The Railways of East Lothian anniversary talk

The John Gray Centre in Haddington was fully booked on the 7th of October for an evening celebrating East Lothian’s railway past…

Held as part of East Lothian Local History Centre’s 50th anniversary celebrations, a talk titled ‘The Railways of East Lothian’ brought together local history enthusiasts, railway researchers, and members of the public, all keen to learn more about the lines that once connected communities across the area.

Volunteer curator Jim Summers opened with a talk about the Museum of Scottish Railways, introducing our collections and our role in preserving Scotland’s railway heritage.  The main talk was delivered by Keith Crombie of the North British Railway Study Group, who explored East Lothian’s branch lines and the important role they played in local travel, trade, and everyday life.

One of the most engaging parts of the evening came when audience members were invited to share their own railway memories. Their contributions added a personal dimension to the event and showed how strongly local railway stories continue to resonate today.

Thank you to the John Gray Centre and Dr Hanita Ritchie for organising the event and inviting us to be part of your anniversary programme. A big thank you also to everyone who attended, shared memories, and contributed to such a lively discussion. Events like this help keep railway stories alive and ensure that memories of life on Scotland’s lines continue to be passed on to future generations.