In a previous article (Backtrack Vol.38 No.2) we saw how an original portion of the East Coast Main Line had become so run down that there could be no justification for its retention for either the minimal passenger or goods traffic which it carried and it was closed from 9th January 1956. This then left the small Fife towns of Tayport and Newport-on-Tay served by what was now a steeply graded single track suburban branch line leading to the city of Dundee. It was considered locally to be indispensable, for the only alternative way of crossing the River Tay was the Newport to Dundee ferry service operated by Dundee Harbour Trust.
A portent of doom came to light, however, when the construction of the Tay Road Bridge (TRB) was announced and it emerged that the section from Tayport to East Newport would at some stage need to cease temporarily while the approach works for the Bridge were carried out.
This short section had been opened in accordance with the Newport Railway Act of July 1866 and later became part of a through route linking to the Tay Bridge when it opened for traffic in June 1878. East Newport station gained a second platform and passing loop at this time. The North British Railway obtained powers to work it in perpetuity and absorbed the Newport company in 1888. Although its official name was Newport-on-Tay East, nobody ever referred to it as anything other than East Newport.
For many years there were gaps in the rail service during the mornings and afternoons but from 30th September 1963 these were plugged to counteract the increasing unreliability of the ferries which were being obstructed by construction works for the TRB which could not operate for more than about an hour either side of high tide. At the same time rail fares were raised because the services were said to be unprofitable – no matter that they were considered essential locally, the Government of the day had decreed that the railway system must pay its way. Those who used the ferries could use buses to get to Tayport and St. Andrews.
In late summer 1964 and early 1965 rumours of the railway being slated for permanent closure began to circulate and there were no official denials. Indeed it was accepted that many rail users would transfer to private cars once the new Bridge opened and if the bus was to be diverted to Dundee then many more would use this as it would probably be quicker than the train. It was not known how the fares would compare although there would be no season ticket facilities. The official closure proposal appeared on 1st July 1965 saying that in the absence of objections it would apply from 6th December. Numerous objections were raised and details of a few of these from Tayport follow:
1. L. E. Pinner was concerned about the statement regarding “frequent bus services by Alexanders’.” Comparing
