First Scotland East Historic Routes

[stevenedin]

Does anyone have a list of the routes that First ran before the following depot closures:

Dalkeith (closed in 2012)

Linlithgow (closed in 2012)

Galashiels (closed in 2016)

I have a vague recollection of some of them but want to fill in the gaps.

Dalkeith depot
86, 86A, X86, 92, 140, 141 & 142?

Linlithgow depot
L1, X4, 38, X38, 43 & X43?

Galashiels depot
X62, X70, X95 and I can’t remember which borders services they had in 2016

 

[Gene Hunt]

I was a driver at Linlithgow. We also had the 45 and 46( circular around Boness), and the 49 that went down to Blackness a few times a day. Happy times

 

[stevenedin]

I was a driver at Linlithgow. We also had the 45 and 46( circular around Boness), and the 49 that went down to Blackness a few times a day. Happy times

Thanks, I vaguely remember them. Those were the days.

 

[Metal Mickey]

When Borders was sold to Craig of Campbelltown in March 2017, these were the routes -

X62 Melrose to Edinburgh
X95 Carlisle to Edinburgh
70 Galashiels Local
71 Galashiels to Melrose
72 Selkirk to Melrose
77, 78, 79 Hawick Locals
80 one journey every weekday Gala to Kelso
X70 Peebles to Edinburgh commuter express
396 Hawick to Borders College

When East Lothian was taken over from East Coast Buses in August 2015, these were the routes operated -

18 Royal Infirmary to Gyle
108 Haddington to Fort Kinnaird
X6/X8 Dunbar/Haddington to Edinburgh
X24 North Berwick to Edinburgh

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Dalkeith depot
86, 86A, X86, 92, 140, 141 & 142?

There was also the 129 Seton to Ocean Terminal and 44/B/C East Lothian to Balerno which were Musselburgh operated and they were withdrawn at the same time Dalkeith was closed.

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Linlithgow depot
L1, X4, 38, X38, 43 & X43?

There was a 49 from Linlithgow to Bo’ness via Blackness. It was a hellish route for the size of vehicle which normally operated it. Really should’ve been Optare Solo operated.

 

[stevenedin]

When Borders was sold to Craig of Campbelltown in March 2017, these were the routes -

X62 Melrose to Edinburgh
X95 Carlisle to Edinburgh
70 Galashiels Local
71 Galashiels to Melrose
72 Selkirk to Melrose
77, 78, 79 Hawick Locals
80 one journey every weekday Gala to Kelso
X70 Peebles to Edinburgh commuter express
396 Hawick to Borders College

When East Lothian was taken over from East Coast Buses in August 2015, these were the routes operated -

18 Royal Infirmary to Gyle
108 Haddington to Fort Kinnaird
X6/X8 Dunbar/Haddington to Edinburgh
X24 North Berwick to Edinburgh

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Sep 2024 ==


There was also the 129 Seton to Ocean Terminal and 44/B/C East Lothian to Balerno which were Musselburgh operated and they were withdrawn at the same time Dalkeith was closed.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Sep 2024 ==


There was a 49 from Linlithgow to Bo’ness via Blackness. It was a hellish route for the size of vehicle which normally operated it. Really should’ve been Optare Solo operated.

Thanks for this, I remember the 106 as well in East Lothian and the 124. I think there was as also an X25 (equivalent to the East Coast buses X5).

 

[Avenger20]

When Borders was sold to Craig of Campbelltown in March 2017, these were the routes -

X62 Melrose to Edinburgh
X95 Carlisle to Edinburgh
70 Galashiels Local
71 Galashiels to Melrose
72 Selkirk to Melrose
77, 78, 79 Hawick Locals
80 one journey every weekday Gala to Kelso
X70 Peebles to Edinburgh commuter express
396 Hawick to Borders College

When East Lothian was taken over from East Coast Buses in August 2015, these were the routes operated -

18 Royal Infirmary to Gyle
108 Haddington to Fort Kinnaird
X6/X8 Dunbar/Haddington to Edinburgh
X24 North Berwick to Edinburgh

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Sep 2024 ==


There was also the 129 Seton to Ocean Terminal and 44/B/C East Lothian to Balerno which were Musselburgh operated and they were withdrawn at the same time Dalkeith was closed.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Sep 2024 ==


There was a 49 from Linlithgow to Bo’ness via Blackness. It was a hellish route for the size of vehicle which normally operated it. Really should’ve been Optare Solo operated.

Galashiels also operated the 90A/90B Peebles Town service.

 

[Metal Mickey]

Galashiels also operated the 90A/90B Peebles Town service.

First Borders had lost the tender for the 90A/B to Barc Coaches 10 months before the sale but Borders Buses have since gained it.

 

[Avenger20]

First Borders had lost the tender for the 90A/B to Barc Coaches 10 months before the sale but Borders Buses have since gained it.

I wasn't aware of that, thanks for the correction.

