TWO famous steam engines from yesteryear joined forces at the National Railway Museum (NRM) for a once in a lifetime journey.

Mallard, which broke the world speed record for steam engines when she reached 126mph on July 3, 1938, will today leave York for her new home at Locomotion, the NRM’s sister museum in Shildon, County Durham.

As she pulls out of the York rail centre where she has been a star attraction for many years, she will be accompanied by the country’s newest steam engine, Tornado.

Tornado was built over nearly 20 years by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust in Darlington. Steve Davies, director of the NRM, said: “It’s going to be a spectacular sight and we would love for Mallard and Tornado fans to come along to the museum to watch them leave together.”

The two engines are expected to leave York at 2.30pm.