Sir Nigel Gresley Steam train

Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley (19 June 1876 – 5 April 1941)[1] was one of Britain's most famous steam locomotive engineers, who rose to become Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER). He was the designer of some of the most famous steam locomotives in Britain, including the LNER Class A1 and LNER Class A4 4-6-2 Pacific engines. An A1, Flying Scotsman, was the first steam locomotive officially recorded over 100mph in passenger service, and an A4, number 4468 Mallard, still holds the record for being the fastest steam locomotive in the world (126mph).

Gresley's engines were considered elegant, both aesthetically and mechanically. His invention of a three-cylinder design with only two sets of Walschaerts valve gear, the Gresley conjugated valve gear, produced smooth running and power at lower cost than would have been achieved with a more conventional three sets of Walschaerts gear.

Bio
Gresley was born in Edinburgh (due to his mother's ante-natal complications), but was raised in Netherseal, Derbyshire, a member of the cadet branch of a family long seated at Gresley, Derbyshire. After attending school in Sussex and at Marlborough College, Gresley served his apprenticeship at the Crewe works of the London and North Western Railway, afterwards becoming a pupil under John Aspinall at Horwich of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR). After several minor appointments with the L&YR he was made Outdoor Assistant in the Carriage and Wagon Department in 1901; in 1902 he was appointed Assistant Works Manager at Newton Heath depot, and Works Manager the following year.

This rapid rise in his career was maintained, for in 1904 he became Assistant Superintendent of the Carriage and Wagon Department of the L&YR. A year later he moved to the Great Northern Railway (GNR) as Carriage and Wagon Superintendent. He succeeded Henry A. Ivatt as CME of the GNR on 1 October 1911. At the 1923 Grouping he was appointed CME of the newly-formed LNER (the post had originally been offered to the ageing John G. Robinson; Robinson declined and suggested the much younger Gresley), and in 1936 he was awarded a knighthood by King Edward VIII and an honorary DSc by Manchester University. During the 1930s Sir Nigel Gresley lived at Salisbury Hall, near St. Albans in Hertfordshire. In the moat Gresley developed an interest in breeding wild birds and ducks, intrigingly amongst the species were Mallard ducks! [2] The Hall still exists today as the home of the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre.


In 1936 Gresley designed the 1500V DC locomotives for the proposed electrification of the Woodhead Line between Manchester and Sheffield. The Second World War forced the postponement of the project until the 1950s.

Gresley died after a short illness on 5 April 1941 and was buried in Netherseal, Derbyshire.

He was succeeded as CME by Edward Thompson.

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[JimTLonW6]

Just had another look, interesting that he was knighted by Edward VIII, not many people could have said that!

(Edward VIII abdicated after 325 days as King owing to the constitutional crisis that would have arisen had he married a divorced woman).

[Gauge1channel]

@JimTLonW6 That i did not no thanks Glad you enjoyed it :)

[JimTLonW6]

Very nice photos in this presentation.

[Gauge1channel]

@JimTLonW6 Thank you

[Politcalamity]

Love this locomotive. We are fortunate to have an extant example of an A4 here in the states (the 4496 at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay). I wish they'de get her running, but they have such numerous projects going on with the American steamers that it would likely never happen. Thanks for sharing this record breaking piece of history.

[Gauge1channel]

@Politcalamity Thanks mate glad you had fun watching it I hope they get that one over there running son it would be wonder full to see her running

[locogrib22]

Very good photo's

[yp000]

Very impressive photos ...nice work there !

[burnley5960]

@benjokazooie No its the Post War Record holder 112mph 

[edj66]

@benjokazooie No. Mallard holds the record at 126mph, Nigel Gresley holds the postwar record of 112mph.

[PGGenua]

Is this the early BR passenger blue livery? A very nice idea to restore the locomotive in this historical condition, she matches perfectly with the Mk1 cars in "blood and custard"

And very good pictures indeed.

Greeting from an italian steam fan!

[Gauge1channel]

Think it was not to sure glad you enjoyed it