Group Formed
Tuesday, 18th December, 2001
Group Description
Day to Day movements of all Locos/dmus/emus/ track machines etc in the Midlands area.
Covers
birmingham/stafford/derby/ nottingham/grantham/peterborough/ bedford/miltonkeynes/oxford/ cheltenham/worcester/birmingham.
and all Areas in between.
a few simple rules
no spamming.
no abusing other members.
NO ADVERTISING WEB SITES this will result in removal of member,a signature relating to your site at the end of your message is quiet acceptable.
Group Link
Go to: Midlands Gen
Geographic Area Covered

Locations within group area

Location Name:
TS1038 - Abbotswood Junction

Location Notes:
A public footpath in a field overlooking a junction on the main Bristol to Birmingham line where the line to Worcester diverges.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger services in the hands of Cross Country Voyagers and 170s, with FGW 150s, 158s and the occasional 153 or 142.
Freight includes military traffic to Ashchurch, which heads to Worcester to run round, steel, tanks, engineers traffic mostly 66 or 60 hauled.
Cotswold Rail locos often pass this way.

Location Name:
TS584 - Apsley Guise, Berry Lane Foot Crossing

Location Notes:
Aspley Guise foot crossing is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Aspley Guise station and the level crossing at the end of Berry Lane. There is a small run down shed that may provide shelter should the weather turn nasty.

Railway type and traffic
The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.

Location Name:
TS929 - Arley House Farm

Location Notes:
Arley House Farm is located towards the Nuneaton end of the Birmingham-Nuneaton line in a rural environment.

Railway type and traffic
Local 'Central' units can be seen on the line, as can various freight workings, mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner.
This can also be a diversion route for the West Coast when the Coventry line is shut, with the electric trains being dragged with class 57 locomotives.

Location Name:
TS943 - Arley Tunnel

Location Notes:
The location is a bridge on a public footpath running right through the centre of a golf course.

Railway type and traffic
Local 'Central' units can be seen on the line, as can various freight workings, mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner. This can also be a diversion route for the West Coast when the Coventry line is shut, with the electric trains being dragged with class 57 locomotives.

Location Name:
TS4 - Asfordby

Location Notes:
The East Midlands test centre is a private facility owned by Alstom. It is the base for any company wishing to use the Old Dalby Test track and is a covered facility for storing rolling stock. There is a set of offices and small sidings at Old Dalby.

Railway type and traffic
The location is the long term base for stock tesing on the Old Dalby Line. Previously Virgin commissioned the Pendolino fleet on the line. But now the line is being used to commission both new London Underground Stock and the IEP Trains.
There are also trips to the line by Serco test trains.

Location Name:
TS510 - Ashton

Location Notes:
Ashton is a small village between Milton Keynes and Northampton, off the A508. This location is on a public footpath / private road over the West Coast Mainline, before the junction at Roade, so both local and mainline traffic can be viewed from here.

Railway type and traffic
Plenty of Virgin Anglo-Scottish to London and Midlands express passenger services. London Midland run the slower rural passenger services. Passenger services are worked totally by units - 390 Pendolinos, 350 Desiros.
There is also a wide mix of freight, by the likes of DB Schenker and Freightliner, and the odd DRS flask train in the early morning or evening.

Location Name:
TS585 - Aspley Guise Berry Lane Crossing

Location Notes:
Aspley Guise crossing is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Aspley Guise and Ridgmont, at the end of Berry Lane which serves several houses. There is no shelter should the weather turn nasty.

Railway type and traffic
The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.

Location Name:
TS583 - Aspley Guise Station

Location Notes:
Aspley Guise is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Woburn Sands and Ridgmont, on the northern outskirts of village it serves. The platforms are staggered either side of the crossing, with those for Bletchley bound traffic to the west of the crossing. There is a small waiting shelter on platforms which can provide shelter from sudden downpours.

Railway type and traffic
The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.

Location Name:
TS864 - Atherstone Station

Location Notes:
Situated on the West Coast Main Line just north of Nuneaton is this gem of a station.

Railway type and traffic
West Coast Main Line traffic so mostly Pendolinos, Voyagers and there is plenty of freight passing through as well.

Location Name:
TS700 - Aynho Junction

Location Notes:
Aynho is a pleasant Northamptonshire village, which is close to the Oxfordshire border. The location itself is an over bridge on the line running between Banbury and Oxford.

Railway type and traffic
An interesting location which currently sees use by Chiltern Railways, First Great Western, and also sees much freight, predominately Freightliner with workings to and from Southampton. The location is famous for it`s flying junction. Trains to and from Marylebone can be photographed on the 'upper' line.

Location Name:
TS788 - Banbury, Grimsbury Green

Location Notes:
Banbury is a large town in Oxfordshire. The Chiltern line (between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone) runs through here.
The nearby 'Lafarge' site can make an interesting backdrop!

Railway type and traffic
The majority of the traffic is multiple units run by Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country Services.
DB Schenker and Freightliner provide frequent freight movements.

Location Name:
TS679 - Barby Nortoft (loop)

Location Notes:
Barby Nortoft is on the outskirts of Northamptonshire, just a short distance away from 'DIRFT'. The line at this location is on the Northampton loop section of the WCML.

Railway type and traffic
The line sees local trains operated by class 350 units.
The line also sees considerable freight activity, with working by DB Schenker, Freightliner and DRS. Some Virgin services are also scheduled to pass here.

Location Name:
TS680 - Barby Nortoft (main)

Location Notes:
Barby Nortoft is on the outskirts of Northamptonshire, just a short distance away from 'DIRFT'. The line at this location is on the main line section of the WCML, that avoids Northampton.

Railway type and traffic
Almost all traffic that uses this line is operated by Virgin trains. Freight operations will follow the Northampton loop.

Location Name:
TS64 - Barrow upon Soar

Location Notes:
A large metal replacment for an old station footbridge.

