Location notes
Prestonpans is situated on the ECML in East Lothian, 10 miles to the east of Edinburgh Waverley.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger
1 or 2 NXEC services an hour in each direction. A mixture of HSTs and class 91s. 1 VXC service an hour in each direction. 1 or 2 ScotRail services an hour in each direction between Edinburgh and North Berwick.
Freight
Anglo-Scottish MGRs heading up and down the ECML - both DB Schenker and FLHH. Exclusively class 66s these days. MGRs heading from Millerhill to Cockenzie PS which is located just to the east of Prestonpans station. 1 daily cement flow from Oxwellmains (Dunbar) to Viewpark and weekly flows to Inverness and Aberdeen hauled by FLHH 66s. 1 daily return flow from Powderhall (Edinburgh) to Oxwellmains with the bins. 1 daily steel service from Lackenby to Dalzell (Motherwell) hauled by a class 60. A few enterprise services and engineers between Mossend/Millerhill and Tyne Yard.
1 or 2 NXEC services an hour in each direction. A mixture of HSTs and class 91s. 1 VXC service an hour in each direction. 1 or 2 ScotRail services an hour in each direction between Edinburgh and North Berwick.
Freight
Anglo-Scottish MGRs heading up and down the ECML - both DB Schenker and FLHH. Exclusively class 66s these days. MGRs heading from Millerhill to Cockenzie PS which is located just to the east of Prestonpans station. 1 daily cement flow from Oxwellmains (Dunbar) to Viewpark and weekly flows to Inverness and Aberdeen hauled by FLHH 66s. 1 daily return flow from Powderhall (Edinburgh) to Oxwellmains with the bins. 1 daily steel service from Lackenby to Dalzell (Motherwell) hauled by a class 60. A few enterprise services and engineers between Mossend/Millerhill and Tyne Yard.
Environment
A rural Lothian station, on the edge of Prestonpans Village.
Road directions
Parking
The station has a car park. Please park carefully!
Public transport
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
Prestonpans Station general view map
Prestonpans Station close up map
Multimap links
Prestonpans Station on new multimap
Prestonpans Station general view map
Prestonpans Station close up map
Prestonpans Station aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Prestonpans Station
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Looking east the line is long and straight. The line speed is 100 ~110mph and GNER and VXC services will usually be doing about 80~90mph through the station.
Looking west the line sweeps round to your left round the old mine workings at Dolphingstone. The OHLE masts on the new section are cantilevered off the right-hand side which means you gives a great vantage. You need to watch though in the evenings as you're facing into the sun, but good photos can still be taken.
There's also an over bridge that gives views in both directions.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Looking west the line sweeps round to your left round the old mine workings at Dolphingstone. The OHLE masts on the new section are cantilevered off the right-hand side which means you gives a great vantage. You need to watch though in the evenings as you're facing into the sun, but good photos can still be taken.
There's also an over bridge that gives views in both directions.
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.
Links to photographs at this location
Mark's Railway Photos - North Berwick Loco HaulageIan's railway photos - ScotRail 90+stock trial
General views - All photographs © Ewan Tait unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
The evening sun sets off this shot of a London bound GNER express nicely.
Fig 2 - Looking west
From the middle of the station platforms.
Fig 3 - Looking east
Same position as Fig 2, reverse angle.
Fig 4 - Looking west
Fig 5 - Looking west
Fig 6 - Looking east
Fig 7 - Looking west - Photo by Ian McMillan
Fig 8 - Looking west - Photo by Ian McMillan
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.
