Come back on Tuesday next week for our next episode, when Bob explores the intriguing interior of the dynamometer car that recorded Mallard's top-speed run.
As a young boy in 1963 i was train spotting on Worksop station, the Mallard arrived and i got talking to the driver and fireman, i had the privilege to ride with them in the cab to Retford station, i will always remember that day. Wonderful memory's.
Could have been my Great Grandfather. He was a tall stocky Nottinghamshire man who drove the Mallard around that time. Probably in his fifties by then he died in 1970 aged about 65.
My father took me to an abandoned railyard near where he once lived in Indiana: as a child i was shocked at the scale of everything but i had never seen a roundhouse with a turntable before just trains on urban tracks zooming back and forth, first one direction then the other, wafting the smell of creosote. But i must admit to a older affection for street cars like in Christchurch City Square around that poor old Cathedral; being little like the streamlined Mallard.
Just had an argument with husband about the fastest steam train. I said Mallard and he said, "I don't know what it's called, but it was a really weird looking steam train. "Yes, Mallard", says I. He wouldn't have it. And here we are... A truly fascinating exploration of an amazing machine. We are going to visit her and the other museums this year as a result. I am old enough to have seen her in her working days. Thank you for this wistful trip down memory lane. Delightful.
My great grandfather, a Clarence Fletcher drove the Mallard and the Flying Scotsman's. Whilst I have never really been into trains, its quite amazing to think he would have sat in that chair and drove this train 60+ years ago. He was from a village near Retford, Nottinghamshire and left to work on the Railway at Doncaster. By all accounts he loved the railway and being a driver was his dream. I think he used to drive down to London too. He died in 1970, a decade before I was born so never met him. His son, my grandfather died on the Mallard Ward in Doncaster Hospital 2 years ago. My middle child is currently obsessed with trains and quite proud that her great great grandfather was a train driver. I am hoping to take her to visit the Mallard sometime but we live in South Wales now, a long way away.
The "thumb print" is quite ingenious. Many other locomotives required smoke deflectors to direct the smoke upwards, but those caused additional drag. The A4 is coming close to an ideal streamlined shape so many of today's trains have a similarly shaped front end.
Beautiful machine. Our indian semi high speed train vande bharat with electric traction is struggling to touch 160 kmph in 2023 , the mallard did 126 mph 70 yrs back. Enough said.
It's just a fantastically beautiful loco. Such a shame it can't operate on the tracks, just imagine standing on a platform and having this roar past ...
Mallard may be on static display but some of her A4 sisters do still operate. A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley just completed overhaul and is expected to return to the main line early next year
Hello. I greet you from Argentina. It is very interesting to see how the railway equipment that has made history is preserved and preserved in your country. I had the opportunity to visit your museum and it is a wonderful work. I congratulate each of the people who work there preserving the history of the most important vehicle of culture that the world had: the railroad. As I do not speak or write your language, I have used Google Translate to send this comment.
My parents went to the NRM in either 1996 or 1998 (can't remember exactly), and Mum has since had a soft spot for the A4 class, even keeping a good 'roster shot' of Mallard in a photo album. I've also got a Hornby model of Mallard in garter blue.
This guy has my dream job. He knows a lot of special secrets and stories about everything in the museum...and you've given him a camera to show and tell all of us! Really enjoyed this video, I learned something new and love hearing about unique locomotives and their unique histories. Cheers!
Mallard is pretty much my favourite steam train of the lot. It has a beautiful design with a gorgeous livery and an interesting history and a grand achievement to its name.
Mallard is such a beautiful locomotive! please please tell me she’ll be restored to running condition someday again please? I know that she would require a heavy overhaul and a Lot money but it would be so worth it!
What's lovely is when your visit you can actually touch the engine. Don't ask me why but you just *have* to touch it. There is something about these that is more than just a machine. No, I'm not a train fanatic, but these engines have a presence that's hard to describe.
This is my favourite train EVER. I love the thumb print tale, I wonder who's thumb it was? And did they know and fess up ?Can't wait to get up to York for a visit very soon now, weather is warming up. I can't wait ❤🚂🚃🚄🚅🚆🚇🚈🚉🚊🚝 Choo Choo
I saw mallard coming into Grantham a few years back. Not under its own steam but kinda amazing seeing it come back to where it crashed years ago. Went to the exhibit outside the station and got to stand in the engine. It is an absolute beauty
Added a day to my stay in York in 2018 to see the Museum. Of course Mallard was among the highlights. I was in England for only 2 weeks but it was worthwhile.
