Golden Girls Ride Again – Celebrating 10 Years of the Borders Railway!

10 years since they first boarded the Borders Railway, Golden Ticket winners Isi Allen and her family once again donned their golden hats and big smiles to celebrate an inaugural journey full of laughter and memories.

Sneak preview

Loanhead library manager Isi, her sister-in-law Marie Allen, sister Jan Guild and niece Kayleigh Brown were among hundreds of people who won golden tickets for a special journey before scheduled passenger services began on 6 September and it was officially opened by Her Majesty, The Queen on 9 September 2015.

For her community work

Recreating the photograph of the ‘golden girls’ a decade on, Isi explains she was thrilled to win tickets after being nominated by her sister Jan for her community work.

Special day

“It was fantastic day, the atmosphere was amazing, and we really made a day of it,” she says.

Golden glam

Immaculately dressed and wearing golden ticket hats, the women captured the attention of the nation’s press. Marie still has the press cuttings.

Regular passengers

A decade on, the family, who all live in Mayfield, are regulars on the railway. Marie says it is convenient, quick and affordable: “We use it all the time, we’d never think of taking the car up the town to Edinburgh.”

A real sense of occasion

There is also something special about a railway journey, she says, adding: “Everybody talks to you, we’re all going to the same place, people have snacks and there’s a real sense of occasion.”

Easy and convenient

The Borders Railway runs from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, passing through Midlothian. It’s the longest new railway built in the UK in over 100 years and has made travel easier and more fun for thousands of people.

Happy birthday

Happy 10th birthday to the Borders Railway – and hats off to the golden girls for making it sparkle.

In the picture

From left to right are Marie Allen, Loanhead library manager Isi Allen, Kayleigh Brown and Jan Guild.