THE realisation of a ''dream'' was being celebrated in Ayrshire

yesterday, with the opening of Prestwick International Rail Station,

which provides the first of the missing links between Scotland's

railways and airports.

The new facility will offer holidaymakers from anywhere in Scotland,

who are flying out of Prestwick International Airport, the opportunity

to travel to the new station for a flat return fare of #5.

From today, approximately 40 trains daily will run between Glasgow and

the new station, situated near to the existing Prestwick station. It is

likely to increase pressure for a similar link at Glasgow Airport.

The facility was built -- at a cost of approximately #2.5m -- through

a partnership involving the private and public sectors. PIK Facilities

Ltd, a subsidiary of the airport's holding company, is understood to be

the first private company to run a station. PIK represents the airport's

internationally designated call sign.

The station has two platforms and is situated on the existing

electrified Glasgow to Ayr railway line, 100 yards from the airport

terminal building. An enclosed footbridge and ''skywalk'' provides

direct pedestrian access between the two buildings.

The station heralds the latest stage in the rebirth of the airport,

which was destined for closure before a group of private Scottish

investors, led by the Lord Younger of Prestwick, rescued it in April

1992.

The number of passengers using the airport has risen from 24,000 to

145,000 this year, and it has a workforce of 273, compared to 51 before

the takeover.

Yesterday, about 400 VIP guests gathered in the main terminal building

for a champagne and musical reception, before Scottish Secretary Ian

Lang officially opened the station.

The facility was hailed as ''tremendous'' for Prestwick and Ayrshire

by Provost Gibson McDonald of Kyle and Carrick District Council, who

said: ''It is something that has been dreamed of for many years.''

Mr Lang said the station provided ''a solid link with Ayr, Glasgow,

and beyond''. It demonstrated the confidence in the future of the

airport and would help to attract freight and passenger charter

operators.

Councillor Gerald McGrath, depute leader of Strathclyde Regional

Council, pointed out that the station was the 43rd to be opened in the

region since 1975. However, he questioned whether the event would have

proceeded if the Government's plans for local government reorganisation

had been in place.

He said: ''The Government promises a separate Strathclyde passenger

authority for the future, but we do not yet know how far the boundaries

will extend or what fund raising powers it will have. We must recognise

what made this success possible and ask what future there is for similar

ventures.''

Mr Lang said the SPTE would remain within a new formation and the

co-operation between local authorities under the new system would be

every bit as close as that which existed at present.

Lord Younger, PIK Holdings chairman, expressed concern that Scotland

was not cashing in on tourism. He urged those responsible to do all they

could to reduce the cost of air travel to Scotland.

Evidence of how this could succeed had been demonstrated by the new

low-cost Prestwick to Dublin service introduced last May, which had

almost doubled the number of Scots and Irish travelling between the two

countries.

He said 1000 train journeys a week had also resulted from the Dublin

service, even before the new facility was open.

Mr David Campbell, vice chairman of Enterprise Ayrshire, urged

Strathclyde and the Scottish Office to press ahead with the M77 Glasgow

to Ayr road link, which he said was vital to the economy of South-west

Scotland.

Mr Matthew Hudson, chief executive of PIK Ltd, the company responsible

for the day-to-day running of the airport, said he was confident that

the new station would be a cost- effective addition to the airport,

which was now in profit. This compared with heavy losses made when it

was owned by BAA, he said.