Date: 27/04/2015

It is disappointing news that train timings on the Borders Railway starting in September have been further slowed - but no surprise. In 2009 Transport Scotland promised a maximum journey time of 55 minutes from Edinburgh to the Tweedbank terminus, but the writing was on the wall for that promise when the Scottish Government agency decided two years later to slash the provision of double track on the railway, from 16 miles to just nine-and-a-half miles. This made the reliable operation of a 55-minute timetable impossible, so Network Rail has been forced to add a time buffer to ensure that trains run as close to schedule as possible.

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Related images

A Dunblane service coming off the branch from Newcraighall about to join the ECML at Portobello Junction on 14 December 2007.
Location: Portobello Junction
Company: North British Railway
14/12/2007 John Furnevel

Boarding a train at Newcraighall on Saturday 22 January 2011. This was the photographer's first journey over this part of the Waverley Route since 5 January 1969!
Location: Newcraighall
Company: Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
22/01/2011 Bruce McCartney

Portobello East signalbox seen here from the west in November 1970 with the ECML disappearing straight ahead under the by then redundant plate girder bridge carrying the Lothian Lines. Beyond is the masonry arch under Brunstane Road at the west end of what had been Joppa Station. The former Waverley Route, devoid of passenger traffic in 1970 but still busy with freight to and from Millerhill Yard, diverges to the right behind the stone built base for the water tank.
Location: Portobello East Junction
Company: North British Railway
22/11/1970 Bill Jamieson

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