St Leonards railway station (Scotland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
St Leonards
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Surviving goods shed
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| Location | Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh Scotland |
| Other information | |
| Status | Disused |
| History | |
| Original company | Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway |
| Pre-grouping | North British Railway |
| Post-grouping | London and North Eastern Railway |
| Key dates | |
| 2 June 1832 | Opened |
| 1846 | Closed |
| 1 June 1860 | Reopened |
| 30 September 1860 | Closed to passengers - site reused as a goods depot |
| 1968 | Goods depot closed |
| Location | |
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St. Leonards railway station was a train station in St Leonard's, Edinburgh, Scotland. It was very important because it was Edinburgh's very first railway station! This station was part of the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway, which opened in 1831. The railway was first built to carry coal from mining towns south of the city. The next year, in 1832, it started offering rides for people too. St. Leonards was the end of the line for the southern part of Edinburgh and was named after the area nearby.
Contents
Edinburgh's First Train Station
St. Leonards railway station opened on June 2, 1832. It was a big deal for Edinburgh because it was the first time people in the city could travel by train. The main reason the railway was built was to transport coal. This coal came from mines south of Edinburgh and was brought into the city for heating and power.
Passenger Services and Changes
At first, the station offered rides for passengers, but this didn't last forever. In 1846, passenger services stopped at St. Leonards. This happened because a new station opened closer to the city center, at North Bridge. This new station later grew into the famous Waverley station. Train routes from Dalkeith were changed to go through Portobello instead.
Brief Reopening and Final Closure
St. Leonards station did reopen for a short time. From June 1 to September 30, 1860, trains ran again from St. Leonards to Dalkeith, Portobello, and Leith. However, this service only lasted a few months. After that, the station was no longer used for passengers. It continued to be used as a busy coal yard, handling lots of coal until 1968.
What's There Now
Today, the area where the coal depot and part of the railway line once were has been rebuilt. You can now find houses there. The only building that remains from the old station is the goods shed. This shed was used to store goods, like coal, that were transported by train.
The Goods Shed Today
The goods shed is a special building. It has been named a Category B listed building by Historic Environment Scotland. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected. In 2019, the old goods shed was given a new life. It was turned into a whisky and gin distillery, which is a place where these drinks are made. It is now run by Holyrood Distillery.
Path for Walking and Cycling
The old railway track, where trains used to run, is now a path for people to enjoy. It's a footpath and a cycle path, meaning you can walk or ride your bike on it. This path is part of the National Cycle Network Route 1, which is a network of cycling routes across the country.
