Esk Valley Railway (Scotland)

From Eskbank the Peebles line crossed high ground south-east of the valley of the River North Esk.

[1] The Polton branch line became the Esk Valley Railway, and was authorised by Act of Parliament of 21 July 1863.

When the line was nearing completion, the Company announced that train services would start on 1 April 1867.

The NBR had agreed to work (and lease) the line but refused to do so immediately because a station had not been constructed at Lasswade, as they had expected.

The Esk Valley Company protested that they were not bound to provide the station, and the matter went to arbitration.

[1][2][5] The valedictory shareholders' meeting of the EVR heard the Chairman declare: Through unforeseen circumstances the expenditure of the Company has considerably exceeded what was at first anticipated, but notwithstanding of this the directors trust that the benefit done to the district and the securing to the shareholders a permanent dividend of 3.25% is not an inadequate return for the labour and money expended.

[10]The line generated a considerable residential passenger business and an early outer suburban traffic for Edinburgh included Polton in its network.

[12] The line remained open for goods traffic until it too closed on 18 May 1964[2][9] following the run down of the mills.

The course of the Esk Valley Railway is traceable for much of its length although no part of it has been designated as a public footpath.