Borders Railway opening details confirmed

Do you want to attend the opening ceremony of the new Borders Railway, or ride on one of the first trains?

It opens to the public on Sunday 6 September, and on Wednesday 9 September the Queen will unveil a plaque at Tweedbank Station.

The schedule for the events has now been finalised by Scottish Borders Council.

Sunday 6 September:

• The first public services are expected to be very busy. The first northbound service departs Tweedbank at 08:45 and the first southbound train from Edinburgh leaves at 09:11, with an hourly service in each direction until around 23:00
• Tickets for travel on Borders trains cannot be reserved for a particular service, so queuing systems will be in place at busier stations
• ScotRail is encouraging people to buy their tickets in advance online or by telephone – although they can be bought on the day as well. Passengers who can travel later in the day on 6 September will face shorter queues

Wednesday 9 September:

• The car park at Tweedbank Station will be a free public spectator area for the Queen's visit. Local bands will be playing from 11am, and the event is being compered by Alasdair Hutton, the voice of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Queen is due to arrive at 12.18pm
• Entry is from 9.30am and bag searches will take place as a security precaution. It's expected to be very busy
• Toilets will be available but there will be no catering/refreshment facilities on site so you may want to bring your own
• People are advised to come by public transport. Buses will run as normal, train services are subject to alterations, and car access is via Melrose Roundabout

Want to see the Royal Steam Train?

The train will pass through these towns (times subject to change):

• 11.24am Heriot
• 11.35am Fountainhall
• 11.56am Stow
• 12.07pm Galashiels (train will slow down as it passes station)
• 12.18pm Tweedbank