Edinburgh advice please

[ANDYS]

My son and I are visiting Edinburgh next week and, if we are very lucky and behave ourselves, we might get a day out by ourselves. Therefore I need a bit of advice as it is a longtime since I was in Edinburgh so can anyone help with the following questions:-

1. My son wants to see the sleeper trains. Is it possible to get on the platform without a ticket and is it possible to see all the different combinations in a relatively short period of time?

2. He also wants to have a go on the Scotrail 68's so I was thinking of a trip over the Forth Bridge to Dumfermline? Have the diagrams gone back to normal now the bridge is open again or are extra services still running?

3. Also is it best to just get a normal return ticket (Edinburgh - Dunfermline) or is a better option available? I am open to any ideas.

Let me know your ideas as they will all be gratefully received.

TIA and Happy Christmas.

Andy S

 

[me123]

I hope you have a great trip!

1. You can be in the station for the Lowland sleepers without a ticket. No problem at all, and you should have good views (the Lowland is booked to leave from Platform 11 - no barriers and free access, and returns to Platform 7, which again has no barriers and free access.

The Highland sleeper is a bit more tricky. The Southbound Highland sleepers arrive after the station closes, and the Northbound ones are mostly away when it opens again so you basically can't get in unless you're on the trains. However, you can travel between Edinburgh and Fort William, so you can get in and out from that train.

2. Diagrams are back to normal. Extra services did appear to operate today (according to RTT), but will almost certainly no longer be operating by January. Here's the diagrams.

3. Sadly, the trains don't go all the way around the Fife Circle any more, so a return ticket would be your best bet. They all go to Edinburgh in the morning, from Edinburgh in the evening. So a simple return ticket is probably your best bet. Unless you're going to do a lot of traveling, in which case a Central Scotland Rover might be of interest?

 

[alexf380]

Hello there!

I'll answer these questions as best I can, being an Edinburgh local myself;

1) The sleeper normally comes in to platforms 7 or 11 (One long platform face on the main "island") and it is currently unbarriered, so you can get onto the platform without a ticket. As for seeing all the combinations, once the Lowlander leaves just before 12 o'clock, the station is effectively closed, and exits start to be locked about 00:15, so seeing the Highlander (comes in just after 1am) is not the easiest unless you sweet talk one of the cleaners.

2) I am unsure at the minute, but I would presume all is back to normal now.

3) I do believe your best bet is indeed an Edinburgh to Dunfermline return. I can't think of any alternative but someone may be along shortly to correct me on that. If you want to get both locos in on one night, the best way to do it is get the 17:20 (Class 68) service as far as Dunfermline, dash across to the other platform for a unit back to Inverkeithing, and then pick up the second 68 there for the run back to Edinburgh. Gets you back to base at 19:30. You could of course do something completely different, it's up to you!

I hope this has helped you in some way, and I hope you enjoy your visit to our fine city.

Merry Christmas,
Alex.

 

[47403]

Im not sure if they'll let you on the station for the sleepers but I cant think it'll be a problem, if you sign and explain, however don't quote me on that because Im only guessing. The jock Rail 68's, will they be working between Xmas and New Year, remember they dont do weekends mind? I suppose those in the know, on here will let you know either way, if they are indeed running between Xmas and New Year

If so, as Alex has said, get the 17.20 to Dunfermline Town, you have to get an anytime return too, I was told you can't use an off peak return, on these turns, an adults was £9.40. When at Dunfermline Town, cross over the bridge, where you'll have around 10mins at most for the next unit back, for the short hop to Inverkiething, where you'll have a 45min fester at most, there's plenty goes through, so there'll be enough to keep you entertained until the 68 that went up on the 17.05 returns, thus getting both Cats in one swoop. It worked for perfectly for me in October, You'll certainly enjoy the 68's, theyre already getting a bit of a fan club among many on here.

Also an hour or so at Haymarket will score you a load too and dont forget the trams too, especially if you see 252, say hello to it from me, its quite fond of me for some strange reason.

Lastly Happy Christmas and have an enjoyable trip.

 

[ANDYS]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

At the moment I do not know what we will be doing or even if we will get time off from family/friend duties but your answers have given me lots of good ideas to go at.

My son and I take photos of practically anything that moves so we will post the train/bus/tram photos on my flickr site when we get back. If you get chance have a look at the Glasgow photos we took back in March:-

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66737297@N06/albums/72157651314063579

Anyway, merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thanks once again.

Andy S

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Just a thought, but if you're up late to view the Highlander anyway, are the gardens between Waverley and Haymarket open at night....? You'd then see the full rake come in and a bit later see the three portions go out. Or vice-versa.

 

[me123]

They close Princes Street Gardens at night I'm afraid, although there is probably a place to get a look if you were particularly desperate to do so.

 

[ANDYS]

Thanks for the additional info everyone.

Looking on RTT I see the stock comes in earlier (10ish) then leaves at varying times after 11. I only need a few photos of loco / stock but my son might be more particular with his videoing. Therefore, I have a few more questions;-

1. Does the stock come into the station with a different loco then when it leaves or does it use the same loco throughout?

2. Also are the 73's in regular use? I have just seen one today on test between Derby - Doncaster but the photo was naff as we did not have enough time from coming out of the cinema where the pre-booked Star Wars tickets were more important then the loco!

Thanks once again, Andy S

 

[Minilad]

Thanks for the additional info everyone.

Looking on RTT I see the stock comes in earlier (10ish) then leaves at varying times after 11. I only need a few photos of loco / stock but my son might be more particular with his videoing. Therefore, I have a few more questions;-

1. Does the stock come into the station with a different loco then when it leaves or does it use the same loco throughout?

2. Also are the 73's in regular use? I have just seen one today on test between Derby - Doncaster but the photo was naff as we did not have enough time from coming out of the cinema where the pre-booked Star Wars tickets were more important then the loco!

Thanks once again, Andy S

Some nice pics on your flickr. I was going through all the XC stuff to see if I was in any of them. Sadly not!

 

[47403]

73966 and 73967 are up there but I dont think theyre in use, they had been running them to Berwick and back, about a week or so ago, I assume that's for driver training, I've saw a few photos, one going through Waverley Station and a photo last week, where the 2 were just parked up at Craigentinny. So where they'll be is anyones guess.
Doubt that helps much.

 

[ANDYS]

Thanks to all who gave your advice we had an excellent time up in Edinburgh and the weather stayed good.

My son and I managed to see one sleeper set and travel behind two 68's. We decided to go out very early one morning and travelled upto Dunfermline before turning around with one 68 to Inverkeithing and then another back into Edinburgh.

We also managed a very short section of the Borders Railway as we parked out at Newcraighall and got the train into and out of Edinburgh.

I am part way through putting our photos on flickr. Trams are done, trains part way there and buses to follow. If you are interested have a look:-

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66737297@N06/albums/72157662827517022

Thanks again, Andy S