To commemorate Sir Nigel Gresley’s 150th anniversary, a historic nameplate from Gresley A3 Class Pacific No. 2555 Centenary has been loaned by The Gresley Society to the Danum Gallery in Doncaster.

Founded in 1963, The Gresley Society Trust dedicates itself to honouring the life and works of the great locomotive designer.

During the society’s Annual General Meeting, Centenary’s nameplate was presented to Doncaster’s Civic Mayor, Councillor Tim Needham.

Among the many famous locomotives that Gresley designed are the iconic Flying Scotsman, the steam locomotive world speed record holder Mallard, and Cock O’ The North.

Centenary was a classmate of Flying Scotsman, and the society has preserved its nameplate to commemorate the centenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1925, which is the same year that Centenary was built at Doncaster Works for the London & North Eastern Railway.

During its career, Centenary saw service on the East Coast Main Line from, among others, Doncaster, Grantham, and King’s Cross sheds, and travelled 1,867,962 miles before being withdrawn on 13th May 1963.

The Gresley Society acquired Centenary’s nameplate through a bequest from the late Stuart Nichols, a longstanding member from North London who passed away in 2016.

As well as owning a nameplate from Centenary, The Gresley Society owns the oldest surviving locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, N2 Class No. 1744, which is currently at the North Norfolk Railway, nearing the end of a major overhaul.

The society also owns the only surviving vehicle that Gresley designed for the 1938 ‘Flying Scotsman’ train, Buffet Lounge Car No. 1852, which is soon to be the subject of a Heritage Fund bid for restoration. Other efforts by the trust include placing plaques commemorating Sir Nigel Gresley at Doncaster and Edinburgh Waverley stations, and a statue of Sir Nigel at London King’s Cross station.

“This loan precedes our major celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Sir Nigel Gresley’s birth in 2026. By placing the Centenary nameplate in the Danum Gallery’s Rail Heritage Centre, we honour Doncaster’s pivotal role in Gresley’s designs and invite visitors to connect with our shared past.”

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