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2.

Peter Stubbs

Edinburgh

Granton Gas Works Junction

"I agree with David King's comments above.  Please click on this thumbnail image to see a view of Granton Gas Works Junction, mentioned by David:"

LINE TO THE LEFT: The branch to Granton Gas Works Station
LINE TO THE RIGHT: The Caledonian line to Granton West Breakwater and Middle Pier

©

Map

"The map below shows the lines mentioned by David.  It also shows the sheds in the upper left corner of the photo at the top of this page, though the map appears to show a single set of sheds whilst the photo appears to show a double set."

 1940-41

©   peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk      Extract from a map by Bartholemew, 1940-41

"The sheds and the sidings in the photo can be seen in the lower-left corner of this map, below the word 'Caroline' of Caroline Park  (Please click on the map to enlarge it and see the surrounding land.)

The thin line on the map, running from the sidings in a series of curves to Granton West Pier is the single track line that runs between the gateposts on this photo:

©

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  September 8, 2011

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3.

Peter Stubbs

Edinburgh

1.    When Alistair MacBeath sent this photo to me he wrote:

©

Where and Gradient?

"Where is the line to the right going?  If it's to the harbour,  the incline must have been considerable."

Alistair McBeath, Granton, Edinburgh:  September 8, 2011

2.    David King replied:

Where and Gradient?

"The line ‘wandered’ down to the West Breakwater – I don’t know the gradients!"

David King, Trinity, Edinburgh:  September 8, 2011

3.  I don't know the gradient either (though it could probably be estimated from a large-scale OS map). 

However I was reminded of one of the recollections of the railway between Crewe Toll and Granton Harbour that was added to this  Boswall, Granton, Trinity, Wardie  page about seven years ago.

See below:

Gradient

"On foggy nights, Firth of Forth foghorns added to the atmosphere, each with its distinctive sound.   On dank nights, a laden freight train could be heard struggling to climb from Granton to Crew Junction.

 There would be a slow   chuff . . .  chuff . . .  chuff . . .  ch-ch-ch-ch-ch  repeatedly as the loco lost traction and its wheels spun on the wet rails.  I used to hear this from as far away as Boswall Drive.

 I felt for people near the railway in West Pilton, trying to sleep;  and for the loco crew in their prolonged ordeal.  But it was wartime and everyone had to make the best of it."

Douglas Beath, Tasmania, Australia:  August 2004

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  September 15, 2011

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4.

Douglas Bryce

Pilton, Edinburgh

When he sent this photo to me, Alistair McBeath wrote that there appeared to be a signal box down the line that goes off to the right, with football pitches in the distance.

  ©

Thank you to Douglas Bryce who replied:

Football Pitch

"I remember the football pitch down there in front of Caroline House.  It wasn’t there for long.  The changing room was an old tramcar."

Douglas Bryce, Pilton Edinburgh:  September 9, 2011

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5.

Kenneth Williamson

Silverknowes, Edinburgh

Thank you to Kenneth Williamson who replied:

Granton Gas Works

"This photo shows the North End of Granton Gas Works Station.  It is taken from the bridge into the Gas Works from the station."

  ©

Caroline Park

"The line off to the right went, I think, down to the West Pier at one time.  It appears to pass through the old gates of Caroline Park.  If you look closely, there is a car in the background which may be on the road that ran past Caroline House, just  behind the trees."

Caroline House

"Caroline House used to stand in open fields with a market garden until the start of last century when industry sprouted up all around it including the Gas Works and Flemings Ink works."

Football and Cycling

"There is also a football pitch.  This is the area where Texaco put in a facility and sidings in the 1970's.

This photo was taken there in 1980:

©

There was also a Cycle Speedway Track on this ground at one time."

Willie Muir Pub

"The Willie Muir pub (long closed) was built just off the road which ran past Caroline House going down to the seafront, just behind what is left of the shops opposite Morrisons.  It was a wild pub!  The road is now fenced off."

Railway through the Station

"The rail line through the station looks like it has been lifted probably because workers trains stopped years before."

Caledonian Railways to Granton

"The incline may have just been the same as the line down to the Middle Pier.  It looks like the line was not used much as the rails are not as shiny as the ones on the left.

In the 1907 timetable I have it states that train No 59  'calls at Crewe Junction to leave off traffic for Granton to be taken there by Granton Pilot.'

I don't think there was a rail connection between the West Pier and the Middle Pier at this time, and certainly the map I have shows the Caley running down to the West Pier with their other line running down to Granton and connecting with the North British at Granton.

Hopefully, others who see the picture may have further information about the line to the right."

Dismantling Trams

I have a vague collection that I saw some old Edinburgh trams being dismantled and burned down beside the Gas Works years ago but unfortunately have been unable to find any proof."

Kenneth Williamson, Silverknowes, Edinburgh:  September 9, 2011