On This Day, November 30, 1934: Flying Scotsman's Run for the Ton
Welcome to the On This Day series, where The Occasional Express discusses train related anniversaries. Today, we discuss the anniversary of Flying Scotsman's 100 mph run.
Flying Scotsman needs no introduction. In case you are not familiar, a quick review. Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive built for the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) according to the flyingscotsman.org. Originally numbered 1472, she left her "birthplace," Doncaster Works, on February 24, 1923.
Flying Scotsman was named after the train that ran since 1862, and renumbered to 4472 (her most famous number) in 1924, then was sent to the British Exhibition. From here, the engine would become the LNER's Flagship. In 1928, Flying Scotsman was given a tender with a corridor in it, allowing for nonstop runs from London-Edinburgh as crews could change hands while the train continued down the line.
Flying Scotsman was often paired with another LNER celebrity, Williams (Bill) Sparshatt. Mr. Sparshatt began his career in 1890 as a cleaner, according to flyingscotsman.org. By 1931, he was the senior driver, or a "top link." He was known was keeping to the timetables and running engines at high speed.
Mr. Sparshatt's reputation soon had him working with Sir Nigel Gresley (the designer of Flying Scotsman), and the LNER's publicity department. From 1931-36, he became a public figure for the LNER and even posed with Flying Scotsman.
On November 30, 1934, Mr. Sparshatt took Flying Scotsman's throttle as part of speed trials the LNER was conducting. The runs weren't just for publicity, the LNER were trying to once again increase the speed of their high speed express trains. Their survival was at risk, according to the Smithsonian, the railways were facing steep competition from increasing road traffic.
On the famous day, Mr. Sparshatt said the famous quote "If we hit anything today, we'll hit it hard." And hit it hard they did!
During the speed tests, Flying Scotsman reached 100mph, known as "The Ton," to rail enthusiasts, the first time the speed was reached and authenticated in the United Kingdom. The record is somewhat disputed by claims that the Great Western Railway locomotive, "City of Truro," reached the speed first on May 9, 1904, according to the Science Museum Group. However, this claim is also disputed and unconfirmed.
When they returned to King's Cross Station in London, Mr. Sparshatt and his fireman, R. Webster, were greeted by an excited public. Famously, Mr. Sparshatt posed shaking hands with Sir Nigel Gresley.
The run made Flying Scotsman even more famous. However, the record would not hold for long. A few years later, Flying Scotsman's feat would be overshadowed by her successors, the Gresley A4 Pacifics (one of which, Mallard, would set the world speed record for steam. You can read more about that run on another of our On This Day posts). But the run is still a legendary one.
Flying Scotsman was thankfully preserved, and still exists today. You can see Flying Scotsman touring the UK and at her current owner/forever home, the National Railway Museum. Flying Scotsman is much different in form from his 1934 run. Flying Scotsman is currently numbered 60103, and wears British Railways Brunswick green. You can also see City of Truro at the National Railway Museum, unfortunately City of Truro is currently not operational.
Have you seen Flying Scotsman in person? Who do you think reached the speed first, City of Truro or Flying Scotsman? Let us know on our social media on Twitter and Facebook, or in the comments below. Links will be in the side bar.
Sources:
"About." FlyingScotsman.org. www.flyingscotsman.org.uk/about
"City of Truro Steam Locomotive." Science Museum Group.
https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co205781/city-of-truro-steam-locomotive-steam-locomotive
"Scotsman's 100MPH Driver." FlyingScotsman.org,
www.flyingscotsman.org.uk/scotsmans-100mph-driver
"The 'Flying Scotsman' made Train History when the Speedometer hit 100." Smithsonian. 30 November, 2016.
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/flying-scotsman-made-train-history-when-speedometer-hit-100-180961257
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| Flying Scotsman in Preservation in 1982. Photo By David Ingham - originally posted to Flickr as 03035, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3883924 |
Flying Scotsman needs no introduction. In case you are not familiar, a quick review. Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive built for the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) according to the flyingscotsman.org. Originally numbered 1472, she left her "birthplace," Doncaster Works, on February 24, 1923.
Flying Scotsman was named after the train that ran since 1862, and renumbered to 4472 (her most famous number) in 1924, then was sent to the British Exhibition. From here, the engine would become the LNER's Flagship. In 1928, Flying Scotsman was given a tender with a corridor in it, allowing for nonstop runs from London-Edinburgh as crews could change hands while the train continued down the line.
 |
| Flying Scotsman with her Corridor Tender. Photo: By Andy Dingley (scanner) - Scan from Allen, Cecil J. (1928). The Steel highway, London. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10642289 |
Flying Scotsman was often paired with another LNER celebrity, Williams (Bill) Sparshatt. Mr. Sparshatt began his career in 1890 as a cleaner, according to flyingscotsman.org. By 1931, he was the senior driver, or a "top link." He was known was keeping to the timetables and running engines at high speed.
Mr. Sparshatt's reputation soon had him working with Sir Nigel Gresley (the designer of Flying Scotsman), and the LNER's publicity department. From 1931-36, he became a public figure for the LNER and even posed with Flying Scotsman.
On November 30, 1934, Mr. Sparshatt took Flying Scotsman's throttle as part of speed trials the LNER was conducting. The runs weren't just for publicity, the LNER were trying to once again increase the speed of their high speed express trains. Their survival was at risk, according to the Smithsonian, the railways were facing steep competition from increasing road traffic.
On the famous day, Mr. Sparshatt said the famous quote "If we hit anything today, we'll hit it hard." And hit it hard they did!
During the speed tests, Flying Scotsman reached 100mph, known as "The Ton," to rail enthusiasts, the first time the speed was reached and authenticated in the United Kingdom. The record is somewhat disputed by claims that the Great Western Railway locomotive, "City of Truro," reached the speed first on May 9, 1904, according to the Science Museum Group. However, this claim is also disputed and unconfirmed.
When they returned to King's Cross Station in London, Mr. Sparshatt and his fireman, R. Webster, were greeted by an excited public. Famously, Mr. Sparshatt posed shaking hands with Sir Nigel Gresley.
The run made Flying Scotsman even more famous. However, the record would not hold for long. A few years later, Flying Scotsman's feat would be overshadowed by her successors, the Gresley A4 Pacifics (one of which, Mallard, would set the world speed record for steam. You can read more about that run on another of our On This Day posts). But the run is still a legendary one.
Flying Scotsman was thankfully preserved, and still exists today. You can see Flying Scotsman touring the UK and at her current owner/forever home, the National Railway Museum. Flying Scotsman is much different in form from his 1934 run. Flying Scotsman is currently numbered 60103, and wears British Railways Brunswick green. You can also see City of Truro at the National Railway Museum, unfortunately City of Truro is currently not operational.
 |
| Flying Scotsman in current form. Photo By Geof Sheppard - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48121616 |
Sources:
"About." FlyingScotsman.org. www.flyingscotsman.org.uk/about
"City of Truro Steam Locomotive." Science Museum Group.
https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co205781/city-of-truro-steam-locomotive-steam-locomotive
"Scotsman's 100MPH Driver." FlyingScotsman.org,
www.flyingscotsman.org.uk/scotsmans-100mph-driver
"The 'Flying Scotsman' made Train History when the Speedometer hit 100." Smithsonian. 30 November, 2016.
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/flying-scotsman-made-train-history-when-speedometer-hit-100-180961257
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