Borders Railway - Now Open

[fegguk]

First X95 is safe for now...

The train is not bullet however the bus is definitely stuck in the slow lane.

For example the 7.03 bus takes 97 minutes to get from Gala to Edinburgh 49 minutes from Newton Grange. The 7.32 train will take 51 minutes from gala and 22 from newton grange.

You will be able to get into Edinburgh before 8.00 from Hawick in 95 minutes using bus and train rather than 139 minutes by bus alone.

Obviously you still need to get to your final destination so this is not the whole story. However this is certainly and improvement and a much better story than the Scotsman's spinning of the facts to make there story might lead you to believe. That not to say it could not have been better had they built the infrastructure to permit more flexibility in the time table ie some fast trains to and from Tweedbank.

Why not plan your own journey see below


http://www.scotrail.co.uk/sites/default/files/assets/download_ct/122963_newcraighall-edinburgh.pdf

https://www.firstborders.co.uk/pdf/monfri/apl15/mf95.pdf

 

[cjt0131]

its not all about how long the journey is

it is a combination of journey time and price

it should also be noted that the current times of the X95 were set in place to compensate for the delays caused by works connected with the railway building
it was never scheduled to take 90 minutes from gala to Edinburgh so im sure it will return to 1 hr 15 minutes which it was before

I wait with interest to see how the borders bus timetables will look once the railway is up and running

I very much hope the railway is well supported but I am a realist and I honestly cant see it being used by as many commuters as is predicted nor do I see it bringing the hoards of tourists to the borders nor do I see a great deal of senior citizens using it unless a deal is agreed on the free travel with SBC (it is operated in other areas)

I know my views will be dismissed by the railway lovers but as I say I am a realist

it should also be noted that the projected numbers using the new railway in the first year have been set low---which will of course make it look a better success than it actually is

it will all come down to how long they can maintain a half hourly service and whether or not enough revenue is made from the route

 

[Techniquest]

I hope your predictions are incorrect then! All being well it'll be like the Ebbw Vale line and quickly surpass expectations!

 

[cjt0131]

I hope your predictions are incorrect then! All being well it'll be like the Ebbw Vale line and quickly surpass expectations!

if you mean my predictions then I agree I hope they are incorrect

we have just over 4 months to get ready for it in respect of travel connections to other border towns and attractions and try to fill the high number of empty shops in galashiels

I still feel one of the biggest mistakes made is the transport interchange not having direct access to the railway platform

 

[Techniquest]

It certainly won't help, but if it's signposted well and with decent maps at both the station and bus stops it might work still.

Only a matter of months to go until we find out how things go, rather looking forward to being up there for day 1!

 

[PaxVobiscum]

https://vimeo.com/127574766

Here is a video I am sure you will enjoy. The first test train to run on the Borders Railway.

It was supposed to be part of yesterday's "Borders Railway From Start To Finish" programme but because a deer hit the train yesterday it was postponed to the early hours of this morning. So enjoy these images one day on.

https://vimeo.com/127574766

And I welcome this bit:

There is also a raw version without the music soundtrack available for the purists if you prefer posted at our site at www.bordersrailway.info

The link to the version without the rather minimalist music https://vimeo.com/127578415

 

[HowardGWR]

How considerate of them! My 'enthusiast' version kept stopping though, a bit annoying.

The shots of the single line tunnels and bridges were a bit depressing though.

 

[fegguk]

Some shots of the test train making its way to Tweedbank and back to Edinburgh. Filmed on May 12th and 13th 2015. Apologies for the watermark I am trying out a different video editor necessitated by the move the HD.

http://youtu.be/jPO_qzgPdUA

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Many thanks for posting.
I've said it before, but isn't it the coverage just great with people taking the time and effort to photograph and film events on the Borders Railway?
Keep up the good work!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Good they've started running test trains on the route, but personally with
CJT0131
Onusage, uptake etc plus the buses thing. I would however love to be wrong!

 

[Ploughman]

What will the linespeed be on the line?
Just wondering as the cant applied and evident in some of the film clip looks quite severe.

 

[fegguk]

The test train was limited to 20mph. I think the maximum has been quoted as 90 though many sections will be much slower.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

The latest episode of "The Borders Railway From Start To Finish" includes more extended coverage of last week's test train run (starts 4'36" finishes 12'48")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOtb_B59f2w

You may wish to turn down the volume.