Sir Nigel Gresley is said to have named the locomotive after the ducks in the moat of his house, Salisbury Hall, London Colney, Hertfordshire, where he lived in the 1930s. In October 1939, the house was used by the de Havilland Aircraft Company to design the DH.98 Mosquito in secret. The first prototype (W4050) flew from there in November 1940.
My grandad would have passed that going the other way. He was born in 1900 and started with the railways at 14 ish, ended up as a driver based in York, went up to Edinbrough? and maybe as far south as Grantham. Mum said he shoveled 5 tons of coal each shift as a fireman. They started as cleaner, progressed to fireman then driver. He died at the age of 48. He even got his train machine gunned by the germans.
Spencer's twin brother. It's a shame they never showed him in the Thomas and Friends model or CGI series. Would've loved to see him and Spencer racing side-by-side or interacting with the other engines, especially Gordon and the Flying Scotsman.
The driver was 61?! That's as notable as the record. Alco in the US apparently licensed the Gresley 3-cylinder concept and built a number of engines with it. The shops really hated it and it ended up causing a lot of trouble, so most of them were eventually bypassed.
No not really, the driver would have started off at 14 or 15 years of age as a cleaner, onto passed cleaner (sometimes acting as a Fireman), then Fireman and at a later stage becoming a driver. Each stage of progression would involve both written and practical exams.
I remember reading about Mallard, as a kid growing up in the 1950's. Visited the Museum from Australia in 1983 and made a point of looking for the Mallard. But when I went into the display hall, there was the Mallard in hundreds of bits, having an overhaul! It was ok though, as I got to see right inside this famous locomotive that maybe not many people have had the same opportunity.
There will always be debate about Mallard's record, with German and US claims of faster locos. The problem is that criteria for speed records weren't as clear and fixed as they are now. According to what I've read, reports about the S1 cannot be traced back to actually speed official measurements. This doesn't mean she wasn't faster, it's just that the evidence isn't clear. The Germans achieved a slightly lower top speed with their class 05 loco, but on level track. My impression is that, based on criteria at the time, Mallard's record was a valid one, but it wouldn't have received that record under current criteria.
I'm happy you came to York and also go to the railway museum the one good thing was you saw Mallard 🚧 I hope you enjoyed your time and you were in the UK.
I'm old enough to have seen this engine run in service. It was a frequent visitor at Doncaster stopping before moving on to Edinburgh (or London Kings Cross).....The colour was BR green and the wheel covers had been removed but it was the same engine. A distinctive whistle to tell you it was a "streak" and close up when it stopped you could feel the enormous power when it breathed......the driver wore goggles and the noise when it slide off into movement made you put your fingers in your ears. So glad they preserved it......
I used to work at Essendine about 50 metres from the railway when the HSTs started going through. Very impressive watching them speed down to Peterborough.
I was at the museum just a week before this video was published! This video answers so many of the questions I had when I saw this beautiful locomotive in person! Highly recommend visiting the museum if you're ever in York! Thanks!
Apparently driver Duddington was chosen because he would take a risk, a bit cavalier even, and he damaged the works, something in the middle cylinder or crank went wrong during the run. Nevertheless the run stands as it should. The Germans had a run too near enough to Mallard, but it still doesn't count. As for the US locomotive that allegedly ran at circa 150mph, that was never ratified, and the loco wasn't making an official attempt... I was on a cruise recently and got talking to an old chap as we were waiting to enter for dinner, who it turned out was an engine driver, and he was proud to say he drove Mallard occasionally during his normal driving work. He didn't make a big deal out it, it was just daily work to him. I felt privileged to have met and chatted to this unassuming man...
Duddington was not responsible for the inside big-end issue; that was due to valve overtravel from the Gresley conjugating gear. (Which apparently was fixed long before BR days, once it was recognized as a concern). If I recall correctly, Duddington thought he could have gotten 130mph out of the locomotive if given a little more time...
@@wizlish Interesting commentary Wiz. Perhaps Mallard was capable of more, but surely at that speed it must have been approaching the limit of all that reciprocating mass? Dunno, I'm not an engineer. Must have been exciting at the time though. We invented the bloody things, so it's somehow fitting that we should produce the fastest. I sometimes wonder how much further steam traction would have advanced had the technology been allowed to really mature...
