A FORMER UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) railway yard in Eastriggs has been returned to active service.
The ex-military base has been reactivated after 14 years out of service for civilian use under the management of a new company, Rail Sidings Limited, which has taken out a long-term lease on the bulk of the rail infrastructure.
The new owners have called the site a ‘hidden gem’ and plan to use Eastriggs for rolling stock storage and maintenance.
However, they have longer-term plans that include engineering support and rail freight operations, as managing director Gary Draisey explained: “The place is a real hidden gem, it’s not just the location. It was finding such a large yard, in almost perfect condition, despite long years of disuse.
“Our first train was part of the Network Rail winter fleet. Colas Rail, who provide fleet support to Network Rail, used our facilities to help store these units in a secure and accessible site to support future winter operations in the north.”
Rail Sidings Limited have already had enquiries from businesses looking to make use of the site’s facilities, which comprise extensive sidings, a loco shed, and lengthy platform areas within a very secure site.
Gary also revealed there is interest from quarries and aggregates suppliers to use part of the yard as a railhead. In the long term, there could be intermodal freight traffic too.
He added: “The Borderlands is not served by an intermodal facility. Eastriggs could support businesses on both sides of the border. There is already an economic forum, the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, as well as the South of Scotland Enterprise team, with whom we work closely. Rail development is on their agenda. We’re well placed to support their ambitions.”
