Steam train speed record

Today is 75 yrs since the Steam Engine Mallard broke the speed record for a steam train clocking 126mph.

There are only 6 A4 Pacific engines left and only 3 in running order. All six have been put on display together for two weeks at the National Railway Museum in York - two have been shipped over from America.

The engines were designed by Sir Nigel Gresley - who this one is named after. It is often to be seen running up and down the North Yorkshire Moors Railway track. The photo was taken last June when it was used to bring the Olympic torch from Whitby to Pickering.

My son grew up loving steam trains and we even managed a trip on the Mallard in the 1980s just after it had been restored - not sure if it runs now.

I'm not a train buff or a enthusiast but I love the shape and colour of these type of engines - I will certainly be trying to sneak some time off work to pop across to the NRM to try and get a photo or two of them all.