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Location notes
The crossing is situated between Kilmarnock, on the Glasgow South Western line, and Barassie on the Stranraer to Glasgow via Ayr line. The rail station closed many years ago, you can still see the remains of the old platforms here.
Railway type and traffic
The line is single track only with no passing loops.
Passenger workings are Scotrail 156 DMUs running from Stranraer - Ayr -Kilmarnock - Carlisle - Newcastle.
Freight traffic is mainly DB Schenker coal between the Ayrshire coalfields and English power stations and the Freightliner working between Killoch & Drax Power Station via the Glasgow South Western line. The line also sees a daily enterprise working between Irvine (dep around 19:00) and Carlisle Yard conveying ferry wagons also traffic tripped to Barassie from Dalry Roche another local factory at Dalry. All traffic to & from Irvine Caledonian paper Mill runs round in Barassie Yard.
Passenger workings are Scotrail 156 DMUs running from Stranraer - Ayr -Kilmarnock - Carlisle - Newcastle.
Freight traffic is mainly DB Schenker coal between the Ayrshire coalfields and English power stations and the Freightliner working between Killoch & Drax Power Station via the Glasgow South Western line. The line also sees a daily enterprise working between Irvine (dep around 19:00) and Carlisle Yard conveying ferry wagons also traffic tripped to Barassie from Dalry Roche another local factory at Dalry. All traffic to & from Irvine Caledonian paper Mill runs round in Barassie Yard.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
Gatehead is a small quiet village with a small inn / hotel, houses, and a local shop. It is surrounded by farmland. Quite an idyllic quaint place certainly no trouble here except any farmers who may not take too kindly to you tramping around his land if you stray off the paths.
Road directions
By car coming from Ayr / Prestwick take the A78 bypass towards Troon looking for signs to Barassie A759. Near the paper mill you take the left slip off the A78 and turn right at the roundabout with the line to your left and a quarry to your right. Follow the A759 running through Dundonald towards Kilmarnock until you come across Gatehead Village.
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Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing map co-ordinates
Parking
There are a number of side streets to the left as you enter the village. Also, to the right directly after you cross the rail line, a small lay-by is handy also if there is space. I have had no complaints about parking around the area.
There are currently (Feb 2005) two additional houses being built next to the house currently at the location, and therefore parking to the South of the location could be difficult due to builders vans etc.
There are currently (Feb 2005) two additional houses being built next to the house currently at the location, and therefore parking to the South of the location could be difficult due to builders vans etc.
Public transport
A bus service runs between Kilmarnock and Troon. It would best to check the stagecoach bus website for details.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There is a local shop in the village, however I would come prepared with food etc..
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.
Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing
Streetmap links
Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing general view map
Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing
Googly map
Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing general view map
Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Kilmarnock, Gatehead Level Crossing
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The crossing sirens sound and the half barrier drops when trains approach - handy for photographers not so useful for videographers. The sun shines most of the day especially afternoon - late evening on the Troon side of the line making for excellent photographs.
To the left side of the crossing a shot is available from the old station (platforms only) of approaching trains. There will be other shots further along towards Kilmarnock if you want to explore further.
To the left side of the crossing a shot is available from the old station (platforms only) of approaching trains. There will be other shots further along towards Kilmarnock if you want to explore further.
General views - All photographs © Euan Thomson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Fig 2 - Looking west
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.
