Edinburgh Waverley station is hosting a new exhibition that celebrates projects which have transformed Britain's historic railway sites.

The display highlights 40 restoration successes nationwide and tells the story of how preserving railway heritage breathes new life into stations and structures, enabling them to continue serving communities for many more decades.

The exhibition has been organised by the Railway Heritage Trust to mark its 40th anniversary, coinciding with the nationwide celebration of 200 years of the railway. Since its inception in 1985, the Trust has awarded over 2,000 grants totalling £70 million to support the conservation of listed railway structures and those located in conservation areas.

Edinburgh Waverley itself serves as a prominent example of Scotland's rich railway heritage, having been a gateway to the capital since 1846. Its grand iron and glass roof, elegant Victorian engineering, and historic stonework provide an ideal backdrop for the exhibition.


Chris King, Edinburgh Waverley station manager, commented: "Edinburgh Waverley is of course one of the busiest stations in the country, but if you take a moment to pause and look around, you'll notice the many historic features that are carefully preserved and maintained. That's why we're proud to host this exhibition. I'd encourage passengers to stop by and discover the inspiring work that has taken place right across the country to protect our railway's remarkable history."

Tim Hedley-Jones, director of the Railway Heritage Trust, added: "We are very proud of the long history of support which the Trust has made to railway heritage in Britain. We are pleased to be able to showcase 40 of the best projects we have supported that show how looking after our heritage can transform the lives of people, communities and the places where they live." He also thanked all those who have delivered these complex projects, acknowledging that "providing the grant is the easy part – putting together the plans, managing the work and ensuring railway heritage has a sustainable future is the hard part."

The exhibition is free, open to everyone, and can be found next to the Calton Road exit within Edinburgh Waverley station until Friday 13th June.