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Location notes
This location is 14 miles south of Inverness and lies half way between Inverness and Aviemore on the Highland Mainline.
Railway type and traffic
The line has a fairly decent amount of traffic on it. Passengers trains operated by Scotrail provide 170s on most services with the occasional 158/170 combo,East Coast operates a daily HST to/from Kings Cross and there is also the Sleeper which has a DBS 67 is charge.
At the time of writing, the freight scene is much better than past years with a daily DRS freight to/from Grangemouth this providing a 66/4, (NB 08:45/08:55/SB 13:45/14:05). When the cement runs this train will run in it's booked northbound path which means it will not pass this location until around 10:00/10:15.
Freightliner operates a weekly cement train from Oxwellmains-Inverness this working is normally in the hands of a 66/6 (NB 08:45/08:55/SB 17:25-17:35).
DB Schenker has 1 freight a week this been the Oil Tanks for Lairg, although this is booked for a 66 from the WBBN pool a 67 can also appear on the odd occasion. This is a hard freight to photograph as the northbound passes around 04:50 but you can however catch it later in the morning north of Inverness while it heads to Lairg leaving Inverness at 08:07. The return to Mossend passes here about 19:50/20:00.
If you plan to go for the DB Schenker freight if you are hear for 19:35 you will get the East Coast HST heading north with the 66/67 heading south 10 minutes later as they cross at the loop at Moy.
For morning trains, especially when the cement runs and you have the time visit this location, from 08:00-10:30 and you should see the following:
08:05 DBS 67 NB Sleeper
08:15 East Coast HST SB
08:25 SR 158 NB
08:45/09:00 Cement NB (if you choose correct day)
09:40 SR 170 SB
10:05 SR 170 NB
10:30 DRS 66 NB
At the time of writing, the freight scene is much better than past years with a daily DRS freight to/from Grangemouth this providing a 66/4, (NB 08:45/08:55/SB 13:45/14:05). When the cement runs this train will run in it's booked northbound path which means it will not pass this location until around 10:00/10:15.
Freightliner operates a weekly cement train from Oxwellmains-Inverness this working is normally in the hands of a 66/6 (NB 08:45/08:55/SB 17:25-17:35).
DB Schenker has 1 freight a week this been the Oil Tanks for Lairg, although this is booked for a 66 from the WBBN pool a 67 can also appear on the odd occasion. This is a hard freight to photograph as the northbound passes around 04:50 but you can however catch it later in the morning north of Inverness while it heads to Lairg leaving Inverness at 08:07. The return to Mossend passes here about 19:50/20:00.
If you plan to go for the DB Schenker freight if you are hear for 19:35 you will get the East Coast HST heading north with the 66/67 heading south 10 minutes later as they cross at the loop at Moy.
For morning trains, especially when the cement runs and you have the time visit this location, from 08:00-10:30 and you should see the following:
08:05 DBS 67 NB Sleeper
08:15 East Coast HST SB
08:25 SR 158 NB
08:45/09:00 Cement NB (if you choose correct day)
09:40 SR 170 SB
10:05 SR 170 NB
10:30 DRS 66 NB
Environment
This location is a bridge is the open just to the north of Tomatin. You should be aware of the usual Deer that you find around most locations within Scotland.
Road directions
To get to this location by road is very easy as it lies on the main A9.
From the south follow the A9 to Tomatin and after you go past the turn off there is new layby just past the junction, park you vehicle in there.
From the north you should first go to the Tomatin junction and do a U turn then follow directions as above.
From the Lay by you should walk along the cycle path and about 300 yards you will come to a dirt track heading up and over the railway then you are the bridge.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Dalnagarry map co-ordinates
From the south follow the A9 to Tomatin and after you go past the turn off there is new layby just past the junction, park you vehicle in there.
From the north you should first go to the Tomatin junction and do a U turn then follow directions as above.
From the Lay by you should walk along the cycle path and about 300 yards you will come to a dirt track heading up and over the railway then you are the bridge.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Dalnagarry map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a reasonable sized lay by 300 yards from the location.
Public transport
Getting to this location is not bad the Citylink coach that runs from Glasgow/Edinburgh stops at Tomatin road end which is around 1/2 mile from the location.
On the railway front the nearest stations would be Aviemore 14 miles south or Inverness 14 Miles North.
For travel details check out:
Citylink for coach info
ScotRail or National Express East Coast for trains.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
On the railway front the nearest stations would be Aviemore 14 miles south or Inverness 14 Miles North.
For travel details check out:
Citylink for coach info
ScotRail or National Express East Coast for trains.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
Sadly there is no facilities around this location as the petrol station at Tomatin has been demolished so you should come prepared, although Inverness/Aviemore are not to far away.
Accommodation
I have found that when travelling around Scotland to photograph various railtours that Youth Hostels are the best you get a decent nights sleep and they come at around £14 per night. Vist Syha for more info.
If you are hotel person check out - Visit Scotland
If you are hotel person check out - Visit Scotland
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Dalnagarry
Streetmap links
Dalnagarry general view map
Dalnagarry close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Dalnagarry
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Dalnagarry
Googly map
Dalnagarry general view map
Dalnagarry close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Dalnagarry
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
This good thing about this location is that the shot for both northbound and southbound services are good. I recently visited for the southbound DRS working and the sun was in good light from the west side of the bridge.
There is a small noise from the A9 but videoing is worth doing.
The sun is also in a good location for morning trains coming north.
There is a small noise from the A9 but videoing is worth doing.
The sun is also in a good location for morning trains coming north.
General views - All photographs © David Ross unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
