Scotland

[jonboy]

where is the best place in Scotland to see best variety of trains
thanks

 

[hexagon789]

where is the best place in Scotland to see best variety of trains
thanks

Edinburgh Waverley
Haymarket
Glasgow Central

In that order. Most stuff you can see at Waverley you can see at Haymarket but there's the odd couple of things you only see at Waverley.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Anything running across the Scottish-English border will necessarily have to use either the ECML (via Dunbar/Berwick) and/or the WCML (via Lockerbie) and/or the South Western route (via Dumfries/Gretna).

Which route, if any, affords the greatest variety of trains?

 

[hexagon789]

Anything running across the Scottish-English border will necessarily have to use either the ECML (via Dunbar/Berwick) and/or the WCML (via Lockerbie) and/or the South Western route (via Dumfries/Gretna).

Which route, if any, affords the greatest variety of trains?

The G&SW offers the least variety, other than the odd divert, passenger workings are purely 156s.

The WCML sees 390s, 221s, 397s and the odd 802.

The ECML would see 800, 801, 802, 803, very rare XC HST, 220, 221s.

And that's purely cross-border services. Obviously certain sections of those lines see joint use by services off various internal routes.

 

[Peter0124]

The G&SW offers the least variety, other than the odd divert, passenger workings are purely 156s.

The WCML sees 390s, 221s, 397s and the odd 802.

The ECML would see 800, 801, 802, 803, very rare XC HST, 220, 221s.

And that's purely cross-border services. Obviously certain sections of those lines see joint use by services off various internal routes.

I'd say the WCML offers more variety as there's also more freight running that way, and Id say 800-803 are the same train just numbered different and sized different. Though I agree the ECML has more passenger trains, especially at places like Drem.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I'd say the WCML offers more variety as there's also more freight running that way.

In which case, where's the optimum viewing location?

 

[Peter0124]

In which case, where's the optimum viewing location?

Carluke/Carstairs are probably the best places, also Lockerbie.

Carluke has the Scotrail lanark services (usually 385 but can be 318/320), also easier to get to if taking the train from Glasgow.

Carstairs if you have a good zoom camera you can probably make out the WCML Edinburgh section so that's an added bonus. Is harder to get to though as fewer trains stop.

Lockerbie would see both Glasgow/Edinburgh WCML traffic, but none between the two cities (ie no XC/Scotrail).

 

[alexf380]

Stirling is also a decent location for variety, I would say. You get 385s on the locals to both Glasgow and Edinburgh, HSTs/170s/158s on the Inter7City services to the north, a couple of freights each day and if you time it right, you'll get the LNER Azumas on the Highland Chieftain and London-Stirling services. Plus I also think the station itself is a nice place as a backdrop.