Engineering students petition for Edinburgh tram extension
February 3 2025
A group of engineering students studying at Heriot-Watt University have launched a petition calling for the reopening of Edinburgh's South Suburban Line to passenger traffic.
Last serving passengers 60 years ago the freight-only route spans 12.3km, connecting Murrayfield Stadium to Portobello but has carried goods trains only since passenger services ceased in 1962.
Six existing stations along the route could be pressed back into service, joined by four more stops along the line at Portobello, Fort Kinnaird, Niddrie Bingham and Cameron Toll.
The students envisage introducing a battery-electric tram-train network similar to those operated in Sheffield, creating a hybrid tram line that is compatible with light rail services.
Final year civil engineering student Corey Boyle explained: “The system we propose is called discontinued electrification. That's an alternative to a full route electrification like we see used on the Edinburgh trams. As they’re battery electric vehicles, they can run on sections using battery alone and then switch to overhead lines at certain points. This way, it helps keep costs down and gets round any potential obstacles, such as low bridges that might otherwise prevent a tram train from receiving power.
“It is a low-carbon and viable transport option that would see greater connections between homes in the south of the city with the city centre and beyond.”
The students aim to persuade Scottish Government, Edinburgh City Council and Network Rail to commission a feasibility study into reopening the line to take into account the city's tram services.
The main image is an AI generated depiction of the possible tram route
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