New plaque unveiled at Doncaster Station to commemorate Sir Nigel Gresley

The plaque and information board is situated close to an existing display which includes the names of many of the Gresley designed locomotives built in the nearby engineering workshops and highlights the important role Sir Nigel Gresley played in the development of Doncaster as a major railway centre.

Ben Godfrey, the grandson of Sir Nigel Gresley, said: “I am delighted that the work of my grandfather, and his importance to the great railway centre of Doncaster, is being recognised today on the date of his birth. His most famous locomotives were built here, so there is a very special family connection with Doncaster.”

Sir Nigel Gresley lived in Thorne Road, Doncaster from 1905, following his appointment as Carriage & Wagon Superintendent, and later Locomotive Engineer with the Great Northern Railway. Although he moved to London in 1923, upon becoming Chief Mechanical Engineer of the newly formed London & North Eastern Railway, the extensive workshops at Doncaster remained his responsibility.

It was here, in the famous ‘Plant’ works, that Gresley’s big ‘Pacific’ locomotives, and many others, were designed and built. These included Flying Scotsman, acknowledged as the world’s most famous steam engine, and later the streamlined A4 Pacifics. It was one of these locomotives, Mallard, driven by Joe Duddington with fireman Tommy Bray, both Doncaster men, that achieved a world speed record for steam of 126mph in 1938 – a record unrivalled to this day.

Mayor Ros Jones, said: “Doncaster has a proud connection to the railway industry and this is another splendid acknowledgment to a man who gave so much to our city. It will be a lasting reminder and attraction, to those who live in and visit Doncaster, of his ongoing influence.”

Linda Wain, Engineering Director at LNER, said: “We’re delighted to see this plaque unveiled in honour of Sir Nigel Gresley — one of Britain’s most iconic steam locomotive engineers, who rose to become Chief Mechanical Engineer of the LNER. His legacy is deeply woven into the history of Doncaster and the wider railway industry, and it's especially fitting to mark his contribution in this year of Railway 200, as we celebrate two centuries of rail innovation and achievement.”