Why is the Mallard train called the Mallard?

A mallard was originally included as Sir Nigel enjoyed breeding water fowl and trains he designed – including ‘Mallard’ – were named after birds. His Flying Scotsman was the first steam locomotive to exceed 100mph in service, while the Mallard achieved a then world-record speed of 126mph in 1938.

Is Mallard a train?

Built in March 1938, Mallard is part of the A4 class of locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley when he was Chief Engineer at the LNER. Its innovative streamlined wedge-shaped design bore no resemblance to the preceeding A3 class (of which Flying Scotsman was an example) and was very much a product of 1930s Britain.

Who built the Flying Scotsman?

Sir Nigel Gresley
Flying Scotsman was built in Doncaster, the first locomotive of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER). It left the works on 24 February 1923 with number 1472. It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class—the most powerful locomotives used by the LNER at that time.

What was the Mallard train famous for?

With a top speed of 126mph, the Mallard holds the record for being the fastest steam locomotive in the world. Another Gresley design, the Flying Scotsman, is an enduring achievement.

How fast does the Mallard train go?

126 miles per hour
Seventy five years ago a world record, still unmatched, was achieved by a steam engine called Mallard. For just a couple of minutes the locomotive thundered along at speeds of 126 miles per hour on a stretch of track just south of Grantham.

How fast was the mallard train?

The record, set by Mallard on the 3rd of July, 1938 for fastest steam traction locomotive, was a top speed of 126 mph (202 kph). This record’s validity was originally opposed by some, because the Mallard only ran the record speed for a few yards (metres).

What was the fastest steam locomotive?

According to Land speed record for rail vehicles (Wikipedia) the fastest steam locomotive was recorded with 202.6 km/h (126 mph) on a downhill grade and another with 200.4 km/h (125 mph) on level grade.

What is a Mallard locomotive?

London and North Eastern Railway locomotive numbered 4468 Mallard is a Class A4 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive built at Doncaster Works , England in 1938. It is historically significant as the holder of the world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph (203 km/h).