Retired Engine Driver John Anthony has submitted another blog post, sharing more of his experience driving the record breaking 4468 Mallard.  Without further ado, here is John’s second piece on this beautiful creature!

Hi, again, folks. What’s it like to drive the mighty “MALLARD”? My answer is very difficult, for I am an LMS man! Sir Nigel, in his wisdom, put the controls in places that only LNER men could find them! The “MALLARD” is the first steam engine I had driven for 25 years! You see, I am a new boy here in Skipton!

From my bucket seat I give a nuclear heave-ho on this strange regulator… Nothing happens! With sinews twanging and flesh spazzing , I tug again… With a ballistic hiss, she moves! Half an inch, then another inch, then a foot, my god! We are at the end of the platform! I want to blow the whistle, but cannot find the handle! I want to close the taps, but they are hiding somewhere! PLEASE,PLEASE SOMEONE, GET ME OFF THIS STRANGE CREATURE!

Many thanks to John for sending this in!  For those who missed it, John’s first piece can be found by clicking here.  All of John’s other contributions can be found on a dedicated web page (please click here.)