FORMER Borders teacher Douglas Angus is looking forward to a train trip down memory lane in September.

The 66-year-old from Galashiels was amongst the 400 Golden Ticket winners selected by a panel last month.

And during the special first weekend journey he will pass the very Station House where he grew up.

Douglas’ father, Magnus, spent his entire working life on the trains.

Amongst his many posts, which eventually led him to become assistant station master at Waverley, was Station Master at Fountainhall between 1948 and 1954.

Douglas told us: “From when I was born until I was five we lived at the Station House in Fountainhall.

“We didn’t have any electricity or running water - there was a pump for water and paraffin lamps for lighting.

“The building is still there and has been used as offices during the construction of the railway.

“I don’t remember all that much from Fountainhall but I do remember going down to Stow for the shopping - they had everything, a butcher’s, a baker’s, you name it.” One of the perks of having a father on the railways was free travel for the family.

And throughout Douglas’ university years he was also able to get summer jobs at a few of the stations.

He continued: “Because dad worked on the railway I got free tickets and when he was promoted I was even allowed in first class. I travelled all over Europe on the trains for nothing.

“All of my summer jobs were on the railway - I once added up the time I’d worked in different seasonal jobs and it came to about two years.” Douglas was nominated for the Golden Ticket by his wife, and former Galashiels Academy head, Kathleen.

In her nomination to the panel she stated: “Douglas was born and brought up at Fountainhall Station, where his dad was Station Master.

“His bedroom was six feet from the place where the locomotives waited, and he loved the trains.

“At the age of three he climbed up the signal tower to look for the next train and had to be rescued.” Although semi-retired, Mr Angus continues to work in education.

And he already has two appointments in Glasgow scheduled during the first week the Borders Railway passenger service becomes operational.

Douglas added: “I am in Glasgow on two days during the railway’s first week and I will definitely be going by train. It will be great not having to drive any more. Winning a Golden Ticket is an honour and I’m looking forward to it.”