After her successful return to service last year, LNER A4 no. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley made a welcome return to the main line in 2023 with the first of many tours in the South West which made me totally excited.

That’s an excellent question, as the status of Flying Scotsman’s famous sister locomotive, LNER Class A4 4498 / 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, changes frequently due to the intensive maintenance steam locomotives require.

Here is the current situation as of late 2024:

Short Answer:

No, Sir Nigel Gresley is not currently running. It is undergoing a major overhaul and is not in operational condition.

Detailed Status and Context:

1. Current Project: The “Great Overhaul” Sir Nigel Gresley was taken out of service in late 2016 after its boiler certificate expired. A massive, multi-million-pound overhaul began in earnest around 2018-2019. This is a complete strip-down and rebuild to return it to mainline standards for another decade of operation. The work is being carried out by the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Preservation Trust Ltd at the W.H. Butlin Engineering facility in Crewe.

2. Progress of the Overhaul: Significant progress has been made. The frames, wheels, and motion (the moving parts) have been extensively repaired and reassembled. The newly manufactured boiler—a colossal and expensive undertaking—was completed and delivered to Crewe in 2023. It is now being fitted with all its internal and external components (pipes, cladding, etc.). The iconic streamlined tender is also being fully restored.

3. Estimated Return to Service: The overhaul is a volunteer-driven project funded by donations, so timelines are fluid