First Official (New) Train on the Waverley Route

I enjoyed myself at the opening of the Border Union Railway Line http://wrha.org.uk (part of the former Waverley Route) at Whitrope Station (in Castleton parish) on Sunday 1st July; accompanied by two friends, one of whom is a son of a former engine-driver on the route.
 

It was an auspicious date, chosen to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Hawick to Carlisle railway line.

The opening was performed by John Lamont, MSP and Madge Elliot .

Although they have about a half-mile of track, the bridge positioned after the first 300 yards hasn't had its certification yet, so the train (a railbus) made two return journeys of 300 yards back and forth for each set of passengers.

I chatted with Ian Crooks, the chairman, during the short journey.

They've made amazing progess since the last time I visited in August, 2009.

Not only have they laid a lot more track, painted carriages, made a nice station, they've also found time to improve the exhibition.
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There's more dates to visit the Waverley Route Heritage Centre at weekends until the end of October, and ride on the train in July and August. Timetable.

It was nice to see several of my ex-colleagues from Scottish Borders Council, two of whom are volunteers, as well as several fellow members of Borders Family History Society.

Waverley Route Heritage Association

I visited the Waverley Route Heritage Centre Open Weekend on Sunday, 30th August 2009 with a friend.

This is at Whitrope about 4 miles north of Hermitage and 11 miles south of Hawick on the scenic B6399 road.

They've achieved a lot in a short time, a few hundred yards of track, and they have 2 carriages and a snow plough.

One of the carriages is a cafe, the other a very nice exhibition with photos of stations, newspaper cuttings, artefacts, station name boards, lamps, signs etc.

The navvies that carved out the line were extremely well paid for the middle of the 19th century, they earned £100 to £150 per year, compared with a labourer's average earnings of £25 to £30 per year; and for agricultural labourers and farm servants, more than half of that would be in the form of rent, food, and fuel.

The navvies lived in bothies (wooden huts) in the hills.

There were no shops for them to spend their money, apart from enterprising contractors who brought clothing and footwear from Hawick to sell.

A Mr MacDonald opened a superior bothy offering accommodation, food, and booze known as the Turf Hotel near Langburnshiels.

At the weekend many of the navvies went to Hawick, some, no doubt, full of good intentions to send money home to their families; most drinking their two or three pounds away. Their natural exuberance and competitiveness often erupted into brawls, though as one policemen said "At least they fight only amongst themselves." Some were carted away and spent a night or two in Jedburgh prison.

I wonder how many navvies found sweethearts among the Hawick women ?

How many stayed and married there and raised families ?
 
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