Granton Gas Works Train Station

Once you arrive at the crossing, the Gas Works holder is on the left, Scottish HQ across the road on the left and the original station on the right

Waterfront Avenue, Edinburgh EH5 1JD

Granton Gasworks had its own railway network within the works, both narrow gauge and standard gauge. The internal system of narrow gauge lines used steam locomotives and dealt with ashes from the production process and with other by-products and waste. The locomotives were low in height, with no cabs, and were able to pass under the gas retorts. Built by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co Ltd, of Kilmarnock, the Locos were each given names – such as Esme, Jack, and Ralph. The narrow-gauge system closed in 1965.

The coal used to produce the town gas was delivered by standard gauge wagons from both the North British Railway, from East and Midlothian coalfields, and the Caledonian Railway from coalfields in the west of Scotland. Coke and other by-products from the coal were also shipped out by rail.

The Granton Gas Works Station was formally opened on 27 February, 1903.
This was a substantial station, built to take workers to and from the Gas Works and Princes Street. With no other transport to the area at this time, it was suspected that more than just gas workers took advantage of the free service. In 1942, the Gas Works Station was closed by its then-operating Rail Company, the London, Midland & Scottish. Alternative transport had now become available, developed to serve the growing population of the new housing that was being built in the surrounding area.

Granton Gas Works Station about 1903

Scottish Gas Works, Granton Works 0-4-0 2′ 0″ locomotive inside the Gas Works