Edinburgh’s extension
Trams to Newhaven
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2023
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
6 October 2023
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Azuma (from Dunbar), Waverley 92 033 'Railway Heritage Trust', Waverley Modernity: Newhaven Heading for Newhaven Royal yacht 'Britannia' and tram, Leith Dockland industry Passing trams, Ocean Terminal Modernity: Ocean Terminal, Leith Historic docks, Leith Leith renewal A dockland light railway Tram and 'Fingal', Leith Constitution St entrance Tram in Leith streets Right: all that remains of Leith Central station The Caledonian Railway's line to the eastern docks crossed here Nearing the top of Leith Walk Departure from Picardy Place Down from St Andrew Square Edinburgh elegance Cable wheels - found during tramway construction Ancient: relic of the cable trams, Waterloo Place Ancient: Wylam Dilly Ellesmere - H(L) of 1861 Waverley's west end Afternoon at Waverley: Cl 158 Morning at Waverley: 9.42 to Tweedbank
That’s Newhaven on the south shore of the Forth - we’re not in Sussex! In June 2014, I was able to take a ride on Edinburgh’s newly-opened tramway, running from the airport, via Princes Street to a temporary terminus in York Place. The original plan was to run down to Leith and Newhaven, but it was curtailed after numerous problems. In 2019, the decision was taken to build the originally- planned extension - and in June, it was opened. Staying in Dunbar for a few days, I had the opportunity for an outing. A day return took me to Edinburgh on a fine sunny morning, and after a few photos at Waverley, I made my way to St Andrew Square, and caught the next northbound tram. Continuing via York Place and its replacement tramstop at Picardy Place, we then ran smoothly down Leith Walk and Constitution Street towards the docks waterfront. The tramline then turns sharp left, to head for the Ocean Terminal stop, before arriving at the terminus. I walked back, camera in hand. Long-term plans
could see a continuation of the tram route, to Granton, then back to up Edinburgh to join the existing line at Haymarket. I was soon back in Edinburgh. With fewer trains running that usual, due to industrial action, I realised I had time to kill. What better than a quick look in the museum, to renew my acquaintance with William Hedley’s Wylam Dilly, dating from the earliest years of steam, and Ellesmere, built by Hawthorns of Leith in 1861 Links: Edinburgh Trams official site Cable wheels, Iona St. National Museum of Scotland