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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 10th Marquis of Tweeddale as the Chairman of the North 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.
Notable achievements after 1890:
The Scottish Children's League of Pity was founded in March 1893 by the Marchioness of Tweeddale as the junior branch of the Scottish National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (SNSPCC). Led by her daughter, Lady Clementine Hay, the organization engaged privileged children in fundraising and charity work.
War Work & Recognition: As Dowager Marchioness, she was active in World War I efforts, serving as the Chairman of the Ladies Committee of the Navy League from 1914 to 1919. She was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Thank you to local historian Mr Frank Hay for providing this information.
