Mallard 85th anniversary marked with cab trip for relative of record breaking Doncaster driver

The great grandson of a Doncaster train driver who set the world speed record for a steam loco 85 years ago today aboard Mallard has followed in his footsteps on the anniversary.
By Darren Burke
Published 3rd Jul 2023, 15:57 BST
Updated 3rd Jul 2023, 15:57 BST
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It was on 3 July 1938, that the A4 class locomotive Mallard raced down Stoke Bank between Grantham and Peterborough at 126mph to set a new steam locomotive world speed record.

Doncaster’s Joe Duddington was at the controls on that historic day – and the record still stands.

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And to mark the anniversary, LNER invited Joe’s great-grandson Matthew Delaney for a trip in the driver’s cab of an LNER Azuma train to experience the journey his great grandfather made in 1938.

Matthew Delaney, whose great grandfather Joe Duddington set the steam locomotive world speed record at 126pm in the A4 class locomotive Mallard on July 3 1938, retraces his great grandfather’s journey in an LNER Azuma train to mark the 85th anniversary of the record, which still stands. Photo: Richard Walker/PA Wire.Matthew Delaney, whose great grandfather Joe Duddington set the steam locomotive world speed record at 126pm in the A4 class locomotive Mallard on July 3 1938, retraces his great grandfather’s journey in an LNER Azuma train to mark the 85th anniversary of the record, which still stands. Photo: Richard Walker/PA Wire.
Matthew Delaney, whose great grandfather Joe Duddington set the steam locomotive world speed record at 126pm in the A4 class locomotive Mallard on July 3 1938, retraces his great grandfather’s journey in an LNER Azuma train to mark the 85th anniversary of the record, which still stands. Photo: Richard Walker/PA Wire.

The family of Sir Nigel Gresley, who designed the A4 class of locomotive when he was Chief Engineer at LNER, were also invited on the special journey with Ben Godfrey, his grandson and Nina Britten, his great granddaughter attending and each enjoying a short journey in the train cab.

The families made a journey from York to London King’s Cross.

Joe was hand-picked for the record run as an experienced and trusted driver by Sir Nigel.

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He retired from the LNER in 1944, and died in April 1953, aged 76.

The family of Sir Nigel Gresley, the engineer who designed the A4 class of locomotive Mallard that set the steam locomotive world speed record at 126pm on July 3 1938, retrace their relative’s journey in an LNER Azuma train to mark the 85th anniversary of the record, which still stands. Pictured rail historian Tim Dunn (right) with Matthew Delaney, great grandson of record breaking driver Joe Duddlington and Sir Nigel Gresley's grandson Ben Godfrey (left) and great grandaughter Nina Britten. Photo: Richard Walker/PA Wire.The family of Sir Nigel Gresley, the engineer who designed the A4 class of locomotive Mallard that set the steam locomotive world speed record at 126pm on July 3 1938, retrace their relative’s journey in an LNER Azuma train to mark the 85th anniversary of the record, which still stands. Pictured rail historian Tim Dunn (right) with Matthew Delaney, great grandson of record breaking driver Joe Duddlington and Sir Nigel Gresley's grandson Ben Godfrey (left) and great grandaughter Nina Britten. Photo: Richard Walker/PA Wire.
The family of Sir Nigel Gresley, the engineer who designed the A4 class of locomotive Mallard that set the steam locomotive world speed record at 126pm on July 3 1938, retrace their relative’s journey in an LNER Azuma train to mark the 85th anniversary of the record, which still stands. Pictured rail historian Tim Dunn (right) with Matthew Delaney, great grandson of record breaking driver Joe Duddlington and Sir Nigel Gresley's grandson Ben Godfrey (left) and great grandaughter Nina Britten. Photo: Richard Walker/PA Wire.

He lived around the Hyde Park area throughout his life, but later moved to Dunscroft, living on Broadway.

In 2021, a headstone for Mr Duddington was unveiled in Hyde Park Cemetery, honouring his life and achievements after it was discovered that he was laid in an unmarked grave.

Related topics:Joe DuddingtonDoncasterLNERBen GodfreyGranthamPeterborough