Steam train brings visitors to region via Borders Railway

Hundreds of passengers enjoyed a trip back in time at the weekend, when they chugged into Tweedbank aboard a vintage steam train.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Aug 2018, 16:25 GMT
Updated 7th Aug 2018, 16:28 GMT
The Black Five, just outside Stow.The Black Five, just outside Stow.
The Black Five, just outside Stow.

The Black Five locomotive travelled from Linlithgow via the Forth Road Bridge, Fife coast and Edinburgh, before traversing the 31-mile Borders Railway.

Run by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, the service hauled vintage carriages carrying train enthusiasts and tourists alike.

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Passengers had over two hours to take in Borders attractions, with stops at Galashiels and Tweedbank.

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Hundreds took advantage of the service from Linlithgow.Hundreds took advantage of the service from Linlithgow.
Hundreds took advantage of the service from Linlithgow.

The journey marked the beginning of a series of summer trips, with the West Coast Railways Lothian-Borders steam service running each Sunday in August.

Paula Ward, regional leadership director at VisitScotland, said: “The steam train special from Fife, through Edinburgh and travelling down the Borders Railway to Tweedbank last year proved a runaway success with many of the days completely selling out.

“The return of the steam train experience provides an important boost to the local economy and continues to shine the spotlight on the quality of tourism offering in these regions.”

Designed by Sir William Stanier for the London, Midland & Scottish railway, a total of 842 Black Five locomotives were built between 1934 and 1951.

Related topics:TweedbankEdinburghFifeForth Road Bridge