Levenmouth branch: impressions and trip reports

[yorkie]

Anyone been on the Levenmouth branch?

Hers is your opportunity to post your thoughts and experiences.

 

[najaB]

We had a forum expedition today. They've done a very good job of it, the stations are well-apportioned for the service on the line, it should do well as a railhead for the Nuek of Fife.

One thing that I noticed is that the new track is offset by a metre or two from the old bridge down to the docks, making any future reconnection more difficult than it needed to be.

 

[D1024]

We had a forum expedition today. They've done a very good job of it, the stations are well-apportioned for the service on the line, it should do well as a railhead for the Nuek of Fife.

As part of the expedition I would agree with that. In addition there were a fair number of electrification mast piles in place - most just "lidded" but some with full anchor points attached.

 

[najaB]

One thing that I noticed is that the new track is offset by a metre or two from the old bridge down to the docks, making any future reconnection more difficult than it needed to be.

I tried to get a photograph to show what I meant, but it wasn't the easiest because of the fencing. Note the rail in the bottom left of the picture, that's the end of the track leading down to the docks.

 

[Huntergreed]

A group of 8 of us did a forum walk from Leven to Cameron Bridge earlier this afternoon.

The line was very scenic and well constructed. After leaving the junction after Kirkcaldy, we got a good view of Cameron Bridge Distillery and scenic views of the river Leven. As @D1024 has said above you can see they have prepared for future OLE provision when it is rolled out.

On arrival into Leven, we got a very nice welcome with some very polite local residents handing out some maps and information booklets. We got a good look around the new station, but we were unable to find the opening plaque from the official opening a few days ago!

I would highly recommend the walk from Leven to Cameron Bridge. It is rather short, but it’s a very well defined path along the river and it mostly runs alongside the new line.

(Images depict shots from the trip, including a ScotRail class 158 and class 170 in the bay platform at Leven station and the recently constructed “active travel” bridge which has not yet opened near Cameron Bridge station)

 

[najaB]

I would highly recommend the walk from Leven to Cameron Bridge. It is rather short, but it’s a very well defined path along the river and it mostly runs alongside the new line.

Adding to @Huntergreed's photos of the walk from Leven to Cameron Bridge:

The Fife Heritage Railway yard


A couple of shots of the wetland beside the river (we surmised that it was an industrial pool at some point in the past that has subsequently returned to nature) - the path in this section is along the dividing wall between the two:


The dam that increases the head of the river to flood the wetland


And a couple of shots of Cameron Bridge station:

 

[NorthOxonian]

One thing which was pleasing to see was a fair amount of custom for the line. Any reopening will attract interest from certain quarters, but there was a real mix of demographics including both day trippers (making the most of the excellent weather) and locals. In terms of flows it seemed like Kirkcaldy was a major draw, though there were definitely some passengers travelling right through to Edinburgh.

 

[Thornaby 37]

YouTube footage of the opening day

This video by JenOnTheMove

And SimOnTrains

Unfortunately somebody got stuck in the lift at Cameron Bridge for over two hours this morning. Hope they're OK

 

[najaB]

Unfortunately somebody got stuck in the lift at Cameron Bridge for over two hours this morning.

That explains why it was out of order when we were there around 14:00.

 

[paul1609]

I tried to get a photograph to show what I meant, but it wasn't the easiest because of the fencing. Note the rail in the bottom left of the picture, that's the end of the track leading down to the docks.

It'll be to meet the regulations against curves on terminating platforms/ approaching stop blocks. Slewing the track if it ever became a through route wouldnt be much of an issue.

 

[Acfb]

I got the 9.19 train from Haymarket to Leven yesterday and then came straight back. I sat with David who I met at East Linton before. I also met, Jen, Stuart Boyd, Rob etc from the all the stations videos.

I am currently sitting on a Buxton bound train which is due to depart at 15.51 because I'm going to Whaley Bridge.

 

[H&I]

One thing that I noticed is that the new track is offset by a metre or two from the old bridge down to the docks, making any future reconnection more difficult than it needed to be.

Is there any reason for the line to be extended any further?

 

[12LDA28C]

For anyone keen to visit the Levenmouth branch on anything more interesting than a ScotRail 158 or 170, a railtour operated by LSL/Intercity is planned to visit Tweedbank and Leven in October, see details here:

Intercity | Discover the very best of Britain by rail

Unmissable days out in First Class comfort on our modern air-conditioned InterCity train, hauled by celebrity diesel and electric locomotives.

inter-city.co.uk

 

[najaB]

Is there any reason for the line to be extended any further?

The adjacent town of Methil could support a station, and the docks are being developed into an alternative energy hub meaning that there's the potential for a non-zero amount of freight traffic in the future.

 

[Sunil_P]

Thursday 20th: no problems, both legs of journey ran smoothly!

1103 Edinburgh to Leven - 2-car Class 158
1317 Leven to Edinburgh - 3-car Class 170

 

[Sunil_P]

more

 

[Leven Railuser]

No surprise given my username, but I've made regular trips on the branch. All weekend/leisure and I'm delighted to see the service being well used.

The first weekend saw several cancellations, though this coincided with the Taylor Swift concerts putting huge pressure on the network and a power outage on the Fife circle.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

"Methil" reminds me of the Proclaimers !


Other folk have commented on the encouraging patronage !