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Location notes
On the main Edinburgh to the north (Aberdeen, Perth and Inverness)
Railway type and traffic
Some local passenger services consisting of multiple units. East Coast services heading for the Far North and some MGR trains to Longannet power station.
[DH] - There is a 40mph permanent speed restriction across the bridge, with 50mph allowed for certain classes of train (which includes all passenger trains). There were lower restrictions in place until perhaps a decade ago, but when the special Forth Bridge rail was replaced with CWR the limits were raised. The 20mph speed limit is for wrong line working (the line has always been signalled for bi-directional working). The reason is for the safety of people working on the bridge, as this is when bi-directional working is used. On Sunday mornings one line or the other is closed to allow for maintenance.
[DH] - There is a 40mph permanent speed restriction across the bridge, with 50mph allowed for certain classes of train (which includes all passenger trains). There were lower restrictions in place until perhaps a decade ago, but when the special Forth Bridge rail was replaced with CWR the limits were raised. The 20mph speed limit is for wrong line working (the line has always been signalled for bi-directional working). The reason is for the safety of people working on the bridge, as this is when bi-directional working is used. On Sunday mornings one line or the other is closed to allow for maintenance.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link South Queensferry
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
Rural Scotland. Given the waterside location the weather can be quite severe. Warm clothing is recommended as the conditions can change quite quickly.
Road directions
From the A90 come off at the junction before the Forth road bridge and travel along the A9000 Ferrtmuir Road to the roundabout. Take the first exit (left turn). Continue along this road until you reach the High Street (any further and you are in the water!) and turn right. You will pass the second location at the pay and display car parks. Once you come under the bridge there is a small road branches off to the left. This will take you to the first location.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
South Queensferry map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
South Queensferry map co-ordinates
Parking
There is parking at the first location for one or two cars or there is pay and display car parks in the town. The first location is a short walk from the car parks.
Public transport
Amenities
None at the first location, but shops and cafes in the town.
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.
South Queensferry
Streetmap links
South Queensferry general view map
South Queensferry close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
South Queensferry
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
South Queensferry
Googly map
South Queensferry general view map
South Queensferry close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
South Queensferry
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
One of the most well know sights in Scotland. The Forth rail bridge is a huge landmark, the structure itself is often the subject of the photograph with passing trains adding interest. Sadly the bridge is currently obscured with scaffolding. But there are still many opportunities to take pictures without this being obtrusive. There is nothing to cast shadows on the bridge so face west in the morning and east in the afternoon. Given the distance from location to subject telephoto lenses are also recommended for close up pictures of the trains, or wide if the bridge is your focal point. It is also worth noting that the bridge is bi-directional, trains can go north or south on either side.
Extra Video Notes
Given the very slow line speed across the bridge it is possible for trains to take a couple of minutes to traverse the bridge. A sturdy tripod is a must for steady shots of passing trains, and a fluid head for panning shots.
Extra Video Notes
Given the very slow line speed across the bridge it is possible for trains to take a couple of minutes to traverse the bridge. A sturdy tripod is a must for steady shots of passing trains, and a fluid head for panning shots.
Links to photographs at this location
Rail-net - UK tour 2003
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north west
Showing the length of the bridge to good effect, this shot was taken from the track leading to the first location, you can not see much more than the roof of passing trains from here.
Fig 2 - Looking north west
A southbound train heads in the Edinburgh direction, the after emerging from the main structure trains have to pass over a smaller viaduct section. Here you can see the side of trains.
Fig 3 - Looking north west
A closer view from the same location in fig 2
Fig 4 - Looking north west
From slightly further along the track in fig 1 you can see more of passing trains.
Fig 5 - Looking north east
Another overall view of the structure, this time from the west side.
Fig 6 - Looking north east
The view of a south bound train.
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.
