Artwork train brings Borders Railway to life

A massive artwork on wheels has been unveiled to promote the new Borders Railway throughout the country.

With just six months to go until Scotland’s most exciting rail project in over a century is open to the public, Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown revealed the 70 metre long train wrapped in specially-designed livery to promote some of the top attractions of those areas served by the new railway.

The livery has been designed to catch the eye of train-loving kids and rail enthusiasts as the three-carriage Class 170 travels between Scotland’s seven cities and it features illustrations of Edinburgh Zoo’s beloved pandas, Midlothian’s famous and historic Rosslyn Chapel and the Scottish Borders’ world-class scenery.

Unveiling the train at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, Mr Brown said:

“The Borders Railway is one of the Scottish Government’s biggest infrastructure projects and the longest domestic railway to be built in the UK in over a hundred years.

“The communities of the Scottish Borders, Midlothian and Edinburgh will all benefit from the new work, study and social opportunities. But we also want to maximise the benefits by bringing people from all over Scotland to use this new line.

“This train will enter normal service in the ScotRail fleet and will operate between Scotland’s cities, exposing the Borders Railway to many more people throughout the country.

“Its eye-catching design will be a fantastic and memorable promotional tool and I look forward to seeing it becoming a real hit on social media as it makes its way around Scotland.”

The Borders Railway will become operational for passengers in September. Construction of the 30-mile line is progressing well to be complete by June, when Network Rail will hand it over to ScotRail for 12 weeks of driver training ahead of the grand opening.

As well as the commuter benefits, there will be a steam train experience to draw even more tourists to the former Waverley line. And a home is being built for the Great Tapestry of Scotland at the Tweedbank station.

Scottish Borders Council Leader, Councillor David Parker, said:

“These are exciting times for the Scottish Borders. For the first time in over 40 years our visitors will be able to visit us by train and will arrive a stone’s throw from spectacular attractions such as Sir Walter Scott’s house, Melrose Abbey and the Tweed Valley Forest Park – home of world-class mountain biking.

“Our bustling town centres are filled with shops and places to eat out and relax, set into the stunning backdrop of the Eildon Hills. Our historic common ridings take place from June to August each year and we host major international events such as the Borders Book Festival and the Tour of Britain, which will be more accessible to our visitors than ever before due to the Borders Railway.

“This eye-catching train wrap will help us to encourage people from across Scotland to come to the Borders and see what we have to offer. We are grasping this opportunity with both hands and extend a warm welcome to all of our visitors in 2015 to join us at this exciting time.”

Midlothian Council Leader, Councillor Owen Thompson said:

“This stunning artwork showcases the diverse attractions and landmarks across Midlothian, from the National Mining Museum Scotland, to the longest dry ski slope in Europe, Midlothian Snowsports Centre, and Rosslyn Chapel, which obviously featured so prominently in the bestselling film and book, the Da Vinci Code.

“We already welcome millions of visitors to the county every year. However, with four new stations in Midlothian, the Borders Railway will cement the area as a key tourism destination.

“At Midlothian Council, we’re more than ready to capitalise on the excellent economic opportunities the Borders Railway – and indeed this fantastic artwork – will bring.”

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Andrew Burns said:

“The return of the Borders Railway is a historic occasion for Edinburgh, Midlothian and Scottish Borders and we’ve been pleased to work together over the years to make it a reality.

“This colourful and eye-catching promotional artwork is sure to generate lots of excitement and anticipation across Scotland as we count down the last few months until passengers can get on board.”

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said:

“This striking train will promote the Borders Railway the length and breadth of Scotland, and is sure to be a hit with families and rail enthusiasts alike.

“ScotRail is looking forward to playing its part in reintroducing services for customers to and from the Borders for the first time in almost 50 years, and welcoming passengers to the seven new stations.”