I WAS interested to read in Chris Titley's review of LNER Locomotives in Colour 1936-1948 that Sir Nigel Gresley dreamed up the name of 'Mallard' when feeding ducks.

I was given a different - and I think more entertaining - explanation of the name a few years ago. I printed it in my history of Escrick (1999)*, page 153:

"The (Escrick) estate's shooting was rented in the 1930s by T L Taylor, a steel manufacturer from Manchester.

One day... when Taylor was shooting duck with Sir Nigel Gresley his companion had ruined his concentration by constantly harping on what name he should choose for his newly designed locomotive.

Taylor finally lost patience and taking inspiration from the wildlife around them, exploded with: 'Oh, call the bloody thing Mallard'!"

Don't you like this explanation better?

J P G Taylor,

Holmes Drive,

Riccall, York.

* Now reprinting in a revised edition.

Updated: 12:09 Saturday, October 19, 2002