Children plant time capsule to mark rail milestone
More than 16,000 rail journeys have been recorded to and from Reston since the village's new station opened 12 months ago.
Train operator TransPennine Express is celebrating the milestone with a trial removal of peak time fares north of the border.
It also plans to reduce its carbon emissions by ditching some diesel services and making more of its trains fully electric.
Managing Director Matthew Golton said: “Our aim for Reston was to re-connect by rail the local community with those that surround it, from Northumberland up to Edinburgh, and to open new journey opportunities for people in the area.
"I’m delighted we have achieved this feat and that thousands of journeys have been made using our services.”
The station, on the East Coast Main Line, opened on May 23rd last year - when passengers were able to board trains in the village for the first time in 58 years.
The Borders stop is served by eight trains a day in each direction on week days, mainly travelling between Edinburgh and Newcastle.
Scottish Transport Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Efficient and effective rail services, which encourage people to choose to travel locally and further afield by train, for work, training, education, leisure and social activities, are vital to Scotland’s future.
"I am delighted to mark one year since the completion and opening of our significant £20 million investment.
"I know that communities in and around Reston have directly benefitted from the return of rail services for the first time in more than half a century and will continue to benefit for years to come.”
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To celebrate one year of passenger services, pupils from Reston Primary School were invited to plant a time capsule at the station.
Items placed inside include letters that the children wrote about themselves, the school badge, memorabilia from the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and photographs of themselves from the station opening itself.
Primary four and seven pupils from the school were joined by Kerry Simmonds, chairperson for Reston Community Council, as well as rail campaigners Barrie Forrest and Tom Thorburn, to officially bury it.
The capsule is set to be reopened in May 2047 to mark the 25th anniversary of Reston station going into service.
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Reston headteacher Jill Horsburgh said: “The children were so excited to be invited back to the station to plant the time capsule after having the pleasure of being there for the opening last year.
“The pupils thought long and hard about what they wanted to go into the time capsule and made sure it was fitting for their May 2022 memories.
“The return of Reston station to the village has been fantastic and I am certain that it will enhance the social, leisure, education and employment opportunities for our young people and everyone else in the village in the future.”
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