Drama around Flying Scotsman brought to life

BARBARA HODGSON on how a strange tale from 100 years ago is coming to the stage in Newcastle

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The 1926 train wreck

THE extraordinary story of a group of local miners who derailed the world-famous Flying Scotsman is to be told on the Newcastle stage next summer.

The Cramlington Train Wreckers is a play by local playwright Ed Waugh, which, as previously reported, brings back to life a long-forgotten story from the time of the 1926 General Strike.

With 2026 marking the 100-year anniversary of the strike, the drama's upcoming staging at the city's Theatre Royal is set to be a timely one and for many it no doubt will prove an eyeopener.

A further event, Centenary, will take place at The Glasshouse in Gateshead in the summer too, with songs, comedy sketches, stand-up comedy and readings.

Ed's play tells of a group of striking Northumberland miners who landed in the spotlight at the centre of action during the strike's tumultuous nine days when they uncoupled the Flying Scotsman on the mainline Edinburgh to London railway at Cramlington. It made national and international headlines.