Recollections

1.

Kenneth G Williamson

Silverknowes, Edinburgh

 Granton Railway  -  Texaco Sidings

Thank you to Kenneth G Williamson for sending me this picture of an oil train at the Texaco sidings on the old Caledonian Railway line at Granton.

This photo looks to the NE towards Granton Harbour and the Firth of Forth.

Kenneth wrote:

Fuel for Prestwick

"These tank cars are at the Texaco sidings to collect aviation fuel destined for Prestwick.  I don't know if it is true but the story goes that as a result of the decision to transfer the fuel by road, the railway was eventually torn up.

I remember the siding into Waugh's scrap yard being isolated when the rails were lifted.  The diesel shunter used by Texaco is now at Bo'ness."

Kenneth G Williamson, Silverknowes, Edinburgh:  January 10, 2010,

Approaching Texaco Sidings

Here is a photo of the train as it passed Granton Square and crossed West Harbour Road, on its final approach to the Texaco sidings at Granton:

©

Recollections

2.

Andy Merrylees

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to Andy Merrylees who replied:

Texaco Sidings

"I think Kenneth is correct in saying that the rails were torn up as they started transporting the fuel by road.

I was working with another welder on a pipe job at the Granton Gas Works that year, and that's what my boss told us. So there is some truth to it."

Andy Merrylees, Burnaby. British Columbia, Canada:  January 12, 2010

Recollections

3.

Patrick Hutton

New Town, Edinburgh

Thank you to Patrick Hutton who wrote:

Texaco Depot at Granton

"I always understood that the 'Texaco' (should it be Shell?) depot at Granton Gas Works was (latterly) for naphtha going in, not aviation spirit going out to Prestwick.

For that matter, avgas is still taken from Grangemouth to Prestwick by rail.  You may remember that this train derailed and caught fire not so long ago."

Patrick Hutton, New Town, Edinburgh:  January 15, 2010

Pictures of Granton

Railways

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