North British Railway

Introduction

This line provided a service between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh Waverley with a branch to Haddington. Later expansions and acquisitions provided lines to Glasgow Queen Street, Stirling, Dundee, Hamilton [NB] , Peebles, Galashiels, Aberdeen, St Andrews, Carlisle and a large number of other locations. Ultimately this company owned the largest track mileage of any Scottish railway company.

This line was promoted as a separate company by the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway which did not want to risk the construction of an Edinburgh to Berwick branch. Its construction was encouraged by George Hudson.

The mainline remains open and the Haddington branch is now a footpath.

The line between Edinburgh Waverley, North Berwick and Dunbar is supported and promoted by the East Lothian Community Rail Partnership .

The former North British Railway company is studied and memory preserved by the North British Railway Study Group .



Dates

  /  /    Burntisland Docks
17 acres site developed with 2 docks each with 6 coal hoists by the North British Railway.
  /  /1762Nor Loch, Edinburgh
Drained, this was the future site of North British Railway's Edinburgh Waverley station.
09/03/1837Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
Branch to the canal basin of the Carlisle and Port Carlisle Canal in Carlisle opened. The terminus later became Canal Yard and was an interchange point with the North British Railway who acquired the Carlisle and Port Carlisle Railway and Dock Company.
07/07/1844North British Railway
Act receives Royal assent. Alternative date 04/07/1844.
  /  /1845Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (as yet unbuilt) absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1845Marquis of Lothians Waggonway
North British Railway
Waggonway purchased by the North British Railway.
21/07/1845Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway North British Railway
Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway merged with the North British Railway.
  /  /1846Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
Fisherrow branch modified to branch off North British Railway.
  /  /1846Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
Original Fisherrow branch from Niddrie connected to North British Railway to form Niddrie to Monktonhall link.
  /  /1846North British Railway
Robert Thornton appointed the company's first Locomotive Superintendent.
18/06/1846North British Railway
Opened from Edinburgh to Berwick and the branch from Longniddry to Haddington. Stations opened at Edinburgh, Berwick. Further stations followed around 22 June.
22/06/1846North British Railway
Tranent, Longniddry, Haddington, Reston [1st] opened.
01/08/1846Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Line extended from Haymarket to meet the North British Railway at North Bridge station.
  /  /1848North British Railway
Trinity College Church, Edinburgh, pulled down to make room for North Bridge station.
31/12/1850Railway Clearing House
By this date, Ardrossan Railway, Caledonian Railway, Cockermouth and Workington Railway, Eastern Counties Railway, East Lincolnshire Railway, Fleetwood, Preston and West Riding Junction Railway, Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway, Great Northern Railway, Huddersfield and Manchester Railway (London and North Western Railway), Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, Maryport and Carlisle Railway, North British Railway, Preston and Wyre Railway, Dock and Harbour, Shrewsbury and Chester Railway, South Staffordshire Railway, Stockton and Darlington Railway, Stockton and Hartlepool Railway, St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway, Stirling and Dunfermline Railway, Whitehaven Junction Railway and York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway join.
  /  /1851North British Railway
Robert Thornton leaves company. William Smith appointed Locomotive Superintendent.
  /  /1854North British Railway
William Smith leaves company. Edmund George Petrie appointed Locomotive Superintendent.
  /  /1854North British Railway
Edmund George Petrie leaves company.
  /  /1855North British Railway
William Hurst appointed Locomotive Superintendent.
17/07/1856Jedburgh Railway
Line opened, worked by North British Railway. Jedburgh station had an all-over roof which was supported by the engine shed and station building. It was so far from the town a bus ran between the station and town.
  /03/1858North British Railway
North Eastern Railway considers purchase of NBR.
04/09/1858Border Union Railway (North British Railway)
The North British Railway proposes building the line jointly with the Caledonian Railway.
  /  /1859Border Union Railway (North British Railway) Port Carlisle Junction to Canal Junction Curve (Caledonian Railway) Caledonian Railway
Line authorised between Hawick and Carlisle. Running powers granted for the North British Railway over two short portions of the Caledonian Railway. Gretna: Gretna Border Union Junction to Gretna GSWR Junction to allow traffic exchange with the Glasgow and South Western Railway using the NBR's proposed Gretna branch. Carlisle: Canal Junction [Carlisle] to Port Carlisle Junction to Carlisle Citadel, more importantly giving access to the intended southern terminus (not NBR owned).
21/07/1859Selkirk and Galashiels RailwayNorth British Railway
Selkirk and Galashiels Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
01/08/1859Border Counties Railway
Authorised, with North British Railway (and specifically Richard Hodgson) support to extend to Riccarton Junction (Border Union Railway (North British Railway)).
  /  /1860Border Counties RailwayNorth British Railway
Border Counties Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1860Clyde Trustees
Decide to build a wet dock (the Queens Dock) on their land at Stobcross. The North British Railway promotes the Stobcross Railway as a branch of the Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway to serve it. (1860s).
  /  /1860Caledonian Railway Border Union Railway (North British Railway)
The North British Railway is authorised to use Carlisle Citadel.
03/07/1860Jedburgh Railway North British Railway
Jedburgh Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1861Cleland to Morningside Line (Caledonian Railway)
An extension of the Cleland branch to Morningside [CR] is promoted. The branch will serve numerous mines and the Coltness Iron Works, avoiding the Morningside Incline of the existing route to Morningside [1st]. It also provides possible access to Edinburgh over the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway owned Wilsontown, Morningside and Coltness Railway. The Morningside [CR] extension of the Cleland branch predates the Cleland and Midcalder Line (Caledonian Railway) which was required after the Wilsontown route was merged into the North British Railway in 1865.
  /  /1861Caledonian Railway Lancaster and Carlisle Railway
Agreement to enlarge Carlisle Citadel station, owned by the Caledonian Railway and Lancaster and Carlisle Railway. A joint committee is to be created which will include the Glasgow and South Western Railway, Maryport and Carlisle Railway and North British Railway.
08/01/1861Caledonian Railway
The use of Carlisle Citadel by the North British Railway is agreed.
01/02/1861Peebles Railway
North British Railway begins to work the line.
11/07/1861Peebles Railway
North British Railway leases line.
29/10/1861Border Union Railway (North British Railway)
Opened from Canal Junction [Carlisle] to Scotch Dyke. Trains run from Carlisle Citadel. Stations opened at Harker, West Linton [Cumbria], Longtown, Scotch Dyke. North British Railway trains use Carlisle Citadel for the first time.
31/01/1862North British Railway
Four acres of land purchased for a goods yard on the south side of the former Newcastle and Carlisle Railway at Tyneside Terrace near the North Eastern Railway's Forth Banks Goods.
01/06/1862North British Railway
Hawick Junction (at Portobello) becomes Portobello East Junction.
17/07/1862Berwickshire Railway
Act receives Royal assent for a line from Duns to St Boswells. At both ends the line will connection with the North British Railway.
29/07/1862Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee RailwayNorth British Railway
Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee Railway absorbed by the North British Railway.
29/07/1862West of Fife Railway and Harbour
North British Railway
West of Fife Railway and Harbour absorbed by the North British Railway.
01/08/1862Port Carlisle Canal Company
Leased by North British Railway, canal already closed by this date.
  /  /1863Wansbeck RailwayNorth British Railway
Wansbeck Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1863North British Railway
Buy Charlestown Harbour and extend it east.
  /  /1863Scottish Central Railway Dundee, Perth and Aberdeen Junction Railway Dundee and Newtyle Railway
The Scottish Central Railway absorbs the Dundee, Perth and Aberdeen Junction Railway and its lease of the Dundee and Newtyle Railway. The North British Railway is granted running powers over both the Dundee and Perth Railway and Dundee and Newtyle Railway routes.
  /  /1863North British Railway Scottish North Eastern Railway
Dundee Goods Station is to be used jointly by the North British Railway and Scottish North Eastern Railway.
  /  /1863North British Steam Packet Company
The North British Railway is authorised to create the North British Steam Packet Company by the North British Railway (Steamboats) Act, giving permission to 'build or buy or hire' steamboats.
  /  /1863West of Fife Railway and Harbour
Line extended from Lassodie Mill Colliery (Viewfield Colliery) to Kelty by North British Railway.
  /  /1863West of Fife Railway and Harbour
Elgin Junction to Elgin Colliery Balmule Pit opened by North British Railway. (Approx date.)
01/05/1863Devon Valley Railway
Opened from Hopefield to Rumbling Bridge (worked by North British Railway).
  /  /1864Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee Railway
North British Railway, as successor to the Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee Railway, is authorised to use Hilton Junction.
  /  /1864Scottish Central Railway
Agreement between Scottish Central Railway and North British Railway over the toll for the line between Hilton Junction and Perth General and use allowed of Perth General.
16/01/1864North British Steam Packet Company Silloth Bay Steam Navigation Company
The North British Railway takes over the Silloth Bay Steam Navigation Company and forms the North British Steam Packet Company. The company operates in connection with the Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway and Dock to extend services to England (Liverpool), Ireland (Belfast and Dublin) and the Isle of Man (Douglas).
01/07/1864Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway and Dock
The North British Railway starts running Silloth and Port Carlisle trains to Carlisle Citadel.
  /  /1865Scottish Central Railway Caledonian Railway
Scottish Central Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway. Running powers for the North British Railway, London and North Western Railway, Midland Railway and Glasgow and South Western Railway were preserved.
  /  /1865Territorial Agreement
The 'Territorial Agreement' is made between the Caledonian Railway and North British Railway.
  /  /1865Leith North Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Bangholm Branch authorised. The proposed line was to link the Caledonian Railway and North British Railway.
  /  /1865Dunblane, Doune and Callander Railway
North British Railway gains running powers to Callander [1st] during amalgations of the year.
12/03/1865Glasgow and South Western Railway North British Railway
Glasgow and South Western Railway and North British Railway agree to grant each other running powers over each others lines.
31/07/1865Monkland Railways Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Monkland Railways absorbed by Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. In addition to the railways the larger company inherited 27 engines. The following day the larger company was absorbed by the North British Railway.
01/08/1865Edinburgh and Glasgow RailwayNorth British Railway
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway absorbed by North British Railway. (The Scottish Central Railway and Caledonian Railway are granted running powers over the former Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway main line.)
  /  /1866Scottish North Eastern Railway Caledonian Railway
Scottish North Eastern Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway. Confirmation of running powers for the Highland Railway between Perth General and Stanley Junction. Confirmation of running powers for North British Railway, London and North Western Railway, Midland Railway and Glasgow and South Western Railway. The SNER's running powers over the Montrose and Bervie Railway are transferred to the Caledonian.
  /  /1866Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)
Bill for the line presented with support from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, Glasgow and South Western Railway and the North British Railway (who did not have a partner other than the North Eastern Railway route to Newcastle Central for taking traffic from the Border Union Railway (North British Railway) (Waverley Route) at Carlisle).
  /  /1866Dundee and Arbroath Railway
North British Railway authorised to purchase joint ownership of line.
  /  /1866North British Railway
Connection to the Dundee and Arbroath Railway authorised.
  /  /1866PS Dandie Dinmont [I]
Sails from Helensburgh Pier to Rothesay Pier and through the Kyles of Bute to Ardrishaig Pier. In competition with Hutchison. Service withdrawn as not viable and due to finances of the North British Railway in general.
  /  /1866North British Railway
William Hurst leaves company.
16/07/1866Leadburn, Linton and Dolphinton RailwayNorth British Railway
Leadburn, Linton and Dolphinton Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1867Forth and Clyde Canal Monkland Canal Forth and Cart Canal Grangemouth Railway (Forth and Clyde Canal Company) Drumpeller Railway Caledonian Railway
Forth and Clyde Canal (Forth and Clyde Navigation) including the Port Dundas Basin branch, Monkland Canal, Forth and Cart Canal and various assets such as the Grangemouth Railway (Forth and Clyde Canal Company) and Drumpeller Railway, bought by the Caledonian Railway to compete with the North British Railway in the Forth - Clyde Valley. The North British Railway is given running powers over the Grangemouth Railway (Forth and Clyde Canal Company). Caledonian Railway given running powers over the Stirlingshire Midland Junction Railway to Larbert Junction
  /  /1867Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway and Dock
Running powers for the Caledonian Railway, who would work the Solway Junction Railway, obtained for the North British Railway owned line between Kirkbride Junction and Abbeyholme Junction.
  /  /1867Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway
With the Caledonian Railway's take over of the Forth and Clyde Canal the North British Railway is given running powers over sidings at Bowling Basin, Bowling Basin Sidings [NB].
  /  /1867Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Cowlairs Works becomes the principal works of the North British Railway.
31/01/1867North British Railway
William Hurst 'retired' from the company.
