Riddings Junction

A track panel, located at the meeting point of the Midland and Scottish regions of BR, is lifted from the up line near Riddings Junction on 8 January 1969, marking the end of the Waverley route as a through main line linking Carlisle and Edinburgh. The lifting 'ceremony' had been arranged by BR following a media call, presumably to emphasise the point that their battle to close the line had finally been won. Nearest the camera is local man Willie Whittaker, doubtless feeling more than a tinge of sadness as he observes the proceedings, hand on hip. The hand would likely be transferred from hip to pint pot that night in The Riverside back in Canonbie. [Editors note: Photograph copyright Cumbrian Newspapers Ltd - reproduced here with their kind permission. Thanks to Gary Straiton for obtaining the image and clearance, also Bruce McCartney for providing additional caption details.]

Location: Riddings Junction (former)

Original line: Border Union Railway (North British Railway)

Photographer: Gary Straiton (Courtesy Cumbrian Newspapers Ltd)

Contact photographer: Gary Straiton (Courtesy Cumbrian Newspapers Ltd)

Contact editor

Date: 08/01/1969

Image number: 23226


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