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Location notes
This station was opened in 1986, when the Bathgate line was re-opened to passengers, and serves a small village, curiously called Uphall Station. It also acts at the railhead for Broxburn, on the other side of the M8.
The station is also, effectively, the railhead for the north east industrial area of Livingston new town, the centre of which is 10 minutes away.
Livingston is the administrative centre for West Lothian Council.
The station is also, effectively, the railhead for the north east industrial area of Livingston new town, the centre of which is 10 minutes away.
Livingston is the administrative centre for West Lothian Council.
Railway type and traffic
The station is served by First Scotrail trains on the Edinburgh - Bathgate service. These produce mainly class 158 DMUs, with the odd appearance by a 170. There's an irregular flow to/from Bathgate Car Terminal, which is always hauled by an DB Schenker class 66.
However, things are changing. In March 2007, the bill to re-open the Airdrie - Bathgate link goes for its final in the Scottish Parliament. At the time of my visit, 19th February 2007, preparatory work was already underway, vegetation being cleared on the opposite side of the single track.
The Bathgate line currently is single track from just east of Newbridge junction to Bathgate station. Under the new plans, services from Balloch to Drumgelloch (west of Airdrie) will be extended to Edinburgh, via Caldercruix. As far as the Bathgate line goes, this will require twin tracking the whole way, with Uphall and Livingston North stations being rebuilt, Newbridge junction being re-modelled, and Bathgate station being re-sited, as the trains will observe the old alignment, and the current Bathgate station, in the town centre, will be closed.
For full details, and the latest on the plans, visit the Airdrie Bathgate Rail Link project website.
However, things are changing. In March 2007, the bill to re-open the Airdrie - Bathgate link goes for its final in the Scottish Parliament. At the time of my visit, 19th February 2007, preparatory work was already underway, vegetation being cleared on the opposite side of the single track.
The Bathgate line currently is single track from just east of Newbridge junction to Bathgate station. Under the new plans, services from Balloch to Drumgelloch (west of Airdrie) will be extended to Edinburgh, via Caldercruix. As far as the Bathgate line goes, this will require twin tracking the whole way, with Uphall and Livingston North stations being rebuilt, Newbridge junction being re-modelled, and Bathgate station being re-sited, as the trains will observe the old alignment, and the current Bathgate station, in the town centre, will be closed.
For full details, and the latest on the plans, visit the Airdrie Bathgate Rail Link project website.
Environment
The station is at the north end of Uphall Station village, and is near the M8 motorway. It can be chilly sometimes.
Although I've no experience of the area after dark, I'd advise only daytime visits.
Although I've no experience of the area after dark, I'd advise only daytime visits.
Road directions
Follow the M8 to Livingston, and then follow the signs for Livingston at the Deer Park junction. As you drive down, you will see Uphall station on the boards. Follow the signs past the first roundabout, and keep on the road till the traffic lights. Turn left, and enter Uphall station village. The station is signposted at the bottom of the village.
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Uphall map co-ordinates
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Uphall map co-ordinates
Parking
The station has a big and busy car park. If it is full, you will need to park elsewhere, but this is at your own risk. If you do have to park elsewhere, keep all valuables out of sight, and park courteously. Lothian and Borders police will prosecute motorists who block driveways etc.
Public transport
First Scotrail runs a regular service from Bathgate to Edinburgh Waverley, calling at Uphall.
Bus services are provided by First Edinburgh and E&M Horsburgh - 0870 608 2 608
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Bus services are provided by First Edinburgh and E&M Horsburgh - 0870 608 2 608
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
Like the vast majority of unmanned stations, Uphall has no facilities. There is a local shop across the road but for all other amenities, including toilets, you'll need 2 go into Livingston Town Centre, which is 10 minutes drive away. Visit Almondvale Shopping for more information, and McCarthurglen or Livingston Designer Outlet for more information.
Accommodation
I am not aware of any in Livingston new town. Best consult Visit Scotland.
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.
Uphall
Streetmap links
Uphall general view map
Uphall close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Uphall
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Uphall
Googly map
Uphall general view map
Uphall close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Uphall
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The M8 motorway is visible from the station, and therefore the noise will be heard on videos.
All passenger trains stop here, but the station is on a bend, so you will not get a lot of notice that they are coming. Do not rely on the automated departure screens; I watched one that said the train was running 4 minutes late, only for it to arrive early, and leave on time!
In the car park is a metal access gate for Network Rail, and this can be used as a further vantage point for taking pictures.
All passenger trains stop here, but the station is on a bend, so you will not get a lot of notice that they are coming. Do not rely on the automated departure screens; I watched one that said the train was running 4 minutes late, only for it to arrive early, and leave on time!
In the car park is a metal access gate for Network Rail, and this can be used as a further vantage point for taking pictures.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Fig 2 - Looking east
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.
