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The Flying Scotsman
Train Day
May 11
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"The World's Most Famous Train!"
This jig was first published by Hugh Thurston in his book Sixteen Scottish Country Dances (1945–1967). The Flying Scotsman at that time was the fastest steam engine train to travel between London and Edinburgh!
This dance tells a story of the train’s journey that new dancers find easy to remember.
1–8 The train’s journey through the hills from London to Edinburgh.
9–16 The train’s journey from Edinburgh to London.
17–24 The train track (rails).
25–32 The electrical poles flashing past.
There are several versions of this jig to choose from based on your participants!
The Flying Scotsman originated in 1862 as an express passenger service between Edinburgh and London, though it was not until 1924 that the name was officially adopted. Renowned for its simultaneous departures at 10:00 a.m. from London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley, the service initially required 10½ hours to complete the journey, including a scheduled half-hour luncheon stop in York.
In the late 19th century, growing competition between railway companies spurred a dramatic reduction in travel time. During the famed “Race to the North” of 1888—two successive summers marked by intense rivalry—the journey was shortened to 8½ hours, reflecting both technological innovation and the ambitions of the Victorian railway age. Choo! Choo! 💚 💚 💚 🚂
The Flying Scotsman
Train Day, held the Saturday closest to May 10, celebrates rail travel all over the world near the anniversary of the pounding of the Golden spike in Promontory, Utah, which marked the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S.
A recent poll of the world's most recognized trains, which included famous and historical (and even fictional) trains and locomotives, put the Flying Scotsman and the top of the list.
Often known by its pre-war locomotive number, 4472, the Flying Scotsman was the world’s first steam locomotive officially credited with achieving 100 mph, in 1934.
It was given the name Flying Scotsman after the London to Edinburgh rail service, which started daily in 1862, departing at 10am.
In 1928, Flying Scotsman was given a new type of tender with a corridor, which meant that a new crew could take over without stopping the train. This allowed it to haul the first ever non-stop London to Edinburgh service, reducing the journey time to eight hours.
London and North Easter Railway passenger locomotives had always been painted apple green. But during the Second World War, Flying Scotsman was repainted in wartime black, in common with all railway stock.
In 1948, rail travel in Britain was nationalised with the formation of British Railways. Flying Scotsman was painted blue for a time, then British Rail Green. It remained this colour until 1963, when it was retired.
After retirement, Flying Scotsman toured the USA and Australia, before returning to the UK.
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This dance has several variations. The original shown below is noted as "suitable only for agile, experienced dancers."
For more on this favorite train, click the vintage photograph from 1933.
See below for a video of the dance performed by the RSCDS Glasgow branch in 2016.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
