Press Office
Fond farewell to NRM steam legend Green Arrow
The National Railway Museum’s (NRM) hard-working steam veteran Green Arrow is preparing for her final days of steam, as her 10-year boiler certificate runs out this April.
LNER 2-6-2 V2 Class No. 4771, Green Arrow, a Yorkshire-born engine, emerged from Doncaster Works in June 1936, as the first of 184 new steam locomotives built to haul both passenger and freight trains. Now this Yorkshire giant will spend her last working days in the region, at North Yorkshire Moors Railway, hauling passengers across the stunning landscape of the North York Moors.
Like her world famous counterparts, Flying Scotsman and Mallard, Green Arrow was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built by the London and North Eastern Railway Company.
Although not as glamorous as some contemporaries, the V2 engines earned respect for their reliability and endurance. They were famously nicknamed “the engines that won the war” after hauling massive trains of up to 26 coaches during the Second World War.
As the end of the 10-year certificate is nearing, No. 4771 Green Arrow will spend her remaining weeks at North Yorkshire Moors Railway from 3 March until 27 April.
Following her last steam excursion on Sunday 27 April, Green Arrow will go to Locomotion: the National Railway Museum at Shildon, where she will remain on static display.
Director of the National Railway Museum, Andrew Scott, said:
“Green Arrow is not only one of the most loved steam locomotives she is also one of the hardest-working of all time. With her current boiler certificate about to expire it is great to see that this iconic Yorkshire engine will end her operating days on her home soil.”
Philip Benham, General Manager of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, added:
“We are pleased to be able to host Green Arrow in her final days of steam and to be able to offer opportunities for visitors to take one final journey behind her amongst the charm and beauty of the North York Moors.”
Any members of the public wishing to ride behind Green Arrow during her last days of Yorkshire steam should visit www.nymr.co.uk or call 01751 472508.
Notes to Editors:
- For more information on Green Arrow’s time at North Yorkshire Moors Railway, visit www.nymr.co.uk or call 01751 472508.*
- Please keep in mind that steam locomotives of such an age are sometimes unable to appear as scheduled, in which case an alternative engine would haul the service.
Green Arrow entered serviced after construction at Doncaster Works on 1 June 1936. On 13 June 1936, the engine entered service, painted in LNER’s Apple Green livery and bearing the number 4771. - After the nationalisation of the railways in 1948, Green Arrow was re-numbered 60800 and re-painted in black British Railways livery. She returned to green, albeit BR Brunswick Green, in 1958.
The locomotive was withdrawn from service on 21 August 1962 and entered preservation. She then went on to become part of the National Collection. The engine was restored by the former Norwich shedmaster, Bill Harvey, and the Norfolk Railway Society and has been a regular mainline performer ever since. - In 1975, Green Arrow transferred to the new National Railway Museum in York. The engine was in steam for the opening ceremony performed by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on 27 September 1975. Locomotive No 4771 was last overhauled in 1998 by the National Railway Museum in a project funded by Huddersfield business, Dr. Michael Peagram.
25 March 2008