Borders Railway - Now Open

Techniquest · 7 Sep 2015

It's quite a slow journey until Gorebridge isn't it? Our trains all called at Stow on that section but those that didn't stop looked good and fast through.

We endured a former SPT 170 on the first journey, the 158s were in comparison far more fun and welcome!

Nice and scenic route, it has to be said, and I fail to see the point in going to Tweedbank as there's nothing of note there! Galashiels is a more interesting place with stuff to do and good connections too for buses, not that we did any mind. Huge Asda and huge Tesco a few minutes up the road from Galashiels station, head west out of the station. If you see one you won't miss the other as they're opposite each other!

I'm not rushing to re-use the line to be honest, it's done and that's that. I need platform 2 at Tweedbank but otherwise all the track is done in both directions so happy days. I'll be shack scoring the remaining 4 I need between Edinburgh and Gorebridge when I return to the area but otherwise there will be more important places to return to!

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ainsworth74 · 8 Sep 2015

Techniquest said:
Nice and scenic route, it has to be said, and I fail to see the point in going to Tweedbank as there's nothing of note there! Galashiels is a more interesting place with stuff to do and good connections too for buses, not that we did any mind. Huge Asda and huge Tesco a few minutes up the road from Galashiels station, head west out of the station. If you see one you won't miss the other as they're opposite each other!

There was not room at Galashiels for all the terminating facilities they wanted. No room for two platforms (both capable of taking long excursion trains), large car park or for a train crew depot (the building next to platform two at Tweedbank). If they had been able to fit all that in at Galashiels they wouldn't have bothered going on to Tweedbank because, as you noticed, Galashiels is the main economic centre in that bit of the Borders.

Techniquest · 8 Sep 2015

Fair enough, hadn't considered that :oops:

Traveller54 · 8 Sep 2015

Techniquest said:
Nice and scenic route, it has to be said, and I fail to see the point in going to Tweedbank as there's nothing of note there! Galashiels is a more interesting place with stuff to do and good connections too for buses, not that we did any mind. Huge Asda and huge Tesco a few minutes up the road from Galashiels station, head west out of the station. If you see one you won't miss the other as they're opposite each other!

Wow, I worked in Galashiels 1979-80, nothing like that there then, sometimes drove to Edinburgh for its Asda and noting the old railway track along the way thinking it should never have been shut, intending to make a sentimental journey in October, by train of course!

backontrack · 8 Sep 2015

This is from the 'How do you go about getting your station back...' thread.

backontrack said:
Hi Altnabreac. Using your template, I'm wondering how well the Borders Railway matches up.

1. Galashiels can beat this, as can Selkirk and Melrose (served by Tweedbank). The line between Edinburgh and Gorebridge has no problems either. Stow and Lauder together add about 1000.

2. Journey can be done in 57 minutes.

3. They've managed to lay it now, haven't they? Although it did take a while.

4. Some rejigging was needed regarding Newcraighall, but a regular timetable was eventually introduced with these services being extended.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The elephant in the room here is that the Borders previously had no railway connection as a whole region (for half a century). There's considerable bragging rights, media coverage etc. associated with such a thing. I reckon that, even south of Gorebridge, the line won't run at a loss.

The X95 bus operated by First will always be a threat to the line, but local buses north of Gorebridge won't be as fast as the train. When you have the choice, it's nicer to go on a brand new railway line then on a slower bus, and that will draw many people (especially families). Eventually, this will grow into a habit.

overthewater · 8 Sep 2015

That bus only take an extra 20mins,( to be fair it should only be 10mins) and if it manages to somehow reduce its running time which is possible, along with the £26 cut in the weekly ticket could created alot of good competition. Remember there are plans for new housing to be built along the line, including around Midlothian.

D6975 · 8 Sep 2015

Apologies if already posted:
The Scotrail page on the Central Scotland Rover now clearly states that it is not valid on the Borders railway. I was wondering whether or not they would include it.
There are some errors on this page - discussed elsewhere, but this is a clear indication that you're going to need a 'normal' ticket or a Scotland travelpass.

Altnabreac · 8 Sep 2015

D6975 said:
Apologies if already posted:
The Scotrail page on the Central Scotland Rover now clearly states that it is not valid on the Borders railway. I was wondering whether or not they would include it.
There are some errors on this page - discussed elsewhere, but this is a clear indication that you're going to need a 'normal' ticket or a Scotland travelpass.

Interestingly it appears that Edinburgh - Newcraighall validity has been withdrawn from the Rover.

