A nationwide appeal has been launched to find a recording of the voice of the renowned locomotive designer, Sir Nigel Gresley.

The Gresley Society Trust, which was founded in 1963 to honour his life and works, is searching for any recordings of his voice as a prelude to next year’s celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of his birth.

Sir Nigel Gresley was born in 1876 and became one of Britain’s, if not the world’s, most celebrated engineers.

He is best known for designing the world’s most famous steam locomotives, including A3 Class Flying Scotsman, P2 Class Cock O’ The North, and the holder of the world speed record for steam locomotives, Mallard.

Although there are many photographs and newsreel footage of Sir Nigel, no recordings of his voice have ever been found.

To this end, the Gresley Society Trust has launched the appeal to try to discover any audio recordings that may have captured his voice, which will provide a unique chance to bring Sir Nigel’s legacy to life.

If a recording of Sir Nigel’s voice can be found, it would be a priceless addition to next year’s celebrations, with the Gresley Society Trust looking to compile a comprehensive archive of his life and work.

Anyone with information about or access to potential recordings is asked to contact the Gresley Society Trust at [email protected]. The Trust’s archival team will carefully review all contributions and acknowledge the contributors as part of the 2026 celebrations.

“Finding a recording of Sir Nigel Gresley’s voice would be to hear history speaking. It would give us a direct connection to the man behind some of the world’s greatest steam locomotives, and we urge anyone who might have such a treasure to come forward and share it with the world. The Gresley Society is calling on the public, historians, archivists, and collectors to search their collections, attics, and archives for any audio material – such as radio broadcasts, speeches, interviews, or private recordings – that might feature Sir Nigel’s voice.”

Philip Benham MBE, FCILT, Chairman of The Gresley Society Trust