A set of number plates from the world’s first ever steam passenger locomotive are to go under the hammer.
They were on the original steam train called Locomotion.
It was built by Robert Stephenson in 1823 for the launch of the Stockton and Darlington Railway two years later.
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The Locomotion pre-dated The Rocket by four years.
In 1965, the plates were presented as a retirement gift to Peter Gray, works manager at the Darlington plant and were then passed down through his family.
They now belong to his grandson David Gray who is now selling them.
They are known as the famous ‘Number 1 Plates’.
Now after years of being kept in a vault, these unique brass plates have been tested and verified as genuine by the National Railway Museum.
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in Paris in 1889. (Jam Press/Railwayana)
They will go for auction between 3 and 5 October.
They are expected to attract interest from enthusiasts from across the world and Neil Booth, Director of Railwayana Auctions UK Ltd, is preparing for a busy time.
“These are amazing items,” Neil told What’s The Jam.
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“They are very special and part of our country’s railway heritage and history,”
“It’s where it all started.
“The very first plates from the very first ever steam powered passenger locomotive.”
There is no estimate or guide price.
In 2018, the nameplate from the Flying Scotsman sold for £64,500.
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