Starmill · 8 Sep 2015

They could just have easily as called it 'The Galashiels Line' as the Borders Railway. One suspects they chose the latter name to keep hopes of going further alive! Tweedbank itself is a small village attached to Gala town.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Altnabreac said:
Interestingly it appears that Edinburgh - Newcraighall validity has been withdrawn from the Rover.

Given the other inaccuracies on that page I'm under the impression that this is just a mistake, I think it would be valid as far as Newcraighall still.

cjt0131 · 8 Sep 2015

Traveller54 said:
Wow, I worked in Galashiels 1979-80, nothing like that there then, sometimes drove to Edinburgh for its Asda and noting the old railway track along the way thinking it should never have been shut, intending to make a sentimental journey in October, by train of course!

yes back then gala was served by 4 quite small supermarkets fine fare (which became gateway) templetons laws and the co-op(which became pricefighter)

Envoy · 8 Sep 2015

I have just seen - On Reporting Scotland (BBC) two steam locomotives arriving in Berwick & on their way to Wednesday's opening of the line.

The engines are Union of South Africa & Tornado.

Those of you with satellite might like to set your recorders for Reporting Scotland at 6.30pm on 9th September 2015.
Outside Scotland, it is Freesat 973 (HD).
Sky = 951 (SD).

charlee · 8 Sep 2015

Are there many towns or areas along the current borders route that could possibly see new stations built at? I know heriot, fountainhall and tynehead used to have stations along the route. Are they too small of a catchment to warrant reinstatement? I know Stow only just made it after pressure from the borders group.

overthewater · 8 Sep 2015

charlee said:
Are there many towns or areas along the current borders route that could possibly see new stations built at? I know heriot, fountainhall and tynehead used to have stations along the route. Are they too small of a catchment to warrant reinstatement? I know Stow only just made it after pressure from the borders group.

That would be an utter waste of money and slow the service right down.

fegguk · 9 Sep 2015

The unofficial first Monday, Sorry no Brunston. Arrivals and departures at the new stations before the Queen opens the line. Shows Fountainhall and Heriot though does not show how small they are.

https://youtu.be/kxh2ai5n5Mc

https://youtu.be/hast98ANFxc

https://youtu.be/vB_6GVsBxdI

Altnabreac · 9 Sep 2015

charlee said:
Are there many towns or areas along the current borders route that could possibly see new stations built at? I know heriot, fountainhall and tynehead used to have stations along the route. Are they too small of a catchment to warrant reinstatement? I know Stow only just made it after pressure from the borders group.

None of those are ever going to have a station. The population is too small, there isn't a large catchment area for Park & Ride and the steep sided valleys combined with floodplain mean there is very little developable land to expand the population / pay for the station.

The only realistic option for a new station is Redheugh between Gorebridge and Newtongrange. It is dependent on large scale housing development and I suspect will also require a split into 2tph Gorebridge and 2tph semi fast to Tweedbank (probably calling Newcraighall and Tweedbank only).

Given this probably needs to add some more double track between Gorebridge and Portobello it will not happen until CP6 at the earliest.

PaxVobiscum · 9 Sep 2015

fegguk said:
The unofficial first Monday, Sorry no Brunston. Arrivals and departures at the new stations before the Queen opens the line. Shows Fountainhall and Heriot though does not show how small they are.

https://youtu.be/kxh2ai5n5Mc

https://youtu.be/hast98ANFxc

https://youtu.be/vB_6GVsBxdI

As always, my thanks to fegguk for taking the time to share these videos! They make a historic record of the events and I consider that this is suitable material for a film archive. They'll be plenty of coverage of HRH today, but the real opening is just as interesting. I hope you have a backup

Also, there is an excellent feature on the Borders Railway opening produced as the penultimate programme of the On Track series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyuuWP7jwk8

Well worth a watch.

Blindtraveler · 9 Sep 2015

D6975 said:
Apologies if already posted:
The Scotrail page on the Central Scotland Rover now clearly states that it is not valid on the Borders railway. I was wondering whether or not they would include it.
There are some errors on this page - discussed elsewhere, but this is a clear indication that you're going to need a 'normal' ticket or a Scotland travelpass.

What? Not even to Shawfare, eskbank, Newtongrange or Gorbridge? Im surprised given its valid to Northberwick, which is a lot further out

philjo · 9 Sep 2015

I did a trip on Monday as was in Edinburgh anyway after my highland rover.
once out of Edinburgh it is scenic in sections apart from the deep cuttings in places!
I caught the 12:25 from Edinburgh which was fairly full - some were locals going home including a member of East Coast staff going home after ending her shift.
I was planning to be on the 11:54 but missed that queuing for a ticket as none of the new stations were listed on the TVMs are Waverley.