If you want the future of high-speed steam traction after the early Forties (in a world with no war, and no ruinous shortages and then factor-cost increases) look to the follow-ones of "That Other Railroad's" Turbomotive. Application of the Westinghouse planetary transmission (for PRR S2-style direct-drive turbine locomotives, patented in 1948) and the use of magnetorheological clutching (which became practical at almost the same time) and you have an engine that can make power almost independent of cyclic rpm concerns. Or balance two S2-style impulse-follows-by-reaction stages across a common driving pinion, LP plena outboard, and even within the constraints of the British loading gage you'll have all the power and speed you could want. (I remain miserable that Alan Fozard's Turbomotive 2 was stillborn; it still remains head and shoulders the "British" answer to a putative T1 'speed record attempt'...)
9:15 He says "We're very privileged that people are still prepared to go out and drive these big machines at speed on the main line." What he said is very true, but it sounds like he's saying theres a shortage of people would be prepared to do this work. I bet there are hundreds if not thousands who would give their right arm to have that privilege. To be able to drive or coal an A4 on the mainline! Thats the dream of any railway enthusiast!
Yes, but do you have The Knowledge -- including the knowledge when even a little faster develops resonance at a critical speed? There are no aids like those on Buran or STS to help you run it, and increasing pitfalls above... well, about 100mph. Remember that even to touch 125mph you need twice the drawbar horsepower as to get to 100mph... with many of the additional train resistances increasing geometrically over that range.
Intercity 125: “bruh, I’m so fast” Mallard: *”Will you shut the bloody hell up?”* Intercity 125: “whatcha gonna do?” Mallard: *”MY DYNAMOMETER CAR WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT WITH YOU”* Intercity 125: “……….”
@@NatRailwayMuseum what kind of fire shovel is that? I brought a fire shovel back in 2011 for 40 pounds as i was then a member of the Watercress line. the guy i brought it off said it was a type used by the Great Western railway on their main line engines.
As a Dane I visited this Railway Museum many years ago, after having seen my former direct ancestors small museum in York! But close to my by then home in Denmark we had the longest bridge in Europe, built by the English Firm "Dorman and Long": "Storstrømsbroen" from 1937 which is 3,2 km long (It is to be replaced in a few years, so it has done its job well, though now mostly only being a raiway bridge + some local traffic). But in the early sixties I saw a Danish built steam locomotive going up the slope to the bridge with - 120 railway wagons behind it. It was absolutely red hot in the visible bottom, and of course puffed a lot of smoke going up the hill.
Should I feel guilty or bad for missing the Mallard A4 anniversary events in 2013 and 2014 because of a lot of family and job commitments, my graduation 👨🎓 in Southampton and a art exhibition in London and I live too far away from York and Durham? I do not visit York every year! I had to build up money and visited Montreal Canada 🇨🇦 to see 4489 Dominion and visited Green Bay via Chicago in the USA 🇺🇸 to see 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower. I never seen them in 13 and 14!.
I seriously do personally just suddenly feel quite pleased to happily mention that this officially well-known L N E R class A4 Pacific type of steam-driven railway tender locomotive designed by the famously well-known Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley himself in Doncaster during the official 193Os(1938) respectfully known as Mallard certainly happens to be very shockingly surprisingly featured in the officially well-known Train Sim app featured on my own official tablet that Scott gave me awhile back!
No it isn't; mutual deformation creates an oval with the major axis transverse, with effective bearing area about that of a U.S. dime for a driver at Mallard's adhesive weight.
I believe many steam enthusiasts would enjoy a video of how the Pacific A4 three-cylinder system worked. With my three-cylinder lawn mower, English motorcycle, and the Japanese motorcar I purchased for my wife, I am, perhaps biased.
Walker with the Kubota diesel? Had one too and loved it... but it did not have the charmingly irregular exhaust of so many of the Gresley three-cylinder engines...
0:06 I've Been To The National Railway Museum In York In Yorkshire Back In May 2018 And Reunite The LNER A4 Pacific Main Line Express Locomotive No. 4468 Mallard And It Was Super Awesome And It Was A Bit Like Flying Scotsman. X
The house Gresley was staying in was Salisbury Hall, which is also where the De Havilland Mosquito was designed. Two of the most beautiful machines in history, both noted for prodigious speed.
It's sitting in York so I'm happy that it was recognised to have been built in Doncaster where I used to work with the LNER in the 1950/60s. Lots of famous locomotives came from my workplace.
Did you know of a Clarence Fletcher by chance? He worked in Doncaster Railway and was a driver probably during the 1930's-1950's/60's. Apparently drove the Mallard and Flying Scotsman's (amongst others I am sure). He was my great grandfather, died in 1970 a decade before I was born.
Love those streamlined locomotives. While Mallard has the world record. Thought that i had read somewhere that the Duchess's were more powerful. Matters not, both are representative of a golden age of the railways.