01/02/1867North British Railway
Thomas Wheatley appointed Locomotive Superintendent.
  /  /1868Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)
An agreement with the London and North Western Railway is reached over use of the Ingleton Branch (London and North Western Railway) and Lancaster and Carlisle Railway by the Midland Railway. The route would involve the North Western Railway. The Midland Railway tries to abandon the Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway). The North British Railway and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway block the abandonment.
  /  /1868Leith North Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Caledonian Railway's proposed Bangholm Branch, associated with the Leith North branch (Act 1862), abandoned. (Today Bangholm Park borders, and is to the south of, the former Newhaven station.) The proposed line was to link the Caledonian Railway and North British Railway.
  /  /1868Dundee Sea Wall
Sea Wall and Esplanade authorised. Considerable land is to be reclaimed of the foreshore. The Caledonian Railway and North British Railway are to contribute to the expense.
  /  /1868Port Carlisle Junction to Canal Junction Curve (Caledonian Railway)
Use of the branch by the North British Railway is regulared by the North British Railways General Powers Act.
01/10/1868Devon Valley Railway
Closed from Rumbling Bridge [1st] to Crook of Devon (excluded) to allow realignment. The approach to a new Rumbling Bridge station was lowered in a quarter mile cutting. (An alteration suggested by the North British Railway engineer to east the gradient on approach to Rumbling Bridge from the west.)
  /  /1869Forth Iron Works Railway
Iron works closed. Line taken over by the North British Railway as the Kinnedar Branch (North British Railway) some time later.
  /  /1869Cleland and Midcalder Line (Caledonian Railway)
Calderhead branch not built. (The area to north of Shotts already well served by lines now owned by the North British Railway.)
01/06/1869North Eastern Railway North British Railway
North Eastern Railway locomotives hauling trains from the south start running through over the North British Railway to Edinburgh Waverley.
15/06/1869Caledonian Railway North British Railway
The North British Railway wishes to withdraw from the 'joint purse' arrangement then in operation. This was on discovery that the Caledonian Railway and London and North Western Railway were intentionally starving the Border Union Railway (North British Railway) of traffic.
14/08/1869Grangemouth Railway (Forth and Clyde Canal Company)
North British Railway ceases to work the branch with the impeding take over by the Caledonian Railway.
  /  /1870Scottish Central Railway
The North British Railway begins running Glasgow to Perth General services over the former Scottish Central Railway.
01/08/1870Callander and Oban Railway
North British Railway allowed access to Callander Dreadnought from Callander and Oban Junction. The company had access as far as the junction by means of running powers and paid to extend beyond that to Callander Dreadnought. The NB considered a branch from west of the station to Loch Katrine in the Trossachs.
  /  /1871Wansbeck RailwayNewcastle and Berwick Railway
Curve (authorised in original Wansbeck Railway Act) put in to allow North British Railway trains to run into the main Morpeth station in either 1871 or 1872. The two companies built the curve towards each other, meeting in the middle. With this opening, the Wansbeck Railway trains stopped using the Morpeth Branch (Blyth and Tyne Railway)'s terminus.
  /  /1871Forth and Clyde Junction Railway
The North British Railway takes over operation of the line from the F&CJR. This working agreement included the stipulation that all timber bridges (such as the Jamestown Viaduct [Balloch] and Drymen Viaduct) were to be replaced with stone and iron bridges.
02/01/1871Glasgow and Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway)
Line opened. With this opening North British Railway trains for Airdrie and the Monklands are diverted from Glasgow Buchanan Street to the new railway.
13/07/1871Esk Valley Railway North British Railway
Esk Valley Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1872Leslie RailwayNorth British Railway
Leslie Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1872Northumberland Central RailwayNorth British Railway
Northumberland Central Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1872North British Railway Caledonian Railway
Authorisation of a connecting line between the North British Railway and Caledonian Railway. (Castlecary Curve?)
  /  /1873Broxburn Railway North British Railway
Broxburn Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1873Blairenbathie and Blairadam Collieries Branch (North British Railway)
Line opened, partly or compeletly or came under North British Railway control.
31/07/1873North British Railway
The first proper sleeping coach is built at Cowlairs Works, a re-building of a six wheeled double saloon. It went into operation between Glasgow Queen Street, Edinburgh Waverley and London Kings Cross, running north and south on alternate days.
  /  /1874Blyth and Tyne Railway North Eastern Railway
Line absorbed by the North Eastern Railway to stop the North British Railway from acquiring the line and developing an independent route into Newcastle, with its own terminus.
  /  /1874Caledonian Railway
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Stirlingshire Midland Junction Railway
Wester Dalry Branch and Dalry Road Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Restrictions lifted. Caledonian Railway granted running power over the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.
For westbound passenger traffic for the north, the Caledonian Railway must pause at Damhead Junction to pick up any North British Railway coaches.
For goods and minerals the company may run from north of Larbert Junction and from Grangemouth Junction over the proposed Wester Dalry branch via Damhead Junction (later Haymarket West Junction) for Edinburgh, Leith and Granton traffic.
  /  /1874North British Railway
Thomas Wheatley leaves company. Dugald Drummond appointed Locomotive Superintendent.
01/08/1874Glasgow and Milngavie Junction RailwayNorth British Railway
Glasgow and Milngavie Junction Railway absorbed by North British Railway. (Or 31/07/1874.)
20/10/1874Stobcross Railway
Line opened by the North British Railway. The Caledonian Railway obtained permission for running powers to Stobcross and for goods yards at Partickhill Goods [CR] and Stobcross. The Caledonian managed to gain join ownership of the Stobcross high level to Stobcross low level connecting line.
29/10/1874Whiteinch Railway Whiteinch Tramway
Opened as a branch from the Stobcross Railway from an east facing Whiteinch Junction. Railway operated by North British Railway and tramway by the Wood brothers.
  /  /1875Devon Valley RailwayNorth British Railway
Devon Valley Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1875Dugald Drummond
Leaves the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway to become the locomotive, carriage and wagon superintendent of the North British Railway.
01/08/1875Forth and Clyde Junction Railway
Forth and Clyde Junction Railway lease to the North British Railway for 50 years.
  /  /1876Grangemouth Railway (Forth and Clyde Canal Company)
New Dock (Carron Dock) authorised along with lines to the dock. Agreement made with landowner, Lord Zetland. North British Railway to be granted access, on certain terms.
01/05/1876Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)
First passenger train. Midland Railway trains run through Carlisle Citadel, continued north by the North British Railway or Glasgow and South Western Railway.
13/07/1876Penicuik Railway North British Railway
Penicuik Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
01/08/1876Peebles RailwayNorth British Railway
Peebles Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
01/08/1876Berwickshire Railway North British Railway
Berwickshire Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1877Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway
Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
01/08/1877Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway
Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
01/08/1877Leven and East of Fife RailwayNorth British Railway
Leven and East of Fife Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
01/08/1877St Andrews RailwayNorth British Railway
St Andrews Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1878Dundee and Perth Railway
Authorisation to expand and rebuild Dundee West station. The Tay Bridge and Associated Lines (North British Railway) opened in 1878 and the Caledonian Railway was facing competition from the North British Railway's new Dundee Tay Bridge [Station].
  /  /1879Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway North British Railway
Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway absorbed by North British Railway. (Alternative date 1879).
  /  /1879Arbroath and Forfar Railway
Agreement that a short portion of the Arbroath and Forfar Railway between Arbroath Harbour Junction and St Vigeans Junction should become joint Caledonian Railway and North British Railway.
  /  /1880Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway and Dock North British Railway
Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway and Dock company authorised to be absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1880North British, Arbroath and Montrose RailwayNorth British Railway
Arbroath and Montrose Railway absorption by North British Railway authorised.
  /  /1880Carlisle and Port Carlisle Railway and Dock North British Railway
Absorption of the Carlisle and Port Carlisle Railway and Dock by the North British Railway authorised.
  /  /1880North British Railway
Wishaw Lines rejected.
  /  /1880North British Railway
Forth Tunnel proposed as an alternative to building a bridge. The tunnel line would run from Granton west to Dalmeny, then use the tunnel north to Donbristle before continuing east to Aberdour and Burntisland.
  /  /1880West of Fife Railway and Harbour
Townhill Waggonway
Townhill Junction to Lilliehill Junction opened by North British Railway, providing a second route to Dunfermline. The route used part of the former Townhill Waggonway.
01/02/1880Dundee and Arbroath Joint Railway Caledonian Railway North British Railway
Dundee and Arbroath Joint Railway authorised (Caledonian Railway and North British Railway). This involved the bulk of the former Dundee and Arbroath Railway between Camperdown Junction and near Arbroath station and a short portion of the Arbroath and Forfar Railway as far as St Vigeans Junction. This followed the opening of the Tay Bridge [1st] in 1878 and the impending opening of the North British, Arbroath and Montrose Railway of 1880.
01/02/1880Carmyllie Railway
Becomes joint Caledonian Railway and North British Railway, when the Dundee and Arbroath Railway becomes the Dundee and Arbroath Joint Railway.
02/06/1881North British Railway
A trial is carried out with the relaying of one mile of track with coiled iron keys by made by the Anderston Foundry Co at the Anderston Foundry.
01/08/1881Montrose and Bervie Railway North British Railway
The Montrose and Bervie Railway is absorbed by the North British Railway.
30/09/1881Montrose and Bervie Railway Caledonian Railway
End of the working by the Caledonian Railway of the Montrose and Bervie Railway. The North British Railway having bought the line.
  /  /1882Carlisle and Port Carlisle Railway and Dock Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway and Dock
Caledonian Railway granted running powers between Abbeyholme Junction and Canal Yard (where connection was made with the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway) over the North British Railway controlled lines.
  /  /1882Solway Junction Railway
North British Railway gains running powers over the Solway line from Abbeyholme Junction and Brayton Junction
  /  /1882Solway Junction Railway
Branch to the North British Railway's Port Carlisle line authorised.
  /  /1882Dugald Drummond
Leaves the North British Railway to become the locomotive, carriage and wagon superintendent of the Caledonian Railway.
  /  /1882North British Railway
Dugald Drummond leaves company. Matthew Holmes appointed Locomotive Superintendent.
  /11/1882Glasgow and North Western Railway
Glasgow and North Western Railway proposed, the Bill presented to Parliament to seek approval. The route was to have been a 167 mile long railway from Glasgow to Inverness via Fort William. Supported by the North British Railway and opposed by the Highland Railway, Caledonian Railway (part owners of the Callander and Oban Railway), Caledonian Canal, David MacBrayne and some landowners. The Bill was rejected in 1883. It was not built (a less ambitious variation of it, the West Highland Railway with an Act in 1889, did open).
  /  /1883Alloa Railway
The North British Railway withdraws its proposed Larbert and Cambus Line. It is granted running powers over the Alloa Railway in exchange for Caledonian Railway running powers to Alloa from Longcarse Junction (not Alloa West Junction?).
27/04/1883North British Railway
Alloa Railway
South Alloa Branch (Scottish Central Railway)
North British Railway given running powers over the Alloa Railway and South Alloa Branch (Scottish Central Railway) from Alloa to Greenhill Junction but must guarantee a minimum of traffic worth £3000 annually.
29/06/1883City of Glasgow Union Railway
Glasgow St Enoch station and approach lines south of Bellgrove taken over by the Glasgow and South Western Railway. Lines north of Bellgrove taken over by the North British Railway.
01/08/1883Caledonian Railway
The Carmuirs Fork between Carmuirs West Junction to Carmuirs East Junction is opened to passengers. Running powers are granted to the North British Railway.
  /  /1884Dundee Suburban Railway
Agreement for operation with the Caledonian Railway and North British Railway. The line was to have run east from south of Fairmuir Junction past the north side of Dundee Law to turn south beyond the Eastern Necropolis and join the line near Camperdown Junction creating a loop via Dundee Tay Bridge [Station]. Stations were proposed at Kings Cross Road, Coldside, Maryfield and Craigie. A number of lines following a similar course were proposed, none were built.
28/07/1884Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway (Highland Railway)
Act passed. This was partly in response to the proposed incursion of the North British Railway's Glasgow and North Western Railway from Glasgow to Inverness via Loch Lomond, Crianlarich, Glencoe, Fort William and the Great Glen.
  /  /1885Edinburgh, Suburban and Southside Junction Railway North British Railway
Edinburgh, Suburban and Southside Junction Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1885North British, Arbroath and Montrose Railway Aberdeen Railway
The North British Railway and Caledonian Railway are granted running powers over the independent Montrose Harbour lines.
01/08/1885Kelvin Valley Railway North British Railway
Kelvin Valley Railway absorbed by North British Railway. (Alternative date 31/03/1886.)
  /  /1886Tranent Waggonway
Tranent Colliery to Meadowhill taken over by the North British Railway, Meadowhill to Port Seton dismantled.
  /  /1886Aberdeen Railway
Agreement allows the North British Railway to use Broomfield Siding and Broomfield Junction on the Montrose [CR] branch, crossed by Montrose to Bervie trains following the NBR's take over.
