ScotRail North Berwick Line Train from North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverley

The ScotRail North Berwick Line is formed of the North Berwick Branch from North Berwick to Drem where it meets the East Coast Main Line and continues on a local service to Edinburgh Waverley. Heading back to Edinburgh Waverley with my Off-Peak Return ticket, I headed back to North Berwick Railway Station, which was an uphill climb up from North Berwick town centre and beaches.

North Berwick Railway Station

The façade of North Berwick Railway Station.

The only totally-covered area at North Berwick Railway Station is at the newsstand beside the end of the line.

A ticket machine is available here if you do not already have a ticket.

The newsstand, however, is closed. On a warm day, it gets stuffy in here so I only recommend using this space if it’s very cold outside.

A timetable of connecting bus services to Tantallon Castle and Museum of flight are also advertised in this space.

The end of the North Berwick Branch at North Berwick.

Heading to the platform to wait for my train.

If you are using a ScotRail Smartcard preloaded with a ticket, touch your ScotRail Smartcard on the reader at the platform.

19 minutes till my train departs.

There are open shelters along the platform with a ticket machine as well.

A history poster of North Berwick Railway Station is displayed on an information board.

Interestingly, the welcome sign lists greetings in English, German, and French. No Gaelic here.

The British Rail Class 385 AT200 385033 is back again to send me back to Edinburgh.

Arriving passengers alighting from the arriving train.

The interior of the Class 385 AT200 in Standard Class. Only Standard Class is offered on the 3-car set and to North Berwick.

The wide wheelchair space for passengers-in-wheelchair.

The wheelchair-accessible toilet on board the Class 385 AT200.

My ScotRail North Berwick Line 2Y05 Train departed from North Berwick at 2.19pm – 2 minutes delayed.

The train was surprisingly almost empty.

Passing through the countryside on the North Berwick Branch.

Crossing on to the East Coast Main Line east of Drem.

Arriving at Drem.

Drem Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Drem Railway Station.

Heading to Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line.

Longniddry Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Longniddry Railway Station.

Prestonpans Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Prestonpans Railway Station.

Wallyford Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Wallyford Railway Station.

Musselburgh Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Musselburgh Railway Station.

Heading through the tunnel on approach to Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station.

Approaching Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station.

Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station

My ScotRail North Berwick Line 2Y05 arrived at Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station at 2.48pm – 1 minute early.

Class 385 AT200 385033 at Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station Platform 10.

The exit from Platform 10 is via the linkbridge above the main concourse.

Heading out via the Princes Street exit for my next leg of joyrides today. The Princes Street exit out of Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station has escalators which are a rarity in the steps-filled old town of Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station exit to Princes Street in front of The Balmoral Hotel, which was once the North British (Railway Station) Hotel.

Conclusion

The ScotRail North Berwick Line offers a short getaway from Edinburgh and back at just 33 minutes advertised on schedule, and which took just 29 minutes on my journey. This is a short and scenic train route out of Edinburgh for a quick day trip, but which gets busy on weekends and games day at Musselburgh, so board early to secure a seat as you might not always run into a surprisingly empty train like me, especially when the onward journey was crowded.