HE was there when the Flying Scotsman last came through Galashiels in 1966.

But Andrew Bramhall expects the next visit on Sunday, May 15 to be slightly different.

“The train didn't stop at all, last time,” he said. “It just passed through Gala on its way to Carlisle. I remember it was a horrible day, rain lashing down. There were a few of us on the platform, but not significant numbers at all.

“There wasn't the same fanfare you would get today. The preservation movement at that time wasn't frontline.”

Andrew was 20 when the legendary locomotive was last sighted in this corner of the globe and had recently started working for the wool industry's Research Association, in one of the four storey blocks based at Netherdale.

“I just got my first 35mm camera shortly after I started that job. That game me the inspiration to get up close and capture images of these wonderful trains. It has been a passion of mine ever since.”

Explaining the appeal of the Flying Scotsman and other steam locomotives, Andrew said: “Nostalgia plays a part, of course. And there is a case of absence making the heart grow fonder.

“The express passenger trains that went through Galashiels at the time, they were the ones right through to Carlisle. They were often pulled by the A3 class, which the Flying Scotsman belonged to.

“There were four based in Carlisle that operated this route that were dedicated to the Waverley Route. Although the Flying Scotsman was dedicated more to the east coast.

“The Flying Scotsman will be the only third steam loco to travel over the re-opened line to Tweedbank so that in itself is significant. The other two were preserved A4 60009 Union of South Africa and 60163 Tornado - the latter being a complete new build but a copy of the old LNER A1 Pacifics.”

Over 20,000 visitors are expected in Galashiels when the Flying Scotsman returns north of the Border later this month, and Andrew believes it is a great chance to create a memorable impression of the Borders.

He said: “It is an opportunity to promote the area for people who are just coming in for a short visit. When Union of South Africa was operating last summer, there were folk who came from all over just to see it- or travel on it, if they could. A lot of them might have never been to Tweedbank or Galashiels before.

“There is plenty to do on our doorstep, and Tweedbank and Galashiels can be the launching off point to go to Abbotsford, Melrose and other spots across the Borders. If they come once, let's hope they return.”

A series of special events will be taking place throughout Galashiels on Sunday, May 15. Empty shopfronts will be transformed and Douglas Bridge will become the hub for these vibrant celebrations. There will be a stilt walker, a bouncy castle, face painting, artists and market stalls to mark the occasion. Extra buses have also been put on to ferry train enthusiasts between Tweedbank and Galashiels.