Railway type and traffic
Busy four track mainline. Passenger traffic is intense and is formed of EMT Units and Midland Mainline HST's and Turbostars.
A handful of freights pass this way.

Location Name:
TS608 - Barrow upon Trent - Deblenfield Bridge

Location Notes:
The location is a farm track / access bridge with a public right of way across the Stenson Junction to Sheet Stores Junction freight only line.

Railway type and traffic
This is a freight only line with regular traffic from DB Schenker class 60, 66 and 67, and Freightliners class 66s. There are no passenger services, however occasional weekend diversions will see EMT HSTs and class 222 Meridians and Central Trains units.
The line is accessed by northbound traffic at the eastern end from the Midland Main Line and joins the Derby to Water Orton line heading south at the western end. It is not possible for southbound traffic to access the line at either end.

Location Name:
TS28 - Barton Under Needwood

Location Notes:
A footbridge situated on the main line between Derby and Birmingham, just to the north of Central Rivers depot.

Railway type and traffic
Cross Country workings from Derby to Birmingham, East Midlands Trains operate services from Derby to Birmingham.
Freight services mainly operated by DB Schenker and Freightliner.
Serco test trains and movements from Brush works to the West coast will also often pass here.

Location Name:
TS616 - Bedford, Farm Road

Location Notes:
A very quiet countryside bridge which crosses the Midland Main Line just north of Bedford.

Railway type and traffic
You can expect to see HSTs, Meridians and freight traffic from this bridge which spans all four lines of the Midland Main Line.

Location Name:
TS1114 - Bedford, Great Ouse Crossing

Location Notes:
A foot bridge over the line, where the railway crosses the river Great Ouse, in Bedford Town Center.

Railway type and traffic
The Bedford to Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of either 150 or 153 units. Frieght is currently sparse along the route, but it frequently used by workings heading from the Midland Main line traveling to the south, cutting across to Bletchley.

Location Name:
TS1346 - Bermuda Park

Location Notes:
The location is a new station on the Coventry - Nuneaton line outside of Nuneaton.

Railway type and traffic
The passenger service is a London Midland Class 153 DMU which provides the hourly Coventry - Nuneaton service.
Freight traffic consists of mainly freightliner and intermodal traffic with automotive trains and an engineers service from Westbury - Bescot which normally produces a Colas Class 70. On the odd occasion you will get rail tours along the line too.

Location Name:
TS246 - Bescot

Location Notes:
A station opposite the Bescot depot to the west of the main yards.

Railway type and traffic
Central trains run passenger services to Bescot. and the line is sometimes used as a diversionary route for Virgin non stop passenger services. There are also regular freight trains (Enterprise, Coal and Civil Engineers) to and from the Yard as well as through Metals trains from Wolverhampton Steel terminal.
Many freight services with classes 20,37, 60, 66, 67, 86, and 92, with DB Schenker workings being the mainstay of freight operations, DRS nuclear flask trains pass once or twice a week and Freightliner Intermodal and Automotive trains also pass through. Regular Freightliner Coal trains also run around in the yard on their way to Rugeley Power Station.
On Saturdays when the Trent Valley is closed all non Birmingham West Coast trains are routed this way as are all of the west coast freight services.

Location Name:
TS895 - Birch Coppice Terminal

Location Notes:
Located just north of Birmingham and to the east of Tamworth. The line is a freight only line, to a the Birch Coppice Business Park, that originates at Kingsbury on the Birmingham to Derby line.

Railway type and traffic
There are no booked passenger workings on the line. It is freight only, with the terminal being served by DB Schenker and Freightliner.

Location Name:
TS651 - Bishops Itchington Crossing

Location Notes:
Bishops Itchington is a Warwickshire village between nearby Leamington Spa and Southam.

Railway type and traffic
The line itself is very busy with lots of Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country units scurrying back and forth.
DB Schenker and Freightliner ensure that those interested in freight workings are not left out.

Location Name:
TS652 - Bishops Itchington, Holmes House Farm

Location Notes:
Bishops Itchington is a Warwickshire village between nearby Leamington Spa and Southam.

Railway type and traffic
The line itself is very busy with lots of Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country units scurrying back and forth.
DB Schenker and Freightliner ensure that those interested in freight workings are not left out.

Location Name:
TS104 - Blisworth

Location Notes:
This location is on the West Coast main line approximately 4 miles west of Northampton.
It is on the two track 'main' section where the fast line diverges and by-passes the town rejoining the other slow tracks just south of Rugby. It is in a rural location with good views of the line both from a footbridge that spans the tracks and from the adjoining fields.

Railway type and traffic
The principal user of the line is Virgin West Coast for services from London Euston to West Midlands, Manchester, Liverpool, Holyhead, Carlisle and Glasgow. So mostly Pendolinos with the odd Voyager.
Freight generally will take the Northampton Loop, which you can see to the east across the fields, but might be routed this way as required.
The New Measurement train also makes a weekly run along the line.

Location Name:
TS581 - Bogborough

Location Notes:
Bogborough is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Ridgmont and Lidlington, just off the M1 Junction 13. This is the only other bridge over the line, other than the A507 on the western half of the branch.
There is nowhere to shelter should the weather turn nasty.

Railway type and traffic
The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.

Location Name:
TS579 - Bow Brickhill Station

Location Notes:
Bow Brickhill is located on the Bedford - Bletchley line, between the stations of Fenny Stratford and Woburn Sands, on the southern outskirts of Milton Keynes. The platforms are staggered either side of the crossing, with those for Bletchley bound traffic to the west of the crossing. There is a small waiting shelter on platforms which can provide shelter from sudden downpours.

Railway type and traffic
The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.

Location Name:
TS822 - Brandon Wood

Location Notes:
Brandon is a quiet village just outside of Coventry. The line here runs between Rugby and Coventry.

