Borders Railway: will it help the Borders economy?
On Sunday, 6 September, the first passengers will ride the 30-mile stretch of the new Borders Railway, from Edinburgh to Stow, Galashiels and Tweedbank.
The £300 million project has been five years in the making.
The promise is that it will open up the Scottish Borders to tourists and commuters, encouraging people to move to, and stay in, the area.
Will the Borders Railway help a wounded economy recover?
The original Waverley Route, which ran through the Borders from Edinburgh to Carlisle, closed in 1969.
This brought about fierce protests - transport from the region was severely impaired, and businesses suffered.
In 1998 the closure of an electronics firm in Galashiels and Selkirk meant more than 1,000 skilled, well-paid jobs were lost.
Drew Tulley was the leader of Scottish Borders Council at the time.
He says this was the moment the campaign for the return of the railway gathered critical momentum:
Fast forward to today, and the new Borders Railway is set to re-open.
It's a massive project, but Mr Tulley says it's important to make sure local people and businesses are the ones who really benefit.
What benefits could the railway bring?
It's hoped the line will make Scottish Borders towns - particularly those with stations - more attractive places to live. Hundreds of homes are being built in anticipation. So far, house prices and the volume of sales hasn't increased much, but it's hoped they will rise when the railway opens
Many people in the Borders work in Edinburgh. They hope the rail link will make commuting cheaper
Public transport between Borders towns is limited, and it's hoped this will make it easier
Tourism is vital to the economy. The aim is for one million passengers to use it within the first five years, and the estimate is a boost in the economy of £33 million.
What's being done to maximise these benefits?
Energise Galashiels has been formed to make the town, and particularly the area around the station, more attractive.
Currently, one of the first things that will greet people who step off the new trains, is empty shops.
The group has smartened them up, but knows the best way to improve things is to encourage retailers to move into them.
The town's interchange has now opened, and the £5.2m facility is being described as a "gateway to the Borders Railway".
Local people are also already doing their best to benefit.
Donald Young is a landscape gardner by trade, but he's just bought a taxi to transport people from the town of Lauder to the station at Stow.
What do the experts think?
Those who've followed the story closely are mostly optimistic.
David Spaven is a leading rail expert and has been teaching a university course about the Borders Railway.
He says authorities were slow to pick up on its potential, but believes it will provide a major economic and social boost:
But there are also notes of caution, particularly from those in towns without stations.
The Waverley Line used to run through Hawick on its way to Carlisle.
The town was one of those hit hardest by the closure of the railway line in 1969 - a busy bustling town was left 50 miles from the nearest railway station.
It was isolated and cut-off, and many people were forced to leave.
While Councillor and Honorary Provost Stuart Marshall welcomes the partial re-opening of the line, he says it's vital talks continue about a possible extension to Hawick:
Until the line is running, views about its success are pure speculation.
But one thing is for sure - a lot rides on the single biggest investment in Scottish Borders history.