04.06.15
Driver training to begin on Borders Railway
Driver training begins on the Borders Railway next week, with the core of the £350m project now complete.
Although station fit-out and some other works are yet to be finished, ScotRail is ready to start the driver training runs using Class 158s ahead of the opening on 5 September. Abellio ScotRail says 60 drivers are to be trained, doing four return journeys a day during the training.
The Waverley Line to Carlisle was opened in 1849 but closed by the Beeching cuts in 1969. The new 35-mile route runs from Edinburgh as far as Tweedbank, south of Galashiels, including an existing five-mile section to Newcraighall.
The construction work itself has progressed well, although with some safety problems along the way. The project as a whole is being delivered years later than originally expected, however.
Project director Hugh Wark said: “The core engineering works have been completed, with the track and signalling needed to run trains now in place.
“We look forward to seeing driver training begin, and our engineers are continuing to work hard as we complete passenger facilities ahead of the line opening to the public.”
Track laying was completed in February 2015. RTM’s interview with the engineers leading the project can be found here.