Between 1890 and 1893 a grand station with seven platforms and an 850 ft long bayed roof was erected on the corner of Lothian Road and Princes Street, pictured above in 1898. Initially known as Princes Street Station, it had its own power station, to the west of the station in Rutland Court. Parcels and goods were dealt with at the nearby Lothian Road station, further up Lothian Road, which was opened in 1870. In 1899, work started on building a grand railway hotel above the main three archway entrance of the station, designed by Edinburgh architects, Peddie and Washington Browne, and opened in 1903 as Princes Street Station Hotel. It was commonly known as The Caledonian Hotel, with the station often also referred to as Caledonian Station. The main pedestrian entrance to the station became the right hand arch of the original three openings, while vehicular access was by way of Rutland Street. Both the station and the hotel were built in red sandstone in common with most Caledonian Railway buildings.Between 1890 and 1893 a grand station with seven platforms and an 850 ft long bayed roof was erected on the corner of Lothian Road and Princes Street, pictured above in 1898. Initially known as Princes Street Station, it had its own power station, to the west of the station in Rutland Court. Parcels and goods were dealt with at the nearby Lothian Road station, further up Lothian Road, which was opened in 1870. In 1899, work started on building a grand railway hotel above the main three archway entrance of the station, designed by Edinburgh architects, Peddie and Washington Browne, and opened in 1903 as Princes Street Station Hotel. It was commonly known as The Caledonian Hotel, with the station often also referred to as Caledonian Station. The main pedestrian entrance to the station became the right hand arch of the original three openings, while vehicular access was by way of Rutland Street. Both the station and the hotel were built in red sandstone in common with most Caledonian Railway buildings.
Between 1890 and 1893 a grand station with seven platforms and an 850 ft long bayed roof was erected on the corner of Lothian Road and Princes Street, pictured above in 1898. Initially known as Princes Street Station, it had its own power station, to the west of the station in Rutland Court. Parcels and goods were dealt with at the nearby Lothian Road station, further up Lothian Road, which was opened in 1870. In 1899, work started on building a grand railway hotel above the main three archway entrance of the station, designed by Edinburgh architects, Peddie and Washington Browne, and opened in 1903 as Princes Street Station Hotel. It was commonly known as The Caledonian Hotel, with the station often also referred to as Caledonian Station. The main pedestrian entrance to the station became the right hand arch of the original three openings, while vehicular access was by way of Rutland Street. Both the station and the hotel were built in red sandstone in common with most Caledonian Railway buildings. | National World

Edinburgh then and now: See the changes to seven Edinburgh transport hubs over the years

Kevin Quinn
By Kevin Quinn

Reporter

Published 30th Oct 2024, 04:45 GMT

In the latest instalment of our Edinburgh then and now series, we take a look at the city’s transport hubs.

There have been major changes over the years to how we get about Edinburgh, and to and from the Capital. Train stations have come and gone over the years, including a forgotten city centre station under one of the Edinburgh’s landmark hotels.

Our look at seven Edinburgh transport hubs show major changes to St Andrew Square Bus Station, the city’s newest train station Edinburgh Gateway, and the new tram depot opened at Gogar ahead of the return of trams to the Capital in 2014.

During 1842, Haymarket railway station was opened as the original terminus of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. The station represented the launch of a new age of travelling opportunities to the Scottish capital, being the first intercity route to be built and offering a previously unheard of journey time of two and a half hours between Scotland's two largest cities. Reportedly, early passenger numbers were far in excess of any expectations held during the line's construction, having topped one million by 1846. The station building itself featured impressive Doric-style porticos and was often hailed for its impressive architecture and engineering. During 1846, the line was extended through the Haymarket tunnels and Princes Street Gardens to what is today known as Edinburgh Waverley railway station. By the 1890s, Haymarket, pictured above in 1955, had lost some of its original appeal, and came to be often subject to criticism over a lack of maintenance and a perpetual climate of austerity. During 1894, covered platforms were added to the station by the railway engineer James Carswell.

