The world’s fastest steam locomotive has arrived at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum in Shildon, Durham, the “cradle of the railways.”
The Mallard LNER class A4 4468 locomotive – the current holder of the world speed record for steam traction by rail – left the National Railway Museum in York and headed north to Shildon for arrival this week, where it will remain for between 12 and 18 months. Mallard was hauled to Locomotion by another historic steam locomotive, Tornado, Britain’s newest steam engine.
Durham is known as the “cradle of the railways” because the world’s first steam-hauled passenger rail service, the Stockton to Darlington passenger railway, left from Shildon in 1825. The historic locomotive will be the star attraction at the museum’s Annual Steam Gala event this September.
Visit Mallard at Locomotion and make a stay of it by taking in the area; compare prices on hotels in Durham to get the best rate.
