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Location notes
Situated immediately north of Inverness station, this bridge, opened in 1990, carries the Far North and Kyle lines.
On 7th February 1989, after four days torrential rain, between 07:30 and 08:00 (accounts differ), flood waters, raging in the river Ness, forced the support piers for the central span of the masonry bridge to crumble. Almost immediately, the central span was swept away leaving the track lying in the water. Frantic calls were made to Scotrail at Inverness, to stop the 08:30 Kyle train.
At a press conference that same day, Scotrail announced that the British Railways Board had given the authorization to build a replacement bridge, and 14 months later, the structure seen in figure 1 is what opened. 37113 was the first loco across the bridge in revenue earning service.
During the closure period, trains started and terminated at Dingwall, with a replacement bus service to Inverness. Maintenance was carried out at temporary facilities, established at Muir of Ord station.
On 7th February 1989, after four days torrential rain, between 07:30 and 08:00 (accounts differ), flood waters, raging in the river Ness, forced the support piers for the central span of the masonry bridge to crumble. Almost immediately, the central span was swept away leaving the track lying in the water. Frantic calls were made to Scotrail at Inverness, to stop the 08:30 Kyle train.
At a press conference that same day, Scotrail announced that the British Railways Board had given the authorization to build a replacement bridge, and 14 months later, the structure seen in figure 1 is what opened. 37113 was the first loco across the bridge in revenue earning service.
During the closure period, trains started and terminated at Dingwall, with a replacement bus service to Inverness. Maintenance was carried out at temporary facilities, established at Muir of Ord station.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger diagrams are worked by 158 DMUs, with the small amount of freight being worked by DB Schenker 66s or 67s. The line north, due to its scenic nature, is popular with Railtours, and any sort of traction can be expected on these.
Environment
The location is a busy road, near to the city centre. Although the street is well lit, the best advice is to keep your wits about you. The footpath is also a cycleway, so watch out for cyclists.
As this is the highlands, it can get very cold sometimes. Dress appropriately.
Some pubs do not allow you in with football colours, so don't wear them!
As this is the highlands, it can get very cold sometimes. Dress appropriately.
Some pubs do not allow you in with football colours, so don't wear them!
Road directions
Follow the road signs for the city centre, and in particular to Morrisons, or Eastgate. Once you have parked in either car park, head out to the railway station. At the station, walk along the buffer stops, and follow the signs for the bus station. Head out into the car park, and then onto the road. Turn right, and pass the car rental place on your right, and the Royal Mail building on your left. Follow the path through the subway, and then continue straight ahead onto the terraced street. Walk to the end of the street, and then, on your left, you will see a traffic island. Cross over it, and then head up the small road, and the road bridge is at the corner. The rail bridge is to your right. The road is called Grant Street.
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Inverness, Ness Bridge map co-ordinates
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Inverness, Ness Bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
Inverness railway station has a car park which is a pay & display located to the rear of the station. There are various Car Parks in the City Centre such as the Eastgate Centre, Safeways and the Station Car Park which is round behind the Bus Station. Follow signs for Bus Station and it is on your right hand side.
Public transport
This is right near the city centre, and so is within walking distance from Inverness bus and train stations. Stagecoach route 12 does run on the road bridge from where figure 1 was taken. For times of trains and buses, visit either:
First Scotrail - For railway information
Stagecoach Bus
Citylink - Bus
Rapsons - Local bus information
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
First Scotrail - For railway information
Stagecoach Bus
Citylink - Bus
Rapsons - Local bus information
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There is a corner shop on the opposite bank. As you head to the location, you pass a pub. Inverness city centre is not far away.
Accommodation
Tourist information in Inverness can advise.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
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Inverness, Ness Bridge
Streetmap links
Inverness, Ness Bridge general view map
Inverness, Ness Bridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Inverness, Ness Bridge
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Inverness, Ness Bridge
Googly map
Inverness, Ness Bridge general view map
Inverness, Ness Bridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Inverness, Ness Bridge
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Pictures can be obtained at either end of the road bridge, but avoid using tripod equipment as the pavements are narrow, and the road is busy. The traffic noise will ruin any videos.
The speed limit is 30mph over the bridge, but trains coming into Inverness will be going slow, ready to terminate. For taking pictures, best to stand at the end of the road bridge, as the girders and fencing on the road bridge can ruin any shot, and the pavements are narrow. Figure one was taken at the city end of the bridge.
The speed limit is 30mph over the bridge, but trains coming into Inverness will be going slow, ready to terminate. For taking pictures, best to stand at the end of the road bridge, as the girders and fencing on the road bridge can ruin any shot, and the pavements are narrow. Figure one was taken at the city end of the bridge.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke 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.
