The short branch from the ECML at Portobello Junction to Leith South is still open for freight traffic. Over the years the amount of traffic has been variable and this section illustrates some of the workings I've photographed.
An empty mgr service headed by 26002 climbs away from Leith on 19 March 1985 approaching the site of the former Meadows Yard. There was once a vast network of lines in the north of Edinburgh and Leith was served by several branches operated by the Caledonian and North British Railways.
27066 departs from Leith South with the 6S54 Immingham to Grangemouth freight on 19 March 1985.
Shortly after leaving the yard with the above train 27066 negotiates the level crossing at Marine Esplanade.
47367 heads away from Leith South on 19 March 1985 after a traffic stop for the 6E74 from Grangemouth to Haverton Hill.
26004 waits for departure from Leith South with a freight service on 10 March 1987.
Six months have passed and 26004 has been repainted in Railfreight livery. An MGR service carrying coal for export arrives at Leith South on 2 September 1987.
Also on 2 September 1987 37024 arrives at Leith South light engine prior to working 7N28 oil tanks to Grangemouth. By 2004 this locomotive was still in service, although it had gone through renumberings to 37714 and L26 and was operating in Spain as part of EWS's overseas hire contracts.
37159 departs from Leith South on 2 September 1987 with the 6B24 trip working to Millerhill. Traffic was plentiful at this time; not only had the MGR with 26004 arrived, 37024 awaits departure with oil tanks and a Class 08 can be seen shunting. In the left background a mainstay of the Edinburgh bus scene, a Leyland Atlantean, can be glimpsed on service 12 to Hay Drive.
37024 passes the site of the former Meadows Yard on 2 September 1987 with the 7N28 oil tanks from Leith South to Grangemouth.
37514 climbs away from Leith South on 11 August 1992 with a train of empty pipe carrying wagons. Contrast this with the photograph of 26002 above - more vegetation and a warehouse!