Introduction

This line provided a connection between the Caledonian Railway and the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway in Edinburgh. The line is also known as the Duff Street connection or Duff Street spur. It was built by the Caledonian Railway in 1859. The intention was to allow their trains to run into Haymarket and Edinburgh Waverley. Access was not allowed and the line became a long expensive siding to the Caledonian Distillery, also served by the North British Railway but with a track arrangement to not allow through running. Fortunately with the opening of the Granton Branch (Caledonian Railway) in 1861 most of the line came into regular use. A connection was finally made in 1964 by British Railways, allowing Edinburgh Princes Street to close.