LET NO WHEELS TURN. The wrecking of the Flying Scotsman 1926. TUPS Books. Paperback – 91 pages. Author Margaret Hutcherson ISBN 1-901237-34-6

‘Let No Wheels Turn’ describes in graphic detail events surrounding the derailment of the Flying Scotsman, pulled by the LNER Pacific Merry Hampton. That no one was killed or even seriously injured was a miracle, more by luck than judgement. The ‘wreckers’ all miners from the Northumberland village of Cramlington had hoped to derail a coal train, but unwittingly wrecked a top link passenger express. In our modern society with the NHS, Social Security etc. it is impossible to place ourselves in the minds of hard working men who had suffered a 40% wage cut and saw their families literally starving to death, whilst the rest of a very privileged society lived in comparative affluence. Margaret Hutcherson was the granddaughter of the local grocer, forced thro’ hardship to leave Cramlington and move to London. The book covers social events surrounding the crash (the 1926 General Strike) and transcripts of the trial, which was by all accounts not up to the standards we would expect today. It is a stark reminder of the lengths that both governments and workers will go when faced with such situations. For students of social history together with an interest in railways this book is recommended.

This book is available from Tee Publishing Limited, £6.95 + p.p.

Colin Usher