TPE gives newly named ‘Hailes Castle’ train a Scottish welcome at opening of East Linton station

Highland dancers and a Scottish piper serenaded the inaugural TPE service as East Linton train station welcomed trains into its platforms for the first time in almost 60 years.

To mark the historic opening, TPE renamed its first service to stop at the station, ‘Hailes Castle’, after the ruin of the nearby fortified manor dating back to the 1200s, associated with the Wars of Independence and Mary Queen of Scots.

Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TPE, said “This is a landmark day for East Linton and for TPE, and we’re really happy we’ve been able to work with our partners to help connect communities in Scotland.

“For the first time in nearly six decades, rail services are calling at East Linton and it was fantastic to see so many using our newly named ‘Hailes Castle’ train this morning.”

Chris was joined at the arrival of TPE’s 11.52am service by Rachel Sydeserff, Historic Environment Scotland’s District Visitor and Community Manager for South Region.

Rachel said: “We’re delighted that such a wonderful and symbolic local landmark has been used for the naming of the first TPE service into East Linton train station.

“Celebrating our heritage is so important, and the introduction of this named train means the historic Hailes Castle, located just two miles from East Linton train station, is commemorated in a new and exciting way.”

TransPennine Express will be operating up to 14 services a day to East Linton station.

From Monday to Friday, 11 services between Edinburgh and Newcastle will stop at the new station, while on Saturdays there will be 14 services and nine on Sundays.

The new calling point forms part of TPE’s ongoing drive to deliver better journeys and links for the communities it serves. The full details of this plan were released earlier this year as TPE, which transferred to the government’s owning group (DOHL), signalled its intent to address many of the issues which have caused problems and disruption for rail customers.

Making Journeys Better: A Prospectus outlines exactly how TPE will be open and transparent in dealings with colleagues, customers and stakeholders, delivering a premium travel experience whilst connecting communities across the North of England and into Scotland.