2. Railways

The reopened Borders Railway - The Waverley Route

On Sunday 6th of September 2015 the Borders Railway opened to passenger traffic. Three days later on 9th September it was officially opened by HM The Queen travelling in a special train hauled by John Cameron's A4 60009 "Union of South Africa". This is a rebuilt railway on the route of the North British Railway's famous "Waverley Route". The line runs to a terminus at Tweedbank, a new station between Galashiels and Melrose. There is talk of extending the route to Hawick, the last town of any great size along the former Edinburgh to Carlisle railway closed on 6/1/1969.
This is a journey in a southerly Up direction from Edinburgh to Tweedbank so will jump about with dates and rolling stock.
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  • I had a delay repay voucher burning a hole in my pocket so I took a run out to Tweedbank on the superb rebuilt section of the Waverley Route. 170410 is rostered to 2T80 1153 Edinburgh to Tweedbank. 13/9/2019

    I had a delay repay voucher burning a hole in my pocket so I took a run out to Tweedbank on the superb rebuilt section of the Waverley Route. 170410 is rostered to 2T80 1153 Edinburgh to Tweedbank. 13/9/2019

  • 158701 slows for its stop at Brunstane station with 2T89 1459 Tweedbank to Edinburgh. To the right of the tracks is part of the abutment for the bridge which carried the former Lothian Lines over the tracks here, the embankment has been completely removed. There was a North British Railway built signalbox just to the right on the bridge, Niddrie North Junction 'box, photos of it are here https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/33/8/ and here https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/32/80/ 10/11/2015

    158701 slows for its stop at Brunstane station with 2T89 1459 Tweedbank to Edinburgh. To the right of the tracks is part of the abutment for the bridge which carried the former Lothian Lines over the tracks here, the embankment has been completely removed. There was a North British Railway built signalbox just to the right on the bridge, Niddrie North Junction 'box, photos of it are here https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/33/8/ and here https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/32/80/ 10/11/2015

  • 158701 runs slowly through Brunstane station for its stop. This is one of a couple of new stations that have been built to serve the south eastern suburbs of Edinburgh and can be quite busy.

    158701 runs slowly through Brunstane station for its stop. This is one of a couple of new stations that have been built to serve the south eastern suburbs of Edinburgh and can be quite busy.

  • The station just has one platform as the two tracks are two separate bi-directional lines. The left one forms part of the Edinburgh Suburban line and the right hand one goes onto the rebuilt Borders Railway. 158721 goes about its business with 2T96 1553 Edinburgh to Tweedbank.

    The station just has one platform as the two tracks are two separate bi-directional lines. The left one forms part of the Edinburgh Suburban line and the right hand one goes onto the rebuilt Borders Railway. 158721 goes about its business with 2T96 1553 Edinburgh to Tweedbank.

  • The view from the footbridge facing away from the station is interesting as it shows the remains of the Lothian Lines bridge which spanned the tracks here. The abutment walls and the central pier still stand despite the embankments having been removed in the mid to late 1970's. There was an absolute mass of lines in this area, all of which have gone apart from what is visible here. A map can be viewed here.... https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/1/404/ 10/11/2015

    The view from the footbridge facing away from the station is interesting as it shows the remains of the Lothian Lines bridge which spanned the tracks here. The abutment walls and the central pier still stand despite the embankments having been removed in the mid to late 1970's. There was an absolute mass of lines in this area, all of which have gone apart from what is visible here. A map can be viewed here.... https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/1/404/ 10/11/2015

  • Newcraighall is the second of two new stations built to serve the new housing built to the south east of Edinburgh. 158733 departs with 2T98 1624 Edinburgh to Tweedbank. The green signal is for this train and is on the newly built section of the Borders Railway which take the line clear of the yard at Millerhill and off the original route for a few miles. 5/11/2015

    Newcraighall is the second of two new stations built to serve the new housing built to the south east of Edinburgh. 158733 departs with 2T98 1624 Edinburgh to Tweedbank. The green signal is for this train and is on the newly built section of the Borders Railway which take the line clear of the yard at Millerhill and off the original route for a few miles. 5/11/2015

  • Having crossed 158733 at Shawfair, 158725 draws in with 2T93 1557 Tweedbank to Edinburgh. The station was originally built as a park and ride for Mussleburgh and the Newcraighall area of south east Edinburgh.