 

[fegguk]

A short video of progress on the Borders railway between Newcraighall and the A720 Edinburgh City bypass. Features the works at the new Shawfair station. Filmed on 11th of May 2015

https://youtu.be/0rLD06QNp0A

The next one follows on at Newtongrange and Gorebridge stations, plus a look at how the sites at Tyne head and Falahill have developed over the last year. Also shot on the 11th May 2015.

https://youtu.be/CBkaZT06JgA

 

[PaxVobiscum]

A short video of progress on the Borders railway between Newcraighall and the A720 Edinburgh City bypass. Features the works at the new Shawfair station. Filmed on 11th of May 2015

https://youtu.be/0rLD06QNp0A

The next one follows on at Newtongrange and Gorebridge stations, plus a look at how the sites at Tyne head and Falahill have developed over the last year. Also shot on the 11th May 2015.

https://youtu.be/CBkaZT06JgA

Thanks for posting these - they get better and better! I do like the commentaries - you have a great voice for these (but please don't feel you have to add jangly music next ).

On the subject of videos, there's another short film from the On Track series out today:
EWS 67020 makes first trip on Borders Railway - 2.6.15

And finally, I saw this BBC article in the RailScot news section today:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-32996341

Talks to extend Borders Railway to Hawick and Carlisle
Transport officials from the Scottish government have held talks on the possibility of extending the Borders Railway beyond Tweedbank.

Infrastructure minister Keith Brown has confirmed that officers have discussed a feasibility study on linking the rail line with Carlisle, through Hawick.

News of the discussions emerged in response to a parliamentary question tabled by MSP Jim Hume.

The new 30-mile Borders Railway is expected to open in September.

In answer to Mr Hume's question, Mr Brown said the government had played an active part in taking forward the Borders Railway Blueprint for the Future.

He added: "Transport Scotland officials have already met with partners and offered initial advice on a scoping document which will explore the possibility of extending the Borders railway towards Hawick and Carlisle."

The announcement was welcomed by the Lib Dem MSP for the south of Scotland.

Mr Hume said: "I have no doubt that such a project would greatly benefit communities not just in the Borders but also in Dumfriesshire, and would draw even further on the already clear tourism opportunities from the line reaching Tweedbank.

 

[TheKnightWho]

Before people begin rubbishing this: remember that whilst this extension would pass through almost no population, that in itself makes it much cheaper to open. The most expensive part of this railway (if it is to be extended) is surely done.

 

[Alba]

Edinburgh Evening News reporting that driver training is to start next week using Class 158 DMU


http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...ail-trains-to-run-on-line-next-week-1-3790941

 

[fegguk]

Some shots of 67020 onits way to Gala this evening. Sorry there is no sound (or music) my new external microphone was switch off. Bah

https://youtu.be/Kzy0KuHHZvE

 

[me123]

I think, passenger numbers being satisfactory, that an extension to Hawick is perfectly feasible. Carlisle might be a bit more of a stretch, but you've got a potential route for freight and diversionary traffic that could well help to justify the extension.

Great to see driver training getting underway, very much looking forward to a wee trip to the Borders when the line opens in September.

 

[Alba]

Newcraighall to Tweedbank driver training runs now in Realtimetrains

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/NEW/2015/06/08/0702?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

[Altnabreac]

Before people begin rubbishing this: remember that whilst this extension would pass through almost no population, that in itself makes it much cheaper to open. The most expensive part of this railway (if it is to be extended) is surely done.

Land purchase costs are a relatively small proportion of the expenses of reopening so I doubt it would be a lot cheaper per mile to reopen south of Hawick.

I've said before that I think Hawick could have a very good case for reopening.

South of Hawick there really is no chance of reopening because the only market it would serve is the central Borders - Carlisle / London.

This is just not a big enough market to justify the costs of reopening. A feasibility study will very quickly expose this and then hopefully people can concentrate their efforts on securing the Hawick extension which would have a practical use and a decent business case.

 

[TheKnightWho]

Land purchase costs are a relatively small proportion of the expenses of reopening so I doubt it would be a lot cheaper per mile to reopen south of Hawick.

I've said before that I think Hawick could have a very good case for reopening.

South of Hawick there really is no chance of reopening because the only market it would serve is the central Borders - Carlisle / London.

This is just not a big enough market to justify the costs of reopening. A feasibility study will very quickly expose this and then hopefully people can concentrate their efforts on securing the Hawick extension which would have a practical use and a decent business case.

Yes, but a much larger proportion is ensuring permission, legal cases and infrastructure, all of which are reduced in low-population areas. You're also forgetting they would almost certainly reroute through Langholm - a second place of significant population.

