Glasgow Herald report on the Rail Races, 23 August 1895
Today we’ve launched Why Fly? – a new website urging Scotland’s public bodies and businesses to shift travel between Scotland’s Central Belt and London from air to rail. You can visit it here: whyfly.scot.
The launch comes exactly 130 years after the legendary Rail Races to the North – the Victorian contest between East and West coast train operators to see who could be the fastest from London to Scotland.
Back then, the winning time was over eight hours. Today, electric trains cover the same journey in as little as four – and they do so with a fraction of the carbon.
Our message is clear:
- Train journeys emit up to 90% less CO₂ than flights on the same route
- Trains offer more comfort, competitive journey times, and less stress
- Choosing rail delivers greater economic benefit for Scotland
Director Colin Howden said:
“Over 120 planes fly from Edinburgh and Glasgow to London every day – despite greener, faster, and more frequent trains running between the cities every half hour. Scotland can’t credibly aim for net zero while sending many hundreds of short-haul flights south each week.
“Switching to rail is one of the simplest, most high-impact actions our public sector and businesses can take – cutting carbon, supporting local jobs, and keeping more money in Scotland.”
The Why Fly? website brings together two decades of research, case studies and practical guidance showing why rail is the smarter choice for both climate and economy.
We’re encouraged to see organisations such as the Scottish Government, Glasgow Caledonian University and Lloyds Banking Group already showing leadership with travel policies that put rail first for UK trips. Now we’re calling on others to follow their lead and drive wider change.
Damien Henderson, Regional Growth Manager for Avanti West Coast, said:
“We are committed to providing seamless as well as sustainable journeys to support travel to and from Scotland. It’s great the Why Fly website is highlighting the many benefits of choosing rail.
What better way to travel where you can relax on board or get some work done on a hassle-free journey with some of the best views around? There’s no better office window.”
The launch also coincides with Railway200, the UK-wide celebration of 200 years since the first passenger railway. As Scotland looks to the future of transport, Why Fly? makes the case for rail as the backbone of a cleaner, more connected country.
