Another edition of “Stop by Stop” as we continue a journey along the Edinburgh Trams system. The next stop will be Princes Street.
Our tram departs from St Andrew Square and descends down South Saint Andrew Street before there is another sharp turn. This one is to the right and onto the famous Princes Street. This is a shopping paradise and just before we reach the Princes Street stop on the left we also see a bit of history as the Scott Monument is visible, construction started in 1840 and it has 287 steps to the top if you’re feeling energetic.
Princes Street is once again an island platform and there aren’t too many surprises as to what you’re find here. There’s a double sided shelter, ticket machines at both ends of the platform, passenger information displays, information posters, validators, bins, lights, CCTV etc. This is usually a busy platform, whether its tourists (some of whom probably didn’t fancy taking their luggage up to St Andrew Square!), shoppers or locals going about their business it’s a stop which sees a lot of footfall.
On 2nd July 2023 we take a look at Princes Street tramstop where 261 is calling on its way to Newhaven. This view shows the how the stop is the centre of the road with traffic able to pass on either side which is why this was taken on a Sunday morning before everyone was getting in the way!
On the same day and this time we see a tram on the other side of the platform – with it running a service to the Airport. The tram captured this time is 264 which had partial advertising for Edinburgh Napier University at this time. A bus has just cleared out the way and the problems of shadows from buildings and trees here is also noted. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)