 

[DunsBus]

Until August 2013 Galashiels operated service 60 (Galashiels - Berwick via Duns), which passed to Perryman's on retendering. This service had been run by First Scotland East and its predecessors since the 1920s.
Because of its length it was run from both the Berwick and Galashiels ends; following the closure of Berwick outstation in 2003 Galashiels took on full responsibility with extra journeys added to the timetable to eliminate dead running.

 

[LothianLover88]

I vaguely remember a 95A on some stops across Edinburgh, no clue if this still exists or if it was operated by First at all.

 

[Strathclyder]

I have a query of my own related to this topic, as my memory is a bit foggy at the moment: when did Balfron's 10A (the peak hour only variant of the B10 that ran via Great Western Rd, Anniesland Cross, Switchback Rd and Canniesburn Toll before reaching Milngavie) cease running?

I vaguely remember a 95A on some stops across Edinburgh, no clue if this still exists or if it was operated by First at all.

A quick Flickr search threw this up, from July 2015. The only result I can find thus far:

First Borders Alexander Dennis Enviro300 67779 (SN62 AXZ)

North Bridge, Edinburgh

www.flickr.com

(copyright of Flickr's John-S-91)

Even though Scotland East/Midland Bluebird had a well-earned reputation for being First's dumping ground for the longest time (particularly throughout the 2000s, though it was a constant right up to McGill's takeover two years ago; various other op-cos could also lay claim to that title such as Northampton in it's dying days), it was a fascinating time for enthusiasts in terms of variety. Not denying that the operation as a whole suffered as a result though.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

In East Lothian, there was the Service 110 which run between Dalkeith and Port Seton, later curtailed to Elphinstone. This route is now run by Prentice of Haddington in a slightly different form.

There was also the 129 Seton to Ocean Terminal and 44/B/C East Lothian to Balerno which were Musselburgh operated and they were withdrawn at the same time Dalkeith was closed.

Alongside the 129, there was also a Service X29. This was when the 129 still went to Silverknowes, and the X29 went to Haymarket. There was also the Sunday only Service 66 between Balerno and Seton Sands.

There are a lot more of course and may share more in the future if I think about them.

 

[Metal Mickey]

I vaguely remember a 95A on some stops across Edinburgh, no clue if this still exists or if it was operated by First at all.

95A diverted via Borders General Hospital.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Sep 2024 ==

I have a query of my own related to this topic, as my memory is a bit foggy at the moment: when did Balfron's 10A (the peak hour only variant of the B10 that ran via Great Western Rd, Anniesland Cross, Switchback Rd and Canniesburn Toll before reaching Milngavie) cease running?

In October 2019, the B10/C10/B10A, C11 via Aberfoyle and B12 were amalgamated to form the X10/X10A.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Sep 2024 ==

Alongside the 129, there was also a Service X29. This was when the 129 still went to Silverknowes, and the X29 went to Haymarket. There was also the Sunday only Service 66 between Balerno and Seton Sands.

The X29 also extended to Granton.

The Sunday only 66 was a total nonsense. Eventually, the 44 was introduced on Sundays to make things a bit simpler for passengers.

 

[Strathclyder]

In October 2019, the B10/C10/B10A, C11 via Aberfoyle and B12 were amalgamated to form the X10/X10A.

Thought that was the case, just couldn't remember for the life of me. Cheers.

 

[JKP]

I vaguely remember a 95A on some stops across Edinburgh, no clue if this still exists or if it was operated by First at all.

The 95A ran between Galashiels via the Borders General Hospital and on certain journeys Selkirk Bannerfield.

 

[LothianLover88]

There was also the 129 Seton to Ocean Terminal and 44/B/C East Lothian to Balerno which were Musselburgh operated and they were withdrawn at the same time Dalkeith was closed.

I have proof of this on an old bus stop with the First 129 on it and the Horsburgh 64.

 

[stevenedin]

There was also the 129 Seton to Ocean Terminal and 44/B/C East Lothian to Balerno which were Musselburgh operated and they were withdrawn at the same time Dalkeith was closed.

I remember the annoying thing was that the Council (contracted to Lothian buses) only displayed 44 on the bus stop flags despite them all going to different places.

 

[Nawm8]

Does anyone know when the 141 stopped serving Fort Kinnaird?

 

[Metal Mickey]

Does anyone know when the 141 stopped serving Fort Kinnaird?

30 June 2012 when Dalkeith Depot closed and the Midlothian/East Lothian network was slashed by 66%.

 

[Nawm8]

30 June 2012 when Dalkeith Depot closed and the Midlothian/East Lothian network was slashed by 66%.

Thanks!

 

[NorthClyde320]

https://bustimes.org/licences/PM0000003 and https://bustimes.org/licences/PM0000923

If you scroll to bottom it gives a list of current and future changes then further down cancelled services, the Midland licence shows services in the Borders.

 

[stevenedin]

https://bustimes.org/licences/PM0000003 and https://bustimes.org/licences/PM0000923

If you scroll to bottom it gives a list of current and future changes then further down cancelled services, the Midland licence shows services in the Borders.

