Railways around Edinburgh

Our March meeting “Railways around Edinburgh”, was presented by Branch Chairman Ken Falconer.

Starting at St Leonards, we journeyed via Duddingston, North Leith, South Leith & Leith Central stations, Seafield, Murrayfield, Edinburgh Princes Street, Merchiston, Balerno Junction, Colinton in 1960, Juniper Green, Currie with Tinto express, Kingsknowe station in its first week of reopening in 1971, among others.

Princes Street Gardens produced Tudor Minstrel on an incoming Aberdeen, two Sulzer diesels on outgoing Perth & Inverness services, plus a Class 120 shunting prior to reversing to Waverley, all in one image. Craiglockhart Junction provided a class 40 traversing the ‘Sub”, also GW Castle ‘Earl of Mount Edgcombe’ travelling the ‘Sub’ on its way home during 2012. Waverley produced the Jeffrey Street to Calton Road overbridge, roller blind departure boards, the Night Scotsman, and SRPS contingent departing West End for Stockton & Darlington 150th in 1975.

St Margaret’s depot and coaling stage, along with Haymarket during a 1962 RCTS shed bash and Dalry Road depot featured. Additional locations include Lochend Junction, Portobello East Junction, Meadowbank (1986 Commonwealth Games), Niddrie North Junction and Niddrie West.

This was a most comprehensive and informative tour of Edinburgh’s historic railway infrastructure, prompting many memories for the many attendees. Thank you to Ken Falconer for an excellent afternoon.