Different railways built engines differently as different requirements. Duchess had to get over snap, GWR Kings needs to get over the south Devon bank’s. These required power but not necessarily deliver speed. A4 like greyhound. Light and sleek built for speed but won’t necessarily pull as much weight of train. Fastest scheduled train service was GWR Bristolian and that’s fastest recorded run over Brunei’s billiard table was set by a castle rather then a king even though less powerful on paper.
Remember my dad for a pack of ciggies each stood on her footplate I think she was green then , was allowed the Whistle at Kings Cross, was staggered to see a singer from Bristol to London £80 these days thanks again Maggie !
You wouldn't need to go to the gym after stoking the firebox in this loco all the way from king's cross to edinburgh. And it must've been a real sense of power driving it back in 1938.
I was so amazed to be able to visit the museum a few years ago when we visited York You have such an amazing collection I had no idea it was named after a duck 😂😂
I always wondered if she was serviced like Scotsman, what speed she or Bittern (when she's serviced) could record pulling just the tender. But I also wonder if Jeremy Hosking or any rail authority/body would simply never let Bittern be pushed that hard again.
We go here once a year as we all meet up for a Uni reunion in York and when in York you have to go to the railway museum....It's the law....don't quote me on that...
Many A4’s regularly ran well past 100 mph. Other British loco’s did too such as as the A1, A3, and Stanier Duchess. Not forgetting Truro that exceeded 100 mph in 1903.
Lovely video ,although she should be preserved in the Garter blue , i would like to see her say just for a year in her final BR green as she has not worn that since withdrawal in the early sixties
I own “America’s Mallard” which is a one of a kind painted 1987 D150. Painted in the official LNER Garter Blue, lettered with the official LNER lettering, it’s a eye catching piece of equipment that I operate every day.
Come back on Tuesday next week for our next episode, when Bob explores the intriguing interior of the dynamometer car that recorded Mallard's top-speed run.
Got a question mr NRM, is it true that mallard has concrete on some of its interior to prevent key points from cracking?
No, not true at all
As a young boy in 1963 i was train spotting on Worksop station, the Mallard arrived and i got talking to the driver and fireman, i had the privilege to ride with them in the cab to Retford station, i will always remember that day. Wonderful memory's.
That’s a hell of a memory
Could have been my Great Grandfather. He was a tall stocky Nottinghamshire man who drove the Mallard around that time. Probably in his fifties by then he died in 1970 aged about 65.
Memories*
My father took me to an abandoned railyard near where he once lived in Indiana: as a child i was shocked at the scale of everything but i had never seen a roundhouse with a turntable before just trains on urban tracks zooming back and forth, first one direction then the other, wafting the smell of creosote. But i must admit to a older affection for street cars like in Christchurch City Square around that poor old Cathedral; being little like the streamlined Mallard.
My parents lived further up from the station
on Gateford Road.
Just had an argument with husband about the fastest steam train. I said Mallard and he said, "I don't know what it's called, but it was a really weird looking steam train. "Yes, Mallard", says I.
He wouldn't have it.
And here we are...
A truly fascinating exploration of an amazing machine.
We are going to visit her and the other museums this year as a result.
I am old enough to have seen her in her working days.
Thank you for this wistful trip down memory lane.
Delightful.
My great grandfather, a Clarence Fletcher drove the Mallard and the Flying Scotsman's. Whilst I have never really been into trains, its quite amazing to think he would have sat in that chair and drove this train 60+ years ago. He was from a village near Retford, Nottinghamshire and left to work on the Railway at Doncaster. By all accounts he loved the railway and being a driver was his dream. I think he used to drive down to London too. He died in 1970, a decade before I was born so never met him. His son, my grandfather died on the Mallard Ward in Doncaster Hospital 2 years ago. My middle child is currently obsessed with trains and quite proud that her great great grandfather was a train driver. I am hoping to take her to visit the Mallard sometime but we live in South Wales now, a long way away.
The "thumb print" is quite ingenious. Many other locomotives required smoke deflectors to direct the smoke upwards, but those caused additional drag. The A4 is coming close to an ideal streamlined shape so many of today's trains have a similarly shaped front end.
Had the pleasure of sitting in the drivers seat on a visit about 20 years ago when I was just a kid. Absolutely made my year!
Beautiful machine. Our indian semi high speed train vande bharat with electric traction is struggling to touch 160 kmph in 2023 , the mallard did 126 mph 70 yrs back. Enough said.
I love how even the inside of the cab looks elegant
It's just a fantastically beautiful loco. Such a shame it can't operate on the tracks, just imagine standing on a platform and having this roar past ...
