New Reston Station - Progress & Updates

[Mollman]

Modern Railways has tweeted that it will open on May 23rd.

https://transportscotland-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/reston-station-set-to-open-in-may-2022

Reston Station set to open in May 2022​

Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth has announced the new Reston Station will open to services on Monday 23 May 2022.
The new fully accessible station at Reston on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) in Berwickshire is a £20 million investment by the Scottish Government to improve access to rail services in the Scottish Borders. It will allow connectivity options to local public transport services, active travel provision and 70 park and ride car parking spaces, including over 20 electric vehicle charging stations.
Construction on the two-platform station commenced early 2021 and despite the challenges of a complex construction project in a global pandemic the station has made excellent progress and is nearing completion. On opening, Reston Station will be served by cross border operators including TransPennine Express and LNER services.
The eagerly anticipated new station will deliver a step-change in terms of public transport accessibility for East Berwickshire communities. It will transform connectivity to Scotland’s Railway bringing it within closer reach of the principal economic centres of Edinburgh and Newcastle. The station opening will also mark the reversal of the closure of the previous Reston Station 58 years earlier in 1964, as part of the Beeching closures.
Ms Gilruth said:
“This government has invested record levels to improve connectivity and since 2009, we have reconnected 14 communities to the rail network. Communities in and around Reston will undoubtedly look forward to the benefits that will be delivered by the return of rail services for the first time in more than half a century.
“Efficient and effective rail services, which encourage people to choose to travel locally and further afield by train, for work, training, education, leisure and social activities, are vital to Scotland’s future.
“Reston Station will help towards the transformation of the local economy, deliver on our Net Zero ambitions and create a fairer, greener Scotland.”
Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway, said:
“The opening of Reston Station for services is another fantastic achievement for Scotland’s Railway. This £20million investment delivers a fully accessible station reconnecting Reston and the surrounding communities to the rail network. It provides local people with greater choice to travel by train and use public transport as we seek to make Scotland a greener place to live and work.”
Matthew Golton, Managing Director at TransPennine Express said:
“It’s fantastic to be able to serve the people of Reston, and the surrounding area, with our direct services between Edinburgh and Newcastle.
“Our customers – and their communities – are at the heart of everything we do and we’re delighted to be able to connect so many of those communities by rail for the first time in more than 50 years.
“We’re incredibly proud of our role as a key partner in bringing rail services back to Reston and look forward to welcoming our new customers on board at the end of May.”
David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said:
"We’re proud to be introducing our revolutionary Azuma services at Reston as it becomes the newest destination along our iconic 956-mile East Coast route. The arrival of our services will transform travel for residents and generate further economic opportunities for the area, with our world-class services making business and leisure travel simpler, smarter and greener.
“Our Azuma trains offer customers greater comfort and space, keeping people connected with free onboard WiFi and sockets at every seat. Our superb at-seat catering offers in both Standard and First Class further enhance our customer experience.”
Network Rail has managed the design and construction of the project which delivers step free access with a pedestrian footbridge with lifts connecting the platform. Following its opening, Reston Station will be managed by ScotRail.
A car park with 70 spaces, over 20 of which have electric charging facilities, and 11 cycle spaces will make it even easier to take public transport. The car park has the capacity to be expanded in the future as demand requires.

Contact Information​

Caroline Trainer
Communications Manager
Transport Scotland
[email protected]

Notes to editors​

Reston Station will help to attract investment for Reston and the surrounding communities. The East Coast Main Line services will include seven trains each way per day operated by TransPennine Express and one each way per day operated by LNER.
It is part of the Scottish Government’s programme of new station openings with work underway at East Linton, Cameron Bridge and Levenmouth.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

https://transportscotland-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/reston-station-set-to-open-in-may-2022

That's one heck of a press release. Whoever wrote it must be on super-positivity pills.

 

[Kite159]

Like how LNER quote was "The arrival of our services will transform travel for residents and generate further economic opportunities for the area, with our world-class services making business and leisure travel simpler"

How many LNER services are due to call a day again?

 

[hexagon789]

Like how LNER quote was "The arrival of our services will transform travel for residents and generate further economic opportunities for the area, with our world-class services making business and leisure travel simpler"

How many LNER services are due to call a day again?