  /  /1886North British, Arbroath and Montrose Railway Aberdeen Railway
Formal agreement between the North British Railway and Caledonian Railway about use of the Montrose Harbour sidings.
01/10/1886Easter Road Deviation (North British Railway)
London Road Junction [Edinburgh] to Lochend Junction opened to passengers and freight. This line effectively quadrupled the main line of the North British Railway from Abbeyhill Junction to Piershill Junction and provided a useful diversionary route.
  /  /1887Glasgow City and District RailwayNorth British Railway
Glasgow City and District Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
01/02/1887Glasgow City and District Railway Glasgow and Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway) City of Glasgow Union Railway Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh RailwayStobcross Railway
Circular service introduced by the North British Railway.
  /  /1888North Monkland Railway North British Railway
North Monkland Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1888Kilsyth and Bonnybridge Railway
The North British Railway and Caledonian Railway agree joint working of the line.
02/07/1888Kilsyth and Bonnybridge Railway
Railway opened to passengers and freight. Line operated by both the North British Railway and Caledonian Railway. Stations at Kilsyth (New), Colzium, Banknock, Dennyloanhead, Bonnybridge Central.
  /  /1889Leith New Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Leith New Lines planned; (Newhaven to Leith passenger terminus by North British Railway's Leith station, a triangular junction at Lochend with a line to Edinburgh Princes Street under the city with a branch to Waverley Market by Edinburgh Waverley station). Branch to Leith Edinburgh Dock authorised.
  /  /1889Dundee and Perth Railway
Dundee West station rebuilt with superb baronial building at entrance and large glass canopy covering the platforms behind. Station rebuilt with growing competition from the North British Railway's Dundee Tay Bridge [Station], to the south, following the opening of the second Tay Bridge.
  /  /1889Scottish Central Railway
Agreement between Caledonian Railway and North British Railway to expand Stirling station.
26/07/1889Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway North British Railway
Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway merged into North British Railway.
  /  /1890North British Railway
Operate a horse bus in East Lothian.
04/07/1890Leith New Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Act received for a line from Newhaven to Seafield (Seafield Junction [CR] was for the line to the terminus and the North British Railway lines). Extension through Princes Street rejected.
17/08/1890North British Railway
Six of the Forth Ferry Steamers now redundant and scrapped.
  /  /1891Blane Valley RailwayNorth British Railway
Blane Valley Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1891Whiteinch Railway North British Railway
North British buys the smaller line.
  /  /1891Glasgow and South Western Railway North British Railway
Bill to merge the Glasgow and South Western Railway and North British Railway fails in the House of Lords.
  /  /1891North British Railway
Proposed Lanarkshire Lines Bill rejected.
  /  /1891North British Railway
Expansion of Edinburgh Waverley authorised.
  /  /1891PS Gareloch
Renamed PS Wemyss Castle and transferred to the North British Railway's Galloway Saloon Steam Packet Company on replacement by PS Lady Clare.
31/01/1891Railway Strike
End of railwaymen's strike. Men of the North British Railway, Caledonian Railway and Glasgow and South Western Railway were on strike to ask for a reduction in working hours and for recognition of the railway union.
03/07/1891Edinburgh, Leith and Granton Railway
The Leith New Lines (Caledonian Railway) are given an Act which allows a link from the Leith New Lines to Easter Road on the North British Railway. This connection was not built.
05/08/1891Strathendrick and Aberfoyle RailwayNorth British Railway
Strathendrick and Aberfoyle Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
31/10/1891Caledonian Railway North British Railway
The Caledonian Railway and North British Railway come to terms. Agreements relating to any future lines.
31/10/1891Peace Agreement
The 'Peace Agreement' is made between the Caledonian Railway and North British Railway.
  /  /1892Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint) Caledonian Railway North British Railway
Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint) authorised (Caledonian Railway and North British Railway). Siding to Denny's Leven Engine Works at Dumbarton authorised.
  /  /1892Princes Dock Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, North British Railway and Glasgow and South Western Railway)
North British Railway granted running powers over the Glasgow and Paisley Joint Railway between Shields Junction No 1 and Cessnock Dock Branch Junction at Ibrox station.
  /  /1892Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint) Caledonian Railway North British Railway
Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway authorised to make a connection at Dumbarton to access the Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint).
10/05/1892Caledonian Railway North British Railway Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway
The partners in the Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint) agree on the operation of the line and the connecting steamers from Balloch Pier. The partners take over Loch Lomond Steamers.
14/11/1893Aberdeen Joint
North British Railway banned from station.
31/07/1894Aberdeen Joint
Agreement confirmed which allows North British Railway access to Aberdeen Joint station. (The NBR had been banned from 14/11/1893.)
  /  /1895East Fife Central RailwayNorth British Railway
East Fife Central Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1895North British Railway
Design chosen for the North British Hotel, Edinburgh, by Sir William Hamilton Beattie after a competition. North Bridge also raised.
06/07/1895Solway Junction Railway
Act passed to merge the remainder of the Solway Junction Railway into the Caledonian Railway. Confirmation of running powers over North British Railway's Silloth line.
  /  /1896City of Glasgow Union RailwayGlasgow and South Western RailwayNorth British Railway
City of Glasgow Union Railway absorbed and divided between Glasgow and South Western Railway and North British Railway. The point of division was College East Junction (later High Street Junction) with Glasgow St Enoch and the line to the south west passing to the GSW. North of Bellgrove Junction and Parkhead Junction [NB] went to the NBR.
  /  /1896Hamiltonhill Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Curve to the Saracen Foundry has to be closed as it was in breach of the 1891 formal agreement with the North British Railway which owned the nearby former Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway already serving the works.
  /  /1896Bo'ness Dock
North British Railway authorised to take over Bo'ness Harbour and Bo'ness Dock. The Caledonian Railway is guaranteed running powers to the harbour.
15/06/1896Forth and Cart Canal
In Clydebank the Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway line makes use of some of the former route of the Forth and Cart Canal between Clydebank [CR] and Kilbowie. This swing north under the North British Railway to pass through Kilbowie Road station and then pass back over the NBR was planned to avoid the northern part of the Clyde Bank Iron Shipyard [2nd] and serve the Singer Works. A portion of the canal was left at either end, the southern part on the east side of the Clyde Bank Iron Shipyard [2nd].
01/10/1896Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint)
The North British Railway is obliged to put its Dumbarton Central to Balloch Pier line into joint ownership with the Caledonian Railway to stop the Caledonian Railway from building a second railway (the proposed Dumbarton, Jamestown and Loch Lomond Railway) from Dumbarton to Balloch. The North British Railway now has to pay access charges for its section between Dalreoch Junction and Dumbarton East Junction. The Caledonian Railway is, from this date, admitted to the Balloch line.
01/10/1896Caledonian Railway North British Railway Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway
The Cordale Branch (Cordale Branch Junction to Cordale Works) of the Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint) is vested into the Caledonian Railway, North British Railway and Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway.
01/10/1896Loch Lomond Steamers
Company vested into the Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway jointly.
  /  /1897Glasgow, Yoker and Clydebank Railway North British Railway
Glasgow, Yoker and Clydebank Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1897Anstruther and St Andrews Railway North British Railway
Anstruther and St Andrews Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1897Grangemouth Railway (Forth and Clyde Canal Company)
New Dock and entrance channel authorised for the Caledonian Railway. This will be the Grange Dock, linked to the existing Carron Dock by the Grangemouth Western Channel and itself approached by the Grangemouth Eastern Channel. (The North British Railway is granted running powers.)
  /  /1897West Highland Railway North British Railway
The proposed Bill by the West Highland Railway and North British Railway for extension of the West Highland to Inverness is rejected by the Commons. (The Highland Railway's route via Carrbridge was partly open and would be completed in 1989.)
  /  /1897Whiteinch Railway North British Railway
Proposed take over of the Whiteinch Railway by the North British Railway rejected.
01/01/1897Whiteinch Railway
Opened to passengers. A new connection was made to the line from the west of Crow Road. This replaced an earlier line which crossed under Crow road and joined at Whiteinch Junction which was further east (to the south of Gartnavel Royal Hospital). The route of this earlier line is now built over, but was slightly further south than the existing line. The North British Railway also built a spur from a west facing junction on the Glasgow, Yoker and Clydebank Railway to a north facing junction on the Stobcross Railway.
14/01/1897North Eastern Railway North British Railway
North Eastern Railway locomotives cease to run through through over the North British Railway to Edinburgh Waverley.
15/01/1897North British Railway
The North British Railway begins to operate the through trains from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross from Edinburgh as far as Berwick where the North Eastern Railway takes over.
25/04/1897North British Railway
Edinburgh Waverley to Abbeyhill Junction quadrupled.
  /07/1897Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway (North British Railway)
Methil Dock No 2 partly opened.
  /  /1899Scottish Central Railway Stirling and Dunfermline Railway Forth and Clyde Junction Railway
Stirling remodelling - deviation of the Stirling and Dunfermline Railway (now owned by North British Railway) and Forth and Clyde Junction Railway authorised. The new deviation to be vested in the respective companies
  /  /1899Princes Dock Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, North British Railway and Glasgow and South Western Railway)
Princes Dock Joint Railway, (formerly promoted as Cessnock Dock Railway), vested by the Caledonian Railway, Glasgow and South Western Railway and North British Railway. Committee to manage line appointed.
  /  /1900Newport RailwayNorth British Railway
Newport Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /  /1900Eyemouth Railway
North British Railway
Merged with North British Railway.
  /  /1900Alloa Wet Dock
North British Railway granted extension of time for works on Alloa Harbour.
  /  /1900Bo'ness Dock
Bo'ness Harbour taken over by the North British Railway.
  /  /1900Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway
Authorised to make arrangements to have North British Railway work the line.
  /  /1900West of Fife Railway and Harbour
Cowglen Quarry branch opened by North British Railway. (Approx date.)
  /01/1900Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway (North British Railway)
Methil Dock No 2 opened completely.
06/08/1900Aberlady, Gullane and North Berwick RailwayNorth British Railway
Aberlady, Gullane and North Berwick Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
  /10/1901Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
New Cadder Yard, a hump shunted marshalling yard, opened by the North British Railway. It was part of a much larger reorganisation of the NBR's goods facilities in Glasgow including rebuilding High Street Goods and Sighthill Goods, and the opening of Shettleston Yard, a further marshalling yard.
  /  /1902North British Railway
North British Hotel, Edinburgh, opened.
  /  /1902North British Steam Packet Company
Vessels transferred directly to the North British Railway.
  /  /1903North British Railway
Matthew Holmes leaves company. William Paton Reid appointed Locomotive Superintendent.
22/07/1903Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway Highland Railway
Line opened by Eliza Stewart Ellice of Invergarry House. The service was operated by the Highland Railway who were keen to keep the North British Railway away from Inverness. Connecting David Hutcheson and Co steamers operating along the Caledonian Canal connecting the line to Inverness via Loch Ness and the canal. Stations opened at Gairlochy, Invergarry, Aberchalder, Fort Augustus and Fort Augustus Pier. The Lovat Arms and Station Hotel was rebuilt and reopened in connection with new line.
17/08/1903Princes Dock Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, North British Railway and Glasgow and South Western Railway)
Joint line owned by the Caledonian Railway, Glasgow and South Western Railway and North British Railway opened.
  /  /1904Rosyth Dockyard Branch
North British Railway branch authorised to the new under construction naval Rosyth Dockyard. (Facilities extended to the Caledonian Railway.)
12/10/1904Alloa Railway
Alloa Bridge is badly damaged after being struck by the schooner 'Stirling' resulting in the fall of a span. The Caledonian Railway is allowed to reroute its trains to Alloa via Stirling. North British Railway trains also diverted.
  /  /1906Falkland Light Railway
Order for railway issued. North British Railway to work line.
03/04/1906North British Railway
Company abolishes Ladies Only compartments.
28/12/1906Dundee and Arbroath Railway
A North British Railway express which had been travelling from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen Joint is blocked by snow at Arbroath and returns south. It strikes a local Caledonian Railway Arbroath to Dundee East train at Elliot Junction in a blizzard killing 22 passengers.
12/04/1907Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway
Discussions of working agreement with North British Railway begin.
25/04/1907Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire RailwayGlasgow, Yoker and Clydebank Railway
Rothesay Dock Branch (North British Railway and Caledonian Railway) opened. The line was joint North British Railway and Caledonian Railway.
01/05/1907Invergarry and Fort Augustus RailwayNorth British Railway
North British Railway start running service. Working agreement confirmed with the company.
30/12/1907Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint)
