The first train in five years has been signalled on to the Levenmouth rail link in a milestone moment for the multi-million-pound project.
An engineering train delivering stone for the second mile of track was seen on the line just days after it was revealed the first mile is now complete.
The long-awaited railway is due to open in 2024.
📢 Another Levenmouth Rail Link milestone! Monday saw the first train for more than 5 years signalled onto the route. 🚦
It's an engineering train delivering stone for the construction of the second mile of railway. pic.twitter.com/sZncApeK0z
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) August 16, 2022
However, the breakthrough was tinged with disappointment as level crossings at the centre of a weekend picnic protest were closed to the public.
An objector dressed as Mary, Queen of Scots was among around 50 people who defied safety warnings to stage a sit-down lunch at Doubledykes crossing on Saturday.
The action aimed to persuade Network Rail to keep the ancient route between Wemyss and Coaltown of Balgonie open once the new Levenmouth rail link is up and running.
A further 900 people have signed a petition in protest.
However, the rail company closed the crossing gates on Sunday and the first train was launched on Monday.
It means walkers and cyclists can no longer cross the track on the route once walked by Mary, Queen of Scots in the 16th Century.
The tragic queen met her second husband, Lord Darnely, at Wemyss Castle in 1565.
And she is known to have travelled along the path, which has remained popular with locals ever since.
Cyclist Gavin Harrower, who started the petition, said: “As of now there is no crossing over the railway line.
“People don’t understand why other other places in Fife have gates for crossing the line but we don’t.”
Levenmouth picnic protesters fear crossings will never reopen
Several crossing points over the original Levenmouth railway line have been used by the public for decades.
But Network Rail says all have now been closed for well-established safety reasons.
It has urged people to use alternative routes.
Gavin added: “The speed limit on this line will be low.
“And trains will be infrequent so surely there could be a way for people to cross.
“Nobody is calling for a £1 million bridge or anything like that.
“People on Saturday were just talking about having a warning and a gate that swings shut. That would be minimal cost.
“My fear is now that it’s shut it will just become overgrown and no-one will walk that way at all.
“If that happens it will never reopen as they’ll just say no-one’s using it.”
Fife Council says it is aware of the access concerns.
And its legal team is reviewing the legal status of the crossings and their use by the public.
Network Rail: ‘Our priority is safety’
The original Leven to Thornton line closed to passenger trains in the 1960s.
But work to reopen the route has been under way for some time.
Network Rail said engineering trains have now started using the finished section to help deliver the next phase of work.
It has urged people to stop using the area to avoid coming into contact with trains and machinery.
Levenmouth rail link project manager Joe Mulvenna said: “Various elements of work are under way all across the route and activity is set to ramp up even further in the coming months.
“We are asking people who have previously used the area to walk dogs, for leisure or for exercise to please find an alternative.
“Increased work activity means more vehicle movements and the first mile section will be a live railway and so very dangerous.
“Our priority is safety, both of the local people and for those working hard to deliver the project.”
