What is Mallard?

Mallard is the fastest steam locomotive in the world.

This has to be one of the most iconic engines ever, it is 70 feet long and weighs in at 165 tons with the tender.

It is a pacific steam locomotive class A4 and was run by LNER. It was built in Doncaster in 1938.

It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and named after the duck as Sir Nigel had a love of waterfowl, and many of his locos were similarly named after our feathered friends.

It still holds the world record for the fastest steam locomotive, reaching a speed of 126MPH or 203KMH which was set in July 1938.

On the day of the world record breaking attempt the driver was Joe Duddington with Thomas Bray the fireman by his side. The loco was painted garter blue with red insets to the steel rims. 

Mallard can still be seen today at the National Railway Museum in York.

It is no wonder that this is a must have item for the railway modeller.