Agreement to lift the toll to the North British Railway at Dalreoch from 15/05/1911.
30/12/1907Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway Caledonian Railway
Agreement between the North British Railway and the Caledonian Railway granting running powers in perpetuity between Gartsherrie NB Junction and Garnqueen South Junction.
  /  /1908Bainsford Branch (Caledonian Railway) Bainsford Branch (North British Railway)
By-pass line from Swing Bridge Junction to Fouldubs Junction partly opened. The western half was owned by the North British Railway (part of the former line to the Carron Iron Works) and the eastern was to be opened by the Caledonian Railway.
  /  /1908Kilsyth and Bonnybridge Railway
Absorbed by the North British Railway.
31/12/1908North British Railway West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
North British Railway formally takes over the West Highland Railway line from Craigendoran to Fort William [1st], Mallaig and the branch to Banavie [1st].
  /  /1909North British Railway
Carriage sidings opened which were to become Craigentinny Depot.
04/07/1909North British Railway
Piershill Junction to Craigentinny Junction quadrupled.
21/11/1909North British Railway
Portobello West Junction to Portobello East Junction quadrupled.
  /  /1911Dundee and Arbroath Railway
Rebuilding of Arbroath station complete. (Caledonian Railway authorised to buy land in 1900 and North British Railway in 1907.)
31/10/1911Invergarry and Fort Augustus RailwayNorth British Railway
Line closed to all traffic as North British Railway withdraws.
28/03/1912Newburgh and North Fife Railway
An Order of the Railway and Canal Commission compels the North British Railway to - fairly develop traffic on the Newburgh line and work all shortest route traffic via the line - increase the train service and through facilities - keep open the St Fort West Junction to St Fort South Junction curve - advertise the line including through route, season, tourist and excursion tickets - work goods traffic via the line, when it constitutes the shortest route
12/04/1912Leith New Lines (Caledonian Railway)
North British Railway granted running powers at South Leith.
  /  /1913Edinburgh Corporation Gorgie Cattle Market Branch (Caledonian Railway) Gorgie Cattle Market Branch (North British Railway)
Agreement between Edinburgh Corporation with the Caledonian Railway and North British Railway over the Gorgie Slaughter Houses.
  /  /1913Edinburgh, Leith and Granton Railway
North British Railway authorised to construct additional sidings at Granton.
  /  /1913Gorgie Cattle Market Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Gorgie Cattle Market Branch (North British Railway)
Caledonian Railway and North British Railway agree on access to the Gorgie Slaughter Houses in Edinburgh. This related to the building of a railway between the two branches which was to be done at CR expense. Two jointly owned sidings laid in on the north side of the NB yard, but the link was not built.
  /  /1913Leith New Lines (Caledonian Railway)
North British Railway granted running powers at Seafield.
22/01/1913Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway (North British Railway)
Methil Dock No 3 opened, contractor Robert McAlpine.
04/08/1913Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway
Purchased by North British Railway who re-open the line.
  /05/1914Whiteinch Tramway
Wood Brothers liquidated and operation taken over by A and G Anderson using North British Railway engines and crew.
28/08/1914Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway North British Railway
North British Railway (Invergarry and Fort Augustus) vesting and confirmation Act passed as the North British Railway prepares to buy the line. (Or 24/08/1914.)
31/12/1914Invergarry and Fort Augustus RailwayNorth British Railway
North British Railway buys line and railway hotel (Lovat Arms and Station Hotel) at Fort Augustus.
18/08/1915Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway (North British Railway)
Methil Dock No 3 closed for repairs.
  /  /1916Whiteinch Tramway
North British Railway takes over operation.
  /  /1916Edinburgh, Leith and Granton Railway
North British Railway authorised to construct further additional sidings at Granton.
  /  /1917Leith New Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Seafield Shed [CR] leased to the North British Railway.
  /  /1919Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway (North British Railway)
Methil Dock No 3 re-opened.
  /  /1919North British Railway
Charters PS Isle of Cumbrae (ex PS Jeanie Deans [I]) for Gareloch service.
  /  /1919North British Railway
William Paton Reid leaves company. Walter Chalmers appointed Chief Mechanical Engineer, the company's last locomotive superintendent.
19/08/1921Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Burntisland Harbour vested into the North British Railway.
15/05/1922Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint)
Lifting of toll for North British Railway between Dalreoch Junction and Dumbarton East Junction.
01/01/1923North British Railway
Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway
Great North of Scotland Railway
Forth and Clyde Junction Railway
Kilsyth and Bonnybridge Railway
Gifford and Garvald Railway
Newburgh and North Fife Railway
Lauder Light Railway
Great Central Railway
Grouped into London and North Eastern Railway.
11/08/1948North British Railway
Severe flooding on the 11th and 12th washes away seven bridges and causes six landslips on the East Coast Main Line. Only part of a parapet of the Free Kirk Bridge remained where a single track was left bridging the gap. The Penmanshiel Tunnel floods, with waters reaching almost to the tunnel roof. Large amounts of silt and rubble wash over the line at Grantshouse. With the line closed trains are diverted via Kelso.
24/12/1948North British Railway
The Free Kirk Bridge is replaced following flood damage in August. It is tested with A4 Pacific 60012 Commonwealth of Australia and Hunt Class D49/1 62706 Forfarshire on a train.
23/06/1949North British Railway
At the Penmanshiel Tunnel a fire on board a south bound express results in the destruction of two carriages. After making an emergency stop the leading part of the train, the locomotive and eight coaches, was in the tunnel with the burned carriages just outside. Both lines were blocked and trains diverted via Kelso.
05/12/1949North British Railway
Haddington to Longniddry closed to passengers.
  /  /1951North British Railway
Cockburnspath station closed.
17/12/1953North British Railway
Train hits obstacle on line and derails resulting in a death.
03/02/1958Corstorphine Branch (North British Railway)
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
North British Railway
North Berwick Branch (North British Railway)
Class 100 DMUs introduced on the Corstorphine [2nd] to North Berwick service.
17/02/1958North British Railway
Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Peebles Railway
Galashiels, Innerleithen and Peebles Railway (North British Railway)
Class 100 DMUs introduced on the Edinburgh Waverley - Peebles - Galashiels [1st] loop service. This leads to an immediate more than doubling of the passenger numbers.
05/08/1960North British Railway
Petition against closure of Portobello [3rd] starts.
07/08/1961North British Railway
A southbound freight overruns the south end of a loop at Grantshouse, passing through the goods shed and crashing into the station buildings. As a result the line is closed and East Coast Main Line trains diverted via Kelso.
05/02/1962North British Railway
Ayton station closed.
05/02/1962North British Railway
Burnmouth station closed.
12/05/1962Callander and Oban Railway
Caledonian Railway No 123 and North British Railway No 256 visit Oban.
04/05/1964North British Railway
Grantshouse station closed.
04/05/1964North British Railway
Reston [1st] station closed.
28/12/1964North British Railway
Longniddry closed to goods.
08/01/1967North British Railway
Quadruple line reduced to double with closure of goods lines between Craigentinny Junction and Portobello West Junction.
  /  /1968Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
North British Railway
A 'feeder' service is introduced from the Scottish Pulp and Paper Mills at Corpach to the Portobello Freightliner Terminal.
  /01/1968North British Railway
Edinburgh's Freightliner terminal, Portobello Freightliner Terminal, opened on the site of Portobello Yard. (The preferred option of Meadows Yard had been abandoned.)
01/04/1968North British Railway
Haddington to Longniddry closed to freight.
07/10/1968North British Railway
Inauguration by Freightliner Ltd of the Euro-Scot service from Portobello Freightliner Terminal via Stratford Freightliner Terminal to the Dover - Calais ferry.
15/07/1969North British Railway
Freightliner train derails near Grantshouse.
  /  /1970Leith North Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Leith North Goods closed. (Accessed from former North British Railway lines latterly).
31/12/1973Leith New Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Leith East Goods, last section of the line, closed. (Latterly accessed from North British Railway lines via Seafield Road Junction).
  /  /1974North British Railway
With the proposal that 8'6'' containers be accommodated the Penmanshiel Tunnel is examined. There is insufficient clearance and it is proposed that the tunnel floor be lowered.
25/04/1976North British Railway
Eastern approach to Craigentinny Depot opened from Portobello.
  /  /1978North British Railway
Freightliner Ltd re-proposes alterations to the Penmanshiel Tunnel to allow it to take taller containers 8'6'' high.
  /  /1978North British Railway
Portobello Freightliner Terminal is handling 2700 containers every month.
  /  /1978North British Railway
Craigentinny Depot altered for the introduction of the HSTs to the East Coast Main Line.
20/08/1978North British Railway
Penmanshiel Tunnel examined and its condition was reported in the subsequent inquiry after its collapse: the examination 'revealed no serious defects in the brick lining, although there was some loss of mortar in the joints of the innermost ring and some surface spalling. The general impression was that the brickwork, whilst perfectly sound, was somewhat scabby in appearance and that remedial work should be programmed,
to consist of repointing and renewal of spalled areas as necessary: (this work had not in fact been carried out when the collapse occurred). '
  /  /1979North British Railway
Blindwells Opencast Disposal Site rail served coal preparation and bunker plant opened by the East Coast Main Line (former North British Railway). Mining activity began in 1978.
21/01/1979North British Railway
Work begins to give more head clearance in the Penmanshiel Tunnel. The ground under the southbound (up line) is dug out to allow the track to be lowered. The northbound (down line) remains in use for both directions to allow the line to remain open.
10/03/1979North British Railway
The southbound (up line) track works were completed and the track relaid.
11/03/1979North British Railway
Trains are diverted onto the relaid southbound (up line) while works begin on the northbound (down line).
17/03/1979North British Railway
The Penmanshiel Disaster closes the East Coast Main Line. A 20 metre section of the Penmanshiel Tunnel collapses resulting in the deaths of Peter Fowler and Gordon Turnbull who were working in the tunnel to increase headroom for 8' 6'' high containers. The floor of the tunnel was being dug out and lowered. Diversion of East Coast trains via Carlisle was required. The tunnel was abandoned and sealed. A deviation was to be opened to the west.
07/05/1979North British Railway
Work begins to built a diversion to the immediate west of the Penmanshiel Tunnel. In addition the main road, the A1, is diverted to provide space for the line. The contractor is Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons Ltd.
06/08/1979North British Railway
Drem closed to goods.
20/08/1979North British Railway
Completion of work to built the deviation to the west of the collapsed Penmanshiel Tunnel.
26/02/1982Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
Baileyfield Switch and Crossing Works opened. (The original Baileyfield Switch and Crossing Works was opened here by the North British Railway in 1905. It closed in 1980 for rebuilding.)
  /  /1984North British Railway
A short inland deviation, Burnmouth Deviation, was opened in 1984 taking the line west away from the cliffs above Catcairn Bushes and Hilton Bay.
  /  /1985North British Railway
Perth Pool built on the former Perth Central Goods yard of the North British Railway by Perth station.
  /04/1987North British Railway
Freightliner controversially closes Portobello Freightliner Terminal. Subsequently the closure allows a re-alignment of the main line.
  /  /1991North British Railway
North British Station Hotel, by Edinburgh Waverley, becomes the The Balmoral Hotel.
  /06/1994North British Railway
Wallyford station opened.
03/06/1997North British Railway
New GNER under four hours (3hrs 59mins) service from London to Edinburgh Waverley begins.
  /08/1997North British Railway
Blindwells Opencast Disposal Site granted extension of time to continue extracting coal.
  /02/1998North British Railway
Abbeymont station proposed, half a mile east of Edinburgh Waverley, to serve the new Scottish Parliament building.
  /  /2000North British Railway
Blindwells Opencast Disposal Site closed.
  /10/2001North British Railway
Surface structures at the out of use Blindwells Opencast Disposal Site are demolished.
  /03/2003North British Railway
Great North Eastern Railway begins major overhauls of HST coaches at Craigentinny Depot.
17/01/2004North British Railway Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
During a two day (17-18) blockade Edinburgh Waverley's signalled and control equipment is re-fitted.
  /10/2005North British Railway
Track from Blindwells Opencast Disposal Site gifted to the Friends of Riccarton Junction.
30/01/2007North British Railway
Car carrying IPA wagons catch fire at Drem station.
  /12/2007North British Railway
Down (westbound line) sidings at Dunbar lifted.
  /07/2008North British Railway
320 additional parking spaces added at Wallyford station.
30/03/2010North British Railway
Two landslips at Grantshouse close the East Coast Main Line. Transport Secretary Lord Adonis orders an independent review of transport's response to severe winter weather (in England).
  /05/2010North British Railway
Approval granted to provide an escalator and lifts for the Waverley Steps entrance to Edinburgh Waverley.
  /06/2011North British Railway
Consultants report recommends re-opening Reston station as part of improvements to the Edinburgh-Newcastle service.
  /08/2011North British Railway
Escalators from Edinburgh Waverley to Princes Street being installed.
  /10/2011North British Railway
Proposal to re-open East Linton along with an improved service to Dunbar by 2014.
  /10/2011North British Railway
East Lothian Council and South East of Scotland Partnership study re-opening of the Haddington branch.
  /11/2011North British Railway
Mural painted on the station building at Prestonpans.
28/12/2019North British Railway
Platforms 5 and 6 of Edinburgh Waverley extended to 275 metres.
23/05/2022North British Railway
Reston station opened, just to the south east of the site of Reston [1st].
23/05/2022North British Railway
First trains call at Reston.
28/07/2022North British Railway
Reston official opening.