Railway type and traffic
Most traffic is Virgin Pendolinos and Class 350 units running into Birmingham.
However, some freight can be seen running on this section of line.

Location Name:
TS647 - Brockhall

Location Notes:
Brockhall is a very quiet location in rural Northamptonshire. The West Coast mainline passes nearby.

Railway type and traffic
Traffic is mainly Virgin Pendolinos.
Most freight traffic is pathed along the Northampton loop.

Location Name:
TS55 - Bromsgrove, Bankers Bridge

Location Notes:
A farm track / road bridge over the Birmingham to Bristol Main Line approximately 1 mile to the south of Bromsgrove Station.

Railway type and traffic
A double track mainline with passing loops in both directions. Passenger services consist of Virgin Voyagers, Central Trains and Wales & Borders DMU's. Freight traffic mostly consists of Loaded or empty steel trains and loaded or empty Coal trains with 60's and 66's as motive power. Longbridge - Swindon Rover trains run in each direction daily usually hauled by class 66's.

Location Name:
TS1102 - Bromsgrove, Stoke Works Foot Bridge

Location Notes:
Stoke Works is approximately 3 miles south of Bromsgrove, midway between Birmingham and Worcester. The footbridge itself is a quarter of a mile south of Stoke Works Junction, on the main Birmingham to Gloucester line.

Railway type and traffic
Two track main line with cross country Voyagers, HSTs and DMUs.
Varied freight including loaded and empty steel, petroleum tanks, Loaded and empty scrap metal, and a weekly DRS nuclear waste working.

Location Name:
TS1054 - Bucknell

Location Notes:
Bucknell Bridge is roughly 2 and a half miles North West Bicester on the Chiltern Main line to Marylebone.

Railway type and traffic
Traffic is made up of 165/168s with several 67s a day on Wrexham & Shropshire trains. When the WCML is closed then some services get diverted along this line. This would bring out 66s on freight trains.

Location Name:
TS646 - Bugbrooke

Location Notes:
Bugbrooke is a peaceful village in rural Northamptonshire.

Railway type and traffic
The line that runs through here is on the busy West Coast Main Line. Be aware, however, that most freight does not pass here, instead taking the Northampton loop before rejoining near Rugby. Still, plenty of Virgin services flying past if that is what you are after.

Location Name:
TS757 - Bugbrooke - East of the 'Clumps'

Location Notes:
Bugbrooke is a peaceful village in rural Northamptonshire. The West Coast Mainline runs past the village.

Railway type and traffic
The line that runs through here is on the busy West Coast Main Line. However, most freight does not pass here, instead taking the Northampton loop before rejoining near Rugby. Still, plenty of Virgin services flying past if that is what you are after. Also note that sometimes, often at weekends, all WCML services can be diverted via the Northampton loop.

Location Name:
TS748 - Bugbrooke, Banbury Lane Crossing

Location Notes:
Banbury Lane is between Bugbrooke and Rothersthorpe in rural Northamptonshire.
The location is also known as Rothersthorpe crossing, and Billings Brook.

Railway type and traffic
The line that runs through here is on the busy West Coast Main Line. Most trains are operated by Virgin, with the occasional unit operated by Central trains.
Be aware, however, that most freight does not pass here, instead taking the Northampton loop before rejoining near Rugby.

Location Name:
TS1297 - Burbage Common

Location Notes:
The location is a foot crossing just outside of Hinckley on the Nuneaton to Leicester line.

Railway type and traffic
The line see's a half hourly CrossCountry service in each direction between Birmingham New Street and Leicester/Stansted Airport.
You do also get a bit of freight consisting of ballast trains to and from Mountsorrel and Stud Farm, empty steel carriers from Corby to Wales plus it is a diversionary route if the mainline from Derby via Burton is closed.

Location Name:
TS1107 - Caldecote

Location Notes:
This West Coast Mainline location is in an area of open countryside just outside Nuneaton, and is located around two railway crossings of public footpaths, one a bridge and the other an underpass. The location is a short walk from the village of Caldecote, along public footpaths.

Railway type and traffic
As with all West Coast Mainline locations passing traffic is dominated by class 390 Pendolinos. There is also occasional Virgin Trains Voyagers, as well as London Midland class 350s passing this location on passenger activity.
There is a fair amount of freight passing this location, with workings in the hands of DB Schenker, Freightliner and DRS.

Location Name:
TS909 - Castlethorpe, Bridge 191

Location Notes:
Castlethorpe is a small village between Milton Keynes and Northampton. This location is a road bridge which crosses over the busy West Coast Main Line.

Railway type and traffic
Plenty of Virgin trains, and class 321 and 350 units operating local services.
There is also much freight, mainly by DB Schenker, GBRF, and Freightliner.

Location Name:
TS908 - Castlethorpe, Cycle Route

Location Notes:
Castlethorpe is a small village between Milton Keynes and Northampton. This location is a road bridge which crosses over the busy West Coast Main Line.

Railway type and traffic
Plenty of Virgin trains, and class 321 and 350 units operating local services.
There is also much freight, mainly by DB Schenker, GBRF, and Freightliner.

Location Name:
TS66 - Cathiron

Location Notes:
The location is a footbridge located in a rural area that affords good views in both directions. About 2 miles north of Rugby on the Nuneaton (Trent Valley) section of the West Coast Main Line.

Update 19-02-08 from Phil Redcoat:
On a visit on 19 February 2008 I found parking full of Railtrack vans and parked down the lane. On arriving at location was asked by local if I had parked in the spot indicated by Trainspots and was informed that 'they' were clamping down on people parking there. He then went off to argue with the Railtrack guys.
There is an issue here be warned.

Railway type and traffic
Usual West Coast Main line Virgin WC traffic on the passenger front. Plenty of freight action from DRS, DB Schenker and Freightliner.

