The line closed to passenger services 60 years ago, on September 8, 1962, and is now only used for freight trains and occasionally as a diversion route for other services.
But many see the route as an under-used asset and want to see it brought back into regular use as a way of tackling congestion and pollution caused by the number of cars, lorries and buses clogging the city’s roads. It would also make it much easier to get from one area to another without going into the city centre.
These pictures show the line and its stations before the closure and also how it looks now.
1. Today
Passenger trains like this one can still occasionally be seen on the South Sub because the line is used as a diversion route when the normal line is closed for engineering works. Photo: Contributed
2. The last train on the last day
This was the last train to leave Duddingston & Craigmillar Station on Saturday September 8, 1962, the last day of passenger services on the line. It was the 2pm train from Duddingston to Waverley "Outer Circle", calling at Newington, Blackford Hill, Morningside Road, Craiglockhart, Gorgie East and Haymarket, arriving Waverley at 2.22 pm. Photo: John S Wilson
3. Duddingston & Craigmillar station
The disused Duddingston and Craigmillar station pictured in 1972, a decade after it had closed. Photo: Denis Straughan
4. Newington station
Locked gates at the old Newington railway station in June 1966. Photo: Joe Steele