Eyemouth Railway

As early as 1846, when the North British Railway was in the earliest stages of its railway operation, representatives of the village of Eyemouth requested a branch line connection. At this period the North British was hugely committed financially and was concentrating on securing territory that might be attractive for competing railway companies to enter. Eyemouth did not fall into this category and the request was declined.

In 1864 the request was repeated; the NBR was similarly committed and responded coldly that they were prepared to work the line for 50% of gross receipts if local interests constructed it. Nothing was done.

In the aftermath of the Eyemouth disaster of 1881, in which 189 fishermen perished at sea in a storm, there was a mood locally to improve the village's economy. This was to be done by improving the harbour and connecting the village to the nearby main line network. The Harbour was extended to 9.5 acres and deepened by two feet, and the middle pier was constructed. This work was decided upon at once and was carried out in 1885 - 1887.

The railway connection was to the North British Railway main line between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed, which ran nearby, and there was a station at Burnmouth, three miles away. The fishing fleet's catch, and the imported mussel bait, all had to be carted from Burnmouth.

Six local people met on 13 October 1881 to consider the matter, and they decided to build a railway without directly involving the larger concern. A public meeting a week later supported the idea, but actually raising the money for a line proved difficult. The Eyemouth Railway was incorporated by Certificate of the Board of Trade on 18 August 1884. Once more the North British Railway agreed to work the line for 50% of gross receipts, with the Eyemouth company obliged to pay for the junction and other alterations at Burnmouth. The lack of money continued to be an obstacle, and the Directors, all local men without railway experience, disputed among themselves the choice of route, even though it had been determined in their Act, and the Board failed to start work.