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The train - the 10.00 departure from 1862 to today

The Flying Scotsman service began in 1862 with the intr

This 1932 poster depicts the LNER and the Flying Scotsman as the embodiment of speed and modernity, whilst having a sly dig at the Southern Railway.
Credit: Science & Society Picture Library/National Railway Museum

oduction of 10.00 am departures from King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley stations. The journey time was 10½ hours, inclusive of a 30-minute lunch stop at York. In August 1888 a series of railway races ended with an agreed new running timetable for all trains between London and Scotland. The Special Scotch Express timings were fixed at 8½ hours.

From 1900 passengers could eat a meal aboard the specially built East Coast Joint Stock. To the great relief of passengers, 1900 also saw the provision of on-board toilets. Luxu

Luxury and convenience now became the hallmarks of the Flying Scotsman

ry and convenience now became the hallmarks of the Flying Scotsman.

The quest for speed returned in the 1930s as the Flying Scotsman cut its journey times from 8¼ hours to 7 hours 20 minutes. Passenger luxury levels reached new heights, with the provision of an on-board hairdressing service, cocktail bar and one of the finest restaurant services in Britain.

All this ended in 1939 with the outbreak of the Second World War. Overcrowding be

Image: North Eastern Railway first class dining car interior, 1909

Before 1900, passengers on the Flying Scotsman had to rely on a 30-minute comfort stop at York if they wanted to enjoy a hot meal. This all changed when the East Coast Joint Stock was introduced in 1900
Credit: Science & Society Picture Library/National Railway Museum

came endemic; often passengers felt lucky just to find space in the corridors. Fine dining was suspended and the buffet meal service was expanded, its simple, cheap foo d being more in tune with the democratic sentiments of the people’s war. Post-war austerity failed to stop the Flying Scotsman reaching a 7-hour timing, despite its relegation from non-stop status.

The 1960s saw rapid progress as track was relaid and bottlenecks smoothed out. By 1967 the Deltic-powered Flying Scotsman covered the 392-mile (631-kilometre) journey in 5 hours 50 minutes. In 1970 air-conditioned carriages were introduced and by 1977 further track renewal had cut the running time to 5 hours 27 minutes.

The High Speed Train went into service in 1978. It provided new levels of passenger comfort and 125 mph (201 km/h) operating speeds. Journey times came tumbling down to 4 hours 35 minutes. East Coast Main Line electrification was completed in 1991 and the Intercity 225 took to the rails. Today the Flying Scotsman still runs, using HSTs or 225s to complete the journey in 4 hours 30 minutes.

The route

Three railway companies built the original route of the Flying Scotsman. Progressively modernised ever since, electrification in the 1980’s secured Flying Scotsman’s future and pointed to its potential for Britain’s first truly high-speed route. > more

The engine: Why is Flying Scotsman famous?

Why is the Flying Scotsman famous? Ever since being named after Flying Scotsman (the train), the engine has always been placed by its owners in the public eye. > more


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