PASSENGERS will trial run the new Borders Railway for the first time today [Friday] as iconic Scottish fashion brand, Pringle, and tourism body VisitScotland, launch the scenic rail journey.
The sneak preview comes before the new route opens to the public on Sunday, with the Queen set to give the railway the royal seal of approval next Wednesday at an official opening ceremony.
Winners of a 'Golden Ticket' competition, meanwhile, will get their first taste of the new railway on a specially-organised Borders rail trip tomorrow [Sat].
The Borders railway is the first domestic railway to open in the UK for more than a century. Building work began in 2012.
It will run from Edinburgh Waverley to Tweedbank via seven new stations - Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange, Gorebridge, Stow, and Galashiels. There will also be stops at existing stations, Brunstane and Newcraighall, and the Scottish Government has not ruled out extending the line to Carlisle in future.
Invited guests, including press, will set off on the 30-mile, 55-minute journey shortly before 10am.
The special return service will be launched at Edinburgh Waverley by Pringle supermodel and muse, Anna Freemantle.
The new railway has been hailed as a major tourist attraction that will open up one of the most unspoilt regions of Scotland to visitors.
Highlights include Rosslyn Chapel, which became a global tourist draw after Dan Brown's bestseller the Da Vinci Code. The chapel is a short taxi or cycle ride from the new Eskbank station, 18 minutes from Edinburgh.
Passengers can also disembark at Newtongrange, just 20 minutes from Edinburgh, to discover the award-winning National Mining Museum Scotland where visitors can see the largest steam engine in the country, or hear anecdotes from former miners on a guided tour of the pithead.
At the end of the journey, there is Abbotsford - a short walk from Tweedbank station - where a new award-winning visitor centre tells the story of legendary Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott, from his birth in Edinburgh in 1771 to the cultural legacy he left to Scotland and the world.
In addition, passengers will be able to try out the new railway for a limited period on a fully-refurbished vintage steam train. The special steam train journeys are available Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from September 10 until October 18.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said: “The golden age of rail has definitely returned to Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. The start of services on the Borders Railway is a truly historic moment for Scotland, the UK and the world, bringing to back to life these regions that played such an integral role in the forming of many of Scotland’s now global industries.
“Born in the Scottish Borders myself, and with family heavily involved in the textile industry, the commencement of services on this Railway is of particular poignancy to me. I have no doubt that the Borders Railway will be a success, not only as a tourism destination, but also as a catalyst for growth, investment and business.
“From rolling hills to babbling streams, mining landscapes to historic abbeys, chapels, castles and treasures, VisitScotland is embarking on a national and international marketing and PR campaign to encourage visitors to experience all the Borders Railway has to offer and we cannot wait to show the world.”
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