One each way

 

[Acfb]

How would you get to Eyemouth?

It's a five mile walk (so I might do that, at least in one direction and get the bus back if I time it) but it might be an interesting day out at the weekend.

I'm tempted to go on the first day as well but I don't know when Geoff Marshall is likely to be there/when there is an opening ceremony. The 9:30 train from Edinburgh would be the earliest train I could realistically take.

Seven trains a day in each direction is also better than I expected from TPE. I thought it would be five. I didn't expect the Edinburgh- Berwick shorts.

 

[InOban]

The last bus back from Eyemouth is quite early. Probably better to take a train to Berwick, get the bus back to Eyemouth, then walk the coast path to Coldingham or even St. Abbs. After some refuelling you can then walk to Reston for your train home. I wonder if someone in St Abbs will start offering a taxi to the station?

 

[EllieAquitrain]

So which train do we expect to make the first passenger call? The early morning Edinburgh-Newcastle TPE or something more civilised?

 

[Kite159]

It's a five mile walk (so I might do that, at least in one direction and get the bus back if I time it) but it might be an interesting day out at the weekend.

I'm tempted to go on the first day as well but I don't know when Geoff Marshall is likely to be there/when there is an opening ceremony. The 9:30 train from Edinburgh would be the earliest train I could realistically take.

Seven trains a day in each direction is also better than I expected from TPE. I thought it would be five. I didn't expect the Edinburgh- Berwick shorts.

Based on previous new stations he probably won't bother going until somepoint in 2024, unless someone funds his visit as part of a PR event.

 

[Watershed]

So which train do we expect to make the first passenger call? The early morning Edinburgh-Newcastle TPE or something more civilised?

9N05, the 05:29 from Edinburgh to Newcastle, is scheduled to make the first passenger call.

 

[EllieAquitrain]

9N05, the 05:29 from Edinburgh to Newcastle, is scheduled to make the first passenger call.

Guess I'll be polling over to Waverley at stupid o'clock then!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

9N05, the 05:29 from Edinburgh to Newcastle, is scheduled to make the first passenger call.

I wonder if there are any old-timers on this thread who rode on the last train to call at Reston in May 1964.

 

[och aye]

@fegguk will you and your roaring griffin be filming the opening day next week?

 

[fegguk]

Not on opening day, in the next few weeks.

 

[och aye]

Not on opening day, in the next few weeks.

Looking forward to it, rather than the 1 minute press release style videos you get from Network Rail and Transport Scotland.

Mind you with all the issues regarding the ScotRail timetable, perhaps they will keep the official opening low key!

 

[hexagon789]

Looking forward to it, rather than the 1 minute press release style videos you get from Network Rail and Transport Scotland.

Mind you with all the issues regarding the ScotRail timetable, perhaps they will keep the official opening low key!

Well it's not being served by ScotRail, perhaps that will help?

 

[Kite159]

Well it's not being served by ScotRail, perhaps that will help?

Although I do fear most of the TPE trains which are meant to call will end up getting cancelled due to the TPE staff issues. Newcastle - Edinburgh will probably be an "easy" service for them to knock on the head, get any passengers onto the LNER or XC services. Just make sure they get cancelled by 10pm the night before and they don't have to worry about delay repay or putting on replacement buses.

 

[800001]

Although I do fear most of the TPE trains which are meant to call will end up getting cancelled due to the TPE staff issues. Newcastle - Edinburgh will probably be an "easy" service for them to knock on the head, get any passengers onto the LNER or XC services. Just make sure they get cancelled by 10pm the night before and they don't have to worry about delay repay or putting on replacement buses.

One LNER service in each direction , that’s not going to help if TPE cancel

 

[DanNCL]

Although I do fear most of the TPE trains which are meant to call will end up getting cancelled due to the TPE staff issues. Newcastle - Edinburgh will probably be an "easy" service for them to knock on the head, get any passengers onto the LNER or XC services. Just make sure they get cancelled by 10pm the night before and they don't have to worry about delay repay or putting on replacement buses.

Newcastle - Edinburgh is generally the one TPE service that can actually be trusted to run more than 2% of the time as it's the primary way of rotating 802s through Craigentinny for maintenance.

