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Celebrating International Women's Day
Lady Tweeddale Drives First Passenger Train
As we celebrate International Women's Day, did you know that the driver of the first passenger train across the Forth Bridge was a woman?
On 24th January 1890, a small group of VIPs boarded a train at Waverley Station to journey to the Forth Bridge. The elite guest list included the Chairman of the Forth Bridge Railway Company, Chairman of the Great Northern Company; the Marquis of Tweeddale as the Chairman of the Great British Railway Company; Sir John Fowler and Mr Baker, engineers; the main steel contractor, Mr Arrol; and other invited guests.
As the train approached the southern cantilever on the Forth Bridge, the driver halted the train and the Marchioness of Tweeddale took over the management of the engine by controlling the steam regulator. The train then travelled northwards at an average of 12 miles per hour, at different speeds, to test for possible vibration through the steel structure.
Lady Tweeddale was congratulated on her excellent driving.
Thank you to local historian Mr Frank Hay and members of 'The Briggers' for this story.
