The National Railway Museum in York is full of famous, momentous and historically significant items.  This was particularly so during the Great Gathering when all six surviving Gresley A4 Pacific’s lined up to celebrate the fact that they are the fastest steam engine class in the world and have been for 75 years.  As much as Mrs Locoyard understood and appreciated the thoroughbred express machines, it was this steam engine that truely made her smile!

The 1941 built Peckett 0-4-0 saddle tank is considered to be one of the smallest standard gauge steam locomotives ever built.  Whether it is the smallest or not, one thing is for sure as far as Mrs Locoyard is concerned; a tiny steam engine with the name “Teddy” is the cutest around!

Along with 5 of the A4 Pacific’s, Teddy was visiting the National Railway Museum in York, but the presence of this locomotive was wholly appropriate given that it is a “Yorktown” class.  Built by the Ministry of supply the locomotive was named after Rev. Teddy Boston.  Teddy Boston was a clergyman, author and steam enthusiast who built the Cadeby Light Railway in his Rectory in Leicestershire.  He was friends with another famous clergyman, author and steam enthusiast – the Rev. W. V. Awdry who was the man who wrote “The Railway Series” and therefore creator of Thomas the Tank Engine.  Indeed, Teddy Boston was the “Fat Clergyman” in The Railway Series!

The locomotive, number 2012 “Teddy” has quite a social media presence and can be found on Twitter and Facebook – both worth checking out and following.  I hope you agree with Mrs Locoyard that this is a very cute locomotive and keep an eye on it as it seems to be a hit with all!

To read about other exhibits to be found in the National Railway Museum during this visit in 2013, please click here.