Mallard

   Mallard   Mallard is the world's fastest steam engine, holding a speed record of 126 mp/h. He is a very popular exhibit at the National Railway Museum and is very well looked after.
 * Number: 4468, previously 22 and 60022
 * Designer: Sir Nigel Gresley
 * Builder: Doncaster Works
 * Class: LNER A4
 * Built: March 3rd, 1938
 * Retired: April 25th 1963
 * Restored: 1986-8
 * Configuration: 4-6-2

Mallard was built on March 3rd, 1938, at Doncaster, where Gordon, Flying Scotsman, Spencer, Silver Jubilee, and Green Arrow were built. On July the 3rd of that year, while undergoing tests, he established a world speed record of 126 mp/h.

After the decline of steam, Mallard was immediately preserved and put on display at the Museum of British Transport in Clapham, London. In 1975 he was taken to the National Railway Museum, where he remained until 1986, when he was overhauled and taken onto the main line. In 1988, the 50th anniversary of his record, he was retired and put back on display.

It was announced in March 2010 that Mallard was to be moved to Locomotion, the National Railway Museum in Shildon, on June 23rd, 2010. He was pulled by the brand new steam locomotive Tornado; his departure from the museum was a result of the planned redevelopment of the NRM's Great Hall, which was recently cancelled due to unsuccessful funding.

Mallard returned to York in July 2011, but will be going to the DB Museum, Nuremberg in Germany later in the year, and will be on display alongside a German streamliner 4-6-4 No. 05.001 as part of a speed exhibition which will last until the end of 2011. This will be Mallard's first-ever trip abroad.

Basis
Mallard is a LNER A4 4-6-2. Silver Jubilee and Spencer are also members of this class.

Livery
Mallard is painted in the LNER's garter blue with red wheels and steel rims.

Railway Series

 * Gordon the High-Speed Engine (mentioned)
 * Thomas and the Great Railway Show