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Alex Salmond promotes Borders steam.

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Alex Salmond promotes Borders steam. - Posted: August 22, 2014 - 8:12 PM Quote and reply
STEAM trains planned for the Borders railway to maximise its tourism potential will disrupt the new line’s regular services, The Scotsman has learned.

On Wednesday, First Minister Alex Salmond announced that a “steam train experience” would operate on the line when it opens in September next year and could run three times a week.

Network Rail, which is building the 30-mile route, said “timetable alterations” will be required to accommodate the additional trains because it is largely single track.

It is understood this will mean some of the half-hourly ScotRail services will have to be cancelled, making the service less attractive to passengers who are vital to the project’s success.

The Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency admitted trains would be affected.

Industry experts fear the potentially “severe impact” on the fledgling service between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, at a time when Borderers are being encouraged to take the train rather than drive into the capital for the first time in 46 years.

Campaigners have already claimed ScotRail will be unable to operate a reliable service because the length of double track – where trains can pass each other – has been cut from 
16 miles to 9.5 miles.

One industry source said: “You cannot run a half-hourly service and have steam trains running up and down the line. There would have to be changes to that frequency.”

There is further concern that steam trains could occupy one of the two platforms at the Tweedbank terminus for several hours while passengers tour the area, further reducing capacity on the line
The Scotsman 22.08.14

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