First train arrives at new £15m train station in East Linton that reconnects town with Network Rail

The first train has arrived at a new £15m train station that reconnects an East Lothian town with Network Rail for the first time in 60 years.

Transport minister Fiona Hyslop formally opened the new East Linton station on Wednesday after the original station closed in 1964.

Services at the station will be provided by both ScotRail and TransPennine Express, with 22 services each weekday due to call at East Linton.

The average journey time from the station to Edinburgh will take 22 minutes, as opposed to 40 minutes by car.

Commuters will be able to connect into Edinburgh Waverley, with direct access to the East Coast Main Line also available for services to Dunbar and Newcastle.

On weekends, 23 trains will call at the station on Saturdays and nine on Sundays.

The opening of the station marks the completion of the latest investment in Scotland’s Railway.

It follows the completion of Inverness Airport station in February 2023.

The first train at the station was greeted by a piper and local school children from East Linton Primary School to celebrate the return of passenger services to the town.

In the station’s first year of operation, it is estimated around 130,000 journeys will be made to and from East Linton.

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway said that the “exciting development” has the potential to help transform the area by improving transport links and triggering further investment and economic growth.

Fiona Hyslop, minister for transport said: “The new East Linton station is the latest example of this Scottish Government’s commitment to building and investing in Scotland’s Railway.

“Our aim is to encourage more people out of their car and on to sustainable public transport.

“The station will open up education, leisure, and business opportunities for East Linton’s growing community, while also offering greener ways to travel as we work towards our ambitious Net Zero goals.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has worked to deliver this project, on the ground and in the background, as we look forward to welcoming passengers for many years to come.”

East Lothian council leader Norman Hampshire said: “The arrival of the first train at the new East Linton Station will be a historic moment for the local community.

“After so many decades without passenger services, people living and working in the area are very excited and will benefit greatly from improved transport connections.

“East Lothian Council has invested almost £3.5m in this fantastic new infrastructure. With the county being one of Scotland’s fastest growing areas, we believe the new station can also boost the local economy.”