Novelty value?
I saw an article on TV about it and the locals now seem very keen & somewhat excited by the prospect of having the trains back, with new businesses in the tourism industry being one of the main beneficiaries.
I think that once the the novelty value dies down and the service beds down, we'll see how well loaded it becomes, the one thing that will almost inevitably happen is that the locals will see their house prices rise quite markedly and once that happens I think that you'll find that the other towns along the former route will also want it back.
I for one would love to see the whole route reopened as a viable alternative to the coastal routes not only in times of disruption, but as a route through stunning countryside for tourism purposes and also for the transportation of timber from Kielder Forest.
an excellent post I must say sensible and balanced
I agree the line should go all the way to Carlisle -- as it would give those using the borders line the option of north to Edinburgh to connect with east coast or south to Carlisle to connect with the west coast
rising houses prices if that happens is not all good ---those living in the borders are often on the lower wage scale and could prevent many from getting onto the housing ladder
I have no doubt that it will generate some tourism and will bring some economic benefit to the borders but I do have concerns about money being taken out and spent up in Edinburgh
I am not in the least interested how busy the new line is today this week or this month----its next month and the months which follow that really matter
I have used my car and the bus to Edinburgh will I use the train ? of course I will but it will of course depend where exactly in Edinburgh I am going to and what I am doing when I get there and I expect many will have the same philosophy
the borders railway will do ok but it does worry me that many (Scottish borders council, Scottish government in particular) have expectations way above of what will probably happen
I will get my tin hat ready for the barrage which will no doubt come my way from certain posters on here