Wednesday, September 9, 2015, was also the day the Queen became the longest-serving monarch in British history, overtaking her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria’s record by a day with a reign, at that point, of 63 years and 217 days.
The Tweedbank-Edinburgh railway’s official opening came three days after passenger services commenced on Sunday, September 6, and five days after a press preview trip on Friday, September 4.
1. The Borders Railway opening in 2015
Rail campaigner Madge Elliot on board the train carrying the Queen to Tweedbank five year ago. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/WPA pool/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images Europe
2. The Borders Railway opening in 2015
Crew Tony Jones, Jim Smith and driver Steve Hanczar on board the train on September 9, 2015, in Edinburgh. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/WPA pool/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images Europe
3. The Borders Railway opening in 2015
The Queen at Tweedbank. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Photo: Chris Jackson Collection
4. The Borders Railway opening in 2015
Crowds welcoming the Queen to Tweedbank. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Photo: Chris Jackson Collection