Nigel Gresley

Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley was one of Britains most famous steam locomotive engineers, who rose to become Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway . He was the designer of some of the most famous steam locomotives in Britain, including the LNER Class A1 and LNER Class A4 462 Pacific engines. An A1 pacific, Flying Scotsman, was the first steam locomotive officially recorded over 100160mph in passenger service, and an A4, number 4468 Mallard, still holds the record for being the fastest steam locomotive in the world .

Gresley was born in Edinburgh during his mothers visit there to see a gynaecologist, but was raised in Netherseal, Derbyshire, a member of the cadet branch of a family long seated at Gresley, Derbyshire. After attending school in Sussex and at Marlborough College, Gresley served his apprenticeship at the Crewe works of the London and North Western Railway, afterwards becoming a pupil under John Aspinall at Horwich of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway . After several minor appointments with the LampYR he was made Outdoor Assistant in the Carriage and Wagon Department in 1901 in 1902 he was appointed Assistant Works Manager at Newton Heath depot, and Works Manager the following year.

Source: Wikipedia