Big Big Train are the great revivalists of warm, pastoral, English symphonic prog. Formed in 1990 but reaching their peak in the 2010s, they built sweeping, deeply melodic songs around English history, landscape and ordinary lives, sung by the late David Longdon. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “East Coast Racer”, “Victorian Brickwork”, “Judas Unrepentant” and “Uncle Jack” — their signature locomotive epic, a deeply moving family elegy, a witty tale of an art forger and a charming, banjo-led gem. The full ranking is below.

The epic in the everyday

Big Big Train spent their first two decades as a cult studio project before everything changed in 2009, when vocalist and multi-instrumentalist David Longdon joined and drummer Nick D’Virgilio (of Spock’s Beard) came aboard full-time. What followed was one of modern prog’s great runs. Heirs to the pastoral, melodic side of Genesis, they grew into a full ensemble — complete with a brass section — and built warm-hearted, sweeping songs from the most English of subjects: Victorian engineers and record-breaking steam locomotives, art forgers and butterfly collectors, hedgerows and wassailing. These fifteen songs are the best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing songwriting, those gorgeous melodies and arrangements, ambition and emotional impact. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “East Coast Racer” (2013), the sixteen-minute epic telling the story of the Mallard, the world’s fastest steam locomotive — their signature piece. With it: “Victorian Brickwork” (2009), an elegiac highlight written after the death of Spawton’s father; the twenty-three-minute title track “The Underfall Yard” (2009), a hymn to the great Victorian builders; “Judas Unrepentant” (2012), the witty, jerky tale of a real-life art forger; “Uncle Jack” (2012), a charming, banjo-led miniature; and “Curator of Butterflies” (2013), a gorgeous, tender ballad.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Master James of St George” (2009) is a rousing, multilayered opener; the title track “Folklore” (2016) is a joyous celebration of English myth; “Brave Captain” (2017) is one of Longdon’s most stirring suites; “Last Train” (2009) is a wistful farewell to a closing railway; and “Hedgerow” (2012) bursts with pastoral energy.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “London Plane” (2016) is a ten-minute ode to a city tree; “Winchester from St Giles’ Hill” (2012) is a lovely slice of English place and memory; “Swan Hunter” (2013) is a melodic lament for a lost shipyard; and “Wassail” (2016), their award-winning anthem, is pure midwinter folk-prog joy.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with “East Coast Racer”, then the album that made their name, The Underfall Yard. From there, the twin English Electric albums and Folklore are essential, while earlier records and the later run — up to Welcome to the Planet, David Longdon’s final album with the band — reward deeper exploration.

The players

Big Big Train have always been anchored by co-founder Gregory Spawton, the band’s bassist and chief songwriter. Their golden era was defined by the soaring voice and flute of David Longdon, who joined in 2009, alongside drummer Nick D’Virgilio (of Spock’s Beard), multi-instrumentalist Rikard Sjöblom, guitarist Dave Gregory (of XTC) and a rotating cast of fine players — not to mention a full brass section that became part of their signature sound. David Longdon died in 2021; the band chose to continue, with Alberto Bravin taking up the microphone, carrying their music forward while honouring everything Longdon built.

Why they still matter

Big Big Train proved that progressive rock could still be made with this much warmth, craft and heart in the twenty-first century. Direct heirs to Genesis and kindred spirits of Spock’s Beard, The Tangent and Camel, they found a voice entirely their own — English, nostalgic, generous and quietly profound. Few modern bands have built a world so worth getting lost in.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Big Big Train albums, find an entry point with where to start with Big Big Train, or dig into the underrated Big Big Train albums. You can also place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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