Location Name:
TS128 - Catholme, Wyncnor

Location Notes:
A back lane road over bridge that joins the A38 to a quarry facility. Just to the south the line splits, at Wichnor Junction, with the main line proceeding down to Water Orton and a freight only line diverging towards Litchfield and then Aston in Birmingham.

Railway type and traffic
Cross Country workings from Derby to Birmingham, East Midlands Trains operate services from Derby to Birmingham. Just to the north is the Central Rivers depot so there will be a few Voyager workings coming off the depot.
Freight services mainly operated by DB Schenker and Freightliner.
Serco test trains and movements from Brush works to the West coast will also often pass here.

Location Name:
TS738 - Church Brampton

Location Notes:
This location is between the villages of Church Brampton and Harlestone in rural Northamptonshire. The Northampton loop of the West Coast Main Line runs through here.

Railway type and traffic
This section of line sees an hourly service to Euston and Birmingham New Street. The occasional Virgin service is also scheduled to pass here. Sometimes, particularly at weekends, all traffic can be diverted via this loop. Charters are often diverted via this section of line.
The line also sees regular freight traffic including Freightliner and DB Schenker.

Location Name:
TS837 - Church Brampton Cottages

Location Notes:
This location is between the villages of Church Brampton and Harlestone in rural Northamptonshire. The Northampton loop of the West Coast Main Line runs through here.

Railway type and traffic
This section of line sees an hourly service to Euston and Birmingham New Street. The occasional Virgin service is also scheduled to pass here. Sometimes, particularly at weekends, all traffic can be diverted via this loop. Charters are often diverted via this section of line. The line also sees regular freight traffic including Freightliner and DB Schenker.

Location Name:
TS754 - Church Lawford, Coventry Road

Location Notes:
Church Lawford is a village on the outskirts of Rugby. The line here runs between Rugby and Coventry.

Railway type and traffic
These days, most traffic is Virgin Pendolinos and Class 350 units running into Birmingham.
However, some freight can be seen running on this section of line.

Location Name:
TS640 - Clattercote

Location Notes:
Clattercote is a quiet location in rural Oxfordshire. The location is on the Chiltern line Between Leamington Spa and Banbury.

Railway type and traffic
The majority of the traffic is multiple units run by Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country Services.
DB Schenker and Freightliner provide frequent freight movements

Location Name:
TS665 - Claverdon Station

Location Notes:
Claverdon is a small village a few miles west of Warwick. The station is a very quiet location.

Railway type and traffic
This quiet single-track line line see passenger traffic running from Leamington Spa to Stratford-upon-Avon. Please note that these trains are not frequent, sometimes 2 hours between runs, so it`s best to check timetables before travelling!
Weekends may see charter traffic, both steam and diesel hauled.

Location Name:
TS641 - Claydon

Location Notes:
Claydon is a small Oxfordshire village. The location is on the Chiltern line Between Leamington Spa and Banbury.

Railway type and traffic
The majority of the traffic is multiple units run by Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country Services.
DB Schenker and Freightliner provide frequent freight movements.

Location Name:
TS711 - Claydon Crossing

Location Notes:
Claydon is a small Oxfordshire village. The location is on the Chiltern line Between Leamington Spa and Banbury.

Railway type and traffic
The majority of the traffic is multiple units run by Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country Services.
DB Schenker and Freightliner provide frequent freight movements.

Location Name:
TS434 - Claydon, Reservoir Crossing

Location Notes:
Located between the villages of Fenny Compton and Claydon, to the north of Banbury this location is a small foot crossing on the Leamington Spa - Didcot line.

Railway type and traffic
This line sees a variety of traffic, from Chiltern Services, Virgin Cross Country Services, and freight workings by Freightliner, DB Schenker and GBRf (at weekends).

Location Name:
TS62 - Cossington

Location Notes:
Two over bridges near the village of Cossington.

There is currently (15-4-2012) a notice declairing that Footpath 163 is to be extinguished (closed), this is the crossing at this location. Objections are to be recieved by 27th April 2012.

Railway type and traffic
A busy four track mainline. Passenger traffic is intense and is formed of Central Trains Sprinters and Turbostars and EMT 222s and Turbostars.
A lot of freight traffic can be seen here mostly consisting of stone trains to and from Mountsorrel.

Update 14-3-2012 - Bob Young
In addition to stone trains, there are two cement trains that pass from Earles to West Thuurock and Theale. The photographers here were after the Colas Class 47 on the Boston to Washwood Heath steel.

Location Name:
TS1108 - Coventry, Judds Lane

Location Notes:
The location is in Coventry City, in the shadows of Coventry Cities Ricoh Arena. The location is a footbridge over the Coventry - Nuneaton line.

Railway type and traffic
Traffic through this location is a mixture of passenger services between Nuneaton and Coventry normally operated by a class 153.
Freight traffic is predominatley Frieghtliners too and from the Port of Southampton. There are also occasional DB Schenker freight services over this line.

Location Name:
TS838 - Crick

Location Notes:
Crick is on the outskirts of Northamptonshire, just a short distance away from 'DIRFT'.
Don`t get confused with DIRFT being anywhere near Daventry, it is actually 6 and a half miles away! In fact Rugby is much closer! Anyway, I digress.....
The location is a field on the outkirts of Crick.

Railway type and traffic
Here you will see local trains operated by class 321 and 350 units. Some Virgin services are also scheduled to pass here.
The line also sees considerable freight activity, with current workings by DB Schenker, Freightliner and DRS.
Class 08s can also often be seen here shunting in the DIRFT sidings.

