GRESLEY, Sir Nigel (1876-1941)
Plaque erected in 1997 by English Heritage at King's Cross Station, London, N1 9AG, London Borough of Camden
All images © English Heritage
Profession
Railway engineer
Category
Engineering and Transport
Inscription
SIR NIGEL GRESLEY 1876-1941 Locomotive Engineer had his office in this station 1923-1941
Material
Ceramic
Notes
The plaque is situated on platform 8 of King's Cross Station. Originally installed in 1997 on the western outside wall of the station, the plaque was covered in 2004 and removed in 2009 as part of the reconstruction of King's Cross station. It was re-sited on platform 8 in 2013 and still marks the set of offices in which Gresley worked.
Sir Nigel Gresley
British railway engineer Sir Nigel Gresley was born in Edinburgh in 1876. In 1911 he became Locomotive Engineer of the Great Northern Railway based at Doncaster. His office moved to King’s Cross after he became Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway upon its formation in 1923, and he held the post until his death.
Gresley was successively Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Northern and London & North Eastern railway company; among the famous steam locomotives he designed were 'Flying Scotsman' and 'Mallard'. His English Heritage blue plaque was originally unveiled in September 1997 on the western outside wall of the station. It was covered in 2004 and eventually removed in 2009 as part of the reconstruction of King's Cross station.
Platform 8, King's Cross
After several years away, English Heritage is returning the blue plaque to Gresley to King's Cross station now building work has finished. The plaque will be placed on the wall of Platform 8, looking over today’s modern trains as they leave for their journeys northwards.
The new site for the plaque was chosen because Platform 8, unlike the new concourse, retains its historic appearance, and still marks the set of offices – the 'western range' – in which Gresley worked. This means an important part of the blue plaque scheme’s criteria – to mark original buildings, and authentic building fabric – is fulfilled.