A line re-opening build doing well time and money-wise

[rjhowie]

The putting back of the 30 odd miles of track on the orders route as far as just beyond Galashiels is well on time and still within budget which makes a nice change. So roll on 2014 when I can take the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh then travel on a sad closure from the 1960's. One of the leaders of the local folk who campaigned for the re-building has told people further down in the Borders to do what they did and fight to re-open all the way across to where it used to go at Carlisle.Not so sure in the long term even though the trackbed is still extant a former tunnel has seen a small collapse but anyway roll on 2014 and another success story of rail here.

 

[rjhowie]

Although work is progressing well on the 30 miles plus re-opening it has now been discovery that the parts that are double track are to be reduced by several miles. The Borders Rail Campaign people have complained about how this will effect the prospective half-hour timetables. Even more so in connecting with other rail services in Edinburgh.

 

[Vern]

Well the single track Truro to Falmouth branch in Cornwall now manages a half hourly service after the crossing loop was restored at Penrhyn. However it is a precision operation as the two units are on minimal turn-rounds at either end, so if things start running late you either have to knock out a round trip to restore right time running or maybe get away with running one journey fast, which claws back 5 or 6 minutes.

 

[rjhowie]

Well interesting illustration there Vern and I dare say the planners feel it will be run okay. The campaigners were claiming it only gave 5 minutes change time at Waverley, Edinburgh on main line changes, etc. With so many on our rail system these days one cannot keep everyone content and surely it makes sense on the Border re-opening to plan a journey and half an hour isn't the end of the world?

This long line is in reality onl a very small part of the wider Borders rail network that existed. There are others campaigning for it to go beyond the present projected terminus between Galashiels and the delightful town of Melrose across to Kelso, etc. A number of years ago I stayed in Melrose for 10 days at BB Camp and was delighted to see the station budding still there and the old ballast on what had been the trackbed. On a lesser passing note two of my fellow officers actually crossed the viaduct jus beyond Melrose. I didn't cross just because I was the captain but due to being scared of heights!