The V2 class was Gresley's mixed traffic masterpiece for the LNER. With the power of his express passenger A3 class, but with smaller wheels they were intended for fast fitted freight services, which were marketed by the LNER as a 'Green Arrow' service. 4771 took this as its name. There were some changes to the class, notably the provision of outside steam pipes and modifications to the pony truck following derailments, but 4771 has the original appearance with the inside steam passages, a casting which is now showing its age, as steam leaks can be seen when running.

The loco was restored to Brunswick Green as British Railways No 60800 and ran on the main line and on preserved railways in this form until July 2005 when it suffered a major failure on the inside connecting rod, and the big end broke up, damaging the cylinder and the rod itself. By chance, there was a spare con rod (How lucky is that?) which had resided in the shedmaster's office at York. I vaguely remember seeing it in Geoff Bird's office in the late 1960's. So it is currently under repair and should return to action in March or April 2006, but this time it will be back in its LNER apple green and number as 4771.