Portions of line and locations

This line is divided into a number of portions.


Edinburgh to Berwick

This is the main station in Edinburgh and acts as both a terminus and through station. The larger part of the station is covered by a large glazed roof by Blyth and Cunningham and is an island platform with bays at either end. There is a smaller island platform outwith the main roof on the south side.
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More details

See also
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Borders Railway (Network Rail)
Class D30 62442 'Simon Glover' at Waverley station, east end. ...
David Murray-Smith /07/1955
A poster celebrating the 40th anniversary of ScotRail. ...
John Yellowlees 22/09/2023
Here is the Borders Railway Community Partnership for the Borders Railway Tapestry Panel. The panel is due to be inaugurated next Easter at the ...
John Yellowlees 23/09/2023
43147 at Waverley platform 15 with the 16.30 to Aberdeen on 21st April 2023. 43033 was on the rear. ...
Bill Roberton 21/04/2023
4 of 1402 images. more


This pair of double track tunnels are to the east of Edinburgh Waverley and a little west of Abbeyhill Junction. Since electrification the tunnels carry single lines as the overhead equipment needed extra clearance.
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More details
The 12.18 Lumo service from Kings Cross to Edinburgh, formed by 803002, nears the Calton Tunnels on the final approach to its destination on 13 August ...
Bill Roberton 13/08/2022
Recent devegetation (see chewed-up Buddleia, far right) has exposed the seldom-photographed east portals of Calton Tunnels to view from Regent Road ...
David Panton 01/04/2021
A Cross-Country service from somewhere to Glasgow Central captured between Calton South tunnel and Waverley's Platform 8 on 12 February 2020. I hope ...
David Panton 12/02/2020
Azuma arriving at Edinburgh Waverley with a test run from Doncaster Carr. ...
Bill Roberton 30/01/2018
4 of 13 images. more


An LNER Azuma from the south slips from the Down line to the Calton North Tunnel line on the approach to Waverley on 1 April 2021. As you can probably ...
David Panton 01/04/2021
Taking the Abbeyhill loop with a Commonwealth Games shuttle from Waverley to Meadowbank Halt. Will direct trains to Fife through the Forth Tunnel ...
Bill Roberton /07/1986
Back in the day these two bridges on Abbeymount each carried double tracks through Calton Tunnels into Waverley; now there is only one track through ...
David Panton 14/04/2020
Even the leafless January vegetation gets in the way of what would otherwise be a decent viewpoint in Regent Road Park. Therefore please think of this ...
David Panton 17/01/2019
4 of 11 images. more




This station was west of the London Road overbridge and St Margarets Shed. There was only one platform, on the south side of the line. The Duke's Walk and Queen's Drive ran west to Holyrood Palace. The station was used by Royal trains and, with the proximity of the depot, for railwaymen.
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This shed was located east of Edinburgh Waverley just west of Piershill Junction. It was on both sides of the East Coast Main Line. There was a roundhouse and single ended shed to the north and another single ended shed to the south. Approach was from the west, with reversal to the roundhouse. There was a signal box, 'St Margarets', at the west end of the site which opened in 1868.
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Excavation work taking place on the site of St Margarets shed on 1 September 2022, seen looking north from London Road across the ECML. ...
Andy Furnevel 01/09/2022
Dundee's V2 No 60844 adds to St Margarets' notorious smoke problem on 29 March 1964, the problem having been exacerbated in 1963 when Edinburgh's ...
Colin Kirkwood 29/03/1964
View from London Road of the excavated turntable at St Margarets (64A) depot on 26 August 2022.
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Bill Roberton 26/08/2022
Destined to be one of the last A3s, 60052 'Prince Palatine', complete with yellow diagonal cab stripe forbidding travel under the wires, gets ...
Colin Kirkwood 28/09/1964
4 of 85 images. more




This is the junction for the disused line to the Powderhall Destructor. Approach was from the east.
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See also
Easter Road Deviation (North British Railway)
This is the out of use track of the Powderhall Branch approaching Powderhall Branch Junction (formerly Piershill Junction) as seen from a passing ...
Ewan Crawford 21/02/2023
1 of 1 images.


