Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, has revealed that the Borders Railway between Edinburgh and Tweedbank will open on September 6, 2015.
Salmond announced the official start date during a visit to the Tweedbank Station site today (August 20). As well as confirming the date for the start of service, Salmond launched a new feasibility study which will look at how Scotland can make the most of the Borders Railway’s tourism potential.
Initiatives include the creation of a steam train experience along the route and potentially moving the Great Tapestry of Scotland to Tweedbank Station.
The Borders Railway is described as the ‘longest new domestic railway to be constructed in Britain for over 100 years’.
Alex Salmond said: “From September 2015 – for the first time in almost half a century – there will be passenger train services running on this track.
“For commuters and tourists alike, the reopened line will provide opportunities to enjoy the many fantastic attractions and experiences on offer in the Borders.
He added: “There will be few railway journeys anywhere in Europe to match the outstanding scenery along the route of the new Borders Railway. I have no doubt that Borders Railway will be profoundly successful and I will be one of the first in line for a ticket when the trains are running in September next year.”
Read a full report on the Borders project in September’s The Rail Engineer
Remind us the BCR for this project…