1948: BR’S FIRST YEAR
Doncaster, July 3 1948. Exactly ten years have passed since ‘A4’ No. E22 Mallard raced into the record books when it achieved 126mph descending Stoke Bank on the East Coast Main Line, setting a world speed record for steam traction. The moment was arguably the last hurrah for the pre-nationalised railway, for the outbreak of the Second World War just over a year after Mallard’s historic achievement put paid to any further speed record attempts by either the LNER or the LMS. The spotless ‘Streak’ looks a world away from its work-stained, battle-weary appearance at Grantham the previous year (see SR468). Still devoid of valances – removed during the Second World War to ease maintenance – it might not have entirely regained its ‘Big Four’-era glamour, but the reapplication of Garter blue livery, the adornment of stainless steel cabside numbers and a plaque commemorating Mallard’s record has restored most of the Gresley ‘Pacific’s’ dignity. A month before this scene was recorded, it participated in the 1948 Locomotive Exchange Trials (see SR480). The celebrity ‘A4’ should have been one of the stars of the trials, and it was selected to show its mettle against now-preserved ‘Merchant Navy’ No. 35018 British India Line, rebuilt ‘Royal Scot’ No. 46154 The Hussar and ‘Princess Coronation’ No. 46236 City of Bradford on the South Western Main Line between Waterloo and Exeter. On its Exeter-Salisbury run on June 8, No. E22 reached Sidmouth Junction 10½ minutes ahead of schedule. Sadly, this glory was short-lived, as Mallard was subsequently failed and took no further part in the trials, with the its place being taken by classmate No. 60033 Seagull.
The white cab roof on Thompson ‘B1’ No. E1302 and characteristic Great Eastern somersault semaphore give some clue as to its duties and location in this scene, recorded on July 29 1948. The 4‑6‑0 is passing Greenwood with a Royal Train working to Wolferton – the station from where the Royal Family travelled to their Sandringham residence. His Majesty King George VI himself is not on board (see panel) – had the monarch been travelling on the train, the standard four‑lamp headcode would have been used. The locomotive in the loop is presumably waiting for the Royal Train to pass.