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Location notes
The links at Burntisland play host to the East Coast Main Line, which runs on an embankment. It separates the beach from the grassy links.
During the summer season, the links play host to some fairground attractions. Kirkcaldy is the nearest major town after this, about 10-15 minutes drive away.
From the links, if you look up onto the hill overlooking Burntisland, you'll see a pylon structure with antenna on it. This is the Craigkelly television transmitter, which came from Emley Moor in 1971, for the launch of the colour 625 lines service. Learn more about this, and other TV transmitters, at Mike Brown's excellent website.
During the summer season, the links play host to some fairground attractions. Kirkcaldy is the nearest major town after this, about 10-15 minutes drive away.
From the links, if you look up onto the hill overlooking Burntisland, you'll see a pylon structure with antenna on it. This is the Craigkelly television transmitter, which came from Emley Moor in 1971, for the launch of the colour 625 lines service. Learn more about this, and other TV transmitters, at Mike Brown's excellent website.
Railway type and traffic
Located on the Scottish section of the East Coast Main Line, the traffic consists of First Scotrail class 158 and 170 DMUs, DB Schenker class 67s hauling the Caledonian Sleeper (non stop), Virgin Voyager and Super Voyagers, and East Coast HSTs.
DB Schenker class 66s appear on workings to and from Longannet, though these will be diverted via Alloa, once the line through there is reopened in 2007.
Some other freight workings are undertaken by DB Schenker and GBRf, both using class 66s.
DB Schenker class 66s appear on workings to and from Longannet, though these will be diverted via Alloa, once the line through there is reopened in 2007.
Some other freight workings are undertaken by DB Schenker and GBRf, both using class 66s.
Environment
The location is right next to the sea, and so in winter can be pretty chilly. However, in the summer, it is glorious! Do be vigilant at all times, especially when the fairground is in operation, as this is a time for pickpockets.
With your car being out of sight, always lock valuables in the boot, out of sight.
With your car being out of sight, always lock valuables in the boot, out of sight.
Road directions
Burntisland is well signposted from Kirkcaldy. If you are travelling from the Forth Road bridge, come off the A90 at the Dalgety Bay exit, which will also be marked 'Fife Coastal Tourist Route'. Once in Burntisland, follow the yellow diversion signs for the Beacon centre, which will take you down to the station car park, and round to the docks. Stay on this road, and go in by your right, next to the station car park. This new road takes you by the site of the original Burntisland station (closed in 1890), and round the docks to the Beacon centre.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Burntisland Links map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Burntisland Links map co-ordinates
Parking
At the town centre, follow the signs for leisure centre, and drive over the new Lammerlaws bridge, which takes you over the railway. Once over it, the car park is the first on your left, and try and park as close to the Beacon Centre as you can, though do not park in the Beacon Centre car park.
Your car will be out of sight most of the time, so do pop back to it every now and then.
The car park next to the links is chargeable, and is signposted from the town centre.
Your car will be out of sight most of the time, so do pop back to it every now and then.
The car park next to the links is chargeable, and is signposted from the town centre.
Public transport
The town is served by Stagecoach Fife routes 6 6A and 7.
First Scotrail serves the town, and from the station, follow the signs for 'Award winning beach'.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
First Scotrail serves the town, and from the station, follow the signs for 'Award winning beach'.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
The nearest toilets, apart from the Beacon Centre, are at the car park, next to the links (20p admission). Other shops, and branches of RBS and Lloyds TSB banks are in the town centre.
The nearest petrol station is located in Kirkcaldy, just near Seafield Gate. The petrol station is at the roundabouts near B&Q. Other petrol stations are also available in Kirkcaldy or Dalgety Bay.
The nearest petrol station is located in Kirkcaldy, just near Seafield Gate. The petrol station is at the roundabouts near B&Q. Other petrol stations are also available in Kirkcaldy or Dalgety Bay.
Accommodation
There are some hotels and B&Bs in Burntisland. Kinghorn has a couple of caravan parks, and there are more hotels in Kirkcaldy. Visit Scotland.com will give more 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.
Burntisland Links
Streetmap links
Burntisland Links general view map
Burntisland Links close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Burntisland Links
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Burntisland Links
Googly map
Burntisland Links general view map
Burntisland Links close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Burntisland Links
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
First hint is to beware of glints from the sun on the water, when the tide is in at the beach.
On the links side, there is a green mesh fence above the embankment wall. But, if you stand well back from the wall (as I done in figure 3), you can still capture trains on the up line coming towards you.
On the beach side, you will not get much warning of a train heading north, but you will be able to get a good shot of them going away from you, as the line runs all the way round the coast. This is also useful as you will get good warning of trains coming south.
On the links side, there is a green mesh fence above the embankment wall. But, if you stand well back from the wall (as I done in figure 3), you can still capture trains on the up line coming towards you.
On the beach side, you will not get much warning of a train heading north, but you will be able to get a good shot of them going away from you, as the line runs all the way round the coast. This is also useful as you will get good warning of trains coming south.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking north
Fig 3 - 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.
