A small branch
line was opened from Longniddry to Gullane in April 1898. Three
stations were served along the route: Aberlady, Luffness Platform
(for access to the golf course) and Gullane. It was planned that
the line would be extended along the coast to North Berwick however
this was not to be.
Trains along the
line usually consisted of one coach yet the stations were built to
cater for several coaches which was necessary for the daily
‘Lothian Coast Express’ from Gullane to Edinburgh and Glasgow and
the corresponding return journey in the afternoon. This reminds me
of my usual commute when I first moved to Aberlady taking the
8:10am from Longniddry to Glasgow Central!
Passenger
services were unfortunately withdrawn from the line in 1932 with
Aberlady and Gullane stations officially closing on 12 September.
The Luffness stop had been closed during the year before. Freight
and specials continued to use the line until 1964, presumably with
the track taken up as a consequence of the infamous Beeching
Report.
Aberlady
station platform
is now part of the Aberlady Caravan Park.
NB – There is no need to
enter the Caravan Park to retrieve the cache. Take the track to
the East of the road and then you can look through the bridge and
see the remains of the platform.
For a view on what the station may have looked like in its
former glory
click here
for a You Tube video.