 

[HowardGWR]

Newcraighall to Tweedbank driver training runs now in Realtimetrains

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/NEW/2015/06/08/0702?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Just as a query, how does one get the mileages to shew up on RTT? I have never discovered the trick. Perhaps they are not in the system for Tweedbank yet?

 

[Altnabreac]

Yes, but a much larger proportion is ensuring permission, legal cases and infrastructure, all of which are reduced in low-population areas. You're also forgetting they would almost certainly reroute through Langholm - a second place of significant population.

2,500 at Langholm is not a significant population.

Design, permission, legal and land costs generally make up 10-20% of a project cost. Circa £30-50M on Borders Rail compared to the £300M construction costs.

Even if you make a (very optimistic) 50% saving on this 20% of the project you'd still be looking at £300-500M cost of Infrastructure to connect 2,500 people to the rail network. Complete pie in the sky.

 

[fegguk]

Stow almost ready for passengers. Apologies in advance for the seasonal music, its a Borders thing/

http://youtu.be/f07UE_-FQto

 

[causton]

Just as a query, how does one get the mileages to shew up on RTT? I have never discovered the trick. Perhaps they are not in the system for Tweedbank yet?

If the system has mileages for all locations, it will show them.

If it doesn't, it seems to hide them for all places. I am guessing they are not in the NR system for Tweedbank and that is why!

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Stow almost ready for passengers. Apologies in advance for the seasonal music, its a Borders thing/

http://youtu.be/f07UE_-FQto

Do you mean the birdsong?

Thanks for posting - you save me a lot of petrol since I don't have to leave my house to follow the progress in detail.

More videos - in my inbox last night "The final episode of Series 5 of our documentary series tracking the progress of the Borders Railway is now available to watch."

http://youtu.be/yBPXzj7Y6ak

In it we cover the period from April to early June 2015.

We join long time campaigner Madge Elliot MBE at Waverley Station in Edinburgh as she unveils a plaque bearing her name on a locomotive train. We talk to her and her son Kim, whose unfortunate accident at the age of 3 led to Madge campaigning to save the Waverley Line from closure, as her frequent visits to see her son at an Edinburgh hospital had to be made by bus instead at that time. She fought to save the Waverley Line to no avail but nearly 50 years on she will soon see trains running again at least on part of the route.

There's the final part of our David Spaven series of interviews where he talks about his brand new edition of his book, "Waverley Route - Battle for the Borders Railway" and we meet with Campaign for Borders Rail Chairman Simon Walton, who gives us his frank thoughts three months away from the launch of the Borders Railway passenger service.

We have some exclusive footage of the EWS 67020 on the railway line too and in a packed edition we also meet up with Calum Kerr MP, who was elected to serve the Roxburgh, Berwickshire and Selkirk area at the recent General Election.

And some photos of yesterday's naming ceremony on have appeared on RailScot:
The real Madge Elliot
Freightliner 66528 Madge Elliot MBE

 

[Pinza-C55]

Regarding the "talks" about extending the line to Hawick or even Carlisle, what would the preservation project at Whitrope have to say about this ?

 

[Mark62]

Let's hope this railway can help regenerate some of the border towns and villages. The Closure of the Waverely line dealt a serious blow to the borders economy, with many places simply stagnating at best. I have been to many of the places left if the wake of the closure and they are sorry little places. Sadly this route doesn't really go near any of the main population centres in the Borders apart from Gala. Places like Jedburgh, Hawick, Kelso, Melrose etc need to be reconnected if this is to be any more than a tourist and train spotter curiosity. I sincerely hope the line does help to regenerate the area. But we have a whole new generation of young people now all of whom have had to grow up without any trains whatsoever. It takes a lot to prise people away from their precious cars.

 

[Pinza-C55]

Let's hope this railway can help regenerate some of the border towns and villages. The Closure of the Waverely line dealt a serious blow to the borders economy, with many places simply stagnating at best. I have been to many of the places left if the wake of the closure and they are sorry little places. Sadly this route doesn't really go near any of the main population centres in the Borders apart from Gala. Places like Jedburgh, Hawick, Kelso, Melrose etc need to be reconnected if this is to be any more than a tourist and train spotter curiosity. I sincerely hope the line does help to regenerate the area. But we have a whole new generation of young people now all of whom have had to grow up without any trains whatsoever. It takes a lot to prise people away from their precious cars.

Well I read some of the stuff from the feasibility study and the growth generated along the current section was expected to be slightly more than the cost of building it. Having the whole line open would cause a problem in that besides some sections of the line being single track, some of the new bridges are also single track.