New Mobile Site
We have just launched a new mobile version of this site - m.trainspots. This page will use your smart device's GPS to loctate you and guide you to locations that are close to your present location.
Location notes
Edinburgh's busiest railway station, this is located on the East Coast Main Line. However, it also serves cross country and local services. Its location, in the heart of the Scottish capital, is both a boon, in terms of convenience, and a hindrance, in terms of room for expansion. Nevertheless, work to increse capacity is ongoing (November 2006), with two new platforms being built, and at least one other being brought back into use.
Edinburgh Waverley runs on an east to west axis, and one curious feature of this is that, to travel to Haymarket, you can use either an westbound First Scotrail service, a northbound First Scotrail service, or a southbound Virgin service!
Edinburgh Waverley runs on an east to west axis, and one curious feature of this is that, to travel to Haymarket, you can use either an westbound First Scotrail service, a northbound First Scotrail service, or a southbound Virgin service!
Railway type and traffic
First Scotral DMU and EMUs dominate the scene, on services to Glasgow (both Central and Queen Street), Aberdeen, Perth, Inverness, Fife, Newcraighall, and North Berwick.
The Caledonian sleeper also calls in here. There is one which arrives and terminates here from London Euston, and will be hauled by an DB Schenker class 90. There is also the Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William portions which combine/separate here. These will be hauled on the sections north of Edinburgh by DB Schenker class 67s, and combined to/from Euston, will be hauled by an DB Schenker class 90.
The Fort William service, incidentally, carries seating passengers who wish to travel on the section between Edinburgh Waverley and Fort William (or intermediate stations), this coach is marshaled into the train during the stop here. Passengers to/from Glasgow using a connecting DMU service to join/leave the train.
Arriva Voyagers on cross country workings, and East Coast class 91s and HSTs complete the scene.
Given how busy the station is freight is rare, but not unknown.
The Caledonian sleeper also calls in here. There is one which arrives and terminates here from London Euston, and will be hauled by an DB Schenker class 90. There is also the Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William portions which combine/separate here. These will be hauled on the sections north of Edinburgh by DB Schenker class 67s, and combined to/from Euston, will be hauled by an DB Schenker class 90.
The Fort William service, incidentally, carries seating passengers who wish to travel on the section between Edinburgh Waverley and Fort William (or intermediate stations), this coach is marshaled into the train during the stop here. Passengers to/from Glasgow using a connecting DMU service to join/leave the train.
Arriva Voyagers on cross country workings, and East Coast class 91s and HSTs complete the scene.
Given how busy the station is freight is rare, but not unknown.
Environment
The station is very safe, and is staffed at all times, as well as being covered by CCTV. Police officers frequently patrol the station.
Important:
The station is not open 24 hours. Visit the National Rail website and then go to station facilities, and enter Edinburgh Waverley to get opening and closing times. Also, to access platforms 12-18 you will need a ticket, as there are ticket gates installed.
Important:
The station is not open 24 hours. Visit the National Rail website and then go to station facilities, and enter Edinburgh Waverley to get opening and closing times. Also, to access platforms 12-18 you will need a ticket, as there are ticket gates installed.
Road directions
Best advice is to drive to outside the city, and get either a train or bus in.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Edinburgh Waverley map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Edinburgh Waverley map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a car park, but it is best not to try and drive into Edinburgh city centre. Instead, come in by bus or train.
Public transport
Train services are provided by Virgin, GNER and First Scotrail whilst bus services are provided by Lothian and First.
Important:
IMPORTANT all bus services in Edinburgh require you to pay the exact fare, and do not give any change. Stagecoach Fife provide services from Fife, and these services give change. Consult the relevant operator for fares.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Important:
IMPORTANT all bus services in Edinburgh require you to pay the exact fare, and do not give any change. Stagecoach Fife provide services from Fife, and these services give change. Consult the relevant operator for fares.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are many facilities within the station. The toilets are chargable (20p), whilst there is a WH SMith and Boots the Chemist on the concourse. In addition, there are cash machines and banks in the main ticket hall.
Other facilities can be reached on Princes Street, which is next to the station (though a fair hike up the Waverley steps!), or by the ramps onto Waverley Bridge.
Other facilities can be reached on Princes Street, which is next to the station (though a fair hike up the Waverley steps!), or by the ramps onto Waverley Bridge.
Accommodation
There is no shortage of accommodation available - Visit Scotland can advise. In addition, the tourist office is located near to the Waverley steps. From the Waverley steps, turn left, and you will see the centre, which is also signposted.
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.
Edinburgh Waverley
Streetmap links
Edinburgh Waverley general view map
Edinburgh Waverley close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Edinburgh Waverley
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Edinburgh Waverley
Googly map
Edinburgh Waverley general view map
Edinburgh Waverley close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Edinburgh Waverley
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Although it is in a cutting, Waverley is regarded as an underground station, therefore no flash photography can be used. With traffic being above, you will get very little (if any) traffic noise.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east
Shows the New measurement train in platform 11, about to leave and enter Calton Tunnel.
Fig 2 - Looking north west
Shows a class 67 in a former motorail bay. These bays are now used for stabiling locos. This one is being used as a GNER thunderbird. Sometimes, an EWS class 90 will also be stabled.
Fig 3 - Looking west
Fig 4 - Looking east
One of the new platforms under construction is seen to the left of the train.
Fig 5 - Looking west
Just to the right of the portakabin, a blue sign can be seen. The sign is historical, and reads "Original site of the Edinburgh - Leith - Newhaven railway". The railway, long since dismantled, was the first to use Edinburgh Waverley. Ironically, the new tram line being proposed will run from Haymarket to Waverley steps, then Leith and Newhaven!
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.
