New livery pays tribute to Flying Scotsman pioneer

The railway engineer who designed classic locomotives such as the Flying Scotsman and the Mallard has been honoured with a new train livery marking the 150th anniversary of his birth.

Sir Nigel Gresley, born in 1876, lived and worked in Doncaster from 1905, becoming chief mechanical engineer at the London and North Eastern Railway.

The new "Gresley 150" livery is on the side of a modern LNER Azuma train and was unveiled at Doncaster Station as part of a weekend of events organised by the Gresley Society, which celebrates his life and works.

David Horne, LNER's managing director, said Gresley was a "pioneer, a true innovator" who is regarded as one of the "all-time railway greats".

The train's livery features original technical drawings of Gresley locomotives from the archives of the National Railway Museum, alongside artwork depicting the Mallard steam engine by John Park of Poster Creative, and a bust of Sir Nigel Gresley.

Sir Nigel, who was born in Edinburgh, lived in Doncaster's Thorne Road while working as Carriage & Wagon Superintendent with the Great Northern Railway.

After London and North Eastern Railway was formed, he moved to London although retained responsibility for the Doncaster rail engineering workshops.

Horne said: "It is fitting for us to mark the 150th anniversary of his birth with this special livery, which will be a moving legacy as we see this Azuma travelling across the length of the East Coast Main Line, showcasing Gresley's influence to thousands each day."

Ben Godfrey and Nina Britten, grandson and great-granddaughter of Sir Nigel, said: "We are incredibly proud of our grandfather and great-grandfather who did so much to positively change the railway.

"Alongside many steam locomotives and artefacts related to Sir Nigel Gresley that continue to be preserved, this new livery will tell a new generation of the impact felt by millions of people, both historically and in today's world."

The Gresley Society has organised for every surviving Sir Nigel Gresley locomotive to carry a specially-commissioned "Gresley 150 Anniversary" headboard on Friday.

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