Mallard may be on static display but some of her A4 sisters do still operate. A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley just completed overhaul and is expected to return to the main line early next year
Others of her kind still do run. Like Bittern and Sir Nigel Gresley.
@@the4tierbridge Bittern isn't operational at the moment, she's awaiting overhaul
It’d be amazing if mallard could return to steam, sadly it might not happen but it’d be magical if she could return to steam and run on heritage lines
Always loved Mallard since I was a boy in the 80's. Art Deco design (maybe just after?) at it's finest.
Hello. I greet you from Argentina. It is very interesting to see how the railway equipment that has made history is preserved and preserved in your country. I had the opportunity to visit your museum and it is a wonderful work. I congratulate each of the people who work there preserving the history of the most important vehicle of culture that the world had: the railroad.
As I do not speak or write your language, I have used Google Translate to send this comment.
Well, Google Translate did a very good job at translating!
The Americans say railroad has Brits say railway 🚂
My parents went to the NRM in either 1996 or 1998 (can't remember exactly), and Mum has since had a soft spot for the A4 class, even keeping a good 'roster shot' of Mallard in a photo album. I've also got a Hornby model of Mallard in garter blue.
This guy has my dream job. He knows a lot of special secrets and stories about everything in the museum...and you've given him a camera to show and tell all of us! Really enjoyed this video, I learned something new and love hearing about unique locomotives and their unique histories. Cheers!
Mallard is pretty much my favourite steam train of the lot. It has a beautiful design with a gorgeous livery and an interesting history and a grand achievement to its name.
I went to the museum today and I saw the mallard! (Its my favourite train)
so beautifully made. the mechanics and design are both amazing.
can’t believe these were made nearly 100 years ago
Mallard is such a beautiful locomotive! please please tell me she’ll be restored to running condition someday again please? I know that she would require a heavy overhaul and a Lot money but it would be so worth it!
What's lovely is when your visit you can actually touch the engine. Don't ask me why but you just *have* to touch it. There is something about these that is more than just a machine. No, I'm not a train fanatic, but these engines have a presence that's hard to describe.
I think the Mallard should be restored and run excursions again!
Mighty Mallard ! Great work by team LNER. The loco looks stunning with its streamlined body.
Loved listening to Bob's narration. :)
This is my favourite train EVER. I love the thumb print tale, I wonder who's thumb it was? And did they know and fess up ?Can't wait to get up to York for a visit very soon now, weather is warming up. I can't wait ❤🚂🚃🚄🚅🚆🚇🚈🚉🚊🚝 Choo Choo
I saw mallard coming into Grantham a few years back. Not under its own steam but kinda amazing seeing it come back to where it crashed years ago. Went to the exhibit outside the station and got to stand in the engine. It is an absolute beauty
Mallard never crashed
Added a day to my stay in York in 2018 to see the Museum. Of course Mallard was among the highlights. I was in England for only 2 weeks but it was worthwhile.
it was/is the most elegant and beautiful steam locomotive ever built...
I enjoyed that cheerful story of how the day went and how the record was made, thank you.
A very pleasurable video, thanks. The Mallard has a special place in my heart because my grandfather, Raymond Cook, helped to build it.
its the fact something that big with the mass of the time was flying down a track at 126mph.
Sir Nigel Gresley is said to have named the locomotive after the ducks in the moat of his house, Salisbury Hall, London Colney, Hertfordshire, where he lived in the 1930s. In October 1939, the house was used by the de Havilland Aircraft Company to design the DH.98 Mosquito in secret. The first prototype (W4050) flew from there in November 1940.
My grandad would have passed that going the other way. He was born in 1900 and started with the railways at 14 ish, ended up as a driver based in York, went up to Edinbrough? and maybe as far south as Grantham. Mum said he shoveled 5 tons of coal each shift as a fireman. They started as cleaner, progressed to fireman then driver. He died at the age of 48. He even got his train machine gunned by the germans.
Spencer's twin brother. It's a shame they never showed him in the Thomas and Friends model or CGI series. Would've loved to see him and Spencer racing side-by-side or interacting with the other engines, especially Gordon and the Flying Scotsman.
Even now in 2022 it makes one proud to see the group photo,
The driver was 61?! That's as notable as the record.
Alco in the US apparently licensed the Gresley 3-cylinder concept and built a number of engines with it. The shops really hated it and it ended up causing a lot of trouble, so most of them were eventually bypassed.
No not really, the driver would have started off at 14 or 15 years of age as a cleaner, onto passed cleaner (sometimes acting as a Fireman), then Fireman and at a later stage becoming a driver. Each stage of progression would involve both written and practical exams.
