Our purpose is to study and celebrate the life and works of Sir Nigel Gresley in particular, and the works and achievements of the London & North Eastern Railway in general. As a charity we have a remit to educate, and this we do through a programme of meetings and talks, and by erecting memorials of various kinds at appropriate places.
We own and operate the oldest extant Gresley locomotive in the world, Great Northern Railway class N2 No. 1744. It acts as a flag-bearer for the Society on many heritage railways.
We were first set up as an unincorporated society in 1963, but in 1998 we established a company limited by guarantee, number 3852084, and we obtained charitable status, as Registered Charity number 1081581. We currently have around 500 members.
We invite you to explore this website, and to join us if you can, to support our work.
In 2026, under the strapline “A Legacy of Innovation, Speed and Elegance”, the Gresley Society is planning a year-long celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of the legendary railway engineer on 19th June 1876. The Society, in collaboration with Doncaster City Council and other partner railway organisations, will host a series of events to commemorate his extraordinary impact that continues to endure.
Help Keep the Centenarian Running
Become a member
Latest news
-
On this day in 1962: first Peppercorn class A1 withdrawn
On this day in 1962 the first Peppercorn class A1 was withdrawn. Sixty-four years ago, on 1 October, No. 60123 H. A. Ivatt was condemned at Doncaster, barely three weeks after it had been badly damaged in a derailment at Offord on 7 September 1962.
-
On this day in 1935: the inaugural run of ‘The Silver Jubilee
On 27 September 1935, Sir Nigel Gresley’s brand-new class A4 No. 2509 Silver Link left King’s Cross with the silver-and-grey ‘Silver Jubilee’ on a press demonstration to Grantham, twice reaching 112½ mph.
-
No. 1744 stars at North Norfolk 1940s weekend
No. 1744 has returned to traffic after running repairs and took a starring role at the North Norfolk Railway’s Steam Back to the Forties weekend.
Meetings & Events
-
LNER Society AGM 2026 and talk on LNER passenger train formations
31 October 2026 11:00am
Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, Waterdale Doncaster DN1 3BZ
The AGM of the LNER Society will be held Danum Gallery, Library & Museum in Doncaster. At 13:00hrs John Smart will lead a session on LNER passenger train formations using a selection of photographs where we hope the audience will join in an open discussion.
-
Gresley 150 presentation to RCHS
7 November 2026 2:00pm
York Explore Library and ArchiveM, useum St, York YO1 7DS
Our chairman Philip Benham will be speaking to the Railway and Canal Historical Society about the life and work of Sir Nigel Gresley. Non-RCHS members are welcome on payment of £3 at the door.
-
SLS: The Streamlined Trains and Mallard’s Record Run
22 October 2026 7:30pm
Zoom – contact joining details
Philip Benham, Chairman of The Gresley Society, presentation to the Stephenson Locomotive Society on the creation of the class A4s and the LNER’s streamlined trains.
-
Launch into Traffic of Gresley Class N2 No. 1744
17 July 2026 11:30am
Sheringham Station, Station Approach, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8RA
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to celebrate the return to traffic of Gresley Class N2 No. 1744 at Sheringham Station on the North Norfolk Railway on Friday 17 July 2026.
-
Service of Celebration for Sir Nigel Gresley
18 June 2026 6:00pm
Doncaster Minster, Church Street Doncaster DN1 1RD
You are warmly invited to join LNER for a special Service of Celebration at Doncaster Minster to mark Gresley 150 – a milestone year commemorating 150 years since the birth of Sir Nigel Gresley at 18:00hrs on Thursday 18 June 2026.
-
AIMREC to Celebrate Gresley 150
4 July 2026 10:30am
AIMREC, Unit 2 Mill Farm Business Units, Fridd Lane, Bethersden, Kent, TN26 3DB.
Ashford International Model Railway Education Centre (AIMREC) in Bethersden near Ashford is to join the Gresley 150 anniversary celebrations throughout July 2026. AIMREC is now the permanent home of the famous layout ‘The Gresley Beat’ which models the King’s Cross approaches and ‘Top Shed’ in the classic LNER era by Cliff Parsons and his team.…
-
Wabtec Doncaster Site Celebration Event
20 June 2026 11:00am
Wabtec, Doncaster
With the support of the City of Doncaster council and other groups including the Gresley Society, on Saturday the 20 June, we will be hosting a Doncaster Site Celebration Event, bringing everyone together to honour its historic significance and lasting contribution to the railway industry.
-
Class V2’s 90th anniversary
5 December 2026 1:30pm
Danum Gallery, Library and Art Museum, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BZ
The Annual General Meeting will commence at 13:30hrs on Saturday 5 December at the Danum Gallery, Library and Art Museum and afterwards there will be a presentation by Chris Nettleton entitled The V2s – My Favourite Gresley Class and Their 90th Anniversary. Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the sole surviving class V2 No.…
-
Hopetown Darlington Sir Nigel Gresley presentation
6 June 2026 11:00am
The Main Museum Building, Hopetown Darlington, McNay Street, Darlington, DL3 6SW
Hopetown Darlington will be participating in the Gresley 150 anniversary celebrations with a talk by Gresley Society Trustee Mark Allatt at 11:00hrs on Saturday 6 June 2026 in Main Museum Building, Hopetown Darlington, McNay Street, Darlington, DL3 6SW.
