Lauder Light Railway

It closed finally in 1958 and little now remains, though bits of the formation, including embankments and cuttings, are visible at Middletoun.

[3][page needed] In December 1895 there was strong local agitation for a modern road between Oxton and Fountainhall; the negative response from the County Council encouraged resumed thoughts of a railway once more, and this was encouraged by the passage of the Light Railways Act in 1896.

[1][page needed] This was designed to encourage the construction of local railway connections without the expense of seeking an Act of Parliament or the safety arrangements of main lines.

There were considerable difficulties between the Company and the North British Railway, who had agreed to work the line, over permanent way specifications and facilities at the stations.

[2][page needed] Shortly after opening, the NBR complained that the cattle dock was unsatisfactory.

At the end of independent existence in 1922 the company's receipts amounted to £1,362 (goods £785, third class passengers £266).

The engine shed at Lauder was closed after termination of the passenger service and latterly line was worked by J67 0-6-0 locomotives from Galashiels with tenders attached.

The tenders allowed the locomotives to run with their water tanks empty, keeping the total axle loading below the line's limit.

[1][page needed] Decline looked inevitable, until during World War II a Ministry of Food buffer depot was established at Lauder.

[9] The poor road network in the area ensured that the supplies were brought to Lauder by rail, and this continued in later years.

The topography of the area forced the line to reach Lauder from Fountainhall in a wide northward sweep around Collie Law, following the Leader Water from Oxton.