Waverley Station has exsisted in some capacity in the city since 1847. A landmark, the station has a long history.
By EMMA O’NEILL
Published 7th Oct 2015, 17:35 BST
Steam trains at Waverley Station with Waverley bridge and North British Hotel (now the Balmoral )in the background
The original Edinburgh to Glasgow line had its terminus at Haymarket, opening in 1842. The Princes Street Proprietors had spent large amounts of money turning the “filthy and offensive bog” that was Nor Loch into the Princes Street Gardens we know now, so strongly protested the plan to have an “inoffensive” railway line through them.
But as railway mania set in, the association was finally able to reach an agreement with the government, with walls and embankments in the park to conceal the line.
The first official opening of the station was in April 1866.
2 elephants from Princes International Circus arrive at Waverley Station, Edinburgh.
Like other large railway stations of the era, the railway company constructed a grand station hotel beside their station. The North British Hotel opened in 1902, and elevators took passengers from the hotel lobby down to the station platforms. Now known as the Balmoral Hotel, the station entrance has been long closed.
Princes Mall, formerly called the Waverley Shopping Centre, which occupies a the former Waverley Market, which was a live cattle market, nestling between Waverley Station, Waverley Bridge, and Princes Street, opened in 1985. This mall has benefited from the installation of escalators on the Waverley Steps to Princes Street in 2011.
Waverley Station train announcers - Seen from the platform
Holiday makers queue at Waverley Station
Waverley Station Edinburgh showing the newsagents, ticket office.
Easter holiday-makers in Waverley Station Edinburgh - Queue for tickets for travel north and west.
Domestic Science students check their train time at the Railway Enquiries desk at Waverley Station in Edinburgh, October 1967.
A view of Waverley Station in Edinburgh showing Ann McNamara waiting for her father
Interior of Waverley station in Edinburgh, August 1976, showing the old destination board and John Menzies shop.
The Christmas tree at Edinburgh's Waverley station with a live canary in a cage in December 1975.
A full taxi rank at Waverley Railway Station, Edinburgh. September 1979
A 'slam door' diesel train on the platform at Edinburgh's Waverley station in April 1979.
Waverley Station, Edinburgh
Roof still unfinished - the station was remodelled during the 1890's.
