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Written by Robert Clarke - 01 May 2006
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Location notes
A small set of sidings, located behind the Halbeath Retail Park in Dunfermline (former site of Halbeath LMS loco works). The sidings are located on the Fife circle, in eastern Dunfermline.
Railway type and traffic
Once you reach the location you will be faced with five tracks. The nearest to you is a passing loop, the next two are the west and east Fife circle tracks, and the last two, i.e. furthest away, are the two sidings.
The Fife circle tracks will play host to First Scotrail class 158 and 170 DMUs, providing a 30 minute service each way during the day. The line is also an ECML diversion route, and if this happens, Virgin Voyagers and East Coast HSTs can also appear.
The sidings play host to DB Schenker class 66s pulling mega long MGR trains, to and from the Ayrshire Ports and Longannet Power station.
Once the Stirling - Alloa - Kincardine line reopens in 2007, such traffic will be diverted, and it remains to be seen what will happen to the sidings.
Environment
A location behind the retail park, the grass verge is somewhat open to the elements, and is also unsheltered from above. So, if it has been raining, dress properly, as the ground will be soggy!
Try and avoid the area after dark, not just for security reasons, but also because of the nature of the ground and the weather.
Road directions
From the M90, come off at junction 3, for Dunfermline, and follow the signs for Dunfermline. After a short while, you will see the Halbeath Retail Park, with Focus DIY in front of you. Carry on past that roundabout, until you get to the roundabout next to the ASDA petrol station.

From Kincardine Bridge, follow signs for Dunfermline, and once in Dunfermline, follow signs for Perth M90. After a while you will pass under the railway, and cross two sets of traffic lights shortly afterwards. You will soon see the Halbeath Retail Park sign, with the list of shops.

Both routes:
Turn in at the roundabout next to the Asda Petrol station, and proceed carefully down the road. Go under the canopy, with the zebra crossing, and park as close as you can to the hedge at the back. You will not be able to park at the hedge, as this is the goods-in road, and is separated from the car park by kerbstones.
To ensure you are in the right place, you will be between ASDA and Homebase. See below for directions from the car park to the location.

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Dunfermline, Halbeath EWS Shunting sidings map co-ordinates
Parking
Park between Homebase and Asda, and proceed towards the hedge. You should see a gap in the wire fence. This gap has not been the result of vandalism, but is a genuine gap, created to allow access to the grass verge by network rail, council grass cutters, or railway photographers!
Proceed up the gap, ensuring that you do not slip, and you will then see the sidings in front of you.
Public transport
Stagecoach Fife provide all services past the retail park. These are 15, 19, X24, X26, 33, X54. Please ask for Lauder College, as the X24 and X54 only stop here, and not at other stops.
From the bus stops, head for the Asda roundabout, and down to the gap between Asda and Homebase. Then follow directions from Parking.
The nearest rail station is Dunfermline Queen Margaret. From the station, proceed down the hill to the traffic lights, and turn left. Walk up the road till you get to the Asda roundabout. Follow directions from Parking. This walk will take at least 10 minutes.
See the First Scotrail for train times and fares.

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Amenities
Asda is open 24 hours, but it should be noted that the Mcdonalds restaurant in the supermarket is not. There is a chip shop just up from the Lauder college, next to the car cleaning place. Proceed back up towards the Focus diy roundabout, and head into the housing scheme.
Accommodation
Walking along from Queen Margaret station, you will pass a Bed and Breakfast. Otherwise, try VisitScotland.com
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.
Dunfermline, Halbeath EWS Shunting sidings

Googly map
Streetmap links
Dunfermline, Halbeath EWS Shunting sidings general view map
Dunfermline, Halbeath EWS Shunting sidings close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Dunfermline, Halbeath EWS Shunting sidings



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Railway Gen Group
scot-rail.co.uk
Photographic notes
The line runs on an east west axis, so the sun will be on your right in the morning, your left later in the day.
If you have a video camera, you will capture the sounds of the trains no problem, as the road noise is, surprisingly, covered by the hedges. You will need to stand away from the fence, whether shooting a video, or taking pictures, as the verge dips down towards the fence.


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


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking north


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