4468 Mallard

Wallpaper Description:

“4468” Mallard was the first A4 to be fitted with a special Kylchap exhaust and double blast pipe and chimney, making steam production more efficient.
 
On the 3rd of July 1938 Mallard broke the world speed record for steam traction by reaching a speed of 126mph. But Sir Nigel Gresley himself never accepted this as the record-breaking maximum. He claimed this speed could only have
been attained over a few yards, though he was comfortable that the German speed record of 124.5 mph had been surpassed.
 
Mallard is the only surviving A4 in LNER livery.
 
It is 70 ft long and weighs 165 tons, including the tender.