RECORD runs were made on September 26, 1927, by the new Royal Scot trains of the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company.

A distance of 299 miles between London and Carlisle was accomplished without a stop in both directions, thus eclipsing the same trains’ previous performance of 236 miles non-stop between London and Carnforth, Lancashire.

The 299-mile trip was claimed to be the longest non-stop train journey not only in this country but in the world.

To facilitate its express services, LMS had ordered 50 powerful engines from the Glasgow-based North British Locomotive Company.

The achievement of the Royal Scot aroused considerable interest, coming on top of the news that throughout August it had been making the daily Euston-to-Glasgow/Edinburgh run on time.

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Herald Diary

At the end of October, the Royal Scot locomotive that had set a new non-stop record between London and Scotland went on show for several days at one of the platforms at Glasgow’s Central Station, pictured, with stationmaster Robert Scorgie prominent.

The display had been organised by LMS; for an admission charge, people could inspect the engine, with the proceeds going to city infirmaries.

“The intricacies of the engine,” the Glasgow Herald reported, “were explained to sightseers during the day by its regular driver, Mr David Gibson, and in the evening by Driver Peter McWhirr.

“There was a steady stream of visitors throughout the day, these including a large percentage of ladies, and in the evening it was estimated that nearly 3,500 persons had inspected the locomotive.”