The Marvellous Steam Locomotives of Sir Nigel Gresley 

My favourite is the V2. The only example in preservation is Green Arrow. It was designed as an express freight locomotive but would have found its way onto passenger turns. I love the three cylinder exhaust beat. I have Argo LPs that have recordings of the class in action.

An A4, under its streamlined casing, is really just a slightly 'souped up' A3. Designers upped the boiler pressure slightly, adjusting cylinder sizes to suit, and, on a small number, installed a special exhaust system with a double chimney known as a Kylchap. Invented by famous French steam engineer André Chapelon, building on earlier work by Finnish engineer Kyösti Kylälä, this technology proved transformational in performance terms, allowing a larger blastpipe diameter and thus reducing the cylinder back pressure resistance while using a clever system of nozzles and nested cowls in the smokebox to more vigourly draw the combustion gases and fire through the boiler tubes. Having the Kychap was a key reason Mallard was chosen specifically for the speed record attempt. Although Gresley used the Kylchap on a handful of A4s and the P2s, a barrier to wider deployment was its patented status, requiring heavy license fees for each implementation, amounting to around 10% of the total build cost for a new large express locomotive. Gresley died in service during WW2 at around the same time the Kychap patent expired, so his successor, Thompson, was able to use the tech on all his rebuilds and newly constructed large locos during the war at much lower cost. After WW2, the last LNER CME, Peppercorn, also specified the double Kylchap for all of his new A1 pacifics and some of his A2s. During the 1950s, British Rail Eastern Region was able to retrofit the entire Gresley express pacific fleet with the Kylchap system at low cost, starting with the remainder of the A4s, and then moving on to the A3s. My father, Peter Townend, had been a premium engineering apprentice at Doncaster works during WW2, had worked subsequently in the LNER locomotive drawing office, and had since become Shedmaster at Kings Cross 'Top Shed' (think depot, fleet and driver manager in modern terms). He was instrumental in enabling these modifications, championing the solution and creating the 'business case' for the Kylchap based on coal consumption savings after conducting a series of trials on the main line. Loco crews, especially firemen, really appreciated the Kylchap equipped locos as they steamed effortlessly, making their jobs much easier. Towards the end of the steam era on the southern part of the ECML in the early 1960s, the A3s and A4s were putting in some of their best ever performances, being effectively interchangeable on most duties and sometimes deputising for failed Deltics without losing time during the troubesome changeover period. The mainline steam allocation at Top Shed at closure in 1963 consisted entirely of Gresley-designed locomotives of classes A3, A4, V2 and N2, a remarkable testement to the skills of this remarkable engineer.

Oh dear, what a pity I had to miss out on this yesterday, wishing to have a bit more time lately. His famous designs are of course so unmistakably distinctive. One being overlooked perhaps is the electric BoBo EM2 / Class 76 based on his design, prototyped in 1941. 6 Of them went into active service by the Dutch Railways and 1 inactive for parts (NS 1500). Both the British and Dutch version are being preserved. Since I grew up in the Netherlands (later moved out) we could see these zooming about where we lived. Truly eye catching they were; couldn't miss them.

Also his carriages were stunning. The articulated suburban and Coronation sets were very innovative. The streamlined Coronation Set looked similar to HST MK4’s, 40 years ahead of their time. This stock was used for the world record runs, the streamlining obviously helped at high speed.

Takes me back to 2016-2017 when you made videos like these frequently. As an American fan of British railway history, Gresley has gotta be among my favorite designers the UK ever had

You're very good at creating these sort of videos. They're a great bridge between the models and the real thing. Was there a reason why you decided to omit the V2?

It was the A4 Pacific that first captivated me into collecting British locomotives more than 20 years ago, and to date I have all the different colours that the A4 was featured in from the 1935 garter blue, the rare silver, the wartime black, the experimental BR cobalt blue and red, and the final BR green until the end of service. Love this segment on Sir Nigel Gresley's designs.

Great video Sam, what a wonderful heritage we have in the development of steam locomotives. So much innovation with graceful design. I really enjoyed this, even as a Collett & Churchward fan.

Surprised to see that Gresley, my favorite CME, had pretty good range prior to his GNR days. My favorite Gresley designs are as follows: #3: J23/J50 (Hornby need to do a GNR version) #2: A4 #1: A1/A3 Looking VERY much forward to the B17/5s coming out next year.

This comprehensive review is appreciated Sam, particularly when you have the models to illustrate Sir Nigel's signature locomotive creations. Surprisingly, what seems to have been omitted by model manufacturers is what would be a very special train-set indeed; the full train which set the speed record featuring Mallard and the sleek Coronation 'twin-set' articulated blue coaches! Hope I have the coach set correctly named Sam. John, Brisbane, Australia. PS A little something special re the Coaches has appeared on the Hornby site it would seem (R40224).