    Having crossed 158733 at Shawfair, 158725 draws in with 2T93 1557 Tweedbank to Edinburgh. The station was originally built as a park and ride for Mussleburgh and the Newcraighall area of south east Edinburgh.

  • The guard checks his times before giving the driver the right away. About six people boarded the train here.

    The guard checks his times before giving the driver the right away. About six people boarded the train here.

  • As the evening wears on its gets darker (obviously!) and the headlight on 158867 shines a beam into the murky and damp air. The service, 2T50 1514 from Glenrothes to Tweedbank does brisk business with many people joining and leaving the train.

    As the evening wears on its gets darker (obviously!) and the headlight on 158867 shines a beam into the murky and damp air. The service, 2T50 1514 from Glenrothes to Tweedbank does brisk business with many people joining and leaving the train.

  • The time is 12 minutes past 5 in the evening and it is pitch black but my 5D mkIII can see in the dark as 158704 runs in, no flash needed. This service is 2T95 1628 from Tweedbank to Edinburgh.

    The time is 12 minutes past 5 in the evening and it is pitch black but my 5D mkIII can see in the dark as 158704 runs in, no flash needed. This service is 2T95 1628 from Tweedbank to Edinburgh.

  • Station work complete and the doors shut, the set will depart. The driver has the road over Niddrie East Junction and onto Brunstane, the last stop before Waverley. 5/11/2015

    Station work complete and the doors shut, the set will depart. The driver has the road over Niddrie East Junction and onto Brunstane, the last stop before Waverley. 5/11/2015

  • 158701 is seen again returning to Tweedbank as 2T98 1624 off Edinburgh. At least this visit is dry compared to the one five days previously.

    158701 is seen again returning to Tweedbank as 2T98 1624 off Edinburgh. At least this visit is dry compared to the one five days previously.

  • The up train to Tweedbank crossed the down train to Edinburgh at nearby Shawfair station and dynamic loop. 158733 is the down train with 2T93 1557 off Tweedbank. 10/11/2015

    The up train to Tweedbank crossed the down train to Edinburgh at nearby Shawfair station and dynamic loop. 158733 is the down train with 2T93 1557 off Tweedbank. 10/11/2015

  • The Borders Railway is the new name for the old Waverley Route which was rebuilt from Edinburgh to a new terminus at Tweedbank just south of Galashiels. This is Shawfair south of Edinburgh and is a new station built on a new section of track. 9/9/2015

    The Borders Railway is the new name for the old Waverley Route which was rebuilt from Edinburgh to a new terminus at Tweedbank just south of Galashiels. This is Shawfair south of Edinburgh and is a new station built on a new section of track. 9/9/2015

  • 158702 slows for its station stop at Shawfair with 2T99 1728 Tweedbank to Edinburgh. The original route left the south end of Millerhill Yard but this new section bypasses the yard and mining subsidence and comes off the original route at Newcraighall South Junction and rejoins it a few miles south at Sheriffhall.

    158702 slows for its station stop at Shawfair with 2T99 1728 Tweedbank to Edinburgh. The original route left the south end of Millerhill Yard but this new section bypasses the yard and mining subsidence and comes off the original route at Newcraighall South Junction and rejoins it a few miles south at Sheriffhall.

  • The new line is 35 miles and 25 chains long and is single track but with three dynamic loops some 3-4 miles long to allow trains to pass. Shawfair station is on one such loop and 158717 runs in passing 158702.

    The new line is 35 miles and 25 chains long and is single track but with three dynamic loops some 3-4 miles long to allow trains to pass. Shawfair station is on one such loop and 158717 runs in passing 158702.

  • Station work over 158717 departs Shawfair station. It is planned to built hundreds of new houses in the area here and the station will be waiting for them. This working is 2T54 1651 from Glenrothes with Thornton to Tweedbank.