5. Haymarket railway station then

During 1842, Haymarket railway station was opened as the original terminus of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. The station represented the launch of a new age of travelling opportunities to the Scottish capital, being the first intercity route to be built and offering a previously unheard of journey time of two and a half hours between Scotland's two largest cities. Reportedly, early passenger numbers were far in excess of any expectations held during the line's construction, having topped one million by 1846. The station building itself featured impressive Doric-style porticos and was often hailed for its impressive architecture and engineering. During 1846, the line was extended through the Haymarket tunnels and Princes Street Gardens to what is today known as Edinburgh Waverley railway station. By the 1890s, Haymarket, pictured above in 1955, had lost some of its original appeal, and came to be often subject to criticism over a lack of maintenance and a perpetual climate of austerity. During 1894, covered platforms were added to the station by the railway engineer James Carswell. | Archive

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During 1983, British Rail performed some alterations to the station; Haymarket's original train shed was demolished and moved to Bo'ness, while its footbridge was replaced by a smaller counterpart and new platform canopies were installed. During the 2000s and 2010s, Network Rail performed a £24 million upgrade programme at Haymarket Station. During May 2012, construction work commenced at the station, initially focused upon temporary station alterations to create space for the new concourse and the undercroft below it. In December 2013, the new-look station was formally reopened the station, marking the official completion of work. Clean-up work, such as the demolition of the old footbridge and lifts, continued until April 2014.

6. Haymarket railway station now

During 1983, British Rail performed some alterations to the station; Haymarket's original train shed was demolished and moved to Bo'ness, while its footbridge was replaced by a smaller counterpart and new platform canopies were installed. During the 2000s and 2010s, Network Rail performed a £24 million upgrade programme at Haymarket Station. During May 2012, construction work commenced at the station, initially focused upon temporary station alterations to create space for the new concourse and the undercroft below it. In December 2013, the new-look station was formally reopened the station, marking the official completion of work. Clean-up work, such as the demolition of the old footbridge and lifts, continued until April 2014. | Google Maps

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The Edinburgh Trams Gogar Tram Depot at Gogarburn, just north of the Gogar Roundabout at the end of the City of Edinburgh Bypass, pictured in 2009. Foundations work at the site began in June 2008. During this initial work, pottery and other features were found during archaeological excavations. The first tram arrived in April 2010, and the last of the 27-strong fleet arrived in December 2012. Testing began in December 2011 on what little track had been completed in the area of the depot at that time- it wasn't until May 2014 that the system opened fully to the public.

7. Gogar Tram Depot then

The Edinburgh Trams Gogar Tram Depot at Gogarburn, just north of the Gogar Roundabout at the end of the City of Edinburgh Bypass, pictured in 2009. Foundations work at the site began in June 2008. During this initial work, pottery and other features were found during archaeological excavations. The first tram arrived in April 2010, and the last of the 27-strong fleet arrived in December 2012. Testing began in December 2011 on what little track had been completed in the area of the depot at that time- it wasn't until May 2014 that the system opened fully to the public. | TSPL Photo: National World

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The tram system, which was officially launched in 2014, has become an iconic part of Edinburgh life. The project was not without its challenges to overcome as a result of its proximity to Edinburgh airport and its runway, the live electricity lines overhead and the moving trams operating throughout the works. Following the council's approval for an extension of the line to Newhaven in March 2019, construction work commenced in November of that year, and was completed on schedule in June 2023, despite being delayed for three months by the coronavirus pandemic. As of 2024, an additional extension serving the north-south axis of the city was in the planning stage.

8. Gogar Tram Depot now

The tram system, which was officially launched in 2014, has become an iconic part of Edinburgh life. The project was not without its challenges to overcome as a result of its proximity to Edinburgh airport and its runway, the live electricity lines overhead and the moving trams operating throughout the works. Following the council's approval for an extension of the line to Newhaven in March 2019, construction work commenced in November of that year, and was completed on schedule in June 2023, despite being delayed for three months by the coronavirus pandemic. As of 2024, an additional extension serving the north-south axis of the city was in the planning stage. | National World Photo: Lisa Ferguson

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