This a an important depot servicing trains used on the East Coast Main Line.
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EWS 67004 awaiting attention outside the wheel lathe shop at the eastern end of the main Craigentinny Depot in July 2007. ...
John Furnevel 05/07/2007
801222, with the 09.00 from Kings Cross, speeds past sister 801229 parked at Craigentinny Depot on 18th June 2021.
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Bill Roberton 18/06/2021
An Azuma not zooming at Cragentinny. Shot taken through the fence of the westernmost entrance. The depot is really in Mountcastle but the place didn't ...
David Panton 18/06/2020
LNER Azuma 801201 passes Craigentinny depot, with the 14.30 from Edinburgh to Kings Cross, on 24 March 2023.
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Bill Roberton 24/03/2023
4 of 87 images. more


This was a double track eleven span viaduct built in timber and iron. The viaduct crossed over both the Figgate Burn and the Leith branch of the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway and at its western end was a connecting curve to that line (a west to south curve which also crossed a timber viaduct).
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This was the junction between the North British Railway main line and its short connecting curve which ran north to meet the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway's South Leith branch. The curve allowed trains from the east to join the branch and vice versa. It was opened to the west of Portobello [2nd] station.
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See also
New Portobello Station (North British Railway)
Lothian Lines (North British Railway)
Portobello Yard (North British Railway)
View from Baileyfield Road looking east with the moribund Leith South branch, above me to the left, rising sharply towards the junction at Portobello. ...
David Panton 19/08/2021
One of the recently delivered ScotRail class 380 EMUs passing the site of Portobello West Junction with a North Berwick - Waverley service on 1 August ...
John Furnevel 01/08/2011
A Virgin Trains ECML service about to cross Baileyfield Road, Portobello, on 7 September 2016. Running off to the left is Sir Harry Lauder Road, which ...
John Furnevel 07/09/2016
A complete load of rubbish. A full complement of compacted refuse containers from Powderhall eastbound through Portobello in August 2011 en route to ...
John Furnevel 01/08/2011
4 of 7 images. more


There have been three station at Portobello and presently (2018) none. The second station, opened by the North British Railway, was a two platform station with a building on each platform. To the immediate east was the original Portobello Junction (later relocated further east).
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The blocked up entrance to the subway leading to the island station at Portobello. The station closed in 1964 and there were calls for it to reopen ...
David Panton 17/05/2018
1 of 1 images.


It is now 36 years since Portobello Freightliner terminal closed, but not only is one of the cranes still standing but so is this sign; the red of the ...
David Panton 24/04/2021
Magog? Romulus? Or is it Pollux? Whatever the surviving twin at the old Freightliner depot is called it is not looking in terrific shape when seen ...
David Panton 29/04/2021
Cute, isn't it? Craigentinny Wheel Lathe (actually in Portobello, not Craigentinny) has this remote controlled shunter seen standing outside the shed ...
David Panton 23/04/2020
Portobello Freightliner Terminal has been closed for considerably longer than it operated but for some reason one of its two cranes was never ...
David Panton 14/05/2020
4 of 8 images. more


This junction is open. The double track East Coast Main Line from Berwick-Upon-Tweed meets the single track line from Tweedbank and passenger trains run west to Edinburgh Waverley.
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See also
Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
New Portobello Station (North British Railway)
Portobello Yard (North British Railway)
170394 takes to the Borders Railway at Portobello Junction, with the 13.22 from
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Bill Roberton 02/12/2022
West Coast 47812 takes the crossover at Portobello Junction, with empty stock from a Hull to Edinburgh 'Northern Belle' excursion, on 2nd December ...
Bill Roberton 02/12/2022
LNER 801228 passes Portobello Junction with the 08.30 from Kings Cross to Edinburgh on 2 December 2022.
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Bill Roberton 02/12/2022
A CrossCountry Class 220 creeps along the Craigentinny Depot line heading for the Suburban Circle on 15 April 2021. Don't ask me why or where it was ...
David Panton 15/04/2021
4 of 45 images. more


This was a two platform station which replaced Joppa [1st]. But unlike that station, this one was on the East Coast Main Line rather than the Waverley Route.
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This 1980s bridge carries the Sir Harry Lauder Road over the ECML a little to the west of Joppa station site. This road pretty faithfully follows the ...
David Panton 08/07/2021
380 007 passes Joppa with a North Berwick - Edinburgh service on 8 December 2018. The gable end of the old station house is just visible on the ...
Bill Roberton 08/12/2018
'Flying Scotsman' branded DVT 205 brings up the rear of the 07.30 from Kings Cross to Edinburgh at Joppa on 8th December 2018. A CrossCountry voyager ...
Bill Roberton 08/12/2018
A4 60009 nears Joppa with the Railway Touring Company's 'Edinburgh Christmas Market' special from York on 8th December 2018.
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Bill Roberton 08/12/2018
4 of 52 images. more


A North Berwick to Edinburgh service is captured to the north of Newhailes, crossing the boundary between East Lothian and the city. That signal looks ...
David Panton 24/04/2021
The LNER 1000 Edinburgh - Kings Cross about to run south through the site of Newhailes station on the western edge of Musselburgh on 5 July 2018. ...
John Furnevel 05/07/2018
2 of 2 images.


This junction was controlled by a tall signal box on the west side of the line and south of Newcraighall Road. The box was tall enough to see over the bridge. Both lines were double track.
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Newhailes Junction, former junction for Musselburgh, viewed from the west. ...
Ewan Crawford //
Newhailes Junction signal box on 22 November 1970, still displaying its former name. The box stood near the point where the Musselburgh branch left ...
Bill Jamieson 22/11/1970
Deltic No. D9016 'Gordon Highlander' powers out of Edinburgh south of Newhailes Junction leaving a blue exhaust haze in its wake - there was nothing ...
Bill Jamieson 19/04/1970
A gloomy Tuesday afternoon in April 1970 as EE Type 4 No. 252 passes Newhailes Junction with the 11.50 Aberdeen to Kings Cross Freightliner service. ...
Bill Jamieson 14/04/1970
4 of 4 images.


This junction opened in 1884. Also known as Newhailes East Junction. It was the southern end of a Edinburgh, Suburban and Southside Junction Railway curve connecting north west to the Fisherrow branch of the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway.
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See also
Edinburgh, Suburban and Southside Junction Railway


This is a two platform station. The station is quite some way south of Musselburgh town centre and serves the newer housing and new Queen Margaret University campus.
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A southbound CrossCountry service passes through Musselburgh on 23 March 2019. For some reason there are no 'fast train approaching' warnings on East ...
David Panton 23/03/2019
Platform view north at Musselburgh on 14 October 2017, with the 1708 Edinburgh - Birmingham New Street CrossCountry service about to run through the ...
Andy Furnevel 14/10/2017
The remnants of a North Sea haar appear to be hanging over the southern approaches to Edinburgh on 14 April 2009 as a northbound HST runs through ...
John Furnevel 14/04/2009
ScotRail 380010 arriving at Musselburgh on 29 July 2017 with the 1651 North Berwick - Edinburgh. ...
Andy Furnevel 29/07/2017
4 of 60 images. more


This junction has had several different layouts and refers to several slightly different locations. The original junction was for the Macmerry Branch (North British Railway) the present version is between the East Coast Main Line (former North British Railway) and line to Millerhill Marshalling Yard (British Railways).
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See also
Lothian Lines (North British Railway)
Macmerry Branch (North British Railway)
A Virgin Trains East Coast service to Kings Cross photographed six miles out from Waverley in the spring of 2018. The train has just come off the long ...
John Furnevel 03/05/2018
There are two bridges over the River Esk close to Monktonhall Junction. The bridge to the right is the original North British Railway bridge and the ...
Duncan Ross 22/05/2021
A northbound cement train photographed shortly after turning west off the ECML at Monktonhall Junction on 19 July 2018. GBRf 66736 is on the 1961 BR ...
John Furnevel 19/07/2018
View south east towards Monktonhall Junction in 1999, taken from the trackbed of the NB Lothian Lines route to Wanton Walls Junction. The ECML is on ...
Ewan Crawford //1999
4 of 13 images. more


This was a two platform station with the platforms passing under Carberry Road. The main station building was on the eastbound platform with a waiting room on the westbound. The signal box was at the west end of the westbound platform (it closed in 1924).
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Site of Inveresk station, just south of Monktonhall Junction on the ECML. Opened by the NB in June 1846 as Musselburgh, the name was changed to ...
John Furnevel 03/05/2018
60103 Flying Scotsman nears Inveresk with The Cathedrals Express from Kings Cross to Edinburgh on 13 May. ...
Bill Roberton 13/05/2017
The 1000 Virgin East Coast Edinburgh Waverley - London Kings Cross about to run through the site of Inveresk station on 3 May 2018. ...
John Furnevel 03/05/2018
The 0710 Leeds - Aberdeen Virgin Trains HST approaching Inveresk on 3 May 2018 heading for its next stop at Waverley. The eastern edge of Musselburgh ...
John Furnevel 03/05/2018
4 of 8 images. more


This was a short lived station. It was west of today's Wallyford station and north west of today's village.
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See also
Wallyford Colliery Railway


This is a minimal modern two platform station but with a large car park. The station is east of the original Wallyford [1st] station, which was very short lived.
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Scene on the East Coast Main Line just east of Wallyford station on 22 April 2018 as the Virgin Trains 1000 Edinburgh Waverley - London Kings Cross ...
John Furnevel 22/04/2018
A North Berwick service approaches Wallyford on 18 July 2020. Counterintuitively the hills in the background are the Pentlands, southwest of ...
David Panton 18/07/2020
One of the BR class 322 EMUs, which held sway on the North Berwick line for 10 years, stands at Wallyford in 2007. Built by BREL at York in 1990 to ...
John Furnevel 16/12/2007
View west from the footbridge at Wallyford on a fine spring afternoon in 2014. The lady is in the process of boarding the 1249 ScotRail service to ...
John Furnevel 13/05/2014
4 of 46 images. more


This junction was located to the west of Prestonpans station.
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This is a two platform station on the East Coast Main Line served by local trains. The main station building is on the eastbound platform. The goods yard and shed were on the north side at the east end, the site is now the car park. The signal box (1881) was on the south side of the line at the east end of the westbound platform.
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See also
Tranent Branch (North British Railway)
Prestonlinks Colliery Branch (North British Railway)
Lumo 800303 passing Prestonpans, with the 15.25 from Edinburgh to Kings Cross, on 13 August 2022.
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Bill Roberton 13/08/2022
One of a series of art works, including a platform mural, by local artist Adele Conn, officially inaugurated at Prestonpans in October 2011 (see ...
John Furnevel 21/09/2011
Hull Trains-liveried 802304 nears Prestonpans with the 10.45 East Coast Trains trial run from Kings Cross on 11 June 2021.
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Bill Roberton 11/06/2021
Inaugural (press trip) Lumo service. 803001 passes Prestonpans with the first Kings Cross to Edinburgh train on 21 October 2021.
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Bill Roberton 21/10/2021
4 of 91 images. more


LNER Azuma 801219 passes Prestonpans Up Loop, with the 14.30 from Edinburgh to Kings Cross, on 11th June 2021. The disused connection to the ...
Bill Roberton 11/06/2021
A Permanent Way gang digging out stone (microgranite) ballast during a track renewal investigation in East Lothian. Note the use of the ballast graip. ...
Charlie Niven /11/1998
'Race you to Newcastle...' Double take just east of Pestonpans station on 7 September 2016. The train on the left, being passed by an up Virgin ...
John Furnevel 07/09/2016
View to the east between the Up Passenger Loop right and the line into Cockenzie Power Station yard curving off to the left during track renewal ...
Charlie Niven /11/1998
4 of 6 images. more


A siding was laid on the south side of the North British Railway immediately west of where the Tranent Waggonway crossed overhead. The siding was approached from the west. A short curved branch was laid from the Tranent Waggonway which turned through 90 degrees from going north to west and ran parallel to the railway siding. Wagons were tipped from above onto railway wagons. With the ...