Thanks Sam. great stuff. For the record, the J50/51 design is innovative. The sloping tank allowed the driver to see a low truck as he coupled up to shunt, while it increased the water capacity and gave better wieght distribution to the 6 driving wheels for traction. The 'arch' allowed the valve gear to be oiled without climbing underneath! The curved cab roof gave clearance on the London underground widened lines when taking coal to South London over what is now Thameslink.

Gresley produced most of the best locos ever designed and more than deserves his reputation of a great loco designer. The N2s, the J50s, the A1s, Hush Hush and without a doubt the A4s, probably my favourite loco class of all time.

I can speak from the very rare platform of having spoken to HNG - and travelled with him to KX - This was war-time and the railways were obviously suffering - when he asked me how I liked his engine - I must confess I hadn't noticed it was indeed 'his' engine (A4 Sir Nigel Gresley) I could only comment "It's dirty!" "Ah - yes" he replied "it's war-time and we cannot get engine cleaners - but I will send you an ex-works photograph of it!" He was as good as his word and, posted on Dec 25th (!) to my home address in Welwyn Garden City, came his glossy post card! What a Christmas! Yes! I do still have it - but much the worse for wear after so many years in a little boys hands! My Father worked on the LNER transferred from the M&GN. Now there's a railway which kept its identity right through the upheaval of 'Grouping' in 1922/3 until March 1959 when it closed entirely. The M&GN built and painted some of the M&GN Locos (painted by my Uncle Jim - who also ground the paint) I do enjoy your 'Welcome to The Railway', Sam! Thanks for making it so enjoyable. If you want to know more about the M&GN search on Line for 'The M&GN Circle' (history group) Michael Gamble

The guy was so legendary, they are building P2 2007 and K4 3403! Great vid Sam! Also model trains here in the USA usually cost over $300 or about £275. I love the V2s also

Gresley’s W1 actually entered preservation, not the way you think however. The tender from the W1 that ran with it for its entire lifespan is now coupled to A4 60009 Union Of South Africa. I’ve stood on the tender footplate, and walked through its corridor, so I have experienced the W1 in person.

Always love watching your videos Sam! Thanks for giving us the history behind these beautiful locos along with the amazing shots of their detailing and running ☺☺ - Shaggy

I always loved these locomotives! My favorite being the P2 with the design it has along with the 2-8-2 wheel configuration. I also love the iconic Flying Scotsman too when getting to know about British steam locomotives! Oh, can’t forget about the A4!

This brings me back to "Those great engineers, Gresley episode" the video when i first discovered your channel, and then instantly followed up by watching a video on Book Law. Oh this brings me back :D back to those days growing up in my childhood! thankyou for this in a way.

Dear Sir, This was one of the best videos you ever made. Thanks. Cheers from Brazil!

I really enjoy your videos like this! The big 4 was a great little series, too!

V2 surely that should have been in there.. Its one of my faves...Great video by the way.. 🎉😀👍

Just for additional information, Mallard had a set of carriages hooked on behind the Dyno car. From the photos it looks like one of the articulated sets (vague memory suggests the Coronation set but someone will know!). Streamlining was a big PR thing at the time but the justification was usually given as reduced coal consumption, it just so happens that increased attainable speed came with it. All of which helped to gain column inches in the press for your railway company of course. As mentioned below, Papyrus was notable for her record runs. It would be nice to see something about the A4 specific trains, the class being famously introduced with the Silver Jubilee service, with carriages and locos being matched in complimentary designs and colour schemes if possible please?

I was born and raised within shouting distance of Grimsby Town Station, whilst not a perceived mecca of trains, for some reason notable and exciting trains did turn up. I am talking about the late 1950's, LNER (British Rail) had a schedule twice a day - a direct link between Cleethorpes and London Kings Cross (left at around 6:00 am and returned at about 8:00 pm). As a kid, living where I did - train spotting was natural. Many named trains regularly operated on this schedule most of which escape me, however the Sir Nigel Gresley does spring to mind, however the highlight for me was waking in anticipation at 5:00am one morning in order to see Mallard operating the schedule

Thanks for anothrer wonderful and educational video Sam, much appreciated 👍🙏🏻

Great video Sam 👍

👍Really , very much 👍👍 enjoyed that retrospective Sam. Highlight seeing the J50 & N2 sharing the rails together.

Loved the history and the locomotives! Thanks!

Great idea for a video ❤ I really enjoyed it.

Great story and goes without saying, rather timely, given Flying Scotsman's centenary. Went for a look at York last Friday and photographed my Hornby model of the same with her.

