On 3 July 1938, Mallard broke the world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph (203 km/h), which still stands today.

The highest speed ever ratified for a steam locomotive is 125 mph (201.16 km/h), with a brief spell at which the speed reached 126 mph (202.77 km/h), by the London North Eastern Railway …

In fact, the fastest steam locomotives in history set their speed records no more recently than the 1930s. Here are the 18 fastest steam locomotives in history:

The need for speed Mallard is an A4 class locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley. The A4s were built to power high-speed trains in the late 1930s, and their shape was honed in a wind …

The A1 Pacific Flying Scotsman was the first steam locomotive to exceed over 100 mph during a passenger service. The A4 Mallard still holds the record as the fastest steam locomotive.

Though other steam locomotives, particularly in Germany, had attempted similar records, none had surpassed the 120 mph mark that Mallard left in the dust. The locomotive’s record still …

Jun 9, 2025 · Here we take a leaf through the history books and recount the fastest steam locomotives ever. To include different classes in the list, we’ve picked the fastest example but …

The fastest steam locomotive ever built was the British Mallard, which set a world speed record of 126 miles per hour (203 km/h) in 1938. That record for steam trains still stands today, making …

The top speed for steam locomotives is held by a British Class A4 locomotive named the Mallard. The British locomotive recorded a speed of 126 mph (203 km/h) on July 3rd, 1938, during a …

Their streamlined design gave them high-speed capability as well as making them instantly recognisable, and one of the class, 4468 Mallard, holds the record as the world's fastest steam …