The Railway Children

Stirling Single No.1 has featured in the York Theatre Royal and National Railway Museum production of The Railway Children since its first season in York in the summer of 2008. Built in 1870 and designed by Patrick Stirling, the chief mechanical engineer of the Great Northern Railway, the locomotive is characterised by a single pair of large 8 foot 1 inch driving wheels. The locomotive weighs a mighty 66 tonnes in working order and was built in Doncaster Works, the same workshop that built Flying Scotsman. Stirling Single No.1 is the only Great Northern Railway G Class locomotive to have been preserved and is part of the National Collection cared for by the National Railway Museum.

"If ever there was a star vehicle and a set built around one veteran performer, this is it. Stirling Single makes only two entrances, one dramatic and one poignant, steams a bit and exits backwards like a pro, and we all go mad. The latest matinee idol is an 1870 steam locomotive, green and brass and shining, down from the National Railway Museum in York."
The Times

"The superstar of E Nesbit's evergreen story is 140 years old, weighs 66 tonnes and puffs its way into view, whistle shrieking. It is a fine example of Victorian locomotive splendour and, steam-shrouded, it acts all the humans off the stage."
Daily Express

"The show's great coup, however, is the glorious arrival of a splendid, fully operational Victorian steam engine."
The Daily Telegraph

"Trains steal show as railway classic steams into Waterloo station"
The Guardian

The Old Gentleman's Saloon

This carriage, being used in this production for the first time, is the one which was used in the 1970 film of the Railway Children, directed by Lionel Jeffries and starring Jenny Agutter as Roberta, Bernard Cribbens as Mr Perks, and William Mervyn as the 'Old Gentleman'. Now privately owned by Chris Lawson, it is normally kept at Oxenhope on the preserved Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) in West Yorkshire where the film was made 40 years ago.

It was originally built in 1871 at Darlington as a 4 wheeled Smoking Saloon for the Stockton and Darlington Railway. In the early 1880s it was put on to 6 wheels and converted to become the Inspection Saloon for the Locomotive Superintendent of the North Eastern Railway (NER). It was based at Gateshead. In 1904 it was lengthened to its present configuration and placed on a new eight wheeled bogie frame. As such it comprises a saloon with individual armchairs and an extendable table for meetings, a toilet, guard/stewards compartment with wine rack, cool box and crockery cupboards, and a kitchen with gas cooker, hot and cold water system and cutlery drawers.

Continuing in use by the Assistant Chief Mechanical Engineer of the NER, in 1912 it was allocated to Darlington Locomotive Works and used for tours of inspection all over the NER system. It was taken into LNER stock at the Grouping in 1925, and in 1934 the interior and exterior were modernised to the condition in which it can be seen today. Up until then, locomotive No 66 'Aerolite', which is now preserved in the National Railway Museum in York, was specifically allocated to haul the Saloon.

It remained in use as an Officer's Inspection Saloon for the Locomotive Department at Darlington until 1948, when it moved to York and became the Saloon for the General Manager of the North Eastern Region of the new British Railways (BR). In the early 1950s it became the York based Signal and Telegraph Engineer's Inspection Saloon, and continued in use by him on BR until 1969. It was then bought privately by the late John Dawson and taken to the newly reopened KWVR and used in the Railway Children film the next year.

Never before, in its 139 year history, has the Saloon been so far south or visited any of the main London railway terminals. Normally on display in the Museum Shed at Oxenhope, it is used each summer for cream teas on Vintage Train weekends and also on other special occasions. As such it is believed to be the oldest standard gauge railway carriage in regular use. For details of when it is in use and opportunities to travel on board, go to www.kwvr.co.uk

About the National Railway Museum

If you fancy checking out the other big stars of the National Collection, why not take a trip to the National Railway Museum in York?

Get up close to over 300 years of fascinating history. Explore our giant halls full of railway legends including the majestic Duchess of Hamilton and a replica of Stephenson's groundbreaking Rocket.

Kids can let off steam in the outdoor play area, enjoy lively science shows and miniature railway rides or learn through the interactive exhibits. With daily demonstrations, tours and a special events programme there is something for everyone.

Admission free.

Discover more at www.nrm.org.uk