Locomotion wanderings: Mallard with ‘mouth’ open, and more

I’ve been getting my head down on paperwork and meetings this last week or so. But a day in the office at Shildon led to me having a walkabout for some fresh air – and I took the camera with me.

First off is Mallard with the “cod’s mouth” open, as part of a new guided tour of the loco that our Explainer team now deliver for booked parties.

The A4 displayed with the "cod's mouth" open.


Meanwhile, in the workshop, Phil Anderson continues the transformation of the LMS Crab – from LMS black as number 2700, to LMS Crimson Lake as built carrying the number 13000. Richard has ordered a new smokebox numberplate and the first top coat will be going on soon.

Lake undercoat to the fore!


It’s going to get busy at Shildon in the build up to the 6th Annual Steam Gala on 25-26 September. The J72 arrived back last night and is doing driver experience today. Alongside that and Furness 20 will be the Gresley Society’s N2 No.1744, and the National Museum of Scotland’s D49 Morayshire in steam. Mallard, Green Arrow and the J52 will also outside for photographs.

We hope to also launch the Great Eastern Saloon No.3 into passenger traffic – though that is not yet confirmed.

The J72 is back at Shildon, but facing the opposite way round to its last visit. New photographic opportunities beckon!


The unsung workhorse of the collection - the 03 shunter returns with Jeff Cail to the Museum's demonstration line, having just shunted Merlin and the brake van away at the end of the driver experience session.



Filed under: Rail vehicle collections Tagged: furness 20, green arrow, j72, lms crab, mallard, morayshire, steam gala