I remember reading about Mallard, as a kid growing up in the 1950's.
Visited the Museum from Australia in 1983 and made a point of looking for the Mallard.
But when I went into the display hall, there was the Mallard in hundreds of bits, having an overhaul!
It was ok though, as I got to see right inside this famous locomotive that maybe not many people have had the same opportunity.
There will always be debate about Mallard's record, with German and US claims of faster locos. The problem is that criteria for speed records weren't as clear and fixed as they are now.
According to what I've read, reports about the S1 cannot be traced back to actually speed official measurements. This doesn't mean she wasn't faster, it's just that the evidence isn't clear.
The Germans achieved a slightly lower top speed with their class 05 loco, but on level track.
My impression is that, based on criteria at the time, Mallard's record was a valid one, but it wouldn't have received that record under current criteria.
That sounds even better. Would love to see one side with the streamlining off and the other complete
I'm happy you came to York and also go to the railway museum the one good thing was you saw Mallard 🚧 I hope you enjoyed your time and you were in the UK.
Man I love this train so much. My passion for mallard came from railroad tycoon 2
I enjoyed that very much I hope to come to the museum some day to have a look in the cab of Mallard
Beautiful beast! I might be biased though, as my Grandad riveted her together! 😊.
Just wish she was still in operation…..
Cool! And to be honest we are lucky to even have 6 of these still around.
I'm old enough to have seen this engine run in service. It was a frequent visitor at Doncaster stopping before moving on to Edinburgh (or London Kings Cross).....The colour was BR green and the wheel covers had been removed but it was the same engine. A distinctive whistle to tell you it was a "streak" and close up when it stopped you could feel the enormous power when it breathed......the driver wore goggles and the noise when it slide off into movement made you put your fingers in your ears. So glad they preserved it......
Mallard is such a beautiful engine
I used to work at Essendine about 50 metres from the railway when the HSTs started going through. Very impressive watching them speed down to Peterborough.
This thing is beautiful it looks fast just standing still 😍😍😍
Such a great museum can't wait to go back
I was at the museum just a week before this video was published! This video answers so many of the questions I had when I saw this beautiful locomotive in person! Highly recommend visiting the museum if you're ever in York! Thanks!
Apparently driver Duddington was chosen because he would take a risk, a bit cavalier even, and he damaged the works, something in the middle cylinder or crank went wrong during the run. Nevertheless the run stands as it should. The Germans had a run too near enough to Mallard, but it still doesn't count. As for the US locomotive that allegedly ran at circa 150mph, that was never ratified, and the loco wasn't making an official attempt...
I was on a cruise recently and got talking to an old chap as we were waiting to enter for dinner, who it turned out was an engine driver, and he was proud to say he drove Mallard occasionally during his normal driving work. He didn't make a big deal out it, it was just daily work to him. I felt privileged to have met and chatted to this unassuming man...
Duddington was not responsible for the inside big-end issue; that was due to valve overtravel from the Gresley conjugating gear. (Which apparently was fixed long before BR days, once it was recognized as a concern). If I recall correctly, Duddington thought he could have gotten 130mph out of the locomotive if given a little more time...
@@wizlish Interesting commentary Wiz. Perhaps Mallard was capable of more, but surely at that speed it must have been approaching the limit of all that reciprocating mass? Dunno, I'm not an engineer. Must have been exciting at the time though. We invented the bloody things, so it's somehow fitting that we should produce the fastest. I sometimes wonder how much further steam traction would have advanced had the technology been allowed to really mature...
If you want the future of high-speed steam traction after the early Forties (in a world with no war, and no ruinous shortages and then factor-cost increases) look to the follow-ones of "That Other Railroad's" Turbomotive. Application of the Westinghouse planetary transmission (for PRR S2-style direct-drive turbine locomotives, patented in 1948) and the use of magnetorheological clutching (which became practical at almost the same time) and you have an engine that can make power almost independent of cyclic rpm concerns. Or balance two S2-style impulse-follows-by-reaction stages across a common driving pinion, LP plena outboard, and even within the constraints of the British loading gage you'll have all the power and speed you could want. (I remain miserable that Alan Fozard's Turbomotive 2 was stillborn; it still remains head and shoulders the "British" answer to a putative T1 'speed record attempt'...)
Good video!! Thank you for uploading it
Bob "Here's Something You Didn't Know" Gwynne. I love it.
9:15 He says "We're very privileged that people are still prepared to go out and drive these big machines at speed on the main line."
What he said is very true, but it sounds like he's saying theres a shortage of people would be prepared to do this work.