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See also
Tranent Waggonway


This bridge was opened in 1846 to allow the North British Railway to pass under the much older Tranent Waggonway.
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See also
Tranent Waggonway
Looking south towards Tranent Parish Church along the frosty course of the waggonway from Cockenzie in 1973. Meadowmill Landsale Yard, on a later ...
Bill Roberton //1973
Final clear-up from the derailment of the up Sleeper at Prestonpans in the early hours of 22 May 1980. Nine sleeper coaches had been derailed after a ...
Bruce McCartney /05/1980
Clearing up work in progress on the Sunday morning following the derailment on the ECML at Prestonpans in the 1970s. ...
Bruce McCartney //197X
3 of 3 images.


A bunker, on the south side of the line, was served by a siding with a round loop. The bunker served the Blindwells opencast and its extension.
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Lost Railfreight 37427 passes Blindwells with empty refuse containers from Oxwellmains to Powderhall in 2006. #COP26 ...
Bill Roberton //2006
26006 at Blindwells opencast disposal site with a loaded coal train for Cockenzie Power Station in 1991. ...
Roger Geach 15/05/1991
EWS 37405 passes Blindwells with the Oxwellmains - Powderhall empty 'bins' in June 2006. ...
Bill Roberton /06/2006
Signal B2 (or was it B1?) controlled access to the hopper at Blindwells and is still standing many years after the track was lifted and despite the ...
David Panton 21/03/2020
4 of 12 images. more


This colliery was on the south side of the North British Railway east of Prestonpans and south of Seton House (as a result of which it was also known as Seton House Colliery). Access was controlled by Riggonhead signal box which opened in 1906.
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This was a short lived station. It was located to the south of Seton House and Seton Chapel.
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A pair of HST power cars heading for Craigentinny in 1994, passing the site of Seton Crossing. The final HSTs were displaced from LNER service in ...
Bill Roberton //1994
1 of 1 images.


This level crossing is west of Longniddry station. The box was on the south side of the line, west of the road. A former railway cottage is opposite on the east side of the road.
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St Germains signalbox, seen from a North Berwick-bound DMU in 1974. Reduced to a gate box three years later, it was closed in 1985.
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Bill Roberton //1974
DBS 66151 passes St Germains on 17 May with empty pipe wagons from Leith South yard. ...
Bill Roberton 17/05/2011
St Germains signal box in 1977, eight years before it was abolished in 1985.
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Bill Roberton //1977
The road served by St Germains level crossing is pretty minor and leads to nowhere in particular. This is just as well as barriers come down well in ...
David Panton 10/08/2019
4 of 32 images. more


There was a level crossing at Seton Mains once but the road it served was hardly more than a track so eventually the crossing was simply done away ...
David Panton 10/08/2019
Seton Level Crossing signalbox in 1978. This image provides a contrast to David Panton's photo Seton in 2017 See image 60520
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Bill Roberton //1978
Remains of the long-closed halt at Seton Mains are as scanty as information about it. The one picture on line has a train in the way! However at least ...
David Panton 16/08/2017
3 of 3 images.


This short siding was on the north side of the line, west of Longniddry station. It was accessed by reversal.
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This is a two platform station. The station had a third platform for the Haddington branch on the south side.
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A North Berwick to Edinburgh service pulls into Longniddry on 25th July 2020. Until the 1920s Longniddry was nothing but a 'clachan', as it was ...
David Panton 25/07/2020
31158 arrives at Longniddry with 1E29, the 17.10 Edinburgh - Newcastle local, in March 1979. ...
John Clark 10/03/1979
A Dunbar to Edinburgh service whooshes through Longniddry on 11 May 2019. It is a mystery to me why these services call only at Musselburgh. A YouTube ...
David Panton 11/05/2019
A North Berwick to Edinburgh service calls at Longniddry on 25 January 2020. ...
David Panton 25/01/2020
4 of 37 images. more


This was an extremely short lived station, most likely located to the north of Ballencrieff House and farm.
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This is a two platform station served by local trains from Edinburgh Waverley to North Berwick. There is a small car park.
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Lost Railfreight. A class 47 draws a short fertiliser train for Leith South out of the loop at Drem in 1990. #COP26
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Bill Roberton //1990
An Edinburgh service, with the leading vehicle still showing cock-eyed unit numbers, pulls into Drem on 18th July 2020. Drem's population is less than ...
David Panton 18/07/2020
90030 passes Drem Loops with a North Berwick to Edinburgh service in 2005.
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Bill Roberton //2005
Stones at Drem in April 2022.
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John Yellowlees 21/04/2022
4 of 81 images. more


This was a two platform station. The main station building was on the eastbound platform. There were waiting rooms on each platform.
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Probably the slightly late running 11 30 Kings Cross to Edinburgh viewed from the Museum of Flight at East Fortune. ...
David Prescott 29/07/2018
Kings Cross - Aberdeen HST passing the former station at East Fortune on 19 September. ...
Bill Roberton 19/8/2007
View across the ECML at the former East Fortune station. May 2007. ...
John Furnevel 16/05/2007
The former station at East Fortune on the up side of the East Coast Main Line, seen on 16 May 2007 from the road bridge. ...
John Furnevel 16/05/2007
4 of 4 images.


This level crossing is between East Fortune (to the west) and East Linton. The crossing was formerly controlled by a signal box which was to the south of the crossing and on the south/west side of the line. This closed in 1965. ...

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On a beautiful Autumn day in 1977, 55015 'Tulyar' has just passed Markle Level Crossing, between Drem and East Linton, with 1E17, the 10.30 Aberdeen ...
John Clark 18/09/1977
158711 crosses the not so level level crossing at Markle on 29 April 2017 with a Dunbar to Waverley service. ...
John McIntyre 29/04/2017
91014 propels a VTEC service south at Markle level crossing on the ECML between Drem and Dunbar. ...
John McIntyre 29/04/2017
3 of 3 images.


The new station in East Linton is west of the original East Linton [1st] station (closed 1964), directly west of East Linton Primary School. There are platform shelters, a footbridge with lifts for accessibility and a car park. The car park is on the south side of the line.
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ScotRail plus TPE special commemorative tickets for the opening of East Linton on 13th December 2023.
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John Yellowlees 13/12/2023
Opening day tickets for East Linton. ...
John Yellowlees 13/12/2023
A view of East Linton footbridge at night.
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Network Rail /11/2023
A platform view of the new East Linton station.
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Network Rail /11/2023
4 of 13 images. more


This was a two platform station. The proposed new East Linton station will be west of the former station. A station building remains in use as a house, on the south side of the line. The station building is unusual, some parts predate the railway.
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A southbound ECML service from Edinburgh approaches the former East Linton station on 29 April 2017 with Mk 4 DVT 82214 leading. 91108 was providing ...
John McIntyre 29/04/2017
A class 37 leads 56107, with a southbound empty MGR train, through the site of the first East Linton station in 1992.
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Bill Roberton //1992
Looking over the surviving Down platform buildings at East Linton in 1992.
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Bill Roberton //1992
The former goods yard at East Linton on 16 May 2007, looking east towards the main station building standing beyond the trees, with the ECML running ...
John Furnevel 16/05/2007
4 of 9 images. more


This viaduct is directly east of the former East Linton [1st] station.
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A class 37 leads 56107 through East Linton in 1992 hauling a southbound empty MGR train. The Class 56 continued in service until 2010 and was cut up ...
Bill Roberton //1992
A southbound freight passing through East Linton on the East Coast Main Line on 7 January 1971. ...
John Furnevel 07/01/1971
2 of 2 images.


This pair of sidings was on the north side of the line, approached from the east. Opposite, on the south side of the line, was Beltonford signal box. The box opened in 1895 and closed in 1966.
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This is a two platform station. The main platform is on a loop line from the eastbound/southbound track. Network Rail opened a second platform on the main westbound/northbound track in 2019.
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The pastoral landscape belies the fact that within seconds this LNER Azuma unit will pass through Dunbar heading towards Edinburgh and onwards to ...
Malcolm Chattwood 28/09/2020
The new second platform at Dunbar that opened on 15th December 2019, seen from the ex-17.30 LNER Azuma service from Edinburgh Waverley to Kings Cross, ...
David Bosher 07/06/2023
On platform weighing machine seen at Dunbar in 1988. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
The attractive station at Dunbar, seen looking west from the car park in May 2007. Located approximately 30 miles from Waverley on the ECML and opened ...
John Furnevel 16/05/2007
4 of 59 images. more


These sidings, serving the Dunbar Cement Works, are east of Dunbar station. The site was originally also known as East Barnes. Oxwell Mains was a farm to west.
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A pair of class 37s pass through Oxwellmains Cement Works with a coal train in 1993.
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Bill Roberton //1993
LaFarge cement works, Owellmains, south of Dunbar, on Boxing Day 2004. The ECML runs through the centre of the picture and part of Torness nuclear ...
John Furnevel 26/12/2004
60029 brings the empty Binliner out of the landfill sidings at Oxwellmains on 19 September as a GNER Kings Cross - Edinburgh service passes on ...
Bill Roberton 19/9/2007
Two Class 26s shunt the Blue Circle depot at Oxwellmains in July 1971. ...
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) /07/1971
4 of 6 images. more




This was a two platform station. The main building was on the westbound platform. The small goods yard was on the south side of the line, a loop serving a loading bank. Opposite this was a siding on the north side, approached from the east. There was a signal box at the west end of the eastbound platform.
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The former station at Innerwick on the ECML, closed to passengers in 1951 and now a private residence. View north east with the road bridge over the ...
John Furnevel 06/07/2006
A Paris bound TGV speeding past the Chateau of a small but exclusive vineyard in the Dordogne perhaps... no, an Edinburgh bound Voyager passing ...
John Furnevel 06/07/2006
A1 Pacific no 60147 North Eastern approaching Innerwick in April 1964 with the 3.48pm (SO) Edinburgh - Berwick stopping train. The old A1 road ...
Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) /04/1964
The railwayman who inspired the photographer's life-long interest in railways - Signalman John Mack in command of Innerwick box in August 1931. ...
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) //1931
4 of 5 images. more


This is a double track viaduct by John Miller over the Dunglass Burn, located north west of Cockburnspath. It is a seven arch viaduct. The central arch is 130 ft long and 120 ft over the burn. The north three and south three side arches are 30 ft long.
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This was a two platform station about a third of a mile north of the village.
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Torness Nuclear Power Station dominates the background as a coal train rounds the curve north of Cockburspath on a fine day in the summer of 2007. ...
John Furnevel 30/06/2007
Just over 30 miles out of Edinburgh on a summer's afternoon in 2007 a GNER Waverley - Kings Cross service speeds through the sweeping curve at ...
John Furnevel 30/06/2007
EWS 66103 brings the 06.37 Mossend - West Burton power station coal train south through the site of Cockburnspath station (closed 1951) on 14 July ...
John Furnevel 14/07/2006
An up ECML express rounds the curve north of Cockburnspath on 16 August, dwarfed by Torness nuclear power station standing on the north side of the ...
John Furnevel 16/08/2007
4 of 7 images. more




Known to the Railway Clearing House as Pease Bridge, later known by British Railways as Pease Siding and the bridge information plaque refers to it as Pease Lye. There were a pair of sidings from the southbound line, on the east side of the railway, approached by reversal. A public siding for agricultural use. The parent station was at Cockburnspath, not far to the north west.
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Overbridge 115 on the ECML in Berwickshire now called Pease Lye. See image [[
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Charlie Niven 17/11/2018
The loading bank at Pease Lye is still visible under a pile of ballast. Also known as Pease Siding or goods station it is located on the steep climb ...
Charlie Niven 30/09/2018
2 of 2 images.


