European Railroad Discussion > On two wheels around Edinburgh

Along with my partner and three friends we spent last week in Edinburgh, Scotland for the Festival Fringe. But I also found time to chase trains on my bike.

1: On Tuesday August 9th a Siemens class 380 crossing Slateford Viaduct on 07:05 Glasgow to Edinburgh (via Carstairs) service. The Union Canal aqueduct is on the left.
2: My real purpose for visiting Slateford was for the 5B26 empty coaching stock (ecs) of the London to Edinburgh Caledonian Sleeper returning to Polmadie depot for servicing, 92014 was the power.
3: Passing Morningside on the Edinburgh Sub 66109 Teesport Express on 4E96 Mossend to Tees Dock.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/22 23:02 by 86235.

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4: After chasing trains along the Sub (the Edinburgh suburban line) I headed out to Queensferry and the bridges over the Firth of Forth. Approaching the rail bridge from the north Inter7Cities HST set on the 11:01 Aberdeen to Edinburgh.
5: I caught a train from Inverkeithing to Haymarket, riding back to our flat in Newington by way of Shandwick Place, where I shot this airport bound tram.
6: The following morning (August 10th) I caught the 5B79 ecs of the Royal Scotsman tour train passing Newington on the Edinburgh Sub. 66746 is one of two GBRf 66s in matching maroon.

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7: After the Royal Scotsman I headed further round the Sub to Craigmillar for Wednesday's 4E96, again with 66109 in charge. It's passing the old Drybrough brewery, now an architectural salvage warehouse.
8: From Craigmillar I followed National Cycle Network Route 1 to Musselburgh for the 1E11 Aberdeen to London King's Cross
9: Later in the afternoon I was back in downtown Edinburgh, on Princes Street, where I shot this tram with the Scott Memorial and the tower of Waverley Station's North British Hotel



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/22 14:41 by 86235.

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10: Leaving Waverley for Glasgow Queen Street a pair of Hitachi class 385s.
11: The following day, Thursday 11th I was back out at Queensferry as the 1E11 from Aberdeen crosses the Forth.
12: On Friday I rode out to Slateford again for a final shot of the 4E96 Mossend to Tees Dock with 66109

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Really nice series, Nick!  Thanks for posting.

Mike Derrick

A really outstanding photo series.
 Especially like the Class 66 action. 
The Forth scene is awesome.
Thanks for your great photo posting.
ALLEN 

Really nice series Nick.  What is the logo on the side of 92014 -- is it Caledonian Sleeper's?  I enjoy seeing just how many different liveries are worn by 66's.
Gordon

gbmott Wrote:
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> What is the logo on the
> side of 92014 -- is it Caledonian Sleeper's?  I
> enjoy seeing just how many different liveries are
> worn by 66's.
> Gordon

Thanks, yes it's Caledonian Sleeper's which is a stag on top of a globe(?).

I enjoyed all of this and see that you got a lot of the sunny weather that Scotland is known for (not). Two questions. Is the south end of the Firth of Forth bridge South Queensferry or is it Dalmeny? And a two-parter. How did you seem to know all the freight train (and special movements) symbols and the times that they would run? Is this somehow [semi]public knowledge? Thanks.

Thanks for pix & descriptions. Eclectic display of masonry function & style.

NMlurker Wrote:
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> How did you seem to
> know all the freight train (and special movements)
> symbols and the times that they would run? Is this
> somehow public knowledge? Thanks.

86235 might have his own answers, but two good sources are: http://freightmasterpublishing.uk/ and https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/
 

Nice set Nick! A ride across and then to walk to the base of The Forth Bridge should be included in anyone's trip plan to the United Kingdom. Nice to see th trams are finally operating.

Jim

NMlurker Wrote:
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> Is the south end of the
> Firth of Forth bridge South Queensferry or is it Dalmeny?

Dalmeny, there's no station at South Queensferry

railsmith Wrote:
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> NMlurker Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > How did you seem to
> > know all the freight train (and special
> movements)
> > symbols and the times that they would run? Is
> this
> > somehow public knowledge? Thanks.
>
> 86235 might have his own answers, but two good
> sources are: http://freightmasterpublishing.uk/
> and https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/
>  
Railsmith is right, those are my two go-to websites, one's free, the other is a subscription service but between them you can keep track of almost everything that moves.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/22 14:57 by 86235.

86235 Wrote:
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> Railsmith is right, those are my two go-to
> websites, one's free, the other is a subscription
> service but between them you can keep track of
> almost everything that moves.

That and the fact that freight trains mostly seem to run close to their timetabled slots, unlike in North America, even in the era of "Precision Scheduled Railroading."

...John Reay
Springhill, Nova Scotia