Altfish · 9 Sep 2015

fegguk said:
The unofficial first Monday, Sorry no Brunston. Arrivals and departures at the new stations before the Queen opens the line. Shows Fountainhall and Heriot though does not show how small they are.

https://youtu.be/kxh2ai5n5Mc

https://youtu.be/hast98ANFxc

https://youtu.be/vB_6GVsBxdI

Thanks for posting these and your previous videos.
What are you going to do now?

fegguk · 9 Sep 2015

Altfish said:
Thanks for posting these and your previous videos.
What are you going to do now?

A re-make of the Railway Children relocated to Riccarton Junction. The only problem is the set is 60 miles long and construction is likely to cost £600M.

Less ambitiously various video ideas to promote the use of the line and the Borders by local on tourists.

iain-j · 9 Sep 2015

philjo said:
I was planning to be on the 11:54 but missed that queuing for a ticket as none of the new stations were listed on the TVMs are Waverley.

Must be a common thing as the TVM at Wallyford hasn't been showing them either. I ended up purchasing online and collecting from the TVM there and then.

Ianigsy · 9 Sep 2015

I can see an interesting long weekend in the Edinburgh area coming up, possibly next spring. Up on Friday, evening Class 68 Fife Circle trip, Saturday and Sunday for a combination of the Borders line, Edinburgh trams and possibly the Bo'ness and Kinneil, depending on what's on.

fegguk · 10 Sep 2015

The one with the Queen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KFvyPgFA2g

Feathers44 · 10 Sep 2015

My interest in this project is only as a tourist, my brother having got married all the way up in Ashkirk (from my perspective) a couple of years ago.

We did a day in Edinburgh at some point in the week we were there, driving up the A7 to a Park & Ride site just south of the city. Had the line been in existence at the time, then assuming we'd found somewhere to park near the end of the line or in Galashiels, I'd have happily done the tourist thing on the train and saved myself the drive and the rather lengthy bus ride (which I didn't particularly enjoy).

I always enjoy the concept of 'new' railway in any case so I am biased but I wish the line a profitable future as a useful bit of infrastructure for the area.

PaxVobiscum · 10 Sep 2015

fegguk said:
The one with the Queen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KFvyPgFA2g

Thanks for that one as well. I enjoyed watching that - it was like being there!

Mark62 · 11 Sep 2015

I believe it was a faster journey from Edininburgh to Gala in the 1950s. Locomotive performance and practice in RM recently logged a few runs back then and it was faster. How come it's slower now with lightweight rolling stock, a couple a coaches and fast acceleration? I also believe that the line hasn't got any sidings throughout the whole route. No nowhere to stable stock or broken down motive power. A pity

Altnabreac · 11 Sep 2015

Mark62 said:
I believe it was a faster journey from Edininburgh to Gala in the 1950s. Locomotive performance and practice in RM recently logged a few runs back then and it was faster. How come it's slower now with lightweight rolling stock, a couple a coaches and fast acceleration? I also believe that the line hasn't got any sidings throughout the whole route. No nowhere to stable stock or broken down motive power. A pity

1950 Bradshaw seems to give a 53 minute journey time non stop or 55 minute journey calling only at Stow. Stopping services were much slower (7 intermediate stops took 70 minutes or so.)

In 1961 BR timetable fastest journey I can see is 51 minutes non stop on the St Pancras express.

So todays 51 minute journey (with 7 stops) or 50 minutes (6 stops omitting Stow) looks to be an improvement rather than slower?

If you ran a non stop Edinburgh - Gala service today it would of course be faster but the demand is not yet there. In a few years time we will hopefully see a 2tph Gorebridge stopping service and a 2tph semi fast to Galashiels if demand builds steadily.

DaveNewcastle · 11 Sep 2015

Yesterdays' 15:32 from Galshiels to Edinburgh ran non stop from Stow to Edinburgh, reaching Newcraighall 8mins early. But being held for a few minutes before entering the mainline, the end-to end journey time was still about 52 minutes.

overthewater · 11 Sep 2015

DaveNewcastle said:
Yesterdays' 15:32 from Galshiels to Edinburgh ran non stop from Stow to Edinburgh, reaching Newcraighall 8mins early. But being held for a few minutes before entering the mainline, the end-to end journey time was still about 55 minutes.

Why is the timetable so bad? if it can reach certain points early.

DaveNewcastle · 11 Sep 2015

It was 8 mins early by virtue of running non-stop. If it had stopped at the 5 or 6 intermediate stations as timetabled, then that journey time could not have been achieved.

Borders Railway - Now Open

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