Birds of a Feather
The A4 class pacific (4-6-2) steam locomotives were built by the LNER in 1935-38 as the elite of the East Coast fleet. Designed in conjunction with the introduction of named high-speed expresses, a total of 35 were built, the majority initially named after game birds though some were later renamed. One member of the class, 4468 (later 22) Mallard, holds the world speed record of 126 mph set in 1938.
A popular design with enthusiasts, no fewer than 6 'streaks' were rescued from scrapping for preservation. Four of these are normally resident on these shores but two with particular naming resonance were shipped to railroad museums in North America when steam traction was abandoned in Britain. The National Railway Museum at York has coordinated the return of 10 Dominion of Canada and 8 Dwight D Eisenhower to the UK on loan for 2013. They arrived at Seaforth Docks in the autumn of 2012 and are being given a cosmetic overhaul at Shildon for exhibition at events in the summer alongside our flock: 19 Bittern, 7 Sir Nigel Gresley, 9 Union of South Africa and, of course, Mallard herself.
For news of events where you can see this remarkable fleet see the NRM website here.