"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant"
- Kevin Maguire, Daily Mirror & TV pundit
"Stayed on track, some great lines, made its points"
- Ray Laidlaw, Lindisfarne
"A must-see play for trade unionists and for anyone interested in the lives, struggles and
history of working class people"
- Matt Wrack, NASUWT General Secretary (2025-) and former TUC President (2023/24)
“Informative, vital, pivotal moments in the working class struggle - delivered with a splash of humour”
- Gary Wilkinson, Alikivi UK: North East Culture
"A remarkable true story. I laughed, cried and sang along. Solidarity!"
- Mond Cowie, founder member and guitarist of the Angelic Upstarts (and former shipyard worker)
The General Strike of 1926 was a rupture in society.
The infamous derailment occurred on 10 May 1926, seven days into the nine-day UK General Strike, when striking miners uncoupled a rail on the mainline railway through Cramlington.
The intent was to derail a blackleg coal train that the Northumberland miners felt was undermining the strike. Unfortunately for the perpetrators, it was a passenger train, the carriages of which were part of the famous Flying Scotsman service, pulled by No. 2565 Merry Hampton. British Pathé recorded the chaotic aftermath.
The Cramlington derailment was reported in the Illustrated Sunday Herald on Sunday, May 16, 1926.
(Scan of the original newspaper donated to Wisecrack Productions by Ralph Pinder)
British Pathé - "Scottish Express Wrecked during early days of Strike"
Despite 281 passengers aboard the train, the volunteer driver had been warned of trouble ahead and slowed down, meaning when the engine and five carriages were derailed, no one was killed.
The only injury was minor, to a man's foot. Most people were treated for shock and bruises and continued their journey from Newcastle.
Eight Cramlington miners were each sentenced to up to eight years for their involvement in the event. They were made an example of. The Cramlington Train Wreckers were eventually released early due to pressure from the trade union rank and file, politicians and the judiciary itself, who saw the original sentences as too harsh. They returned home, welcomed as heroes.
The events in Cramlington are being rediscovered through literature*, film, song** and academic research***.
The incredible story was performed on stage almost 100 years later in November 2024, and will be again in July 2026.
*Also see Michael Stockham's Arthur'll Stop You One. **No Regrets, by Tom Patterson. ***Dr Quentin Outram, Society for the Study of Labour History.
North by North-East is a new podcast that delves into the many quirks and facets of North East England, its history, and its people. This episode features a discussion with both Ed Waugh, the writer of The Cramlington Train Wreckers, and Russell Floyd, the play's director.
The Cramlington Train Wreckers in Northern Ireland - July 2026
We are delighted to announce that The Cramlington Train Wreckers has been invited to perform in two top Northern Ireland venues in July 2026, before the Theatre Royal Newcastle on 12 July.
The Playhouse, Derry/Londonderry: 8 July, 7.30 pm
Waterfront Hall, Belfast: 9 July 2026, 2.30 pm & 7.30 pm
Proudly supported by NIPSA, Unison, Unite, Belfast & District Trades Council, Irish Congress of Trade Unions & FBU.
Commemorative Walk - May 10, 2026
A fantastic Wisecrack event, organised with the help of Cramlington Town Council, took us around the former colliery village of West Cramlington (closed in 1938 and now Alexandra Park), before heading to the site of the infamous Flying Scotsman derailment exactly 100 years ago during the General Strike.
A big thank you to everyone who helped and attended (50+ walkers) to keep the memory of West Cramlington and the Train Wreckers alive. Look out for the BBC News segment!
