Doncaster, UK – 29 November 2025: The Gresley Society Trust, founded in 1963 to honour the life and works of Sir Nigel Gresley, today formally loaned the nameplate from Gresley Class A3 No. 2555 Centenary to Doncaster’s Danum Gallery, Library and Museum. The handover took place during the Society’s Annual General Meeting and was presented to Councillor Tim Needham, the City of Doncaster’s Civic Mayor, to mark the start of Sir Nigel Gresley 150th Anniversary Celebrations. Renowned for designing famous steam locomotives such as Flying Scotsman, Cock O’ The North, and Mallard, Sir Nigel Gresley’s legacy of innovation, speed, and elegance continues to inspire railway enthusiasts worldwide.
This significant artefact, carefully preserved by the Society, commemorates a key moment in railway history. No. 2555 Centenary was completed at Doncaster Works for the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) in February 1925; its naming celebrated the centenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway that year. During its 38 years of service, Centenary hauled express passenger trains on the East Coast Main Line and was allocated to a variety of sheds including Doncaster, Grantham and King’s Cross before its withdrawal on 13 May 1963, having covered 1,867,962 miles. Tragically scrapped at Doncaster Works thereafter, it joins the fate of all but one Gresley class A3 – the world-famous No. 4472 Flying Scotsman, now preserved as part of the National Collection and operational on the Network Rail main line and heritage railways.
The nameplate entered the Society’s care through the bequest of the late Stuart Nichols, a longstanding member from North London, upon his passing in 2016. Mr Nichols’s generosity ensures this piece of Doncaster’s proud railway legacy endures for public appreciation.
Philip Benham MBE, FCILT, Chairman of The Gresley Society Trust, said:
“This loan precedes our major celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Sir Nigel Gresley’s birth in 2026. By placing the Centenary nameplate in the Danum Gallery’s Rail Heritage Centre, we honour Doncasters pivotal role in Gresley’s designs and invite visitors to connect with our shared past.”
The Danum Gallery, Library and Museum welcomes the addition to its collections, enhancing displays on local railway heritage.
This loan is part of a broader programme of celebrations, including a Symposium and Gala Dinner on 20 June 2026 at the Mansion House, Doncaster, an exhibition at the Danum Gallery, a new plaque unveiling at Doncaster station, and a Gresley-focused theme at The Festival of British Railway Modelling on 7-8 February 2026. The Trust also continues its work preserving Gresley’s legacy through the ownership of Gresley class N2 No. 1744 and Buffet Lounge Car No. 1852, with ongoing restoration efforts supported by Heritage Fund applications.
No. 2555 Centenary was completed at Doncaster Works in February 1925; its naming celebrated the centenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway that year. The locomotive, originally a class A1 and later rebuilt to class A3 specification with long-travel valves fitted in March 1927 and a higher-pressure boiler in August 1944, served express passenger duties on the East Coast Main Line. It was converted to left-hand drive in February 1954, fitted with a Kylchap double blastpipe & chimney in July 1959 and German-style smoke deflectors in August 1961. It carried a GN-style tender throughout its life. No. 2555 was renumbered to No. 56 in July 1946 and to British Railways No. 60056 in May 1949. During its 38 years of service, Centenary carried LNER apple green, LNER black, BR express passenger blue and BR green liveries. It was allocated to a variety of sheds including Doncaster, Grantham and King’s Cross before its withdrawal on 13 May 1963, having covered 1,867,962 miles and was tragically scrapped at Doncaster Works thereafter.
