Levenmouth re-opening

Work involved in reinstating the branch from Thornton Junction through Cameron Bridge to Levenmouth

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<h4><a href='/locations/E/Earlseat_Loading_Pad'>Earlseat Loading Pad</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking east towards the former Earlseat Loading Pad which adjoined the Methil branch. The loop and points have been removed and the branch plain-lined, with the coal stocking area and loading area returned to agriculture. See image <a href='/img/40/284/index.html'>40284</a> for the scene in 2012. 1/43</p><p>14/01/2020<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>The site of Cameron Bridge station on 20 July 2020. The platform edge and rails just visible bottom left. <br> 2/43</p><p>20/07/2020<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/E/East_Fife_Central_Junction'>East Fife Central Junction</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>A view of the Methil branch at Kirkland Yard in July 2020. This section of track was cleared of vegetation earlier in the year in preparation for the reopening project.<br><br><br> 3/43</p><p>20/07/2020<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>An aerial view over the east end of Kirkland Yard (with the Fife Heritage Railway preservation site) looking to Leven, Innerleven and the mouth of the River Leven. 4/43</p><p>/09/2020<br><small><a href='/contributors/Network_Rail'>Network Rail</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>Looking towards Methil Docks, from underneath the Iron Brig at Kirkland, on 26th September 2020. This is one of the few places on the branch where the track is still visible.<br> 5/43</p><p>26/09/2020<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking towards Levenmouth at Cameron Bridge on 20th November 2020, with long lost track revealed. 6/43</p><p>20/11/2020<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking west from Station Road, over the former Cameron Bridge station and yard on 20th November 2020, with vegetation clearance well advanced.<br> 7/43</p><p>20/11/2020<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/E/East_Fife_Central_Junction'>East Fife Central Junction</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Ken Whyte, Chair of the Shed at Bayview, said: 'One of the skills we were hoping to develop was forest craft. When we heard that Network Rail were clearing along the railway line prior to work commencing on the new Levenmouth Railway Link we got in touch. We asked if we could get some logs for 'The Shed' and boy did they deliver!<br><br>'We will cut the logs into manageable pieces and use them for a variety of projects. The Oak and Ash will be turned into custom made plaques and longer pieces will be turned into seating benches which we will donate to the new church hall at Wellesley Parish Church.' 8/43</p><p>/12/2020<br><small><a href='/contributors/Network_Rail'>Network Rail</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/E/East_Fife_Central_Junction'>East Fife Central Junction</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>View west to the former East Fife Central Junction showing clearance works. 9/43</p><p>/12/2020<br><small><a href='/contributors/Network_Rail'>Network Rail</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge'>Cameron Bridge</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking from the A915 towards Levenmouth, along the cleared track, on 1st December 2020. The buffer stop is the extremity of Cameron Bridge yard, formerly on the double track to Leven. This site is likely to become the location of a new Cameron Bridge station with a car park off to the left in this view.<br> 10/43</p><p>01/12/2020<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Levenmouth'>Levenmouth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>Looking east from the Iron Brig towards Methil East Junction, with track cleared of vegetation in March 2021. Methil Power Station, which once dominated the horizon, has been demolished. 11/43</p><p>26/03/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>Looking west to the former Kirkland Yard, with the Fife Heritage Railway's base on the right, showing the cleared trackbed in March 2021.<br><br> 12/43</p><p>26/03/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Levenmouth'>Levenmouth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Dock_Railway'>Leven Dock Railway</a></small></p><p>The new station site at Levenmouth on the 10th of April. The leisure centre is to the left. The area of grass will be a car park and the platforms will pass below the Bawbee Bridge from which the photograph is taken. 13/43</p><p>10/04/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Levenmouth'>Levenmouth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Dock_Railway'>Leven Dock Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking west along the River Leven from the Bawbee Brig. Alongside is the cleared track of the line to Methil Power Station and Dock. The west end of the new Levenmouth station will be in the foreground. 14/43</p><p>10/04/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Levenmouth'>Levenmouth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Dock_Railway'>Leven Dock Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking east from the Bawbee Brig towards the former Methil East Junction and the site of the demolished Methil Power Station showing the surviving redundant track. To the right is the course of the Docks branch. The east end of the platforms of Levenmouth station will be in the foreground. The Bawbee Bridge will straddle the platforms. 