All Change at Addiewell
Farewell to the footbridge at Addiewell railway station.
Addiewell station in its heyday, looking west.
Much the same scene today (at first posting); the footbridge is almost the only common feature.
F17024, first published 17th June 2017
Over the next few weeks Network Rail are to erect a new footbridge at Addiewell Station in advance of the electrification of the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts line. The existing cast and wrought iron footbridge will then be dismantled. This elegant structure probably dates from the opening of the station in 1882, and features in our postcard image dating from about 1910 and showing the station in its prime.
Prior to opening of the station, various temporary platforms and other makeshift arrangements were made to accommodate high profile visitors to the famous Addiewell oil works. From 1882, the Caledonian Railway's new station gave the oil works, and its substantial workforce, direct services to Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the starting point for works excursions to the highlands and doon the watter.
Like all railway stations, it saw its share of high emotion and dramas, from elopements and abscondings to sudden deaths and fits of melancholia. It was even partly blown-up and burned down in a bungled robbery attempt.
The tragic consequences of melancholia, after four months of marriage.
Bungling burglars.
Death at the station.
The attempted escape of a deserter.
An elegant cast iron newel.
Decorative cast iron spandrels.
The iron footbridge and the diesel train. Both soon to disappear.
The simple layout of the station c.1895. The view to the north would have been dominated by the bing, smoke, and steam of Addiewell oil works.
The modern replacement bridge with lifts. This stretch of line has now been electrified. Looking West. September 2020.