This was a single tunnel, 244m long on the former North British Railway, now the East Coast Main Line.
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Heaton A1 Pacific no 60116 Hal O' The Wynd with the up 'Queen of Scots' Pullman on the northern approach to Penmanshiel Tunnel in 1959. ...
A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) //1959
In original BR livery, an HST forming the southbound Highland Chieftain tackles the 1 in 96 Penmanshiel bank in the summer of 1984. ...
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) //1984
Taken on the 18th of October 2005, this view looks directly at where the southern portal of Penmanshiel Tunnel was from the former A1 overbridge. ...
Edward Pearce 18/10/2005
Work in progress in 1979 on the diversion built following the collapse of Penmanshiel Tunnel. View north towards Penmanshiel Wood, on the east side of ...
Bruce McCartney Collection //1979
4 of 12 images. more


This was a two platform station immediately south of the small village of Grant's House.
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The site of Grantshouse station on the ECML seen from the hillside looking east in bright spring sunshine on 16 March 2004. The train is a Virgin ...
John Furnevel 16/03/2004
This photograph is published in 'The Scottish Railway Scene 1973-2020' by John Kirk, published by Pen & Sword.
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John Kirk /08/1988
Extract from the Scottish Region timetable winter 1960-61 showing morning stopping services on the ECML between Edinburgh and Berwick. Grantshouse was ...
David Panton 12/09/1960
A Cross Country 221 passes the loops and civil engineers sidings at the site of Grantshouse station. The Voyager was on its way from Edinburgh to ...
Mark Bartlett 07/04/2018
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This is a double track concrete viaduct over the young River Eye. The original stone bridge washed out during severe flooding in 1948 leading to diversions of East Coast Main Line trains over the Berwick - Kelso - Galashiels [1st] - Portobello East Junction route.
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This is a double track bridge which carries the East Coast Main Line. The original bridge was washed away in the floods of August 1948, leaving a single track spanning the gap where the missing bridge had been. It was replaced in December 1948 with a concrete and steel bridge with five spans. It was one of seven bridges carrying the main line which were washed away during the flooding of the ...

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The area around this siding just south of Houndwood House on the NBR mainline was evidently used as a storage area for gravel. Apparently the North ...
National Library of Scotland 29/12/2020
A Class 47-hauled test train passes the site of Houndwood Siding travelling south east on the ECML in 1993. The siding, sited on level ground just ...
Charlie Niven /02/1993
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This was a three platform station and a junction. (For the new proposed station east of the original see Reston.) Goods and mineral trains from the south could enter the branch to Duns directly, passenger trains ran to a reversing spur south of the station before entering the branch. The awkward working was due to the station opening in 1846 and branch subsequently in 1849. The main ...

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In this 1998 view looking east the siding on the left is the remains of the goods yard, the station building still stood (and continues to stand) and ...
Ewan Crawford //1998
Scene at Reston, Berwickshire, looking south on 14 August 2018. The Virgin East Coast 0800 Kings Cross - Edinburgh has just run through the site of ...
Andy Furnevel 14/08/2018
A4 60019 Bittern heading north past Reston Junction signal box on 4 November 1967 with an RCTS (West Riding Branch) special from Leeds City to ...
Dougie Squance (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 04/11/1967
The former station approach west from Main Street, Reston, in March 2010, with the station house on the left. The gate currently provides an access ...
John Furnevel 08/03/2010
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A new station is proposed for the village of Reston. The location is east of both the former Reston [1st] station and the former junction (which was east of the station) with the Dunse Branch (North British Railway). The greenfield site is south of the Reston Cattle Market and will be access from The Orchard road. The station will have a car park on its north side (east of The Orchard), ...

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Primary school children plant time capsule to mark milestone.
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Network Rail 23/05/2023
The first passenger service to call at Reston in almost six decades is piped into the station. (Monday 23rd May 2022) ...
Network Rail 23/05/2022
Commemorative ticket for the Reston re-opening day, 23rd May 2022. ...
John Yellowlees 23/05/2022
A nice touch on the 23rd May reopening day for Reston was this enthusiast bringing one of the old totems from the station. ...
John Yellowlees 23/05/2022
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Two bridges at Peelwalls are listed C. Both are west of the former Ayton station.
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Ayton station was to the south east of Ayton village, about half a mile away.
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This station served Burnmouth, it was in the north of the village, and was the junction for Eyemouth.
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See also
Eyemouth Railway
The Eyemouth branch train, headed by J39 64917, awaits the imminent arrival at Burnmouth of the connecting Edinburgh to Newcastle stopping service. ...
Brian Haslehust 20/01/1962
A southbound HST about a mile east of Burnmouth in 1988. The wires were still being installed. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
Heaton shed's A3 Pacific no 60073 St Gatien draws the 2.25pm Edinburgh-Newcastle stopping service into Burnmouth on Saturday 27th January 1962. ...
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 27/01/1962
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This short inland deviation was opened in 1984. The line was deviated to the west away from the cliffs above Catcairn Bushes and Hilton Bay.
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This is the East Coast main Line crossing of England/Scotland Border between Burnmouth and Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
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A train bound for the Fort Willam smelter, if my memory serves me correct, on 9th June 2018. And Yes, I did remember to close the gate, although I ...
Duncan Ross 09/06/2018
Heading south towards Lamberton. ...
Ewan Crawford //2003
125 Heading north towards Lamberton Border Crossing. ...
Ewan Crawford //2003
The Border sign at Lamberton. View looking south-west ... obviously. ...
Ewan Crawford //
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This signal box was north of Berwick-upon-Tweed and south east of Marshall Meadows House and south of the Marshall Meadows Deviation.
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This is an island platform station. It is located at the north end of the Royal Border Bridge on the north bank of the Tweed.
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See also
Newcastle and Berwick Railway
View from the ex-11.00 LNER Azuma service from Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley, departing after its call at Berwick-upon-Tweed on 6th June 2023. ...
David Bosher 06/06/2023
A unidentified class 47 at Berwick upon Tweed with an Edinburgh to Kings Cross service on 14th August 1976. ...
Doug Nicholls 14/08/1976
A unidentified class 47/4 arrives at Berwick upon Tweed from Edinburgh with a Kings Cross service in August 1976. ...
Doug Nicholls 14/08/1976
A rather grimy 43299 at the rear of the Highland Chieftain waiting to depart in National Express East Coast days. ...
Colin McDonald 10/07/2009
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Haddington Branch

This is a two platform station. The station had a third platform for the Haddington branch on the south side.
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A North Berwick to Edinburgh service pulls into Longniddry on 25th July 2020. Until the 1920s Longniddry was nothing but a 'clachan', as it was ...
David Panton 25/07/2020
31158 arrives at Longniddry with 1E29, the 17.10 Edinburgh - Newcastle local, in March 1979. ...
John Clark 10/03/1979
A Dunbar to Edinburgh service whooshes through Longniddry on 11 May 2019. It is a mystery to me why these services call only at Musselburgh. A YouTube ...
David Panton 11/05/2019
A North Berwick to Edinburgh service calls at Longniddry on 25 January 2020. ...
David Panton 25/01/2020
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This siding was not far from Longniddry on the Haddington branch. The siding was approached from the south and was on the east side of the line.
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Coatyburn Siding in a view looking to Longniddry. The siding was on the right, the photograph taken from the point of divergence. There was a loading ...
Ewan Crawford 26/12/2019
The site of Cottyburn Siding on the Haddington railway. ...
John Yellowlees 21/10/2017
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This short siding was on the west side of the line and approached from the north. It was 40 chains south of Coatyburn Siding and west of Haddington. The siding served Laverockfarm, to the west, which was connected by a dirt track.
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View to Longniddry from Laverocklaw Siding. The siding was on the left - the boundary fence moves away from the centre line of the trackbed to ...
Ewan Crawford 26/12/2019
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This was a single platform terminus with the platform on the south side of a loop. The line approached from Longniddry to the west. Opposite the platform, to the north, was the goods yard with shed, covered and uncovered loading banks.
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Haddington Railway Walk, the reverse side of the interpretive signalpost. ...
John Yellowlees 22/10/2017
Crossing signals, Station Road, Haddington, Boxing Day 2019. (See 71880). ...
John Furnevel 26/12/2019
Scene at the former NB Haddington terminus in December 2019 looking north west out along the platform. The original station building (later station ...
John Furnevel 26/12/2019
The remains of Haddington station in December 1969. Passenger services over the branch were withdrawn on 5th December 1949 but goods traffic continued ...
John Clark /12/1969
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Portobello West Junction to Baileyfield Signal Box

Opened 1847. (This has an over simplification of the later connection at Portobello.)

This was the junction between the North British Railway main line and its short connecting curve which ran north to meet the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway's South Leith branch. The curve allowed trains from the east to join the branch and vice versa. It was opened to the west of Portobello [2nd] station.
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See also
New Portobello Station (North British Railway)
Lothian Lines (North British Railway)
Portobello Yard (North British Railway)
View from Baileyfield Road looking east with the moribund Leith South branch, above me to the left, rising sharply towards the junction at Portobello. ...
David Panton 19/08/2021
One of the recently delivered ScotRail class 380 EMUs passing the site of Portobello West Junction with a North Berwick - Waverley service on 1 August ...
John Furnevel 01/08/2011
A Virgin Trains ECML service about to cross Baileyfield Road, Portobello, on 7 September 2016. Running off to the left is Sir Harry Lauder Road, which ...
John Furnevel 07/09/2016
A complete load of rubbish. A full complement of compacted refuse containers from Powderhall eastbound through Portobello in August 2011 en route to ...
John Furnevel 01/08/2011
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In 1858 a curve was opened from the 1846 North British Railway to the South Leith branch of the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway.
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See also
Lothian Lines (North British Railway)
A consignment of Russian coal on its way from Leith Docks to Cockenzie PS in April 2007. EWS 66059 is climbing from the site of South Leith Junction ...
John Furnevel 13/04/2007
A class 322 EMU from North Berwick bound for Waverley speeds through Portobello on the ECML in March 2007, just as an EWS class 66 hauling imported ...
John Furnevel 22/03/2007
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Portobello Bottle Works (1829-1968) was situated across the road from Baileyfield Switch and Crossing Works (still there) but had a separate ...
David Panton 06/05/2021
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This works manufacturers switches and crossings - points, the track hardware for junctions and siding turnouts. Voestalpine VAE UK
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Business at the Switch & Crossing works (to give it its former, more meaningful name) would seem to be brisk judging by the number of new rail lengths ...
David Panton 30/04/2018
The Voestalpine VAE works was fomerly known as Baileyfield S&C (switch and
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David Panton 08/02/2018
EWS 66095 with coal from Leith Docks destined for Cockenzie power station in September 2006. The train is passing the VAE Baileyfield Switch & ...
John Furnevel 16/09/2006
Loading rails in the yard at Baileyfield switch and crossing works in June 1989. See image 6694 ...
Ewan Crawford 12/06/1989
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The discharge sidings for Portobello Power Station in 1975, two years before closure. The line to Leith South is to the left with connection being ...
Bill Roberton //1975
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Access to Baileyfield Switch and Crossing Works was controlled by Baileyfield Signal Box which opened when the line was doubled in the 1912. The box closed in 1940 when its responsibility was absorbed by Kings Road Signal Box to the north.
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