First of two Doncaster treasures now at new showpiece museum
AFTER three years of planning, the first of two locomotives built in Doncaster has returned home thanks to a partnership between the National Railway Museum and Doncaster Council.
Great Northern Railway Atlantic No. 251, which was built at Doncaster Plant in 1902, is the first exhibit to be formally announced for the town’s Danum Gallery, Library and Museum.
The locomotive arrived at the new heritage centre on the morning of Sunday, January 24, after setting off at 6am and travelling 90 miles by lorry from its previous home at Locomotion in Shildon.
At the Doncaster venue, a team of specialist conservators and rail operations staff successfully manoeuvred the 4-4-2 into place under social distancing and Covid-19 guidance.
It was a five-hour operation, with College Road temporarily closed to traffic.
It is planned that No. 251 will take centre stage alongside another National Collection locomotive, rumoured last year to be 1898-built GNR No. 990 Henry Oakley, Britain’s first 4-4-2, but as yet unconfirmed.
Display
The new four-storey building is on the site of former Doncaster High School for Girls, of which the central frontage of the former has been retained, encased in glass and illuminated by floodlights.
Sited in Doncaster’s Civic and Cultural Quarter, it is intended to boost awareness of the borough’s world-leading railway heritage and the way it is celebrated in the town.
Tracks have been laid inside on which to display both locomotives, on loan from the National Railway Museum (NRM) as static exhibits for an initial three years.
The venue will also showcase an array of memorabilia from the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection, and also allow for national touring exhibitions to be held in Doncaster for the first time.
Wendy Somerville-Woodiwis, the NRM lead preventative conservator, said: “Doncaster has so many place names associated with the railways – Mallard Way, Gresley Square. Even Kingfisher ward at the hospital is named after the railways. It has such strong links.”
The Mayor of Doncaster, Coun Ros Jones, said: “Danum Gallery, Library and Museum is going to be a wonderful community asset where local people and visitors to Doncaster can learn and explore a stunning selection of exhibits that celebrate our past, present and future.
“This locomotive is the first of many gems we will be revealing through a virtual tour in March, with the building opening its doors for people to explore later in the year, subject to the Covid-19 pandemic, of course.”
Coun Nigel Ball, Doncaster Borough Council’s cabinet member for public health, leisure and culture, said: “Doncaster is - and always will be - a railway town, so it is fitting that we have two locomotives built at our famous plant works as the showcase attractions in what will be an incredibly enlightening rail heritage centre.
“We are delighted the NRM has supported us. Packed with many never been seen before rail exhibits, the rail heritage centre, like the whole building, is going to be a real treat for residents and visitors.
“As a past worker at The Plant in the early 1980s, I am really excited about this and what this means for Doncaster.”
NRM assistant director and head curator Andrew McLean said: “We are thrilled to be working alongside Doncaster Council to share the stories of these fascinating locomotives. Although iconic in their own merits, for them to return to where they were built is truly special.”
First example
No. 251 was the first in a series of 94 locomotives, which were altered versions of the original C1 class. Built with a larger boiler, it was the first example of the wide firebox express passenger engine in Britain
The new design was an immediate success, and further improvements allowed it to haul heavy passenger trains at considerable speed along the East Coast Main Line well into the 1930s. No. 251 retired in 1947 after 45 years in service, but returned to steam after preservation once in 1953 to celebrate the centenary of The Plant.
The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry museum will also be relocated to the heritage centre from its previous base at the existing museum in Chequer Road.