Press Office
Thunderbirds are go... at the National Railway Museum
Thunderbirds will be on a special mission at the National Railway Museum in York this weekend.
The world-famous rescue team, including Jeff Tracy, Scott Tracy, Virgil Tracy and Alan Tracy are on standby along with Parker, Brains and Lady Penelope to provide a guest of honour for the Museum’s popular ‘Cab It!’ event on 17 and 18 March.
Called Thunderbirds to reflect their role as rescue vehicles for Virgin Trains, these special Class 57 diesel locomotives each carry the name of a character from the popular children’s series.
One of team will be starring at the two-day ‘Cab It!’ event, which offers visitors a rare opportunity to climb onto the footplate and see first hand how the engine operates.
“The Thunderbirds are always very popular,”
said NRM Programmes Officer Jon Pridmore.
“Much like their namesakes we are not yet certain which one of the team will be assigned to our mission, but I suspect most people will be hoping to see Lady Penelope - complete with bright pink nameplates!”
The Thunderbird diesel will be just one of a constellation of railway stars due to open up to the public during Cab-It.
Explainers will give special public talks on the footplate of Lode Star, and there will be open cab access to other iconic engines from the National Collection: Mallard, Duke of Gloucester, and the Japanese Bullet Train.
And budding train drivers will be given the chance to put their skills to the test, with the 'Diesel Driver for a Fiver' activity allowing visitors aged 16 and over to drive a shunting loco in the Museum's South Yard.
Also on offer will be steam and diesel rides, including the 2ft gauge Palmerston locomotive - the oldest regularly working steam locomotive in the world.
14 March 2007