A History of the East Coast Main Line

Since the mid-nineteenth century the East Coast Main Line has been one of the major routes from London to northern England and Scotland.  

It has seen some of the greatest achievements in the railways, most notably the “Flying Scotsman” becoming the first locomotive in the world to exceed 100mph in 1934, and the “Mallard” claiming the as-yet-unbroken world speed record for steam locomotives of 126mph in 1938.

The East Coast Main Line not only made history by facilitating an ever-faster link between two capital cities, it also provided an international stage for Britain's engineering marvels, inspiring many generations of children and adults alike.  

This new book not only tells the story of how the London-Edinburgh line became the world's fastest steam railway, it also looks at how its proud and unique heritage is appreciated today and celebrated more than ever before.