Borders Railway - Now Open

[railjock]

Never say never but it is probably more likely that TVMs will be put in place once the fixed barriers are installed across the oriental platforms.

Tvm? Oriental platforms?

Sorry, you've lost me.

 

[HowardGWR]

Tvm? Oriental platforms?

Sorry, you've lost me.

I think he means 'as opposed to the occidental ones'.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Tvm? Oriental platforms?

Sorry, you've lost me.

Some Latin would have helped you. Orient refers to the east (rise, in sense of sunrise), occident refers to the west (sunset).

I think he means 'as opposed to the occidental ones'.

Indeed.

 

[47271]

Some Latin would have helped you. Orient refers to the east (rise, in sense of sunrise), occident refers to the west (sunset).
Indeed.

The Latin 'TVM', what does that mean? Or even add up to? [emoji38]

 

[railjock]

Some Latin would have helped you. Orient refers to the east (rise, in sense of sunrise), occident refers to the west (sunset).
Indeed.

Ah, what an erudite bunch on here.

 

[steevp]

The Latin 'TVM', what does that mean? Or even add up to? [emoji38]

I assumed that was ticket vending machines - but happy to be put right if there is something in my dusty Latin primer I missed

 

[edwin_m]

I assumed that was ticket vending machines - but happy to be put right if there is something in my dusty Latin primer I missed

It's the accusative of "Tus", carved in capitals into a piece of stone.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

It's the accusative of "Tus", . . . . .

Hah Ha! Very good ! !

 

[47271]

Sir Walter Scott himself would be impressed by the scholarly output to be found on this thread.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Sir Walter Scott himself would be impressed by the scholarly output to be found on this thread.

Marmion - you love it or you hate it.

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Back on topic: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-34456616

Borders Railway journeys top 125,000 in first month of operation
More than 125,000 journeys have been made on the new Borders Railway during its first month in operation, according to ScotRail.

The Tweedbank to Edinburgh line opened to the public on 6 September.

ScotRail said public interest in the new route had "soared" after nearly a week of celebrations and the official opening by the Queen.

It said additional carriages had had to be added to services particularly at weekends and "midweek peaks".

The exact figure issued over the first month was 125,971 total passenger journeys.

In addition, 17 sold out steam trains will have run on the line before mid-October, carrying around 6,200 passengers.

Phil Verster, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: "The incredible interest in the Borders Railway over the first few weeks highlights what a remarkable achievement has been made by the opening of the new line.

"By helping to create new opportunities for the people of the Scottish Borders, Midlothian and Edinburgh, this line better connects the regions and benefits both the local people and the local economy.

"There is a great future ahead for Scotland's railways, and the Borders Railway is an exciting part of that."

Transport Minister Derek Mackay said he was delighted to see the "soaraway success of services" and impressive passenger numbers.

"It is particularly good to see the Borders and Midlothian reap the benefits of being reconnected to Scotland's rail network after an absence of almost half a century," he added.
'Taken aback'

Scottish Borders Council leader David Parker said he was always confident the route would be a success but even he was "taken aback" by the usage figures.

"We have not only had Borderers using the service for work and recreation but many people from the central belt have been jumping on board to visit our region," he said.

"The knock-on effect has already been seen, with local businesses such as cafes and restaurants reporting extra trade.

"The aim of the Borders Railway Blueprint programme is for the railway to stimulate growth in our businesses, investment into our region and to create new jobs - already we are starting to see signs of all three and it bodes very well for the future."

Before the £294m line opened, forecasters predicted it would carry almost 650,000 passengers a year.

Former First Minister Alex Salmond said it could be used by one million travellers a year within five years.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Now perhaps they should consider the extension of the line back to Hawick at least & perhaps it may well be prudent to consider doubling the sections that they shortsightedly left as single.

 

[backontrack]

The Latin 'TVM', what does that mean? Or even add up to? [emoji38]

In Latin, this approximately means 'this 170 is too crowded! We need more!'

 

[najaB]

Now perhaps they should consider the extension of the line back to Hawick at least & perhaps it may well be prudent to consider doubling the sections that they shortsightedly left as single.

Even if it's being considered, you're five or more years before anything happens. There are higher-priority projects in Scotland that will be occupying Network Rail for the foreseeable: Aberdeen-Inverness improvement work, Highland Mainline, Aberdeen crossrail, ongoing EGIP, potentially sorting out Usan, Edinburgh-Glasgow-Aberdeen electrification.

 

[route:oxford]

Even if it's being considered, you're five or more years before anything happens. There are higher-priority projects in Scotland that will be occupying Network Rail for the foreseeable: Aberdeen-Inverness improvement work, Highland Mainline, Aberdeen crossrail, ongoing EGIP, potentially sorting out Usan, Edinburgh-Glasgow-Aberdeen electrification.

Five years is plenty of time to land-bank and plan.

 

[najaB]

Five years is plenty of time to land-bank and plan.

Oh, I was saying it's at least that long before they even start making anything like concrete plans! The Borders has had its attention for now.

 

[fegguk]

With 125,000 trips in the first month of operation, this should finally shut up the white elephant brigade.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-34456616

 

[Tim R-T-C]

With 125,000 trips in the first month of operation, this should finally shut up the white elephant brigade.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-34456616

Impressive but meaningless - the first few weeks were always going to be busy - everyone except ScotRail seemed to realise that.

