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Written by Robert Clarke - 26 Apr 2005
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Location notes
Located a short walk away from the town centre, Kirkcaldy is located on the Scottish East Coast Main Line, running between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, with a spur to Perth.
Railway type and traffic
The station is located on the main Edinburgh to Aberdeen main line. All passenger trains scheduled to be on this line call at the station. These are operated by First Scotrail (the main operator), NXEC, and Virgin. There is also the Caledonian Sleeper train.
Freight is operated by DB Schenker, and is mainly coal trains heading to Longannet. Once the Alloa to Kincardine line reopens in 2006, such traffic may cease.
Environment
Although just north of Kirkcaldy town centre, the station is partly on an embankment, and even on the sunniest of days, it can get rather breezy, very quickly! The station itself is covered by CCTV, and there are help points on both platforms.
The station is fully staffed at all times, and so there should be no trouble.
One thing, there is a fierce rivalry between Dunfermline Athletic FC and Raith Rovers FC (the local team). I would advise you not to wear DAFC colours, or for that matter Rangers or Celtic colours either.
Road directions
From the A92:
Come off at the signs for Kirkcaldy West and Cardenden. There will also be yellow 'Football Traffic' signs, which is the correct exit. At the roundabout, follow the signs for Kirkcaldy town centre. At the next roundabout, take the fourth exit, which has the station signposted. Stay on this road to the end, and the station is in front of you.

Coming from Kinghorn, or the A921, at the second min roundabout, turn left, and follow this road (Pratt Street) all the way, under the railway bridge, to the roundabout. Go straight over the roundabout, at Beveridge Park, and the station is signposted from there.

If Raith Rovers FC are playing at home, Pratt Street will be partially closed. If this is the case, follow this diversion.
Instead of going left at the second mini roundabout, head straight on, along the Esplanade. After about 1 mile or so, you will come to some traffic lights, turn left, onto Nicol Street, and head straight up to the next set of traffic lights. Go straight on, and follow the road to the roundabout, after the railway bridge. This is the Beverige Park roundabout. Take the third exit, and the station is signposted form there.

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Kirkcaldy station map co-ordinates
Parking
Although there are two station car parks, one on each side, these get busy fairly quickly, during weekdays, especially as students at the nearby college, and people visiting the town centre, use them. At weekends, this is less of a problem.
There may be parking in nearby streets, though as a lot of houses nearby do not have driveways, space may be restricted.
All other car parks are in the town centre, which is a 5-10 minute walk away, and are pay and display.
Do NOT park in the swallow hotel car park, unless you are staying there.
Public transport
All trains on this line call at Kirkcaldy. For timetables, visit GNER, Virgin Trains and FirstScot rail

Stagecoach Fife provide all bus services in the town. The bus station is a 5 minute walk away (max), and some other services call at the bus stops near the southbound side of the station. These stops are about a couple of minutes walk away. Visit Stage coach bus for timetables.

NB services X1, X26, X59, and X60 do NOT call at the railway station, only at the bus station.

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Amenities
Toilets are provided on Platform 1, by proceeding up the stairs from the ticket concourse. There is also a British Transport Police office, on this platform. In the ticket hall, there is a branch of WH Smith, though this is closed on Sundays. The town centre is a short walk away, and there are many shops located here, including a branch of Tescos. Numerous chip shops and restaurants are located here as well.
There is also a coffee shop located within the Art Gallery and Museum, which is next to the station. The opening times are 10:00 to 17:00 Mondays to Saturday.
Accommodation
The Swallow hotel is located a short walk away from the station. For all other accommodation, contact tourist information.
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.
Kirkcaldy station

Googly map
Streetmap links
Kirkcaldy station general view map
Kirkcaldy station close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Kirkcaldy station



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Railway Gen Group
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Photographic notes
The station is a fairly busy station, but the platforms are quite long, to accommodate intercity trains, and quite wide as well. So, you should not get in anyone's way. There is, however, a canopy on the northbound platform, which can create a shadow, and this means that it can be difficult to snap Northbound trains, looking in a northbound direction.
There is also no footbridge at the station. To achieve high up shots, the nearest bridge is on Bennochy road, and is visible from the station. Simply head out of the station, turn left, pass the bus stops, and turn left at the traffic lights.
The view looking southbound is clear for about a mile, so there will be plenty time to get ready for a shot of a northbound train. The line looking northbound is visible for only around 250 metres, but passenger trains will be very slow, and anyway, tannoy announcements, as well as the next train monitors, will tell you when a train is due.

If you are shooting video, a road passes the northbound platform, but there is not much problem with traffic noise. You may get a problem with the wind!


General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north

Note the ultra wide part of the northbound platform, which narrows behind the photographer

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