TWO students at Borders College are on track for qualifications since the arrival of the railway.

Rebecca Saunders and Kathryn Gardner from Dalkeith decided that a trip down the Waverley route to class each day was better than tackling the congestion of the city.

The 17-year-olds are both studying on the Fashion Make-up HNC course at Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels.

Having researched the options for studying fashion make-up they decided on coming down the line.

Rebecca told us: "Travelling to Edinburgh, then across to one of the Edinburgh College campuses would take just as long as it does to get to Borders College."

Prior to the new Borders Railway opening, Rebecca and Kathryn both used the X95 bus or a car to make the 26 miles journey.

But they much prefer the comfort of the Newtongrange to Galashiels rail service.

Kathryn added: “It only takes us 35 minutes to travel from Newtongrange to Galashiels, which passes really quickly with wifi on board the train.”

Looking ahead to the completion of their course, Kathryn wants to continue her studies to an HND level.

Rebecca hopes to get a job on a make-up counter.

James Ledgerwood, ScotRail’s head of economic development, said: “It’s absolutely great to hear that these students have been making the most of the Borders Railway and using it to travel to and from College, and we hope that this will continue for many years to come.

“Stories like this really highlight the positive social and economic impact the new line has already had on the communities in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.”