Well done Sam. Really enjoyed your Gresley revue. Be nice to have a Stanier ,Bullied not forgetting Churchward history as well. All the best.Mick.

Excellent commentary I learned a lot of history …. Thank you for sharing that

Hi Sam, Nice review thanks for the insight, All the best Brian 😊

Great video idea! I'd love to see a Stanier locomotive video

When people say “the W1 wasn’t successful” they haven’t done enough reading. It was very successful in setting Gresley’s design ethos in terms of streamlining, and it many things very well (deflection for smoke, until the Kylchap was fitted).

Glad that you saved Mallard until the end... Great video, thanks Sam... Was good to see Doncaster instead of Scotsman... Very informative and well produced...👍

If you certainly were very shockingly surprisingly good enough to ask me, I'm quite sure that Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley himself certainly would basically be very shockingly surprisingly impressed with this official video when proudly looking straight down from Heaven right now!!!!!!!!

Beautiful video, sir! I love Gresely designs, I also love his rival's designs too. Are you going to make a Stanier video with the big 4 centenary?

Gresley has go to be one of the greatest locomotive designers, love his locomotives, we had A4vSir Nigel Gresley down at the Nene Valley Railway Easter weekend and the weekend after. It was great to see. Never seen any trains onnthe Nene Valley as full as those were.

I like this format a lot.

Awesome video today Sam really enjoyed today’s video

Great video and running session here Sam, Definitely got a fair few gresley locomotives in my fleet, nice selection of locomotives shown and nice to see Mallard as well although for me it’s weird seeing a hornby mallard especially after the amount of work that I put into one to make it look as much like how the real mallard looks in the NRM right now

I had the pleasure of dispatching 60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" when she visited the Nene Valley Railway as a trainee porter 😊

Excellent video Sam very interesting to watch. I have been in the cab of the Flying Scotsman .

A great concept for a video Sam. How about a show about Stanier at some point too? Very best wishes, Adrian

They are very nice my friend I do love the designs of the trains. I might get my self some of them. Anyway ur the best

Fun fact: Wilbert Awdry originally wanted Thomas to be a J50 but the illustrator drew Thomas (somewhat) like an E2.

Great video Sam. I'm not a steam buff but I prefer the Stanier designed locomotives. The Black 5 has to be the best UK steam locomotive ever built in my opinion.

Hi Sam, great video, I’m a fan of Gresley locos, great to see the amazing designs, it’s a shame Accurascale don’t produce any of the Gresley locos, I live in hope the will in the future, I will save my money until they do.

Great Video Sam!

Awesome video Sam's trains

I hope you are planning to do videos like this on other railway designers: Sir William Stanier, Charles Collett, George Jackson Churchward, Edward Thompson and Henry Fowler to name a few.

Good ideas those historical videos. It's good to know that the LNER J50 was the first design by Sir Nigel Gresley. By the way, if someone would issue a N2 (I bet on Accurascale), I'm ready to buy one, nice small engine (and 0-6-2 is hardline British axle disposition, one of my favorite). For the history, you have obvious referencial people in UK railway history, and Sir Nigel Gresley is one of them in terms of influence and technical achievements, with people like Sir William Stanier (LMS) and Oliver Bullheid (SR).

Great video sam 👍love gresley trains you can't beat then what a designer 👍

Nice one Sam, it’s good to have a bit of history occasionally.

Wow Sam’s trains I bet this is the greatest video ever, I wonder if you could get bitten with two tenders in model form for your layout

hey sam, good work! just saying you missed the v2 though! good job as always though!

Love the A1 / Flying Scotsman! Truly loco gems imo😁👌

Brilliant video I really enjoyed this video👍😊🤩

When will the next update on your new 3d print project on YT be? I quite enjoyed those videos, great vid as well

Excellent vid @SamsTrains. Thanks a lot.

Another interesting video Sam, are you planning on reviewing the new Rapido Iron Minks or the Class 37 from Accurascale? Thanks

Overall a very good piece. A shame you missed out a couple of Gresley's other GN classes which paved the way for the A1- the O2 (Heljan) and K3 (Bachmann). A couple of points of information- Robinson actually turned down the LNER CME job and suggested Gresley, A3 2750 Papyrus was the fastest non-streamlined loco in the UK at 108mph in 1935, and A3 60106 Flying Fox ran the highest mileage in service of any BR steam loco at 2.7 million. Not bad for the loco that lost the 1923 exchanges with the GWR, though it did run three quarters of a million miles more than the Castle that beat it......

Nice video sam!

great video sam do you think youll do other loco engineers like stanier, collet, maunsell, churchwood, and bullied

Again a nice video i hope also you make a new GWR video?

