Blue Plaque Stories No.5 – Sir Nigel Gresley
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We recently spotted this plaque at King's Cross Station – it honours Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley (1876–1941), one of Britain's most esteemed railway engineers.
Between 1923 and 1941, Gresley served as Chief Mechanical Engineer for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), with his office situated within the station. His tenure here was marked by groundbreaking achievements in locomotive design.
Between 1923 and 1941, Gresley served as Chief Mechanical Engineer for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), with his office situated within the station. His tenure here was marked by groundbreaking achievements in locomotive design.
Gresley's innovations include the creation of the LNER Class A1 and A4 4-6-2 Pacific engines, among them the iconic Flying Scotsman—the first steam locomotive to officially reach 100 mph—and the Mallard, which still holds the world speed record for a steam locomotive at 126 mph. His development of the Gresley conjugated valve gear system exemplified his forward-thinking approach to engineering.
The plaque, originally unveiled in 1997, was relocated to Platform 8 in 2013 following station renovations. It serves as a testament to Gresley's enduring influence on railway engineering and his deep connection to this historic site.
Read more about Sir Nigel Gresley, here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Gresley
Read more about Sir Nigel Gresley, here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Gresley