Flying Scotsman: The Extraordinary Story of the World's Most Famous Locomotive

by Andrew Roden

The incredible biography of the most famous steam locomotive in the world. Think of the Golden Age of Steam and one train leaps to mind above all the Flying Scotsman, Nigel Gresley's elegant masterpiece of a locomotive. She broke the world speed record in 1934 and has enthralled millions with her beauty and power. Uniquely, her post-war career has been even more varied and exciting than her early triumphs. Now Andrew Roden tells the Scotsman's remarkable story, from her construction and the glory days between the wars through the decline of steam and her rollercoaster fortunes in the subsequent nearly abandoned on a tour of the United States after the money ran out, crossing the Australian interior, then put up for sale yet again when the company that owned her went bankrupt in 2003. A massive public campaign saved her and the Flying Scotsman's restoration began in 2005 at the National Railway Museum in Britain. With the aid of numerous interviews with those involved with the Scotsman over the years, Roden brings her story memorably to life. With the aid of numerous interviews with those involved with the Scotsman over the years, Roden brings her story memorably to life. Above all, he why do grown men risk their life savings to own her? Why do thousands of people still line the trackside when she's due to race past? And just what is the eternal appeal of the Flying Scotsman?

Genres: Railways, History, Unfinished

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting and informative book....especially if you love steam trains as I do!! The narrative is fascinating and the pictures equally so, both capturing the massive appeal of the Flying Scotsman.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting history of the Flying Scotsman.

[Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed, albeit short, history of The Flying Scotsman. A must read for any interested in trains, steam power or those just curious as to how a nearly 100 year old train has been sustained.

[Andrew Fredricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story and pictures.

[Tim Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

The comprehensive story of the Flying Scotsman locomotive.
An engine that I'd heard a lot about, never seen - and knew very few real facts. Just what made this engine so special?

Originally built in 1923, the first evolution of Nigel Gresley's Pacific designs - thus an innovation.
Named for a famous existing service, she acquires a mystique.
First British engine recorded at 100mph, a powerful performer.
First non-stop London to Edinburgh run, a history maker.
Gradually overtaken in performance and utility, she remained in service until the Beeching cuts of the early 1960s, narrowly escaping the acetylene cutter - and that's when this book really gets going!

Bought from British Railways behind Beeching's back by Alan Pegler - a remarkable deal, allowing her to run 'specials' on main lines, and there were many.
Then Pegler took her on tour of the USA. A tour leaving him bankrupt, and the engine abandoned on the American West Coast.
Rescued and returned to Britain by William McAlpine, more 'specials' and a tour of Australia. And on it goes - with Tony Marchington, and finally into public ownership with the National Railway Museum.

My overwhelming impression from this book was - THE GREAT ESCAPER, this engine has needed to be VERY slippery to survive a great many situations.

Very highly recommended, a gripping true life story, unputdownable.


And now for a story of my own: On a train leaving Birmingham New Street, a woman spotted me with this book. Turns out she's the daughter of George Hinchcliffe - tour manager for Pegler and then McAlpine, and insisted on showing her grandaughter Grandad Hinchcliffe's name in the book. Then told us all about Alan Pegler's funeral finishing with not a dry eye in the church

[Robert Hepple · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about the A3 class locomotive ‘Flying Scotsman’, concentrating predominantly on the highs and lows of private ownership since the locomotive was sold off by British Rail in the 1960s. Whilst the first few chapters are devoted to the years prior to this, they include very little about the ‘Flying Scotsman’ itself and concentrate mainly on generic details of railway history and anecdotes about railway-related occupations. Things get a lot more interesting when the book discusses the succession of private ownerships, but often seems to gloss over some of the more questionable ways in which it was managed financially. It seems like nearly everyone who has had ownership has been subsequently crippled by higher than expected costs or naïve business plans, more so than with other even similar locomotives. Enjoyable, if too brief.

[Jim Willse · Rating 3 out of 5]

An odd little book that leaped into my hands at the library. Written with great enthusiasm if to art by a railroad geek. Found myself captivated by the details of how the last great steam engines were designed, and by life for the passengers (one carriage design was scrapped because it didn't permit the serving of hot meals) and the crew - being a fireman could mean seven hours of shoveling coal. If nothing else, I now know where Gerry Mulligan got the title for his great big band number "K4 Pacific." (It was an early locomotive using 6 instead of 4 big wheels to drive the train.)

[Matthew Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little biography of this marvellous historical locomotive. Through many trials and tribulations, Flying Scotsman captured the hearts of many.
The excellent book was written as the current restoration was just beginning nearly 10 years ago. The author was not to know what a mammoth project it was to be, but thankfully the locomotive is being returned to steam as we speak.