I know it may not have been the prettiest of designs, but I quite liked the design of the GNR J23, which was built in 1915 and I think some additional units in 1922. I beleive it later became the J50 in the LNER, with additional units built for the LNER between 1924 and 1939 It was an interesting 0-6-0T loco.

Would like to point out that, unlike the Southern Streamlined Pacifics and the LMS Coronation class, Gresley's streamlining was integral to the locomotive. Southern and LMS had streamlining added to a conventional design, hence it could be (and was) removed.

I thought the B17s would make an appearance, Footballers and Halls. Hornby have produced the standard B17/1 for some time but are currently working up the streamlined version that was applied to only 2 locos.

Great video as always, Sam! Have been on the channel for a couple years and always loved your videos. Thanks for the info and keep up the good work :)

you should buy the rapido stirling single, i don't own it but it looks beautifull

Wow, marvelous train, very good

Not sure if you know Sam but the A1 trust that is building the P2 is building a V4 next. Lovely looking little loco and the great thing about this when they build it is the heritage lines will want it. P2 is going to be a main line loco like A1.

You didnt include the V2, which exists in model form, and I consider it to be his finest locomotive design and essentially a slightly shrunk A1/A3 locomotive which contribute much to their excellent performance. I knew you have at least one beautiful looking V2 model by Bachmann

I must say I am getting some nostalgia from this video.

I for one think Greeley was one of the greatest engineers of steam ever, personally he’d be a great inspiration for me if I ever want to make my own steam engines.

I've been happy as I have REALLY wanted some running not reviews i also learnt a lot (Even thought being a enthusiast nerd!!)

I'm surprised you didn't include the V2, a lovely loco and model, which I'm sure you have.

Very interesting Sam.

I recall a fic of Great Northern being purchased for Sodor by Hatt, and restored into full GNR condition. MasteroftheLemons' Salty Story has a gag where Gordon pleads, to pirates raiding the shed, Don't take my signed photo of Sir Nigel Gresley!

For me Sam, It has to be the N2, and the A1. I absolutely love them ;) Cheers Jasper & Willow

Sam’s trains everyone model reviews history lessons and sometimes vlogs I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t enjoy this

No one can have a strong dislike on something designed by Gresley. :)

Hiya Sam - @ 2:24 -I have the same Loco J50 but number 585 but without the railings around the coals!!! & @ 2:54 - never really noticed the 'arch' on it b4!!! Yep also @ 7:58 I have got the 'Doncaster' - same No. as yours. Also Also I've got the W1 'Hush Hush'. Must keep up with Sam - I also got the (with the rude sounding name of) 'Cock O' the North' & The 'Mallard' 😉🚂🚂🚂

I heard somewhere that Gresley was friends with RJ Mitchell who designed the Spitfire. Not sure if it’s true but I’d like to think they were! Imagine those two in the same drawing room just materializing some of the most beautiful designs of all time together

I'm more of a Diesel guy personally, but damn Mallard and the rest of the A4s are beautiful locomotives

Fun Fact: Gresley was inspired by the (American) Pennsylvania Railroad’s K4 class when he was designing the A1, specifically the wide firebox and tapered boiler.

Sam, that was very interesting. Does anyone model the Thomson rebuild Class A2s?

Lovely model from hornby? That's the most unusual aspect about it

Hi Sam there are a few engines that you didn't include one of them was the V2 Green Arrow and the V3 Tank

Like the Grealey locos but I'd rather have a good old Collett design or a Bulleid!

The D49's and the V2's are two of my favourites that didnt get a look in plus the class 76 electric's

for the A1/A3's, I found it very bizarre that the A3's were given their own classification instead of something along the lines of A1/2, then the A4's would be classified as the A3's, and the Great Northern rebuild (Thompson A1/1) would be classified A4.

I think the J50 was going to be the original basis for Thomas the Tank Engine in the mind of the Revd W Awdry.

Gresley may be one of my idols.

Wow very awesome

Sam, you forgot to add the additional carriages she was pulling

Hello from wales!

Love me some hush hush !!!Sammy boy!!

It does seem odd that there weren’t many 2-8-2 Wheel arrangement (Mikado) locomotives in the U.K. They were fairly common - and successful - here in the States, along with the 2-8-0 wheel arrangement (Consolidation). That being said, they were briefly renamed the McArthur wheel arrangement during WW II, due to anti-Japanese sentiment at the time. 😢 I have to say that - of all the British-designed steam locomotives - the “Flying Scotsman” is my favorite. Maybe it’s just the name, or maybe it’s the sprung buffers, or the screw-link couplings. Nah, it’s that it’s a rather handsome looking loco. 😊

I know that there isn't a lot of models of his stuff, but I wouldn't mind seeing a video on LB Billington