Date: 15/08/2019

The proposed Almond Chord rail line would link the moribund Edinburgh Gateway station with the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line beyond Winchburgh, writes John McLellan. For once frustrated travellers cant entirely blame ScotRail for the cancellation of scores of services after severe flooding at the Winchburgh tunnel kept the main Glasgow-Edinburgh line closed for several days. But although a months rain in 30 minutes was bound to cause some disruption, it could have been minimised had there been an alternative route. And just such an option was mooted a decade ago, the so-called Almond Chord, a short length of new track to link up the line running through the still-moribund Edinburgh Gateway station with the main Glasgow line beyond Winchburgh. Sadly, the Scottish Government in its wisdom axed the scheme in 2012 even though Network Rail had bought the land.

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Building a short stretch of track would give Edinburgh a third main rail hub “ John McLellan

Evening News

The proposed Almond Chord rail line would link the moribund Edinburgh Gateway station with the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line beyond Winchburgh, writes John McLellan.

Related images

A Dundee service calls at Gateway on 8 November 2018. 'Edinburgh Gateway station white elephant' is a prefill on Google. Just saying.
Location: Edinburgh Gateway
Company: Forth Bridge Connecting Lines (North British Railway)
08/11/2018 David Panton

The scene at the Linlithgow end of Winchburgh tunnel on 2nd July 2015 with the lowering of the track level in progress. On the right are the now-flooded claypits of the former brickworks.
Location: Winchburgh Tunnel
Company: Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
02/07/2015 Colin McDonald

Scene at Dalmeny Junction during the Winchburgh Tunnel diversions on 18 June 2015. 158726 waits its turn to head to Edinburgh from Fife as trains to Dunblane (left) and from Dunblane (right) negotiate the Dalmeny loops.
Location: Dalmeny Junction
Company: Forth Bridge Connecting Lines (North British Railway)
15/06/2015 Bill Roberton