaining the legacy
Tornado moved for the first time 18 years ago today. The 50th Peppercorn class A1 was completed in Darlington after almost 18 years of work and at a cost of over £3m. Tornado was the first new main line steam locomotive to be competed in Britain for over 50 years and has gone on to become one of the UK’s most famous steam locomotives, appearing on BBC Top Gear and in Paddington 2.
For move information about Tornado click here.
Doncaster, UK – 17 July 2026: The Gresley Society, founded in 1963 to honour the life and works of Sir Nigel Gresley, is delighted to announce the return to traffic of Gresley class N2 No. 1744, Sir Nigel Gresley’s oldest surviving locomotive, on the North Norfolk Railway. The official launch and rededication ceremony took place today at Sheringham Station, marking the successful completion of an extensive eight year overhaul.
No. 1744 is the sole remaining class N2 and the only surviving Gresley tank engine. The Great Northern Railway (GNR) class N2 is an 0-6-2T side tank steam locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as a development of the Ivatt class N1 and introduced in 1920. Sixty locomotives were built for the GNR between 1920 and 1921, and these were followed by forty-seven Group Standard class N2s between 1925 and 1929 from Doncaster Works and outside contractors.
The class N2s were designed for suburban passenger operations, and worked most of the duties out of King’s Cross and Moorgate, hauling Quad-Art sets of eight articulated suburban coaches. They also hauled some empty coaching stock trains between King’s Cross and Ferme Park carriage sidings and class were a common sight in and around Glasgow and Edinburgh operating suburban services.
No. 1744 was built in the 1920-21 batch of 50 class N2s by the North British Locomotive Co. in Glasgow for the GNR and spent almost all of its working life at King’s Cross shed before moving to New England shed at Peterborough in May 1962, shortly before its withdrawal in September 1962. Renumbered to No. 4744 and later No. 9523 by the LNER and to No. 69523 by British Railways, it was saved for preservation by the Gresley Society in 1963. No. 1744 is also a film star, having played the part of ‘The Scotch Flyer’ in the film The Railway Children.
The locomotive was withdrawn from service in late 2018. The overhaul, which has cost approaching £800,000, included significant mechanical and boiler work and was conducted by initially by Northern Steam Engineering in Stockton-on-Tees and completed at the North Norfolk Railway at Weybourne. Key elements comprised new driving wheel and pony truck tyres, new front boiler ring and tubeplates, new firebox wrapper sections, and the manufacture of new superheater tubes. It now returns to service in its distinctive Great Northern Railway green livery during Sir Nigel Gresley’s 150th anniversary year and is the only working locomotive from the GNR.
The event programme included a special viewing at the NNR workshops in Weybourne, followed by a rededication ceremony at Sheringham Station. Guests had the opportunity to travel behind No. 1744 on special trains to Holt using the sole-surviving Quad-Art set of carriages.
After returning to traffic for this weekend’s ‘The Golden Years’ event, No. 1744 is scheduled to rejoin the North Norfolk Railway’s historic fleet, hauling services along the line which runs from Sheringham to Holt. The locomotive is also due to appear at some of the popular heritage line’s special events including the ‘Festival on Rails’ on 22-31 August and ‘Steam Back to the Forties’ on 19-20 September.
Philip Benham MBE, Chairman of The Gresley Society, commented: “We are delighted to see No. 1744 back in steam, fulfilling the vision of our founders to preserve a working Gresley locomotive for the benefit and education of current and future generations. This has been a much more complex overhaul than we at first envisaged, possibly the most extensive the locomotive has ever had, and of course more expensive! But now this magnificent tank engine, resplendent in GNR green, will once again haul trains on the North Norfolk Railway, including the unique Quad-Art carriages. We remain deeply grateful to all the contractors who have worked on the locomotive, but especially to the North Norfolk Railway for their generous support that has been so critical to ensuring completion of the overhaul.”
Graham Hukins, General Manager of the North Norfolk Railway, added: “It is a privilege for the NNR to host the return to traffic of this historic Gresley locomotive. No. 1744 is a wonderful addition to our fleet, and we look forward to operating it for visitors and enthusiasts alike in the coming years.”
Keith Ashford’s Appointment as Locomotive Manager
The Gresley Society is also pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Ashford C.Eng MIMechE as Locomotive Manager for Gresley class N2 No. 1744. A Chartered Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Keith brings over 50 years’ experience with the North Norfolk Railway, where he served as Chief Mechanical Engineer for seven years until his retirement in April 2026. He has been actively involved in the mechanical restoration and operation of preserved steam locomotives, including significant work on the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society’s fleet, of which he is a volunteer Trustee Director and Chief Mechanical Engineer. Keith will oversee the ongoing care, maintenance, and operation of No. 1744, ensuring the locomotive continues to operate safely and reliably for the benefit of visitors and enthusiasts on the North Norfolk Railway.
