Fushiebridge

Can you believe that the station we’re standing in front of right here used to be a bustling hub of activity? This is Fushiebridge, a railway station that once saw trains transporting people and goods to and fro. It was part of the North British Railway’s line to Hawick and opened in 1847. The station was originally called Fushie Bridge, but this was later changed to Fushiebridge. It was situated in a deep cutting and featured two facing platforms built of timber. The waiting room, made of brick and timber, was on the down platform, while the up platform lacked any buildings. Passengers could access the platforms via a footbridge that spanned the cutting. The footbridge had stone abutments and an iron frame with a timber parapet and decking. Fushiebridge played a significant role in the history of the Waverley Route, a double-track railway line that connected Edinburgh to Carlisle. The line was named after Sir Walter Scott’s novel, “Waverley”, and was a vital transportation link for the region. The station was also a crucial point for the transfer of goods, particularly from the nearby Esperton Limestone Quarries and Vogrie Collieries. However, with the passage of time, Fushiebridge’s importance declined, and it was closed in 1943 for passengers and finally closed completely in 1959. Today, only the platform building remains, a silent witness to a bygone era. The station was demolished soon after passenger services ceased. The platform building stands in its place as a relic of the past. Fushiebridge serves as a reminder of the importance of railways to Scotland’s history and the enduring significance of past transportation links.