Help with scottish locations

[adamp]

I'm travelling around Scotland next monday to friday to have a look at the Scottish railway scene.
From Carlisle upwards, does anyone have any suggestions of locations for photographs which is a must for freight and units? Im looking to get good photos of pretty much everything from scottish electrics to inter-city workings and freight trains.

Some key locations off the top of my head so far are Ravenstruther, Coatbridge Central, Prestonpans, Drem, Forth Railway Bridge, Greenfaulds, Edinburgh, Greenhill, Glasgow Central & maybe the scottish highlands.

Anybody have any other suggestions as its my first time up there and have got no clue where anything is!
Also, can anyone advise which type of units operate which routes?
Much appreciated if you can help
-Adam/GBRW

 

[scotsman]

Locations-wise I'm rubbish, but I can do the unit stuff no bother!

This is in general
ScotRail - not all routes covered here.
Far North - Class 158
Aberdeen - Inverness - Class 158 (occasionally Class 170)
Inverness - Edinburgh/Glasgow QS - Mainly Class 158s in pairs at the moment, with a few Class 170s
Aberdeen - Edinburgh/Glasgow QS - Class 170
Dundee - Edinburgh - Class 170
Markinch/Fife Circle - Class 170/158
Glasgow QS/Edinburgh - Bathgate (from EDB only)/Dunlane/Alloa - Class 158
Edinburgh/Glasgow Central - North Berwick - Class 322
Edinburgh - Glasgow Centra via Shotts - Class 156/158
Edinburgh - Glasgow QS - Class 170
Glasgow Cen - Cathcart Circle - Class 314
Airdrie - Helensburgh Cen - Class 320
Glasgow QS - Oban/Fort William/Mallaig - Class 156
Glasgow Cen - Carlisle (via Dumfries)/Stranraer - Class 156
Glasgow Cen - Gourock/Wemyss Bay - Class 334

Sleepers - Class 67

East Coast
KGX - Edinburgh/Glasgow Cen - Class 91
KGX - Edinburgh/Aberdeen/Inverness - HST

Virgin
EUS - Glasgow Cen - Class 390
BNS - G'gow Cen/Edinburgh - Class 221 (except in Ed. Festival, when Cl390s work 1052 & 1452 ex-EDB)

TPE
Edinburgh/G'gow Cen - Man. Airport - Class 185

 

[Shaggy]

Make sure you get a trip over the Tay Bridge as well as the Forth Bridge (note: it is not called the Forth Railway Bridge...). If you can do it on an HST to "hang out" then even better!

 

[Bittern]

I'd advise you to avoid Coatbridge Central. Fright isn't really all that common and you'll be standing on a freezing platform for practically nothing.

I do recommend however the likes of Motherwell, Perth, Stirling etc. You'll get some good stuff there. And for a nice backdrop, there are plenty of locations on the Highland Main line (pretty much any station between Perth and Inverness) where you'll get really nice scenery too.

 

[rail-britain]

Some key locations off the top of my head so far are Ravenstruther, Coatbridge Central, Prestonpans, Drem, Forth Railway Bridge, Greenfaulds, Edinburgh, Greenhill, Glasgow Central & maybe the scottish highlands

Not sure how you are travelling, but ironically it is so much easier by car!

Ravenstruther is just to the north of Carstairs, on the left as you head northbound to Motherwell
It's quite a walk from Carstairs!

I've never seen anything other than local passenger services at Coatbridge Central

Prestonpans / Drem
Drem would be my preference, but simply as the car park has a good view of the railway line

Forth Railway Bridge
Really depends on if the bridge interests you or travelling over it!

Greenfaulds
What is the interest here?
However it does have a nice view to the south of the station, loads of notice for taking photos
Typically one coal train every even second hour at half past (08:30, 10:30, etc)

You might want to arrange to pass Shields Road electric depot
The first of the Class 380 should be resident (can't guarantee it though)
A return from Glasgow to Paisley Gimlour Street
You might be lucky enough to get some freight at Paisley too

 

[matchmaker]

Stirling is not bad. A lot of units, plus at 1030 the southbound Highland Chieftain (northbound at about 1715). Northbound Inverness sleeper about 0500, southbound about midnight.