I bet there are hundreds if not thousands who would give their right arm to have that privilege.
To be able to drive or coal an A4 on the mainline! Thats the dream of any railway enthusiast!
Yes, but do you have The Knowledge -- including the knowledge when even a little faster develops resonance at a critical speed?
There are no aids like those on Buran or STS to help you run it, and increasing pitfalls above... well, about 100mph. Remember that even to touch 125mph you need twice the drawbar horsepower as to get to 100mph... with many of the additional train resistances increasing geometrically over that range.
Seems a very ancient technology but today many people who travel one of those things are still alive
So emotional, pure brilliance
The most beautiful locomotive in the world! What a machine!
Amazing video of an iconic locomotive, thank you!
Intercity 125: “bruh, I’m so fast”
Mallard: *”Will you shut the bloody hell up?”*
Intercity 125: “whatcha gonna do?”
Mallard: *”MY DYNAMOMETER CAR WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT WITH YOU”*
Intercity 125: “……….”
125s are faster yer plonker.
125s are faster you absolute melon
The 125 once hit 148mph
The 125 can definitely push more than 125 if you need it to. It just doesn't. Pretty sure that's track limitations
Great video, thanks for posting. Please make more of these looking at some of your other fascinating exhibits
It's the dynamometer car next week!
@@NatRailwayMuseum what kind of fire shovel is that?
I brought a fire shovel back in 2011 for 40 pounds as i was then a member of the Watercress line. the guy i brought it off said it was a type used by the Great Western railway on their main line engines.
@@NatRailwayMuseum I understand Mallard was the basis of a Fictional LNER A4 engine called the Highland Falcan
These Curator Cam videos are excellent -More Please !!
As a Dane I visited this Railway Museum many years ago, after having seen my former direct ancestors small museum in York!
But close to my by then home in Denmark we had the longest bridge in Europe, built by the English Firm "Dorman and Long": "Storstrømsbroen" from 1937 which is 3,2 km long (It is to be replaced in a few years, so it has done its job well, though now mostly only being a raiway bridge + some local traffic). But in the early sixties I saw a Danish built steam locomotive going up the slope to the bridge with - 120 railway wagons behind it. It was absolutely red hot in the visible bottom, and of course puffed a lot of smoke going up the hill.
Thank you for sharing this National Railway Museum. Mallard is one of my favourite steam locomotives. Best wishes from Josh
Should I feel guilty or bad for missing the Mallard A4 anniversary events in 2013 and 2014 because of a lot of family and job commitments, my graduation 👨🎓 in Southampton and a art exhibition in London and I live too far away from York and Durham? I do not visit York every year! I had to build up money and visited Montreal Canada 🇨🇦 to see 4489 Dominion and visited Green Bay via Chicago in the USA 🇺🇸 to see 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower. I never seen them in 13 and 14!.
This was a throughly interesting video, thank-you very much for taking the time to show a more in-depth perspective.
These locomotives have a very futuristic design and quite technological advanced look to have been made in that era.. That’s cool.
i seen her a few weeks ago, nearly instantly after seeing flying scotsman leave york with the waverly to carlisle
💙 it's too beautiful to be out on the rails! 😁
Mallard is great, been on the footplate of all remaining A4s during the great gathering, currently building an O Scale version on my channel
“I’m the Duke & Duchess’s private engine, I take them everywhere”
I seriously do personally just suddenly feel quite pleased to happily mention that this officially well-known L N E R class A4 Pacific type of steam-driven railway tender locomotive designed by the famously well-known Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley himself in Doncaster during the official 193Os(1938) respectfully known as Mallard certainly happens to be very shockingly surprisingly featured in the officially well-known Train Sim app featured on my own official tablet that Scott gave me awhile back!
I seriously, suddenly, happily, officially, famously, respectfully, certainly, shockingly, surprisingly, officially think that's awesome!
4:20 The contact patch of a train wheel on a track is theoretically a knife edge.
No it isn't; mutual deformation creates an oval with the major axis transverse, with effective bearing area about that of a U.S. dime for a driver at Mallard's adhesive weight.
HORAY!!!!!! Another one! Clicked within a second!
Can smell the oil and steel, so cool
Nicely put together video and very informative. Look forward to more!
My great grandfather was one of the drivers (Clarence Fletcher).
I believe many steam enthusiasts would enjoy a video of how the Pacific A4 three-cylinder system worked.
With my three-cylinder lawn mower, English motorcycle, and the Japanese motorcar I purchased for my wife, I am, perhaps biased.
Walker with the Kubota diesel? Had one too and loved it... but it did not have the charmingly irregular exhaust of so many of the Gresley three-cylinder engines...