15/43</p><p>10/04/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>View showing Leven branch clearance work, taken from the overbridge at Cameron Bridge in April 2021. 16/43</p><p>13/04/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/John_Yellowlees'>John Yellowlees</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>An April 2021 view over the closed (for now) station at Cameron Bridge. <br><br> 17/43</p><p>13/04/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/John_Yellowlees'>John Yellowlees</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/T/Thornton_Yard'>Thornton Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Thornton_Marshalling_Yard_and_Rothes_Pit_British_Railways'>Thornton Marshalling Yard and Rothes Pit (British Railways)</a></small></p><p>Network Rail has taken delivery of sixteen thousand sleepers that will form part of the new Levenmouth Rail link.<br><br>The sleepers have been delivered to and are being stored in Thornton Yard, to the west of the branch line, ahead of major work to deliver the project from early 2022. 18/43</p><p>/05/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Network_Rail'>Network Rail</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/T/Thornton_Yard'>Thornton Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Thornton_Marshalling_Yard_and_Rothes_Pit_British_Railways'>Thornton Marshalling Yard and Rothes Pit (British Railways)</a></small></p><p>Delivery of sleepers to Thornton yard. Network Rail has taken delivery of sixteen thousand sleepers that will form part of the new Levenmouth Rail link.<br><br>The sleepers have been delivered to and are being stored in Thornton Yard, to the west of the branch line, ahead of major work to deliver the project from early 2022. 19/43</p><p>/05/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Network_Rail'>Network Rail</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/T/Thornton_Yard'>Thornton Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/T/Thornton_Marshalling_Yard_and_Rothes_Pit_British_Railways'>Thornton Marshalling Yard and Rothes Pit (British Railways)</a></small></p><p>Network Rail has taken delivery of sixteen thousand sleepers that will form part of the new Levenmouth Rail link.<br><br>The sleepers have been delivered to and are being stored in Thornton Yard, to the west of the branch line, ahead of major work to deliver the project from early 2022. 20/43</p><p>/05/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Network_Rail'>Network Rail</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>Looking east along Kirkland Yard on 2nd June 2021. Foliage clearance has revealed that someone had already made a start on unofficially removing old track materials. Contractors will continue with that removal and new materials are likely to be stockpiled here in the near future, ready for the relaying process.<br> 21/43</p><p>02/06/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>Looking over the surviving track at Kirkland Yard in June 2021. This served Methil Dock and Power Station and the Fife Heritage Railway depot can be seen in the background. Clearance of this old track is imminently expected, prior to relaying for the Leven branch reopening, and work is about to enter the 'things to see but limited access' phase..<br> 22/43</p><p>02/06/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>This base and stumps are all that remain of the long footbridge that used to span the tracks at Kirkland Yard, as seen in June 2021. Beyond is the Fife Heritage Railway's demonstration line. See image <a href='/img/53/242/index.html'>53242</a> of the structure in 2008, prior to demolition. 23/43</p><p>02/06/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>Looking west along the cleared track through Kirkland Yard in June 2021.<br><br><br> 24/43</p><p>02/06/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking west over the closed Cameron Bridge station on 14 June 2021. Lifting of the old track is scheduled for July and August ahead of the reopening works.<br><br><br> 25/43</p><p>14/06/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Levenmouth'>Levenmouth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Dock_Railway'>Leven Dock Railway</a></small></p><p>Plan of proposed Levenmouth terminus (overflow car park omitted). 26/43</p><p>15/06/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Network_Rail'>Network Rail</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge'>Cameron Bridge</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Plan of the proposed new two platform Cameron Bridge station. The station will have two platforms, linked by a footbridge with lifts, on a double track electrified line with a large car park. This will be east of the original <a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st/'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a> station. 27/43</p><p>15/06/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Network_Rail'>Network Rail</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>Lifting of old track on the Levenmouth line. 28/43</p><p>/07/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Network_Rail'>Network Rail</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking east from the closed Cameron Bridge station on 12th July 2021. Vegetation has been removed to allow for track lifting, scheduled for the next few weeks. The new station is to be located beyond the A915 bridge in the background.