Location notes
Thornton Railfreight Depot was opened originally in 1956, in connection with the nearby Rothes Colliery. The depot also replaced the cramped sidings of Thornton Junction station (closed 1967, and now replaced by Glenrothes with Thornton station). Sadly, geological problems could not be overcome at the time, and the Rothes Colliery was never opened. Despite this, the depot is still in use today, with coal, ironically, being the major traffic here.
The depot, located next to the Fife Circle, is also used to store withdrawn wagons, and, in the 1980s, withdrawn DMUs. This included the 'Mexican Bean', a class 104 DMU that had been painted in a special lviery, for use on the West Highland Line. That DMU is now scrapped.
The depot, located next to the Fife Circle, is also used to store withdrawn wagons, and, in the 1980s, withdrawn DMUs. This included the 'Mexican Bean', a class 104 DMU that had been painted in a special lviery, for use on the West Highland Line. That DMU is now scrapped.
Railway type and traffic
The main traffic here is EWS class 66s pulling MGR/HAA wagons with coal. The branch to Westfield Opencast (the only part of the old Kinross-shire system still in use) diverges here. This produces the same traffic.
Important: The Fife Circle passes the depot, but from the car park, where the pictures were taken, the tracks can not be seen.
Important: The Fife Circle passes the depot, but from the car park, where the pictures were taken, the tracks can not be seen.
Environment
The depot is at the bottom of a small sheltered road, though the depot itself is open to the elements. There is no shelter, so if it rains, shelter in your car.
Road directions
From the A92 come off at the signs for Thornton and stay on this road. Once in Thornton, cross over the railway, and then look for the road on the left opposite RBS (Strathore Road). Turn left here, and head along this road, passing the Fire Brigade HQ. Once onto the 60mph section, look carefully for the signs for Thornton depot. They are not clear, so if you are unsure, go slowly. Once you see the signs, with 'Thornton Depot' and the EWS logo below, turn left, and head down to the car park.
Thornton, EWS Depot map co-ordinates
Thornton, EWS Depot map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a small car park at the depot. Park only in this car park, next to the red building, and only take pictures from the car park. Your car will be in sight at all times.The depot supervisor has no objections to you taking pictures of trains from the car park, but do move if requested.
Public transport
The nearest railway station is Glenrothes with Thornton, and this is where the nearest bus stops are as well. No bus service passes the depot. From Thornton station, head into the village itself, and at the RBS building, turn left onto Strathore Road. Walking will take about 20-30 minutes.
Bus services passing through Thronton are provided by Stagecoach in Fife. The numbers are 37 and 39. X1 only serves Thornton evenings and Sundays.
Train services are provided by First Scotrail. Please note that apart from one train a day each way, all trains leave from Platform 1.
Bus services passing through Thronton are provided by Stagecoach in Fife. The numbers are 37 and 39. X1 only serves Thornton evenings and Sundays.
Train services are provided by First Scotrail. Please note that apart from one train a day each way, all trains leave from Platform 1.
Amenities
There are no facilities in the area. Some facilities are available in Thornton. All other facilities, including petrol stations, and toilets, are in either Glenrothes or Kirkcaldy.
Accommodation
A Travelodge has opened in Glenrothes, at the Bankhead junction of the A92.
Where on the map
Sun Compass
Open this Image in a new window and use as a sun compass with the links below.
Streetmap links
Thornton, EWS Depot general view map
Thornton, EWS Depot close up map
Multimap links
Thornton, EWS Depot on new multimap
Thornton, EWS Depot general view map
Thornton, EWS Depot close up map
Thornton, EWS Depot aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Thornton, EWS Depot
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
After checking with the Depot Supervisor they will usually request that you only stay within the small car park, and also the small grass verge in front of the fence at the car park. Everything else is authorised personnel only. You will see trains moving slowly, and hear them clearly. The shots available are facing south to south east.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Offical Guidelines for Railway Enthusiasts
British Transport Police Guidelines for rail enthusiaist
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south east
Fig 2 - Looking south 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 endeavor 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. 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.
Please enjoy this 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 endeavor 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. 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.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