The N2 Overhaul Completion Club
The N2 Overhaul Completion Club has raised almost £60,000 towards the final £100,000 target, with strong ongoing support. The club offers attractive benefits for those contributing £1,000 each (payable in up to eight instalments). The North Norfolk Railway has generously funded the completion of the work, to be reimbursed through operational use of the locomotive.
Details of how to join The N2 Overhaul Completion Club are available at www.gresley.org.
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?
A small team (including Tony Wright of Little Bytham himself!) is looking to raise enough cash to purchase Little Bytham Ticket Office into Community ownership.
Time is of the essence as the building is being auctioned in less that a month…
For more information click here.
The Gresley Society was honoured to be joined for the commemorations by Sir Nigel Gresley’s grandson Ben Godfrey, his wife Tina and their daughter Nina Britten. Here Ben and Nina are shown holding the model presented to Sir Nigel at the naming of No. 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley in November 1937 with No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley at Doncaster ‘Plant’ Works on 19 June 2026 and at York station following the earlier naming of LNER Azuma No. 801228 Gresley 150 at Doncaster station.
Doncaster, UK – 19 June 2026: The Gresley Society is delighted to confirm that every surviving and new-build Gresley-designed locomotive in operational condition, under overhaul, in build or on public display is carrying a specially commissioned ‘Gresley 150 Anniversary’ headboard today, Friday 19 June 2026.
The Gresley Society was founded in 1963 to honour the life and works of Sir Nigel Gresley CBE (19 June 1876 – 5 April 1941), one of Britain’s greatest locomotive engineers and Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER). Amongst his many achievements, he designed class A3 No. 4472/60103 Flying Scotsman (the world’s most famous steam locomotive) and No. 4468/60022 Mallard (holder of the world speed record for steam locomotives since 1938).
The following locomotives are proudly displaying the headboards, faithfully replicating the elegant pre-World War II LNER style with Gill Sans lettering:
In addition, both No.1 Green Goddess and No.2 Northern Chief on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway in Kent are wearing a smaller version of the ‘Gresley 150 Anniversary’ headboards. These 15in gauge locomotive are effectively one-third scale versions of Gresley class A1 ‘Pacifics’ and Sir Nigel Gresley visited the line on several occasions.
The Severn Valley Railway is also joining the celebrations and has produced 14 commemorative destination boards in Garter Blue with Gill Sans white letters for its seven Gresley-designed carriages which will be in traffic on the anniversary, currently the longest set of LNER carriages in the country. These will remain on the vehicles for up to five years.
This truly international celebration highlights the global reach of Sir Nigel Gresley’s engineering legacy, with headboards being displayed not only across the United Kingdom but also on locomotives preserved in Canada (Dominion of Canada), the United States (Dwight D. Eisenhower), and the Netherlands (Diana).
Both No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and No. 60103 Flying Scotsman are on display, wearing their commemorative ‘Gresley 150 Anniversary’ headboards, at the Doncaster Site Celebration Event organised by Wabtec UK and City of Doncaster Council at the Doncaster ‘Plant’ Works on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June 2026.
Model versions of the headboard, produced to the same high standards by Fox Transfers, have also been produced in O, OO, TT120 and N scales and are available to purchase via the Gresley Society website (www.gresley.org). The Gresley Society encourages modellers across all scales to fit the headboards to their models and share photographs of Gresley locomotives on social media using the hashtag #Gresley150. Posts are invited on the Society’s official channels (@TheGresleySociety on Facebook, @gresleysociety on Instagram, and @GresleySociety on X) to create a national digital gallery celebrating the occasion.
Philip Benham MBE, Chairman of The Gresley Society, commented:
“On Friday 19 June we mark 150 years since the birth of Sir Nigel Gresley. It is tremendously fitting that all the surviving and new-build Gresley locomotives will carry these specially designed anniversary headboards in authentic LNER style. We look forward to seeing the photographs from custodians and operators, as well as the many wonderful images from modellers and enthusiasts using #Gresley150.”
There are wider celebrations to mark the anniversary, too. The modern-day LNER is unveiling a newly named train dedicated to the life and influence of Sir Nigel Gresley which will soon travel the length of the East Coast Main Line, carrying thousands of customers a year.
The 150th anniversary celebrations continue on Saturday 20 June 2026 with a symposium and 1930s-themed gala dinner at the Mansion House in Doncaster, forming a highlight of the year-long programme under the strapline “A Legacy of Innovation, Speed and Elegance”.