<br> 29/43</p><p>12/07/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>A road/rail machine passes Cameron Bridge (1st) station, propelling trolleys for loading with track panels being lifted from the Thornton Junction end of the line, for disposal at Kirkland Yard. 30/43</p><p>30/07/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>A road/rail machine passes Cameron Bridge (1st) station, propelling trolleys for loading with track panels being lifted from the Thornton Junction end of the line, for disposal at Kirkland Yard. I stopped at Cameron Bridge to check out changes since my last visit - there were none. However, I could tell there had been light traffic on the main line which I guessed had been shuttles to collect lifted track. Only had to wait 45 minutes.<br><br> 31/43</p><p>30/07/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>The contractors' base at Kirkland Yard is becoming established and was very busy on 5th August 2021. What appeared to be some sort of 8WD logging machine arrived off the Levenmouth branch trackbed with a load of recovered 30' rail sections, which were then unloaded by the road-rail machine and stacked in the yard. 32/43</p><p>05/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>I was grateful to the Railscot <I>Fife Correspondent</I> for a guided tour of his patch on 5th August 2021, and impressed that our brief visit to Cameron Bridge coincided with this track recovery train arriving. The crew unhooked four trucks in the platform area and then headed off 'light engine' to Kirkland Yard where the main operations base is being established. 33/43</p><p>05/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Mark_Bartlett'>Mark Bartlett</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking west over Cameron Bridge on 10 August 2021. The branch has been lifted as far as the trolley, half way along the island platform, ahead of the refurbishment for reopening work. 34/43</p><p>10/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking east at Cameron Bridge on 10th August 2021. Although the Methil Branch rails have been briefly shiny again from contractor's vehicles, in this shot the track is being prepared for removal and had already been lifted to a point just behind the camera. 35/43</p><p>10/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>Looking over the west end of the former Kirkland Yard on 16th August 2021. The nearer track is the demonstration line of the Fife Heritage Railway, while the track recovery train sits on the main line of the Levenmouth branch, which had been lifted back to the former East Fife Central Junction by this date. 36/43</p><p>16/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/C/Cameron_Bridge_1st'>Cameron Bridge [1st]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Cameron Bridge station site on 16th August 2021, by which time the track through the station, and as far as the former East Fife Central Junction, had been lifted, albeit with some old sidings still in place. 37/43</p><p>16/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>Their work done, contractor's rail trolleys used on the Methil branch lifting, which is now complete, are taken away from Kirkland Yard on 25th August 2021. The haulier's truck is passing the stack of recently lifted track sections. 38/43</p><p>25/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>The end of the beginning. The Methil branch has been lifted, apart from Cameron Bridge yard. Some tidying up work was being done at Kirkland on 25th August 2021. The Fife Heritage Railway (beneficiary of a mile of track) depot is in the background. 39/43</p><p>25/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/L/Levenmouth'>Levenmouth</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Dock_Railway'>Leven Dock Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking up river from the Bawbee Bridge on 26th August 2021, with old track finally lifted from the Methil branch. The new Levenmouth station will be below. See <a href='/img/66/505/index.html'>66505</a> for the same location in 1992. 40/43</p><p>26/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/E/Earlseat_Loading_Pad'>Earlseat Loading Pad</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>The westernmost section of the former Methil, future Levenmouth, line is still in good order thanks to use from 2012 to around 2015 by coal trains from the Earlseat opencast site. This view looks towards Thornton North Junction from Double Dykes level crossing on 31st August 2021. The Earlseat Loading Pad was just behind the camera and the survival of this track should assist with relaying the branch. 41/43</p><p>31/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/E/Earlseat_Loading_Pad'>Earlseat Loading Pad</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/L/Leven_Railway'>Leven Railway</a></small></p><p>Looking east from the Double Dykes level crossing towards the site of the Earlseat coal loading pad in August 2021. This was in use between 2012 and around 2015 <a href='/img/40/284/index.html'>40284</a>. Track and landscape have reverted to their former state. The first mile (at least) of the Methil branch remains in place. 42/43</p><p>31/08/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/K/Kirkland_Yard'>Kirkland Yard</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/K/Kirkland_Yard_and_Leven_Dock_to_Methil_Line_Widening_North_British_Railway'>Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)</a></small></p><p>Looking west towards the former Kirkland Yard, with the Fife Heritage Railway's depot to the right, on 22nd September 2021. The trackbed has been cleared to double track width. Makes it easier to walk the dog...<br> 43/43</p><p>22/09/2021<br><small><a href='/contributors/Bill_Roberton'>Bill Roberton</a></small></p>
>