0:06 I've Been To The National Railway Museum In York In Yorkshire Back In May 2018 And Reunite The LNER A4 Pacific Main Line Express Locomotive No. 4468 Mallard And It Was Super Awesome And It Was A Bit Like Flying Scotsman. X
Well the A4 is quite literally an improved , streamlined A3.
The house Gresley was staying in was Salisbury Hall, which is also where the De Havilland Mosquito was designed. Two of the most beautiful machines in history, both noted for prodigious speed.
It's sitting in York so I'm happy that it was recognised to have been built in Doncaster where I used to work with the LNER in the 1950/60s. Lots of famous locomotives came from my workplace.
Did you know of a Clarence Fletcher by chance? He worked in Doncaster Railway and was a driver probably during the 1930's-1950's/60's. Apparently drove the Mallard and Flying Scotsman's (amongst others I am sure). He was my great grandfather, died in 1970 a decade before I was born.
Love those streamlined locomotives. While Mallard has the world record. Thought that i had read somewhere that the Duchess's were more powerful. Matters not, both are representative of a golden age of the railways.
Different railways built engines differently as different requirements. Duchess had to get over snap, GWR Kings needs to get over the south Devon bank’s. These required power but not necessarily deliver speed.
A4 like greyhound. Light and sleek built for speed but won’t necessarily pull as much weight of train.
Fastest scheduled train service was GWR Bristolian and that’s fastest recorded run over Brunei’s billiard table was set by a castle rather then a king even though less powerful on paper.
I’ve got the Hornby 80th Anniversary edition. I love the model to death, and I love the real Mallard to death.
Remember my dad for a pack of ciggies each stood on her footplate I think she was green then , was allowed the Whistle at Kings Cross, was staggered to see a singer from Bristol to London £80 these days thanks again Maggie !
This is my 2nd favourite engine from the LNER
You wouldn't need to go to the gym after stoking the firebox in this loco all the way from king's cross to edinburgh. And it must've been a real sense of power driving it back in 1938.
The fireman's job was indeed a mammoth task, but the same crew did not work all the way from Kings X to Edinburgh. There was a change of crew midway.
A really well made and produced documentary. Thank you. 👍
I was lucky enough when I was younger, to get the opportunity to open up the front end. Definitely needs a bit of arm work to crank it open.
I love these videos! So interesting and definitely would love to see more 🚂🚂🚂
Crazy that thing is nearly 100 years old
When Bob Gwynne talks trains I'm all ears.
I was so amazed to be able to visit the museum a few years ago when we visited York
You have such an amazing collection
I had no idea it was named after a duck 😂😂
Beautiful Locomotive!
Very beautiful engine and interesting video
I always wondered if she was serviced like Scotsman, what speed she or Bittern (when she's serviced) could record pulling just the tender.
But I also wonder if Jeremy Hosking or any rail authority/body would simply never let Bittern be pushed that hard again.
It's a shame we can't see this on rail tours anymore
Been on it in the fifties at Kings Cross when drivers were more friendly to train spotters.
Doc and Marty Mcfly's favourite loco.
Awesome. I love the Mallard.
Another one was called Wild Swan.. I have a OO scale model of it.
We go here once a year as we all meet up for a Uni reunion in York and when in York you have to go to the railway museum....It's the law....don't quote me on that...
Wonderful video about a beautiful machine.
Many A4’s regularly ran well past 100 mph. Other British loco’s did too such as as the A1, A3, and Stanier Duchess. Not forgetting Truro that exceeded 100 mph in 1903.
Yeah when steam got on the mainlines they were real speed machines.
"Not forgetting Truro that exceeded 100 mph in 1903".....allegedly.
@@juleshathaway3894 *Gordon has entered the chat.*
@@TheBrickGuy7939 ???
@@TheBrickGuy7939 what has an LNER A1 Pacific got to do with an A4 Pacific?
Very well presented, many thanks for showing.
Lovely video ,although she should be preserved in the Garter blue , i would like to see her say just for a year in her final BR green as she has not worn that since withdrawal in the early sixties
Very sleek locomotive; let's get that fire started and roll.
I own “America’s Mallard” which is a one of a kind painted 1987 D150. Painted in the official LNER Garter Blue, lettered with the official LNER lettering, it’s a eye catching piece of equipment that I operate every day.
You might call the A4 in Green Bay, Dwight D. Eisenhower, "America's Mallard"...
Nicely instructive narration.
Very Interesting - I've got the 80th Anniversary Edition of the Model Version 🙂🚂🚂🚂