Mallard steam train exhibition secures Hornby place in Arts and Business Awards shortlist

Model railway manufacturer Hornby and the National Railway Museum have been shortlisted for a major business award after they reunited Britain’s greatest steam engines for one last time to commemorate a bygone age of steam travel.

Around 50,000 people from around the world flocked to the National Railway Museum in Shildon, County Durham in February for a unique chance to see Mallard, one of Sir Nigel Gresley’s streamlined A4 4–6–2 Pacific Class locomotives displayed with her five surviving sister A4 locomotives.

The effort to bring together the six 100-ton steam locos, which were lined up side-by-side for a week-long display named the Great Goodbye, was sponsored by Hornby and the museum.

The A4 class locomotives were built in the Thirties to haul the fastest express passenger trains from London to York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Nicknamed Streaks due to their speed and sleek lines, they were the pride of Britain's railways.

With their revolutionary design inspired by Bugatti race cars, they were the first of their kind to speed along the tracks at 90 to 100mph, 25mph faster than their predecessors.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/1...shortlist.html

I doubt if it will win too much of an expression of patriotism for the bleeding hearts who will be judging