The Great Gathering

We are in the National Railway Museum in York to see The Great Gathering, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Mallard's world speed record in a reunion of all six remaining of the original 35 A4 Pacific steam engines.

From the left we have:-

No. 4498 (60007) Sir Nigel Gresley
No. 60008 (4496) Dwight D. Eisenhower
No. 60009 (4488) Union Of South Africa
No. 4464 (60019) Bittern
No. 4468 (60022) Mallard
No. 4489 (60010) Dominion Of Canada

The 44xx numbers are original but some display their later designations; indeed, some engines have also changed their names in the past.

Dwight D Eisenhower and Dominion Of Canada were brought over from the USA and Canada for the occasion, although neither is fully restored; in fact, only Sir Nigel Gresley, Union Of South Africa and Bittern are running and are sometimes seen about Britain pulling excursions.

As may be expected, this has been a very popular event (hence the number of bodies, all trying to take photos in each other's way) which ends here on 11 November 2013, however, they will be on show again in the Shildon Railway Museum from 15-23 February 2014.

Sorry, can't comment 'til back home as WiFi limited.