Location Name:
TS525 - Croome Perry - Besford

Location Notes:
Croome, Croome Perry or Besford as it is sometimes referred to is a quite spot located in between Pershore and Worcester on the Birmingham - Bristol Main Line.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger traffic is Voyagers and Central Trains sprinters, although Virgin do run summer specials with motive power other than Voyagers.
Freight wise, the line sees regular steel traffic to and from South Wales with the seven day a week Lackenby - Llanwern steel trains still producing class 60s.
The line also sees DRS Flask traffic from Bridgewater to Crew along with MGR Coal, Cartics and Cement carried by FL (this usually runs at night). An average day will see at least seven freights during daylight.

Location Name:
TS823 - Cropredy

Location Notes:
Cropredy is a quiet location in rural Oxfordshire. The location is on the Chiltern line Between Leamington Spa and Banbury.

Railway type and traffic
The majority of the traffic is multiple units run by Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country Services.
DB Schenker and Freightliner provide frequent freight movements.

Location Name:
TS933 - Daw Mill

Location Notes:
Daw Mill is a colliery on the Nuneaton-Birmingham line, roughly in the middle of that line.

Railway type and traffic
Local 'Central' units can be seen on the line, as can various freight workings, mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner. This can also be a diversion route for the West Coast when the Coventry line is shut, with the electric trains being dragged with class 57 locomotives.

Location Name:
TS940 - Daw Mill Colliery

Location Notes:
The location is in the middle of a field opposite Daw Mill colliery around 4 miles north of Coventry, on the Nuneaton - Water Orton line.

Railway type and traffic
Local 'Central' units can be seen on the line, as can various freight workings, mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner. This can also be a diversion route for the West Coast when the Coventry line is shut, with the electric trains being dragged with class 57 locomotives.

Location Name:
TS1104 - Derby, Pride Parkway

Location Notes:
A road over bridge on the Midland Main Line between Derby and Trent Junction, just outside Derby.

Railway type and traffic
A mixture of EMT Meridians and HSTs along with Cross Country Voyagers and 170s.
There is little freight that passes the location.
The former Railway Technical Center, now the base for Serco provides a colourful selection of trains that often pass the location on their way just about anywhere in the country.

Location Name:
TS659 - Dodford

Location Notes:
Dodford is a quiet rural Northamptonshire village. This location is just outside of the village on a section of the West Coast Main Line.

Railway type and traffic
Traffic is mainly Virgin Pendolinos.
Most freight traffic is pathed along the Northampton loop.

Location Name:
TS648 - Dodford, Skew Bridge

Location Notes:
Dodford is a quiet rural Northamptonshire village. This location is just outside of the village on a section of the West Coast Main Line.

Railway type and traffic
Traffic is mainly Virgin Pendolinos.
Most freight traffic is pathed along the Northampton loop.

Location Name:
TS1036 - Dorridge, West Close Footbridge

Location Notes:
The footbridge is located immediately South of Dorridge Railway Station in the West Midlands.The nearest city is Birmingham.

Railway type and traffic
The footbridge crosses the Birmingham Snow Hill to Leaminghton Spa mainline. Passenger services are provided by London Midland on the Worcester to Leamington Spa corridor and also by Chiltern Railways on the Birmingham Snow Hill to London Marylebone route. Both of these services stop at Dorridge station.
Since 28 April 2008, the Wrexham and Shropshire Railway service between Wrexham and London Marylebone passes through Dorridge, but does not stop at the station.
Certain Arriva Cross-Country services use the route on their way to and from the South coast.
Several daily freight services use the route including intermodal, departmantal and bitumen traffic to and from Southampton and points in the South.

Location Name:
TS649 - Easenhall

Location Notes:
Easenhall is a nice quiet Warwickshire village to the North of Rugby. The busy West Coast Main Line passes through here.

Railway type and traffic
An assortment of traffic can be seen passing here including Virgin services, London Midland passenger services. There is also plenty of DRS, Freightliner and DB Schenker freight workings.

Location Name:
TS650 - Easenhall, Brinklow Loop

Location Notes:
This quiet location is between Brinklow and Easenhall just North of Rugby.

Railway type and traffic
An assortment of traffic can be seen passing here including Virgin services, London Midland passenger services. There is also plenty of DRS, Freightliner and DB Schenker freight workings.

Location Name:
TS1105 - East Midlands Parkway

Location Notes:
A recently constructed road bridge leading to the new station on the Midland Main Line. A few miles to the north of the location three lines converge from Derby, Sheffield and Nottingham and then all head south towards Leicester.
This shot was originally from the A453 bridge, but this bridge has been constructed a few hundred feet to the north of that road.

Railway type and traffic
Plenty of East Midlands Trains 222 Meridians and HSTs on expresses from London to places like Leicester, Derby or Leeds. Local EMT services with 158s or 156s.
Freight is predominantly in the hands of DB Schenker and Freightliner, with the odd GBRf working passing through.
There will also be, from time to time, Serco test trains, including the NMT passing the location as they head from the Serco Railtest in Derby. Also stock moves and new unit deliveries will, often, pass this location on their way from Derby Litchurch Lane to the south.
Coal traffic to the power station will not pass this location. The northbound track having been lifted so only south bound workings can enter the power station.

Location Name:
TS1162 - Eckington Bridge

Location Notes:
On the Birmingham-Bristol main line north of Tewkesbury.

Railway type and traffic
Two track main line on the Cross Country route between Birmingham and Gloucester.

Location Name:
TS476 - Elford

Location Notes:
Elford is located north of Tamworth on the line between Birmingham and Derby.

Railway type and traffic
Cross Country workings from Derby to Birmingham, East Midlands Trains operate services from Derby to Birmingham.
Freight services mainly operated by DB Schenker and Freightliner.
The line at this point is double-track though there is also a goods loop for southbound trains.

Location Name:
TS982 - Enslow

Location Notes:
This location is on the road over-bridge of the A4095 from Bicester to Witney and is approximately 10 miles from Oxford.

