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Location notes
Birkhill is located at the opposite end of the Boness and Kinneil Railway. It is the interchange point for the Birkhill clay mine, and is also where trains in passenger service change direction.
The station building came from the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival, where it was used as an exhibit for the Central regional council plot.
The station building came from the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival, where it was used as an exhibit for the Central regional council plot.
Railway type and traffic
The Boness and Kinneil Railway runs preserved trains along this line, with a growing emphasis on diesels. Most trains are still, however, steam hauled. Preserved diesel traction includes class 26, class 27, class 31, and class 47. Incidentally, during special events, other locos may visit.
Although this is the end of the line for passenger trains, with a run round loop, allowing locos to change ends, the line carries on to Manuel Junction. This part is not used for passenger carrying traffic, but allows access to the main Edinburgh - Glasgow line run by network rail. Railtours, and indeed the ECS for such tours, will traverse south of Birkhill.
It is propsoed that a station will, eventually, be built at Manuel Junction.
Although this is the end of the line for passenger trains, with a run round loop, allowing locos to change ends, the line carries on to Manuel Junction. This part is not used for passenger carrying traffic, but allows access to the main Edinburgh - Glasgow line run by network rail. Railtours, and indeed the ECS for such tours, will traverse south of Birkhill.
It is propsoed that a station will, eventually, be built at Manuel Junction.
Environment
The station is located in a cutting, within a forest. It is a very safe area, as there are always staff on the station, as well as enthusiasts.
There are also guided tours of the clay mines (separate charge) which take an hour, and there are various country walks around the area.
IMPORTANT: Due to the nature of the underground enviornment, disabled access to the clay mines can not be provided. However, the paths around the station are suitable for disabled people.
There are also guided tours of the clay mines (separate charge) which take an hour, and there are various country walks around the area.
IMPORTANT: Due to the nature of the underground enviornment, disabled access to the clay mines can not be provided. However, the paths around the station are suitable for disabled people.
Road directions
Come off the M9 at junction 4, and follow signs for Linlithgow. Along this road, there will be a small minor road going to the left. From there, look for another road going to the left.
If you are unsure, either contact the SRPS, or Falkirk Council roads department, or tourist information in Falkirk, as to the correct driving conditions and directions.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Birkhill map co-ordinates
If you are unsure, either contact the SRPS, or Falkirk Council roads department, or tourist information in Falkirk, as to the correct driving conditions and directions.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Birkhill map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a small car park at the station.
Public transport
It can only be reached by train. The SRPS website gives timetable 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 small shop on the station platform, but this is restricted in what it sells. There are toilets on the path behind the station, and are signposted. The trains also carry toilets!
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.
Birkhill
Streetmap links
Birkhill general view map
Birkhill close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Birkhill
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Birkhill
Googly map
Birkhill general view map
Birkhill close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Birkhill
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Two spots are on the platform, where you can show locos going into the Manuel section, to allow them to run round the train, and also the bridge immediately to the north of the station, allowing you to do the same thing.
With no traffic noise, you will be able to get diesel loco noise no problem on a video!
With no traffic noise, you will be able to get diesel loco noise no problem on a video!
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Taken from the road bridge.
Fig 2 - Looking west
The loco is running onto the section that continues to Manuel Junction. The loco will stop just past the points, in order that it can run round its train.
Fig 3 - Looking east
From the eastern end of the platform.
Fig 4 - Looking east
Looking towards Boness.
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.
