Although we have reached the end of the line on Edinburgh Trams we go back to the city centre today for “Stop by Stop” as we take a look at the “one that got away”!
That stop is York Place which was the original centre city terminus but when the extension to Newhaven was under construction it was removed and replaced by a stop at Picardy Place. The stop opened with the rest of the original section of modern tramway on 31st May 2014 and was a simple single platform affair which could accommodate a single tram. The platform had the usual Edinburgh Trams features including ticket machines, shelters, and information (paper and the electronic information displays). Just before the platform was a simple crossover which allowed departing trams to gain the correct outbound track.
It would remain as the terminus until 1st February 2022 when it was closed permanently to allow work to take place on the Trams to Newhaven project. In effect the stop was in the way as where the platform stood was where the Newhaven bound track would need to be laid. The crossover does remain in place to this day though.
With the York Place platform to just out of sight to the right centre 261 departs the stop with a service to the Airport. It is using the crossover to gain the correct track for its eastbound journey. Just by the front of the tram you can see a short section of straight track, this is now where trams continue with their journey to Newhaven. This was 27th July 2014.
On 22nd June 2017 and this is 256 arriving at York Place with a service from the Airport (with its destination display already changed for its return journey). The crossover is seen just ahead of the tram with the little stub of straight on track also clearly seen. The tram will soon come to a halt at the stop. Of course today it should gracefully glide through this area and go on to Picardy Place. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)