Railway type and traffic
The line runs approximately north-south on the former GWR mainline between Oxford and Birmingham, carrying a high density of traffic from the South Coast and South-East to the Midlands and the North. A staple diet of Voyagers, and 165 units form the majority of scheduled passenger workings.
Freight is in the hands of 66 (Freightliner and DB Schenker) - liner trains may be viewed approximately half-hourly, with an occasional 67. Other unusual workings may use this route from time to time and steam/diesel charters may also be seen.

Location Name:
TS944 - Evesham, Briar Close Bridge

Location Notes:
Evesham is located in the south-west Midlands and is an important market town situated on the River Avon. It is on the Oxford to Worcester line and the station currently is the location of one of the passing loops on this largely single-track route. This may change over the next few years if a proposal to re-double the lines comes to fruition.

Railway type and traffic
The majority of traffic consists of hourly class 180 Adelantes on Paddington to Worcester/Hereford services with occasional FGW 165s making an appearance.
Other traffic comprises movements to and from Long Marston and has produced classes 31, 37, 45, 47, 60 and 66 from various TOCs, the trains being formed of redundant stock, locomotives, wagons, vans going for either storage or repair and maintenance.
Serco traffic also makes regular visits on a roughly 3 monthly cycle. As this is a largely single-track line, timing of special traffic can be modified through late running of FGW services.

There is no timetabled freight so a visit for locomotive-hauled traffic is only worth the journey when a movement is known about in advance.

Location Name:
TS901 - Fenny Compton

Location Notes:
Fenny Compton is a little village in Warwickshire. The location is on the Chiltern line Between Leamington Spa and Banbury.

Railway type and traffic
The majority of the traffic is multiple units run by Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country Services.
DB Schenker and Freightliner provide frequent freight movements.

Location Name:
TS892 - Fenny Compton, Banbury Road

Location Notes:
Fenny Compton is a little village in Warwickshire. The location is on the Chiltern line Between Leamington Spa and Banbury.

Railway type and traffic
The majority of the traffic is multiple units run by Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country Services.
DB Schenker and Freightliner provide frequent freight movements.

Location Name:
TS219 - Frisby, Washstones Farm Crossing

Location Notes:
This location is on the Syston to Peterborough line.
It is surrounded by trees and bushes, the village of Frisby is clearly visible from this spot. The nearest town is Melton Mowbray, which also offers some good locations. If you wish to 'chase' a train that will run-round in Melton Loop head for Melton Junction, that leads to the Asfordby Test Track. The nearest city being Leicester, which is situated about 15-20 minutes away, depending on which route you take to it.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger trains are operated mostly by Cross Country class 170s.
Freight consists of:
  • One coal train to ketton
  • Cement run by DB Schenker and Freightliner
  • Aggregate by DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf
  • Occasional Engineering trains and runs to the Asfordby Test Center with trains for testing.
    		•

    Location Name:
    TS677 - Gayton

    Location Notes:
    Gayton is a small peaceful village in rural Northamptonshire, between Bugbrooke and Blisworth.

    Railway type and traffic
    The line that runs through here is on the busy West Coast Main Line. Plenty of Virgin services can be observed here.
    However, please note that most freight does not pass through this location. Freight workings normally take the Northampton loop before rejoining near Rugby.

    Location Name:
    TS839 - Gordons Lodge

    Location Notes:
    This location is a quiet bridge which crosses the busy West Coast Mainline between Northampton and Milton Keynes.

    Railway type and traffic
    Lots of Pendolinos can be seen here, often interrupted by class 321s and 350s on local passenger duties.
    The location is also very busy on the freight front, with regular DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf workings amongst others.

    Location Name:
    TS964 - Gravelly Hill Station

    Location Notes:
    Gravelly Hill is a suburb of Birmingham, located to the North of the City Centre in the shadow of the M6 Junction 6, more commonly known as 'Spaghetti Junction'.
    The station is on the Northern part of the 'Cross City' line, which runs between Redditch, Birmingham and Lichfield.

    Railway type and traffic
    The Cross City line is served by London Midland class 323 EMUs, which generally run about every 10 minutes Monday to Friday, and almost all services stop at Gravelly Hill.
    Few other trains pass this way, although class 220/221 Voyager DEMUs pass regularly on ECS moves to and from Central Rivers depot at Barton Under Needwood to the North.
    Occasionally, if the route via Tamworth is closed due to engineering work, diversions will pass here.

    Location Name:
    TS893 - Great Bourton Crossings

    Location Notes:
    Despite it`s name, Great Bourton is a small Oxfordshire village just a few miles north of Banbury.

    Railway type and traffic
    The majority of the traffic is multiple units run by Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country Services.
    DB Schenker and Freightliner provide frequent freight movements.

    Location Name:
    TS956 - Great Bowden

    Location Notes:
    The village of Great Bowden is a suburb of Market Harborough. The Midland Mainline runs through here, and is about half way between Leicester and Wellingborough.

    Railway type and traffic
    The line sees regular East Midlands Trains services, currently a half hour service in each direction, so plenty of opportunities to photograph HSTs and Meridian units here.
    There is also plenty of freight traffic on the line, although in daylight hours, this mainly consists of northbound workings.

    Location Name:
    TS687 - Great Brington

    Location Notes:
    This location is near to the charming little village of Great Brington in rural Northamptonshire. The Northampton loop of the West Coast Main Line runs through here.

    Railway type and traffic
    This section of line sees an hourly service to Euston and Birmingham New Street. The occasional Virgin service is also scheduled to pass here. Sometimes, particularly at weekends, all traffic can be diverted via this loop. Charters are often diverted via this section of line.
    The line also sees regular freight traffic including Freightliner and DB Schenker.

    Location Name:
    TS786 - Grendon, Dordon Hall Farm

    Location Notes:
    Grendon is a small village in northern Warwickshire. The 4 tracked West Coast Main Line runs past here. The location itself is known by many as Grendon, although perhaps Dordon Hall Farm is perhaps a better description.