Lot of MGR traffic on the Alloa line to/from Longannet (DBS & FHH) and regular as clockword at 1715 on the Perth line the southbound "Eddie".

There's more, but I don't see it as I'm at work!

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I'm travelling around Scotland next monday to friday to have a look at the Scottish railway scene.
From Carlisle upwards, does anyone have any suggestions of locations for photographs which is a must for freight and units? Im looking to get good photos of pretty much everything from scottish electrics to inter-city workings and freight trains. . . .

It isn't possible to live a full and meaningful life without experiencing the Glasgow Underground aka the Clockwork Orange.

Forth Railway Bridge
Really depends on if the bridge interests you or travelling over it!

Agreed, I think its much, much more interesting to sit on one of the cafe/bar terraces in South Queensferry watching the traffic for an hour or so rather than travelling over it in 2 mins.

 

[scotsman]

It isn't possible to live a full and meaningful life without experiencing the Glasgow Underground aka the Clockwork Orange.

Or, for that matter: "The Subcrawl"?

 

[adamp]

Thanks for the suggestions up to now guys - and yes will be travelling by car!
-Adam/GBRW

 

[Bittern]

I've never seen anything other than local passenger services at Coatbridge Central

The line that goes behind the Motherwell platform (which looks like it was once an island platform) is for Freight. I've only ever seen a freight train in Coatbridge Central once.

The first of the Class 380 should be resident (can't guarantee it though)

I thought the 380s weren't due to arrive until September.

 

[90019]

Thanks for the suggestions up to now guys - and yes will be travelling by car!
-Adam/GBRW

For the Bridge, I'd suggest trying here just by South Queensferry (Though probably not when it's dark, as it can be a bit dodgy )

For North Queensferry, I'd recommend here

A couple of photos from there;
Looking North

Looking South

 

[rail-britain]

I thought the 380s weren't due to arrive until September

The first units are due up the WCML this Friday night (23 July), to arrive Saturday morning
Training runs between Shields and Carlisle commence on Monday 23 August
A public launch is due on Friday 03 September

 

[Inverness_App]

Inverness is not bad for freight, DRS have quite a new yard beside the train station and DBS have a yard there aswell, mostly 66's been used and the sleeper is pulled by a 67.

theres also a couple of independant snow ploughs stabled in the yard.

 

[wensley]

A day at Prestonpans is a good idea (IMO a better shot that Drem) then head back to EDB for a trip round the Fife Circle with 67s.

Dumfries also not bad for coal and ayr worth a visit if you catch the train to the little station beside Falkland Yd (name fogotten and I was only there last week )

 

[route:oxford]

Make sure you get a trip over the Tay Bridge as well as the Forth Bridge (note: it is not called the Forth Railway Bridge...). If you can do it on an HST to "hang out" then even better!

The Forth Bridge, is of course the fifth Forth railway bridge.

Stirling, Scottish Central Railway (1848 )
Stirling, Stirling & Dunfermline Railway (1853)
Gartmore, Strathkendrick & Aberfoyle Railway (1882)
Alloa Swing Bridge, Alloa Railway (1885)
Forth Bridge, Forth Bridge Railway (1890)

 

[rail-britain]

Dumfries also not bad for coal and ayr worth a visit if you catch the train to the little station beside Falkland Yd (name fogotten and I was only there last week)

I wouldn't recommend travelling via Dumfries or expect much freight as the GSW is closed next week

The station next to Falkland Yard is Newton On Ayr
When the weather is good there is a bridge to the north, with an excellent view, walking out the station and following the local road

 

[adamp]

Well thanks for the help and replies guys, didnt make it to all locations planned but visited quite a few! Here are the results...

Day 1 - http://gbrailwayworld.fotopic.net/c1878285.html
Day 2 - http://gbrailwayworld.fotopic.net/c1878287.html
Day 3 - http://gbrailwayworld.fotopic.net/c1878455.html
Day 4 - http://gbrailwayworld.fotopic.net/c1878644.html (probably the best day!)
Day 5 - http://gbrailwayworld.fotopic.net/c1878656.html

Thanks
-Adam/GBRW