The Gresley Society is please to announce a permanent display on the life and work of Sir Nigel Gresley in the Rail Heritage Centre at the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum.
Featuring photographs and artefacts associated with Sir Nigel Gresley, the exhibition will be periodically updated to reflect appropriate anniversaries.
The Danum Gallery, Library and Museum open Monday to Saturday 10:00hrs to 17:00hrs (16:00hrs on Saturdays) and is located at Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BZ.
The Gresley Society invites you to join us in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Nigel Gresley on Friday 19 June 2026. Every surviving and new-build Gresley-designed locomotive in operational condition or on public display will carry a specially commissioned ‘Gresley 150 Anniversary’ headboard on that date. These headboards faithfully replicate the elegant pre-World War II LNER style with Gill Sans lettering.
To enable modellers to participate in this national and international celebration, we have produced high-quality model versions of the headboards in popular scales. Sample(s) of these headboards (in either OO, O, TT120 and N gauges).
We invite modellers across all scales to fit the headboards to their models and share photographs on social media using the hashtag #Gresley150. Posts are warmly welcomed on the Society’s official channels (@TheGresleySociety on Facebook, @gresleysociety on Instagram, and @GresleySociety on X) to build a digital gallery of the occasion.
The headboards are available to purchase via the Gresley Society here:
Full details, together with further information about the anniversary events, appear elsewhere on this website.
Your support in highlighting this landmark anniversary would be greatly appreciated and will help ensure Sir Nigel Gresley’s remarkable engineering legacy continues to inspire enthusiasts and modellers worldwide. Here are a few of the images so far.
A celebratory video from the Eaton Road Heritage Centre can be seen here featuring the model version of the Gresley Society’s ‘Gresley 150 Anniversary’ headboards.
Today marks the 90th birthday of pioneer class V2 No. 4771 Green Arrow. The photograph was taken on 3 June 1936 at Doncaster Works, two days after being originally shown as No. 637 and carrying a traditional curved nameplate over the centre driving wheel – something later replicated on the other seven named class V2s.
No. 4771/60800 Green Arrow was withdrawn in August 1962 from King’s Cross shed and is the sole surviving member of its class. Part of the National Collection and after many years of main line operation is now on display at the Danum Museum, Doncaster.
To find out more about the class V2s click here.
Doncaster, UK – 22 May 2026: The Gresley Society, founded in 1963 to honour the life and works of Sir Nigel Gresley, is delighted to report another significant milestone in the overhaul of Gresley class N2 No. 1744 at the North Norfolk Railway’s workshops in Weybourne. Following its successful steaming and light engine movements on Tuesday 12 May 2026, No. 1744’s boiler passed its critical Part 2 Steam Examination Test on Wednesday 20 May 2026.
The Test was carried out to the satisfaction of Andy Wright, the Nomiated Body for the boiler from BTIS. The next steps will be completion of the painting, lining and lettering of the locomotive, and any remaining final assembly work, including the fitting of the brick arch to the firebox. The Gresley Society anticipates that No. 1744 will return to service on the NNR in July 2026, resplendent in its distinctive Great Northern Railway green livery.
The overhaul of Sir Nigel Gresley’s oldest surviving locomotive, originally withdrawn from service in late 2018, has involved extensive mechanical and boiler work, with the total cost now approaching £800,000. The North Norfolk Railway generously agreed to complete the overhaul, being reimbursed through operational use of the locomotive.
The N2 Overhaul Completion Club, launched to raise the final £100,000 needed, continues to attract strong support and has now passed £56,000, with 45 subscribers. The club offers attractive benefits for those contributing £1,000 each (payable in up to eight instalments), including a signed certificate, exclusive visits to the locomotive under overhaul, priority tickets on its first trains, a limited-edition print by Matthew Cousins, and one year’s free membership of The Gresley Society.
Philip Benham MBE, Chairman of The Gresley Society, said: “Passing the steam examination test marks yet another major step forward in returning No. 1744 to traffic for the first time since 2018. With The N2 Overhaul Completion Club now well over halfway to its target, we urge LNER enthusiasts to join us so that this unique Gresley tank engine can once again haul trains – including the Midland & Great Northern Society’s Gresley Quad-Art carriages – on the North Norfolk Railway in Sir Nigel Gresley’s 150th anniversary year. We remain grateful to the North Norfolk Railway and all those supporting the project.”
Details of how to join The N2 Overhaul Completion Club are available at www.gresley.org.
Photo caption (left to right): Keith Ashford, Andy Wright and Alex Harper-Bourne in front of Gresley class N2 No. 1744 after completion of boiler examination.