diff --git a/docs/changelog.txt b/docs/changelog.txt
index 4be3e6a64..59c0dc2b1 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog.txt
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ changelog.txt uses a syntax similar to RST, with a few special sequences:
 # Future
 
 ## New Plugins
+- `faststart`: speeds up the "Loading..." screen so the Main Menu appears sooner
 
 ## Fixes
 - `hotkeys`: hotkey hints on menu popup will no longer get their last character cut off by the scrollbar
diff --git a/docs/plugins/faststart.rst b/docs/plugins/faststart.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b39269e01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/plugins/faststart.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+faststart
+=========
+
+.. dfhack-tool::
+    :summary: Makes the main menu appear sooner.
+    :tags: dfhack interface
+    :no-command:
+
+This plugin accelerates the initial "Loading..." screen that appears when the
+game first starts, so you don't have to wait as long before the Main Menu
+appears and you can start playing.
+
+Usage
+-----
+
+::
+
+    enable faststart
diff --git a/plugins/CMakeLists.txt b/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
index dc7fa9276..53d0296c7 100644
--- a/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/plugins/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ dfhack_plugin(dig-now dig-now.cpp LINK_LIBRARIES lua)
 #dfhack_plugin(embark-tools embark-tools.cpp)
 dfhack_plugin(eventful eventful.cpp LINK_LIBRARIES lua)
 dfhack_plugin(fastdwarf fastdwarf.cpp)
+dfhack_plugin(faststart faststart.cpp)
 dfhack_plugin(filltraffic filltraffic.cpp)
 #dfhack_plugin(fix-unit-occupancy fix-unit-occupancy.cpp)
 #dfhack_plugin(fixveins fixveins.cpp)
diff --git a/plugins/faststart.cpp b/plugins/faststart.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..de014801c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/faststart.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+// Fast Startup tweak
+
+#include "Core.h"
+#include <Console.h>
+#include <Export.h>
+#include <PluginManager.h>
+#include <MiscUtils.h>
+#include <VTableInterpose.h>
+
+#include "df/viewscreen_initial_prepst.h"
+#include <vector>
+
+using namespace DFHack;
+using namespace df::enums;
+using std::vector;
+
+// Uncomment this to make the Loading screen as fast as possible
+// This has the side effect of removing the dwarf face animation
+// (and briefly making the game become unresponsive)
+
+//#define REALLY_FAST
+
+DFHACK_PLUGIN("faststart");
+DFHACK_PLUGIN_IS_ENABLED(is_enabled);
+
+struct prep_hook : df::viewscreen_initial_prepst
+{
+    typedef df::viewscreen_initial_prepst interpose_base;
+
+    DEFINE_VMETHOD_INTERPOSE(void, logic, ())
+    {
+#ifdef REALLY_FAST
+        while (breakdown_level != interface_breakdown_types::STOPSCREEN)
+        {
+            render_count++;
+            INTERPOSE_NEXT(logic)();
+        }
+#else
+        render_count = 4;
+        INTERPOSE_NEXT(logic)();
+#endif
+    }
+};
+
+IMPLEMENT_VMETHOD_INTERPOSE(prep_hook, logic);
+
+DFhackCExport command_result plugin_enable(color_ostream &out, bool enable)
+{
+    if (enable != is_enabled)
+    {
+        if (!INTERPOSE_HOOK(prep_hook, logic).apply(enable))
+            return CR_FAILURE;
+
+        is_enabled = enable;
+    }
+
+    return CR_OK;
+}
+
+DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init ( color_ostream &out, vector <PluginCommand> &commands)
+{
+    return CR_OK;
+}
+
+DFhackCExport command_result plugin_shutdown ( color_ostream &out )
+{
+    INTERPOSE_HOOK(prep_hook, logic).remove();
+    return CR_OK;
+}