12 Facts About Nigel Gresley

Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley was a British railway engineer.

Nigel Gresley was one of Britain's most famous steam locomotive engineers, who rose to become Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway.

Nigel Gresley succeeded Henry A Ivatt as CME of the GNR on 1 October 1911.

Nigel Gresley developed an interest in breeding wild birds and ducks in the moat including Mallard ducks.

In 1936, Nigel Gresley designed the 1,500 V DC locomotives for the proposed electrification of the Woodhead Line between Manchester and Sheffield.

Nigel Gresley was appointed CBE in 1920 and was knighted in the 1936 Birthday Honours by King Edward VIII.

Also in the latter year, Nigel Gresley was awarded an honorary DSc by Manchester University and presided over the IMechE.

Nigel Gresley died on 5 April 1941, after a short illness, and was buried in the Churchyard Extension of St Peter's Church, Netherseal, Derbyshire.

Nigel Gresley was succeeded as the LNER CME by Edward Thompson.

Sir Nigel Gresley Square was opened to the public in May 2012 as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, by the Mayor of Doncaster Mr Peter Davies and two of Nigel Gresley's grandsons.

LNER Class A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley is named after its designer.

Nigel Gresley was inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame in 2023.