    Station work over 158717 departs Shawfair station. It is planned to built hundreds of new houses in the area here and the station will be waiting for them. This working is 2T54 1651 from Glenrothes with Thornton to Tweedbank.

  • Turning round to record 158702 departing heading for Edinburgh Waverley.

    Turning round to record 158702 departing heading for Edinburgh Waverley.

  • The gradient change ahead is clearly visible. The line opened to passengers just three days previously and this day, 9th September 2015, was the official opening with HM The Queen being conveyed to Tweedbank by John Cameron's A4 60009 Union of South Africa.

    The gradient change ahead is clearly visible. The line opened to passengers just three days previously and this day, 9th September 2015, was the official opening with HM The Queen being conveyed to Tweedbank by John Cameron's A4 60009 Union of South Africa.

  • Lothianbridge now and 158731 crosses the rebuilt Hardengreen Viaduct with 2T70 0924 Edinburgh to Tweedbank. This structure is single track and if the line is ever rebuilt through to Carlisle then it will have to be rebuilt to double track, one of many short sighted decisions taken on the rebuilding of this line. 14/4/2017

    Lothianbridge now and 158731 crosses the rebuilt Hardengreen Viaduct with 2T70 0924 Edinburgh to Tweedbank. This structure is single track and if the line is ever rebuilt through to Carlisle then it will have to be rebuilt to double track, one of many short sighted decisions taken on the rebuilding of this line. 14/4/2017

  • The original viaduct was demolished to allow the road to be improved and a great deal of work was required here to put the tracks back. Whilst the line was rebuilt on the cheap, it WAS rebuilt and has proved extremely popular.

    The original viaduct was demolished to allow the road to be improved and a great deal of work was required here to put the tracks back. Whilst the line was rebuilt on the cheap, it WAS rebuilt and has proved extremely popular.

  • Eight days later I am back on the route for a day of photography. One of the major reasons why the line was deemed feasible was the fact that Newbattle Viaduct still stood and was in excellent structural condition. An unknown class 158 crosses the 23 arch viaduct with 2T65 0859 off Tweedbank to Edinburgh. 17/9/2015

    Eight days later I am back on the route for a day of photography. One of the major reasons why the line was deemed feasible was the fact that Newbattle Viaduct still stood and was in excellent structural condition. An unknown class 158 crosses the 23 arch viaduct with 2T65 0859 off Tweedbank to Edinburgh. 17/9/2015

  • The viaduct was designed by John Miller and opened by the Edinburgh and Hawick Railway in 1849. Today the double track wide deck carries just a single track. A patch of sunlight catches the north end of Newbattle Viaduct as an unidentified class 158 sprinter comes out of the trees with 2T70 0922 off Edinburgh to Tweedbank.

    The viaduct was designed by John Miller and opened by the Edinburgh and Hawick Railway in 1849. Today the double track wide deck carries just a single track. A patch of sunlight catches the north end of Newbattle Viaduct as an unidentified class 158 sprinter comes out of the trees with 2T70 0922 off Edinburgh to Tweedbank.

  • Moving south slightly and this is Newtongrange. 158735 with 158729 depart the relocated and newly built Newtongrange station just beyond the bridge with 2T67 0928 from Tweedbank to Edinburgh. The original station was located right where the units are.

    Moving south slightly and this is Newtongrange. 158735 with 158729 depart the relocated and newly built Newtongrange station just beyond the bridge with 2T67 0928 from Tweedbank to Edinburgh. The original station was located right where the units are.

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    The Borders Railway is the new name for the old Waverley Route which was rebuilt from Edinburgh to a new terminus at Tweedbank just south of Galashiels. This is Shawfair south of Edinburgh and is a new station built on a new section of track. 9/9/2015
    158702 slows for its station stop at Shawfair with 2T99 1728 Tweedbank to Edinburgh. The original route left the south end of Millerhill Yard but this new section bypasses the yard and mining subsidence and comes off the original route at Newcraighall South Junction and rejoins it a few miles south at Sheriffhall.
    The new line is 35 miles and 25 chains long and is single track but with three dynamic loops some 3-4 miles long to allow trains to pass. Shawfair station is on one such loop and 158717 runs in passing 158702.