Leith Docks Branch - possibilities

[frvic93]

Now that the Leith Docks Branch is no longer being used for, well, anything, but is still an active line, I was thinking of how it could be reused. At the moment it'd be a bit daft to have a passenger service going there, but if the docks were redeveloped into housing, it might be a good idea. The farthest reaches of the docks are quite far from the new tram line (and any bus service, for that matter), so if there was a Leith Docks Shuttle (calling at Waverley, Abbeyhill, Seafield and either one or two stations within the docks) it would be handy for residents. The main problem I can envisage would be that trains would have to reverse at Portobello Junction to get onto the line, which is a bit awkward. Would that ruin the plan?

If it doesn't get redeveloped it's hard to know what to do with it. Would freight ever be carried on the line again?

 

[Chester1]

Now that the Leith Docks Branch is no longer being used for, well, anything, but is still an active line, I was thinking of how it could be reused. At the moment it'd be a bit daft to have a passenger service going there, but if the docks were redeveloped into housing, it might be a good idea. The farthest reaches of the docks are quite far from the new tram line (and any bus service, for that matter), so if there was a Leith Docks Shuttle (calling at Waverley, Abbeyhill, Seafield and either one or two stations within the docks) it would be handy for residents. The main problem I can envisage would be that trains would have to reverse at Portobello Junction to get onto the line, which is a bit awkward. Would that ruin the plan?

If it doesn't get redeveloped it's hard to know what to do with it. Would freight ever be carried on the line again?

What about converting it to a tram line with a short on road link along A199? It looks like there would need to be about 700 metres of on street track to link Leith South freight yard with the tram line. There would need to be a choice between making it tram train or blocking future freight use by full tram conversion. Messing around with reversing on ECML doesn't sound like a good idea.

 

[frvic93]

What about converting it to a tram line with a short on road link along A199? It looks like there would need to be about 700 metres of on street track to link Leith South freight yard with the tram line. There would need to be a choice between making it tram train or blocking future freight use by full tram conversion. Messing around with reversing on ECML doesn't sound like a good idea.

That could work - and the tram could even extend along to Portobello that way (but I don't know if that would be too long for your average commuter. Would be a good alternative to the 21 bus though!)