NEWS BLOG
Posted on by Campaign for Borders Rail

Stirrings at Fountainhall

January 15th, and a frosty trackbed in the cutting north of Fountainhall, where site preparation is under way. The trackbed at this point climbs at 1:150 on its way to Falahill Summit, around four miles to the north.

Network Rail, who have now taken on the construction of this line, will shortly announce whether it is feasable to meet the 2014 opening date. Over 80 structures from the original route are to be reused.

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9 thoughts on “Stirrings at Fountainhall”

  1. Kenneth Linton says:

    Apart for a few community service “volunteers” who are clearing trackside bushes near Heriot there is little evidence of serious activity on the Waverly Line. When will we see some real action.

  2. Geoff Ruderham says:

    You need to get to either Galashiels and see the preparatory works taking place for “The Borders Railway or then the work going on at Lothianbridge near Newtongrange where tree clearance is well on its way.

  3. Tony Hill says:

    Excellent to see actual on the ground preparation works for the long overdue re-instatement of this much missed and erroneously closed (in 1969)former main line railway that will bring numerous benefits including some inclusiveness to the less fortunate souls of Galashiels and its surrounding area.
    The folks at Hawick I hope will not have to wait too long before they too can benefit from a railway service again.
    How short sighted the UK was in the 1960′s & early ’70′s in closing this and similar lines.
    As another example of this; a high percentage of lines singled on the former BR WR in the 1970′s have been, or are planned to be, redoubled !

  4. Graham Morton says:

    Clearance of vegetation now commenced just north and south of the original Eskbank station and as far as the oft photgraphed Lothian bridge viaduct. Have photos if anyone interested

  5. james adie says:

    hi Grahham have a look on fickr (hardengreen j.a ) to see pictures from the 80s up to now so far i have walk from glenesk to borthwick bank thats about 8 miles

  6. David Hope says:

    Hi,
    Just walked the Newtongrange to Gorebridge section, has anyone seen detailed plans of the 2 major bridges, ie Hardengreen roundabout and just north of Shank bridge?

  7. lisa says:

    I would also like to understand how the train will travel from the Newbattle (Lothianbridge) viaduct to eskbank, The new road network around the old K&I site near Tesco’s (installed ~20 years ago) will bring about a need for at least 2 new bridges. If these aren’t already through planning and contracts awarded, then 2014 is an unlikely date.

    Does anyone have a link to planning documents?

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