Dominion of Canada

This Gresley designed A4 Pacific locomotive was built at Doncaster works during May 1937. Originally named ‘Woodcock’, it was renamed ‘Dominion of Canada in June the same year. For the unveiling of the new name a Canadian Pacific Railroad whistle and bell were fitted
Working life stopped for Dominion of Canada after it was withdrawn in May 1965, then condemned and put for sale as scrap. Fortunately British Rail then forgot about this locomotive and it sat rusting quietly until Darlington depot closed in March the following year. Instead of being scrapped, ‘Dominion of Canada’ was appropriately gifted to the Canadian Railroad Historic Association who shipped her over to The Canadian Railway Museum, Quebec.
Until, that is, The National Railway Museum decided to reunite all six surviving Gresley A4 Pacifics for the ‘Mallard 75’ event to mark the 75th anniversary of ‘Dominion’s…’ classmate ‘Mallard’. On return to the UK in 2012 (along with ‘Dwight D. Eisenhower from the US), a massive cosmetic restoration was carried out: repainting in garter blue, refitting the bell and (a replacement) whistle plus many other necessary tasks. Finally, in 2013, all six Gresley A4s were put on display at The National Railway Museum, York. The three still working locomotives then toured the country before all six were united on 15th February this year at ‘Locomotion’, the NRM site at Shildon. I visited there today and took this shot. Due to the Polar vortex currently plaguing North America has put the timetabled repatriation of ‘Dominion…’ and ‘Dwight…’ back and they will be at ‘Locomotion’ for another six weeks.
Any unintentional factual errors in this write-up are entirely my fault!