 

[Kite159]

One LNER service in each direction , that’s not going to help if TPE cancel

Indeed, especially when the LNER trains are at around 07:30 to Edinburgh & 21:41 from Edinburgh.

Newcastle - Edinburgh is generally the one TPE service that can actually be trusted to run more than 2% of the time as it's the primary way of rotating 802s through Craigentinny for maintenance.

Although they can always run it ECS to/from Craigentinny if they have a driver but no guard, no different to Avanti running empty Pendos from London to Preston if they don't have a Train Manager (or whatever job title Avanti guards have)

 

[och aye]

Press release from Network Rail:

Reston station prepares to welcome first services

Network Rail has completed the construction of Reston station. The station has been backed by £20m of investment from the Scottish Government. Completion will enable trains to call at the village for the first time since 1964 – with services set to call from Monday 23 May.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Network Rail has completed the construction of Reston station.


The station has been backed by £20m of investment from the Scottish Government. Completion will enable trains to call at the village for the first time since 1964 – with services set to call from Monday 23 May.


The station, which sits on the East Coast Mainline, boasts 270m platforms which cater for 10 carriage trains and is fully accessible with step free access from ground level onto platform 1 and across the railway via a footbridge with lifts.


The station footbridge at Reston is the first structure of its type to be installed on the UK rail network. Spanning 16 metres across the railway, the ‘Ribbon’ footbridge design improves both the passenger experience and the aesthetic quality of station structures.


The 70-space car park, which widens the station’s appeal beyond the village itself, includes provision for blue-badge parking and electric charging points. It also offers a bus stop with shelter and a designated drop-off area creating the new transport inter-change.

Video: https://embed-fastly.wistia.com/deliveries/34573a34d6b655b3bf3f47844c0ed17d83557b0f.mp4

 

[Cletus]

The car park looks bigger than the village.

 

[185143]

I'll be visiting on Monday, hopefully.

 

[och aye]

Well it's not being served by ScotRail, perhaps that will help?

According to this website, Jenny Gilruth will be opening the station alongside some pupils from one of the local schools, before departing with them on one of the first services from the station.

I bet the she'll be hoping they aren't many ASLEF or RMT union members living nearby to picket here. I'm guessing the news media will be asking her more about the new temporary timetable coming into force on the same day, than about the reopening of the station.

Railway stn | community

www.restonscotland.com

On Monday 23rd May 2022, train operators will begin to call at the new £20m Reston station for the first time.


The first passenger service since 1964 – the 05.29 TransPennine Express (TPE) from Edinburgh Waverly - will call at Reston at 06.16 and is sure to be greeted with enthusiasm by the local community and rail interest groups.


The first north bound service – the 06.22 LNER service from Newcastle (07.15 at Berwick) will call at Reston Platform 2 at 07.26.


Later that morning, the Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth will be greeted by children from the Primary school (and a piper) as she arrives at Reston. Ms. Gilruth will then join the School party as the children board the 10.22 north bound service for their first train trip from their new station.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 May 2022 ==

I'll be visiting on Monday, hopefully.

If you can take some photos and videos for the forum that would be great. If you happen to be there at the same time as Jenny Gilruth, perhaps you could ask her about what she thinks about the new timetable coming into operation that day.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Apparently Geoff Marshall will be there too

 

[D6130]

Apparently Geoff Marshall will be there too

But sadly without Vicki. Apparently they have split-up.

 

[800001]

800104 the unit with Scottish flag will be working LNER 1S00

 

[Acfb]

I don't think I'll be going tomorrow. I work 12PM-8PM. Maybe next weekend.

Edinburgh Uni Railsoc is going there on the first train from Edinburgh.

I might get in touch with Geoff Marshall with a view to appearing in his future East Linton video though nearer the time.

 

[davetheguard]

Thanks to och eye for posting the photos.

I notice the bus stop just outside; anyone have details of any planned bus routes serving the station?

 

[InOban]

probably a school bus to Duns

 

[davetheguard]

probably a school bus to Duns

Is that all? Hmm. Seems a bit of a wasted opportunity not to have a bus to Eyemouth.