Thanks for this

 

[Darklord8899]

Dalkeith also ran:
78/X78: Haymarket to Rosewell via Gilmerton Road
X81: Haymarket to Birkenside via Gilmerton Road, Eskbank Toll, Newbattle, Bryans Road, and Newtongrange
385 (iircc): which served Gorebridge (Barleyknowe Road, Lady Brae), Arniston, Bonnyrigg, Eskbank and Dalkeith.
Not sure if the 145: Dalkeith - Pathhead - Fala Dam - Humbie service was still running then
Iirc there was also an irregular service to Temple as well


First also used to the run (the now Borders Buses):
91: Peebles - Biggar
93: Peebles - West Linton

 

[stevenedin]

Dalkeith also ran:
78/X78: Haymarket to Rosewell via Gilmerton Road
X81: Haymarket to Birkenside via Gilmerton Road, Eskbank Toll, Newbattle, Bryans Road, and Newtongrange
385 (iircc): which served Gorebridge (Barleyknowe Road, Lady Brae), Arniston, Bonnyrigg, Eskbank and Dalkeith.
Not sure if the 145: Dalkeith - Pathhead - Fala Dam - Humbie service was still running then
Iirc there was also an irregular service to Temple as well


First also used to the run (the now Borders Buses):
91: Peebles - Biggar
93: Peebles - West Linton

It would be good if McGill’s started up the 78 again. I’m sure that the residents of Rosewell would appreciate a direct link to Edinburgh city centre all day rather than the X31 at peak times Monday to Friday. I cant see it happening though unless they decided to start a new Midlothian depot.

 

[ChrisPJ]

It would be good if McGill’s started up the 78 again. I’m sure that the residents of Rosewell would appreciate a direct link to Edinburgh city centre all day rather than the X31 at peak times Monday to Friday. I cant see it happening though unless they decided to start a new Midlothian depot.

As far as unlikely events is concerned, that’s right up there with Nicola Sturgeon voting NO for independence.

 

[LothianLover88]

It would be good if McGill’s started up the 78 again. I’m sure that the residents of Rosewell would appreciate a direct link to Edinburgh city centre all day rather than the X31 at peak times Monday to Friday. I cant see it happening though unless they decided to start a new Midlothian depot.

I'd love the 78. Although already on the 3/29 so just another Haymarket route, I would LOVE this!

 

[overthewater]

This 78 everyone talking about is actually the X79, I'm sure the 78 went via Danderhall.

From around 2011

Peak only services:
X13: Pencaitland - Edinburgh
X29: Seton Sands - Edinburgh

44-44D: Balerno - Wallyford - Haddington - Dundar
86: Clermiston - Birkenside
92: Dalkieth local - Newtongranage
110: Elphinstone - Cockenzie
129 Ocean Teminal - Muss - Seton Sands

X6 and X8 become X44 and X45 around the same time.

I think old 78 and X81 come off in 2010?

 

[DunsBus]

This 78 everyone talking about is actually the X79, I'm sure the 78 went via Danderhall.

From around 2011

Peak only services:
X13: Pencaitland - Edinburgh
X29: Seton Sands - Edinburgh

44-44D: Balerno - Wallyford - Haddington - Dundar
86: Clermiston - Birkenside
92: Dalkieth local - Newtongranage
110: Elphinstone - Cockenzie
129 Ocean Teminal - Muss - Seton Sands

X6 and X8 become X44 and X45 around the same time.

I think old 78 and X81 come off in 2010?

78 was the Sunday version of service 79, but went via Gilmerton rather than Danderhall.

 

[Galacticauk]

78 was the Sunday version of service 79, but went via Gilmerton rather than Danderhall.

The 78/79 was then replaced with the 88 Rosewell - South Queensferry and the 89 was introduced Birkenside to Silverknowes at the same time. I lived in Gilmerton at the time and it was a combined 10min service to town. This would have been around the time of the 'bus war' with lothian.

 

[Metal Mickey]

Traffic Congestion on certain sections of Queensferry Road was the downfall of the cross-city 88.

There was also a 77 from Rosewell to Haymarket which was very similar to today’s Lothian 31.

The 86 at one time also extended from Haymarket to Clerwood.

In July 2006, the 77, 89 and the 86 Clerwood extension were withdrawn.

At the same time, alternate 86s were numbered 86A and extended to Newtongrange and Gorebridge (Birkenside) replacing the 89 and the 79 was introduced from Rosewell to Haymarket via Dalkeith and Danderhall.

The 79 was replaced in 2009 with the 78 which went via Gilmerton instead of Danderhall.

The 78 only lasted a year and was withdrawn along with the X81, Birkenside to Haymarket via Newtongrange, Newbattle and Gilmerton.

Then in June 2012, there was significant cuts to Midlothian and East Lothian leaving only the Haddington, Dunbar and North Berwick services and the CEC tender 18 from Royal Infirmary to Gyle Centre.