A Scottish village has been reconnected to the nation's rail network for the first time in almost six decades years.
Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop formally opened the new East Linton station in East Lothian on Wednesday, 59 years after the original station closed back in 1964.
The MSP for Linlithgow was joined on the platform by guests including representatives from the rail industry, East Lothian Council, RAGES (Rail Action Group East of Scotland) and members of the local community to unveil a plaque to mark the opening of the new station.
Around 130,000 journeys are expected to be made to and from the £15 million station in the first year of its operation.
Commuters will be able to connect to Edinburgh Waverley, with direct access to the East Coast Main Line also available for services to Dunbar and Newcastle.
READ MORE: Key changes to rail services as ScotRail's new timetable arrives
Services at the station will be provided by both ScotRail and TransPennine Express, with 22 services each weekday calling at East Linton - which has an average train journey time to Edinburgh of 22 minutes.
Weekend services are 23 trains on a Saturday and nine on a Sunday.
The new station boasts two new 158m long, 4m wide station platforms and associated furniture (waiting shelters, seating, and ticket machines), as well as a new footbridge across the railway, car park, bus stop with shelter and a drop-off space.
Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Transport said: “The new East Linton station is the latest example of this Scottish Government’s commitment to building and investing in Scotland’s Railway. Our aim is to encourage more people out of their car and on to sustainable public transport.
"The station will open-up education, leisure, and business opportunities for East Linton’s growing community, while also offering greener ways to travel as we work towards our ambitious Net Zero goals."
🥳 Today's the day that East Linton station reopens!
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) December 13, 2023
🚉 Closed in 1964, today sees the area reconnected to the railway after almost 60 years.@ScotRail | @TPExpressTrains | @transcotland | @networkrail pic.twitter.com/dersFxgYIZ
Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway said: “The new East Linton station is an exciting development that has the potential to help transform the area by improving transport links and triggering further investment and economic growth.
“The station will offer East Linton’s growing population a more sustainable, cleaner travel option and is an important part of our commitment – alongside the Scottish Government – to expand the rail network and open-up Scotland’s Railway to new communities.
“Our project team has worked incredibly hard to deliver this new station and we look forward to seeing the positive impact the station will have in the community in years to come.”
Chris Jackson, managing director of TransPennine Express said: “This is a landmark day for East Linton and for TPE, and we’re delighted we’ve been able to work with our partners to help connect communities in the Scottish Borders.
“For the first time in nearly six decades, rail services are calling at East Linton and it was fantastic to see so many using our newly named ‘Hailes Castle’ train this morning.”
East Linton is the latest station to be added to Scotland’s railway network following completion of Inverness Airport station in February this year.
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