Between Friday 14th and Sunday 16th February, Edinburgh Trams ran a split service because of engineering works taking place on the York Place crossover. Trams ran from the Airport to West End and from Balfour Street to Newhaven, meaning that there was no service at Princes Street, St Andrew Square, Picardy Place or McDonald Road tramstops. In this pictorial article we take a look at some of the unusual moves which took place to allow this split service to operate.
No way through for trams at Balfour Street. This photo looks along Leith Walk towards the city centre with the barrier and stop sign warning trams to go no further. Balfour Street stop and the crossover trams would use (out of service) are behind the photographer.
Looking the other way and we now see 269 at Balfour Street where it has terminated with a service from Newhaven. Passengers have alighted and the tram is now readied to move forward to use the crossover.
269 has now moved forward and is now ready to use the crossover to return to Newhaven. The pointsman on duty has removed a cone and now moves the points manually to allow the tram to use the crossover. The pointsman spent time between trams in a hired van parked here, to keep out the typical wintry elements in Edinburgh.
Then 269 – still with its winner rosette on the end of the tram – uses the crossover and reapproaches Balfour Street for its return trip to Newhaven.
269 is now seen standing at the stop ready to depart for Newhaven.
A little while later and now 259 has come along to perform the same move. This image shows it on the crossover.
The passenger information display at Balfour Street informing would-be passengers of the essential engineering works causing a change in the service. (Photographs x7 by Roy Calderwood, 15th February 2025)
At the other end of the blockade and the crossover by the West End tramstop was being used – this one with trams in service. This photo shows 268 using the crossover as it starts its journey from West End for the Airport. (Photograph by Nathan Burns, 15th February 2025)