The statistics for monthly operations next year will be more meaningful, when the hype and tourist traffic has died down, particularly when compared against those for similar rural routes.

 

[SemaphoreSam]

With late summer hopes, with wonderful weather, the Queen, at first blush things would look great. But, unless more will be on offer (doubling, and punching through to Carlisle), this line will not prosper. Even with those two, more must be on offer to attract custom (don't know what, but SOMETHING); otherwise, why would the 2 other southbound routes not be used? They are, obviously, quick and efficient. I hope it works; sadly, I fear it will fail. They have, it seems, created what will be a creaky branch line. Sam

 

[Altnabreac]

With late summer hopes, with wonderful weather, the Queen, at first blush things would look great. But, unless more will be on offer (doubling, and punching through to Carlisle), this line will not prosper. Even with those two, more must be on offer to attract custom (don't know what, but SOMETHING); otherwise, why would the 2 other southbound routes not be used? They are, obviously, quick and efficient. I hope it works; sadly, I fear it will fail. They have, it seems, created what will be a creaky branch line. Sam

There is very little demand south of Hawick because other through routes are quicker for long distance traffic.

There is also unlikely to be demand for more than 2tph south of Gorebridge so additional double track is not going to be of any use except in increasing reliability (which seems to have been pretty good in the first month).

The whole point of this reopening is to create a branch line for commuting into Edinburgh. That is what the demand is for and that is what will drive custom.

It may not suit enthusiasts who yearn for through trains to St Pancras but daily commuting from new build housing estates in Dalkeith to office jobs at the Gyle is what will make the line a success.

 

[najaB]

They have, it seems, created what will be a creaky branch line. Sam

That's exactly what it is supposed to be - a 'branch' line serving large, previously unserved Edinburgh commuter communities. It doesn't need to be a through line in order to be successful. Alloa-Stirling has been incredibly successful despite not being a through passenger line.

 

[oldman]

everyone except ScotRail seemed to realise that.

Don't blame Scotrail - this is a cut and paste job from a Transport Scotland press release.

 

[cjt0131]

Impressive but meaningless - the first few weeks were always going to be busy - everyone except ScotRail seemed to realise that.

The statistics for monthly operations next year will be more meaningful, when the hype and tourist traffic has died down, particularly when compared against those for similar rural routes.

125,000 trips in the first month is impressive but I agree it is meaningless and gives absolutely no indication of the future success of this service

numbers such as has been quoted will not be maintained and anyone who thinks they will be are quite frankly living in cloud cuckoo land

I do believe that that the service will be a relatively popular service

but after 6 or 12 months and a more detailed breakdown in exactly what journeys are being made and from where to where will determine the frequency of future timetables

 

[Glenmutchkin]

My daughter was catching a train at Waverley on Sunday afternoon and managed to get this snap on her phone. How long before they will need to clean the rooflights?




Anybody know how to make that attachment a worthwhile size?

 

[marks87]

How long before they will need to clean the rooflights?

Or how long before steam is restricted to platforms 8 and 9?

Although didn't I read somewhere that the glass in the rooflights is self-cleaning anyway?

 

[ainsworth74]

Anybody know how to make that attachment a worthwhile size?

No need, just click on it and it will take you to the larger version.

 

[misterredmist]

My daughter was catching a train at Waverley on Sunday afternoon and managed to get this snap on her phone. How long before they will need to clean the rooflights?

View attachment 24092


Anybody know how to make that attachment a worthwhile size?

Is that a VW Steam Loco ?
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Anyway, good luck to the Borders Line , I hope it's a great success....

 

[swt_passenger]

Although didn't I read somewhere that the glass in the rooflights is self-cleaning anyway?

That'll be true for the outside only...

 

[Bald Rick]

125,000 trips in the first month is impressive but I agree it is meaningless and gives absolutely no indication of the future success of this service

Approximately 124,000 are readers of this forum!

 

[Carntyne]

125,000 trips in the first month is impressive but I agree it is meaningless and gives absolutely no indication of the future success of this service

numbers such as has been quoted will not be maintained and anyone who thinks they will be are quite frankly living in cloud cuckoo land

I do believe that that the service will be a relatively popular service

but after 6 or 12 months and a more detailed breakdown in exactly what journeys are being made and from where to where will determine the frequency of future timetables

It'll be a roaring success like every single other Scottish route reopening.

 

[70014IronDuke]

125,000 trips in the first month is impressive but I agree it is meaningless and gives absolutely no indication of the future success of this service

numbers such as has been quoted will not be maintained and anyone who thinks they will be are quite frankly living in cloud cuckoo land

I do believe that that the service will be a relatively popular service

but after 6 or 12 months and a more detailed breakdown in exactly what journeys are being made and from where to where will determine the frequency of future timetables

I don't agree that it (actually almost 126,000) is "meaningless". It's clearly an excellent start, given that is more than DOUBLE the predicted average of 54,170. (650,000/12 - a number the article singularly fails to highlight, unless I missed it).

But of course, the first month was likely to see a bubble in ridership, and it is the first year's figures that will be much more meaningful, and on from there.

If, however, ridership does stay exceptionally strong - it would mean 1.5m over the first full year at the same rate - I wonder if there will be some justification in demands to at least extend the line to Jedburgh or Hawick.