ICONIC locomotive Mallard lit up a museum and castle this evening (Monday, February 3).

The National Railway Museum, York, promoted its final showcase with all five surviving sister locos by lighting up the museum and Durham Castle between 4pm and 7pm.

The Mallard 75 beacon art-deco display was seen from the East Coast mainline, so passengers were reminded of the event.

Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham said: “The county is the cradle of the railways so it is only fitting that we host the final event in the Mallard 75 season.

“We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Mallard and sisters to tell the story of high-speed travel down the East Coast Mainline.”

Anthony Coulls, Senior Curator of Railway Vehicles said: “Lighting up a frosty February evening demonstrates how our Mallard 75 events showcase our collection to new audiences and turn the spotlight on to the wonder of British engineering.

“Mallard is now off display being prepped for the big move to Durham this week so fans don’t have long to wait before they can once again get up close to the record breaker –with the added bonus of being surrounded by sisters in steam.”

In 2013 around a quarter-of-a-million visitors flocked to the National Railway Museum to mark the 75th anniversary of Mallard’s world record-breaking run by attending two ‘Great Gathering’ events showcasing Mallard and all five surviving sisters.

The last major event in the National Railway Museum’s Mallard 75 season of events and activities sponsored by Hornby is the Great Goodbye at Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon, from February 15 to 23.

For details visit www.nrm.org.uk/mallard75.