    Railway type and traffic
    Lots of Virgin Pendolinos, but little else on the passenger front.
    However, a good variety of freight can be seen at the location, including frequent DB Schenker, Freightliner and DRS operations.

    Location Name:
    TS840 - Hanslope

    Location Notes:
    Hanslope is a small village between Milton Keynes and Northampton. This location is a road bridge which crosses over the busy West Coast Mainline.

    Railway type and traffic
    Plenty of Virgin trains, and class 321 and 350 units operating local services.
    There is also much freight, mainly by DB Schenker, GBRf, and Freightliner.

    Location Name:
    TS634 - Harbury Cutting

    Location Notes:
    Harbury is a quiet Warwickshire village located between Southam and Leamington Spa.

    Railway type and traffic
    The line sees Chiltern Railways and Virgin Cross Country cater for passenger services, while DB Schenker and Freightliner provide the freight workings.

    Location Name:
    TS401 - Hatton

    Location Notes:
    A footbridge over the Line between Leamington Spa and Birmingham

    Railway type and traffic
    The line is a haven from DMU's from Marylebone to Birmingham.

    Location Name:
    TS407 - Hatton Bank 1

    Location Notes:
    A rural location in south Warwickshire to the north of Leamington Spa on the line to Birmingham.

    Railway type and traffic
    Although a main line (between Warwick Parkway & Hatton stations) the bulk of traffic to be seen is multiple units.
    Freight traffic amounts to about 10-12 trains a day in summer daylight hours. The route is used for diversions if the Leamington Spa-Coventry route is closed.
    Please bear in mind that most Freightliner traffic will not pass this location as it will take the Coventry line at Leamington.

    Location Name:
    TS408 - Hatton Bank 2

    Location Notes:
    A rural location in south Warwickshire to the north of Leamington Spa on the line to Birmingham.

    Railway type and traffic
    Although a main line (between Warwick Parkway & Hatton stations) the bulk of traffic to be seen is multiple units.
    Freight traffic amounts to about 10-12 trains a day in summer daylight hours. The route is used for diversions if the Leamington Spa-Coventry route is closed.
    Please bear in mind that most Freightliner traffic will not pass this location as it will take the Coventry line at Leamington.

    Location Name:
    TS834 - Hatton North Junction

    Location Notes:
    A footbridge in rural surroundings which crosses the Leamington to Birmingham line. This is also at the junction where the line goes down to Stratford-upon-Avon, although trains from Stratford-upon-Avon travelling towards Leamington will emerge from the other end of the junction which is not visible here, so Hatton station or the road bridge is the best bet if you want that part of the line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Most traffic is in the form of Voyagers, and Chiltern units operating between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone.
    Some DB Schenker freight workings can also be seen here.

    Location Name:
    TS1000 - Hatton South Junction

    Location Notes:
    This location is the road bridge which is just to the east of Hatton station which is on the Leamington to Birmingham line. This is also at the junction where the line goes down to Stratford-upon-Avon.

    Railway type and traffic
    The location is busy with Voyagers, and Chiltern units operating between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone.
    Freightliner and a few DB Schenker freight workings can also be seen here.

    Location Name:
    TS664 - Henley-in-Arden Station

    Location Notes:
    Henley-in-Arden is a small town in Warwickshire, a few miles north of Stratford-upon-Avon. The station is on the Stratford to Birmingham line.

    Railway type and traffic
    This station is served by multiple units which go to Birmingham, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon and London Marylebone. There are also frequent charters passing through, both steam and diesel hauled, to Stratford-upon-Avon.

    Location Name:
    TS580 - Husborne Crawley Foot Crossing

    Location Notes:
    Husborne Crawley Foot Crossing is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Aspley Guise and Ridgmont, quite near M1 junction 13. There is no shelter should the weather turn nasty.

    Railway type and traffic
    The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
    There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
    There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.

    Location Name:
    TS582 - Husborne Crawley, A507 Bridge

    Location Notes:
    Husborne Crawley is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Aspley Guise and Ridgmont, quite near M1 junction 13. There is no shelter should the weather turn nasty, although the only parking space available is quite close. This site provides west viewing shots only.

    Railway type and traffic
    The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
    There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
    There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.

    Location Name:
    TS883 - Kegworth

    Location Notes:
    Kegworth is on the Midland Mainline, close to East Midlands Airport, between Loughborough and Sheet Stores Junction, Long Eaton.

    Railway type and traffic
    The line here is a 4-track mainline.
    Traffic consists of various Central Trains DMUs on local stopping services (Mainly class 156), Midland Mainline HSTs and class 222 DEMUs on express services from London St. Pancras to the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.
    Freight is mainly DB Schenker 66s and 60s on stone and coal workings, as well as the odd FL 66.
    Also, at the time of writing (September 2007), regular moves of HST power cars from FGW to Brush Traction at Loughborough were taking place which passthis location, usually hauled by a Cotswold Rail class 47.

    Location Name:
    TS475 - Kempston Hardwick

    Location Notes:
    A rural location, on the outskirts of Bedford. The A421, the road bridge from which you shoot, is currenlty undergoing major road works.

    Railway type and traffic
    The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of either 150 or 153 units.
    Frieght is currently sparse along the route, but it frequently used by workings heading from the Midland Main line traveling to the south, cutting across to Bletchley.

    Location Name:
    TS817 - Kenilworth, Farmer Ward Road

    Location Notes:
    A built up area in the middle of Kenilworth. This location is on the single track line which runs from Leamington Spa and Coventry.

    Railway type and traffic
    Passenger trains are only Voyagers these days, but Freightliner and DB Schenker currently operate various freight trains on this section of line.

    Location Name:
    TS1018 - Kettering, South

    Location Notes:
    This location is just to the south of Kettering Station on the Midland Mainline, and lies between Wellingborough and Corby.

