FLASHBACK . . . a steam train in Langholm Station, which was served by a branch line from the Waverley route
The Scottish Government this week said it is ‘committed’ to helping extend the Waverley Line to Carlisle.
And South of Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine has written to infrastructure minister Keith Brown backing the plans, which she says would give a huge economic boost to the east of the region if Langholm railway station was also reopened.
The Muckle Toon was served by a branch line from the original Waverley line which served Newcastleton and Longtown directly.
Ms McAlpine said: “Langholm is poorly served by road and rail infrastructure at the moment, and the reopening of the railway line could reap huge rewards for the town.
“Not only could it help residents commute to and from the town, but it would make it more accessible for tourists.
“We all know how fantastic the cultural offering is in the area and I have no doubt that an accessible rail link would attract people from far and wide.”
Langholm railway station and branch line were closed in 1964, the period leading up to when the main Waverley route was axed as part of the Beeching cuts in 1969.
Meanwhile, fellow South of Scotland MSP Jim Hume is also repeating calls to extend the rail link, which would also pass through Newcastleton and Longtown.
Following the new section being officially opened by The Queen last Wednesday, he is pressing the Scottish Government to commit to a feasibility study to expand the line to Hawick and eventually to Carlisle.
Mr Hume, who attended the opening, said: “This is a historic moment for the Borders, but the Scottish Government must now acknowledge that the link to Tweedbank is the building block for real progress on an extension to Hawick and eventually Carlisle. I want Scottish Ministers to get that feasibility study underway.”
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