Balerno line

The Balerno Line

Locale	Scotland
Dates of operation	1874 – 1968
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)

Legend

Glasgow to Edinburgh via Carstairs Line

Slateford

Hailes Halt

Colinton

Juniper Green

Currie

Balerno

Ravelrig

Glasgow to Edinburgh via Carstairs Line

Locomotive 78046 calls at Colinton station with Scottish Rambler No4 in April 1965

The Balerno line was a short loop railway in Scotland. It was some 6 miles in length leaving the main Caledonian Edinburgh to Carstairs line at Slateford in Edinburgh. It was built by the Caledonian Railway (CR) mainly to service the many enterprises situated along the upper Water of Leith. However, passenger trains also ran. Most trains terminated at Balerno, though they had to travel to Ravelrig to turn round. Other stations were constructed at Colinton, Juniper Green and Currie. In 1923, with the grouping, the CR amalgamated with several other companies to form the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) which, following nationalisation in 1947, became part of British Railways.

Construction

Several local landowners objected to the building of the railway fearing they would lose some of their land. Others were in favour as they believed it would make the transportation of animals and goods easier. The mill owners were strongly in favour. The Balerno line received final Royal Assent in 1870 and opened in 1874. There were many problems in construction requiring 28 bridges, one long tunnel and many cuttings and embankments. The line followed the Water of Leith, crossing it several times. It was built entirely with manual labour at a final cost of a little over £134,000. It was a single track railway with the only passing place at Currie station. Initially a speed limit of 15 m.p.h. was imposed, this being later raised to 20 m.p.h. A maximum of 18 trucks were allowed.

Running

Four bogie engines were built for the opening which could cope with the steep gradients and curves. This type of engine was normally used in factories and other confined spaces. Special four wheeled carriages were also built. In 1899 12 locomotives were specially built for the line. These became known as Balerno Pugs. From 1934 standard tank engines were gradually brought into service replacing the pug engines. Engine number CR419 was one of those used and is now in the possession of The Scottish Railway Preservation Society having been restored by them in 1971 and again in 2009. Railway enthusiasts were enthralled to see these little trains weaving along in such delightful rural surroundings yet so close to the heart of Edinburgh.

A freight train hauled by locomotive 47163 approaches Juniper Green from Colinton

Locomotive No419 in the possession of The Scottish Railway Preservation Society

Using

This rural railway, within a few minutes from the centre of Edinburgh, was very popular with picnickers especially on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.^[1] The line played a key role in attracting people to the area. It gave easy access to the countryside and encouraged city dwellers to come and live there and commute to work. Colinton and Juniper Green expanded rapidly in the late 19th century due, in a large part, to the railway. Expansion in Currie and Balerno was not so great as they were further away. Up to 1920s the train had a monopoly of passenger traffic in the area. After that date buses carried more and more people and passenger trains ceased in 1943 though one or two special excursions were made, the last one being in 1965. The 24 mills along the line made good use of it. They were engaged in the manufacture of textiles, paper, and snuff. There were five or six snuff mills in the area, possibly the greatest concentration of snuff mills in the world. One of these was owned by Edinburgh tobacconist James Gillespie, who went on to found what is now James Gillespie's High School.There were also two stone quarries, a salt works and a tannery.^[2] Freight trains continued till 1967 when the line was closed following the closure of the Kinleith paper mill.

Current use

The rails were lifted in 1968 and the stations and other infrastructure demolished. The track was converted into a public walkway. This is now well used by the public for walking, exercising dogs, cycling and horse riding. It is now possible to walk or cycle all the way from Balerno to Leith using footpaths. Balerno Community High School was built on the ground of the former Balerno station goods yard.

The Balerno line is now a walkway pictured here after a fall of snow

References

↑ Thomas, John (1976). Forgotten Railways Scotland. David & Charles. p. 55. ISBN 0-7153-7185-1.
↑ Thomas & Turnock, John & Thomas (1971). A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain. Volume 6 Scotland the Lowlands and the Borders. David & Charles. p. 249. ISBN 0-7153-5408-6.

