THIS week, Ross McGinn from the Innerleithen Community Trust brings us the history of the railway line across the Tweed Valley.

THE River Tweed had to be crossed twice on the railway journey between Peebles and Innerleithen, just west of Cardrona Station and at Woodend Viaduct. 

Built around 1864, only the foundations of the stone pillars of the latter survive, still clearly seen when the river is low.

The rail bed was supported by heavy iron girders resting on solid stone piers capable of withstanding the fiercest of floods.

Judging by the examples at Cardrona and Haughhead just east of Innerleithen, the bridges shared a common design.

The course of the railway was usually dictated by the river and the surrounding topography but occasionally landowners also had a say.

If the local laird did not want the line on his land, the railway company had no option but to change course. 

The only reason Haughhead Bridge exists is because the laird of Pirn, who owned the land on the north bank of the Tweed between Innerleithen and Walkerburn, refused to allow the railway to cross his property. 

Landowners often imposed certain conditions on companies building railways through their estates and Glenormiston Halt provides an example - a private halt where the proprietor, his family and guests could board and disembark from passing trains. 

When the line opened in 1864, the local proprietor was publisher William Chambers who lived about half a mile north in Glenormiston House, a solid mansion set in attractive policies.

On completion of the line linking Peebles East to Innerleithen, a station opened where the line crosses Traquair Road on October 1, 1864.

The line to Galashiels became operational on June 18, 1866 and Innerleithen Station became an industrial and passenger hub exploiting the many benefits the railway brought to the town as industry developed.

A substantial goods yard was built on the north side and a private siding provided for the nearby Waverley Mills.

As well as a boon for ordinary folk wishing to visit the town, the rich and famous also had occasion to alight at Innerleithen. During the 1880 General Election, William Gladstone made a speech in Traquair Road from just outside the station.

Another Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith, who was married to Margot, daughter of Sir Charles Tennant of the Glen, Innerleithen, was an occasional visitor.

Sadly, by the 1960s the line was deemed unviable and the station closed on February 5, 1962.

Many thanks to Ross McGinn for his words and photos.