8 Images released on Wednesday 22/01/2025

Contact the news and picture editor.

Balbirnie Viaduct: Balbirnie Viaduct seen from the east end in early 2025. After closure of the Auchmuty branch in 1992, (on the collapse of the Tiger Rail wagonload network), and the trackbed of the Auchmuty branch (including the approach along the 'main line' of the Leslie branch from Balbirnie Viaduct) was then converted into a footpath and cycle route as part of the Markinch interchange project.

Leslie Railway
John Yellowlees [02/01/2025]


Auchmuty Junction: This rail-braced bridge, just north east of the Balbirnie Viaduct, carried the Leslie branch over West Mill Road. This view is from the west side. Part of the new housing development can be seen through the arch.

Leslie Railway
John Yellowlees [02/01/2025]


Auchmuty Junction: This view looks east from Auchmuty Junction to a minor farm bridge just to the east. The footpath from Markinch divides here with a portion running towards Auchmuty and another, over the Balbirnie Viaduct, to southern Glenrothes.

Leslie Railway
John Yellowlees [02/01/2025]


Auchmuty Junction: This view looks west from a bridge carrying a farm track towards Auchmuty Junction. Balbirnie Viaduct in the distant left, the branch to Auchmuty ran off to the distant right. The fields to the left are currently (2024/25) being built over.

Leslie Railway
Ewan Crawford [//1996]


Auchmuty Junction: This bridge carried a minor road over the Leslie Railway just east of Auchmuty Junction, where the branch to the Auchmuty Paper Mill left the Leslie line. The Auchmuty branch closed in 1992 on the collapse of the Tiger Rail wagonload network, and the trackbed (including the approach from the Balbirnie Viaduct) was then converted into a footpath and cycle route as part of the Markinch interchange project.

Leslie Railway
John Yellowlees [02/01/2025]


Haig's Siding: This melancholy view of the Leslie branch was taken alongside Haig's Siding (the sidings on the left) in January 1996, about four years after closure of the Auchmuty branch. Markinch Viaduct, on the main line, is off to the right. See image [[89626]] for Bill Roberton's photograph taken when the siding was still in use.

Leslie Railway
Ewan Crawford [/01/1996]


Haig's Siding: This view looks along the Leslie Railway not far from Markinch station and shows a remaining building at the closed Haig's Distillery. The distillery was formerly rail served. The view looks towards the location where the siding met the railway.

Leslie Railway
John Yellowlees [02/01/2025]


Markinch: View over the fence looking towards Markinch station in the 'V' of the junction between the Auchmuty branch (former Leslie Railway) (left) and main line (right). The main line remains open and this location is now an approach road to a station car park and a footpath to Auchmuty and Glenrothes.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Ewan Crawford [//1989]