Sources

Shaw, Donald (1989). The Balerno Branch and the Caley in Edinburgh. Oakwood. ISBN 085361-366-4

External links

Historical Scottish railway companies

Primary companies	Caledonian Railway Glasgow and South Western Railway Great North of Scotland Railway Highland Railway North British Railway

Caledonian Railway	Aberdeen Railway Alloa Railway Alyth Arbroath and Forfar Busby Railway Cathcart District Clydesdale Junction Crieff Junction Crieff and Comrie Crieff and Methven Junction Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Dunblane, Doune and Callander Dundee and Perth Dundee and Perth and Aberdeen Forfar and Brechin General Terminus and Glasgow Harbour Garnkirk and Glasgow Glasgow Central Railway Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Greenock and Wemyss Bay Hamilton and Strathaven Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Leadhills and Wanlockhead Lesmahagow Railway Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Paisley and Barrhead District Perth, Almond Valley and Methven Polloc and Govan Rutherglen and Coatbridge Scottish Central Scottish Midland Junction Scottish North Eastern Solway Junction Symington, Biggar and Broughton Talla Railway Wishaw and Coltness Lines built by the Caledonian Railway Balerno line CR Cleland and Midcalder CR Main Line CR Douglas Branch CR Hamilton Branch CR Hamiltonhill Branch CR The Switchback Independent lines worked by the Caledonian Railway Callander and Oban Killin Railway

Glasgow and South Western Railway	Ardrossan Railway Ardrossan and Johnstone Ayr and Dalmellington Ayr and Maybole Junction Ayr to Mauchline Ayrshire and Wigtownshire Barrhead Branch Bridge of Weir Railway Cairn Valley Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Castle Douglas and Dumfries Dalry and North Johnstone Darvel Branch Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Greenock and Ayrshire Kilmarnock and Troon Largs Branch Maidens and Dunure Maybole and Girvan Paisley and Renfrew Paisley Canal Line

Great North of Scotland Railway	Aberdeen and Turriff Aboyne and Braemar Alford Valley Banff, Macduff and Turriff Junction Banff, Portsoy and Strathisla Boddam Branch Deeside Denburn Valley Formartine and Buchan Inverury and Old Meldrum Junction Keith and Dufftown Moray Coast Morayshire St Combs Light Railway Strathspey Railway

Highland Railway	Buckie and Portessie Branch Dingwall and Skye Duke of Sutherland Findhorn Railway Fortrose Branch Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Inverness and Aviemore Direct Inverness and Nairn Inverness and Perth Junction Inverness and Ross-shire Kyle of Lochalsh Extension Perth and Dunkeld Sutherland and Caithness Sutherland Railway Independent lines worked by the Highland Railway Dornoch Light Railway Wick and Lybster Light Railway

North British Railway	Aberlady, Gullane and North Berwick Anstruther and St Andrews Railway Ballochney Bathgate and Coatbridge Blane Valley Border Counties Railway Border Union Railway Campsie Branch Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway and Dock Company Charlestown Railway and Harbour Company Coatbridge Branch Devon Valley Railway Dunfermline and Queensferry East of Fife Railway Edinburgh and Bathgate Edinburgh and Dalkeith Edinburgh and Glasgow Edinburgh and Hawick Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway Edinburgh and Northern Edinburgh Suburban and Southside Junction Esk Valley Eyemouth Railway Fife and Kinross Railway Forth and Clyde Junction Gifford and Garvald Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Glasgow City and District Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Glasgow and Milngavie Junction Glasgow, Yoker and Clydebank Kelvin Valley Railway Kincardine Line Kinross-shire Railway Kirkcaldy and District Railway Leadburn, Linton and Dolphinton Leven Railway Leven and East of Fife Railway Macmerry Branch Monkland and Kirkintilloch Monkland Railways Montrose and Bervie Mallaig Extension Newburgh and North Fife Railway (worked by NBR) Newport Railway North Berwick Branch North British, Arbroath and Montrose Peebles Railway The St. Andrews Railway Stirling and Dunfermline Strathendrick and Aberfoyle Slamannan Slamannan and Borrowstounness Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway West Highland Railway West of Fife Mineral Railway Wilsontown, Morningside and Coltness

Joint lines	Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction City Union Dundee and Arbroath Darvel and Strathaven Glasgow and Paisley Joint Glasgow and Renfrew District Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Kilsyth and Bonnybridge Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Joint

Other lines	Brechin and Edzell District Campbeltown and Machrihanish Light Railway Cromarty and Dingwall Light Railway Dundee and Arbroath Hagdale Chromate Railway Invergarry and Fort Augustus Lealt Valley Diatomite Railway Lochaber Narrow Gauge Perth, Almond Valley and Methven Rothesay and Ettrick Bay Light Railway Skye Marble Railway Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway

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