On that fateful first weekend in January 1969 all passenger services ceased and the Borders became isolated, as it last had been 120 years earlier, before the railway arrived.

It did not go without a struggle though, and Borderers vigorously campaigned & petitioned to allow the Waverley Route to be reprieved. The protestations continued throughout the final few days and also the final night.

Protests were held at Hawick, as expected, but further down the line at Newcastleton even more trouble was brewing.

A pilot Clayton diesel was sent from Hawick to ensure smooth passage of the final train, the Night Midland sleeper from Edinburgh. But on arrival at Newcastleton the pilot found the level crossing gates locked against it, and several hundred villagers protesting on the crossing itself.

The local minister, Reverend Brydon Maybon, led the protest and as such was taken into custody by the police. Acting as go between was the MP David Steel, himself travelling on the train. He bargained with the villagers and the police for release of the minister in return for the safe passage of the train

We have prepared a selection of images from the final days, with grateful thanks to the photographers Bruce McCartney & Geoff Cryer. Hover mouse over images for captions.

More details & images can be found at: http://www.geoffspages.co.uk/monorail/bmcc/last_days/index.htm and http://www.geoffspages.co.uk/raildiary/waverley/index.htm