Portobello East Jct. [Edinburgh] - Carlisle No.2 Jct.
Date Closed to Passenger Services
6 Jan 1969
Mileage Closed
93m 74c
Stations Closed
Joppa (1st) (1859); Cairney (1849?); Niddrie (01/1869); Millerhill (07/11/1955); Sheriffhall (1849?); Glenesk (01/11/1874); Lasswade Road (1849?); Eskbank & Dalkeith; Dalhousie (01/08/1908); Newtongrange; Gorebridge; Fushiebridge (04/10/1943); Tynehead; Heriot; Fountainhall; Stow; Bowland (07/12/1953); Galashiels; Melrose; Newstead (10/1852); St. Boswells; Belses; Hassendean; Hawick; Stobs; Shankend; Riccarton Junction; Steele Road; Newcastleton; Kershope Foot; Nook Pasture (01/01/1874); Penton; Riddings Junction (15/06/1964); Scotch Dyke (02/05/1949); Longtown; Lyneside (01/11/1929); Harker (01/11/1929); Port Carlisle Junction (01/07/1864)
Services Operated
Edinburgh (Waverley) - Hawick/Carlisle/London (St. Pancras)
Timetable Reference
BR(ScR) 6 May 68 - 4 May 69 Table 16
Cobb Atlas Reference
545 30 73 - 472 39 56
Present Status
Reopened - Portobello East Jct. - Tweedbank [Melrose] (see Notes below). Remainder - dismantled.
Map
RCH Scotland 1907 – reproduced with permission from the National Library of Scotland
Further Notes
Affectionately known as the "Waverley Route", after the novels of Sir Walter Scott, set in that part of the country through which the line passed. One of the largest single closures, it also proved to be one of the most controversial.
ACD - Mon 06/01/1969 - PNM 1980 p28.
LTR - Sun 05/01/1969 - 2155 SuO Edinburgh - London (St. Pancras) which actually traversed the southern section of the line after midnight into Monday 06/01/1969 when the line was officially closed. Maybe a technicality, as presumably the line would be operationally deemed to have closed after the passage of this last train (delayed, as it was, at Newcastleton by the local vicar and his flock protesting at the closure). See BLN 122 p2-3 for a detailed account of the events of that Sunday night into the wee small hours of Monday morning.
RO - Portobello Jct. - Newcraighall Mon 03/06/2002 - BLN 925 p151/02-427.
RO - Newcraighall - Tweedbank Sun 06/09/2015 - BLN 1243 - 1967.
Page updated: 12/01/2023