On display at National Railway Museum annex at Shildon is Ivatt Great Northern Railway Atlantic 251, 7th February 2015.
Locomotive History
Great Northern Railway 251 was the first of a class of ninety four engines built for East Coast Main Line “Top Link” duties. It was built at Doncaster works in 1902. The class was classified C1 by the London and North Eastern Railway and remained on “top Link” duties until displaced by Gresley Pacifics in the mid 1920’s. From then onwards they were used on the lighter expresses, secondary duties and as main line pilots. Two engines of the class were withdrawn in the 1920’s however mass withdrawal did not commence until 1943 with last of the class withdrawn in 1949. Great Northern Railway 251 was renumbered 3251 by the London and North Eastern Railway in 1924 and 2800 in 1946 and was withdrawn in July 1947. Following withdrawal it was restored to an external Great Northern Railway condition complete with its original number of 251. This included the replacement of the superheater, piston valve cylinders, Ross pop safety valves, and mechanical lubricators. The replacement slide valve cylinders were taken from 2868, and the saturated boiler was taken from 3278. A new frame was fitted, probably from 2868. After this restoration, it was exhibited at Kings Cross in October 1952 as a part of the station's centenary. In 1953 it was steamed for a series of main line specials celebrating the centenary of Doncaster Works followed by a number of main line specials in 1954. After a visit to the Doncaster Paint Shop, 251 entered the York Museum in March 1957. It was then transferred to the new National Railway Museum at York in 1975 and later moved to Shildon.
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