    Railway type and traffic
    The line sees regular EMT (East Midlands Trains) services, currently a half hour service in each direction, so plenty of opportunities to photograph HST and Meridian units here.
    There is also plenty of freight traffic on the line, although in daylight hours, these workings are mainly northbound.

    Location Name:
    TS789 - Kibworth Harcourt

    Location Notes:
    This location is on the Midland Mainline between Leicester and Market Harborough.

    Railway type and traffic
    Passenger trains are currently HSTs and Meridians.
    Freightliner, DB Schenker and GBRf operations add some variety here. There will often be Serco test trains heading to, or from, destinations in the south.

    Location Name:
    TS405 - Kilby Bridge, Leicestershire

    Location Notes:
    On the Mainline from Leicester to London. This point is on the rural-urban fringe of Leicester.

    Railway type and traffic
    Includes traffic such as HSTs, Meridians, maybe the odd Turbostar, 66s, 60s and other mixed locomotives.

    Location Name:
    TS409 - Kings Sutton

    Location Notes:
    An overbridge on the busy Oxford-Leamington Spa-Birmingham route.

    Railway type and traffic
    A mainline location between Kings Sutton and Banbury stations.
    Varied freight traffic including numerous Freightliner trains to/from Southampton.

    Location Name:
    TS805 - Lea Marston

    Location Notes:
    Lea Marston is a village to the east of Birmingham, and is on the triangle of lines between Water Orton and Kingsbury.
    Please note that not all freight that is scheduled to pass here actually does! Freight can often be diverted via Whitacre Junction, which is on the other edge of the triangle.

    Railway type and traffic
    The location sees much passenger use, with 156, 158 ,170 and Voyagers busying themselves.
    The location is very good for it's selection of freight, with DB Schenker, Freightliner, and services can be seen daily, including class 56, 60, 66 and 67 on a regular basis.

    Location Name:
    TS661 - Leamington Spa Station

    Location Notes:
    Pete Watermans favourite station is situated in this busy, grand Warwickshire town.

    Railway type and traffic
    The stations sees plenty of activity, with passenger regular passenger services between Snow Hill and Marylebone, and local services to Stratford upon Avon. Virgin also provide cross country services to Bournemouth, Edinburgh and several others, all quite frequently.
    The station also sees freight, mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner which pass through the stations centre roads.

    Location Name:
    TS47 - Leek Wootton Viaduct

    Location Notes:
    A viaduct on the Leamington Spa to Coventry line.

    Railway type and traffic
    A single track mainline. Passenger services are operated by both Voyagers and Wrexham & Shropshire class 67s with short MkIII and DVT rakes.
    Freight traffic mostly consists of Freightliner container trains heading to or from Southampton with 66s as motive power.

    Location Name:
    TS541 - Leicester, Welford Road Bridge

    Location Notes:
    Welford Road is to the south of Leicester Station and close to both the Rugby and Football grounds.

    Railway type and traffic
    All rail traffic that heads south from Leicester Station will pass this location:
    HSTs, Meridians, 156s, 158s, 170s.
    Plus the occasional freight with DB Schenker or Freightliner 66s.

    Location Name:
    TS1261 - Lichfield Trent Valley Junction

    Location Notes:
    Located by Lichfield Trent Valley Junction signal box on Burton Old Road by Britannia Business Park with pedestrian foot crossing. There is also bridge which looks over Lichfield Trent Valley station on the WCML.

    Railway type and traffic
    Occasional XC Voyager workings in passenger service, but mostly ECS movements from Central Rivers.
    Network Rail movements to/from Derby. Freightliner Coal workings.

    Location Name:
    TS1299 - Lichfield Trent Valley Station

    Location Notes:
    Lichfield Trent Valley Station has 3, low level, platforms located on the West Coast Main Line with a link to the high level where stone trains and engineer trains come from Burton direction to join the WCML.

    Railway type and traffic
    Virgin West Coast and London Midland Passenger workings with Intermodal/Odd Cement train/Mountsorrel ballast/engineer trains/network rail workings.

    Location Name:
    TS609 - Lickey Bank, Pikes Pool Lane

    Location Notes:
    A double tracked section of the Birmingham to Gloucester mainline, along the famous 1 in 37 Lickey Incline. The location is approximately a mile and a quarter from Bromsgrove station by road.
    As of 2017 the line has been electrified and the OLE masts have changed the available angles available at the location.

    Railway type and traffic
    Frequent Voyager services between Birmingham and the South West. 150s, 158s and 170s on Birmingham to Cardiff, Worcester and Hereford service. Although once electrification is complete the local workings will hand over to electric units.
    Freight consists of a couple of coal trains and a few steel workings and a Flask working on selected days.

    Location Name:
    TS863 - Lickey Bank, Vigo Bridge

    Location Notes:
    A double tracked section of the Birmingham to Gloucester mainline, along the famous 1 in 37 Lickey Incline. The very popular location is a foot crossing on the south side of a narrow road underbridge.
    As of 2017 the line has been electrified and the OLE masts have changed the available angles available at the location.

    Railway type and traffic
    Frequent Voyager services between Birmingham and the South West. 150s, 158s and 170s on Birmingham to Cardiff, Worcester and Hereford service. Although once electrification is complete the local workings will hand over to electric units.
    Freight consists of a couple of coal trains and a few steel workings and a Flask working on selected days.

    Location Name:
    TS747 - Lidlington, #4

    Location Notes:
    Lidlington is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Ridgmont and Millbrook, in the middle of the village it serves.

    Railway type and traffic
    The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
    There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML. There is also a Saturday morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.

    Location Name:
    TS643 - Long Buckby - Panthers Bridge

    Location Notes:
    Long Buckby is a large village in Northamptonshire. The Northampton loop of the West Coast Main Line runs through here.

    Railway type and traffic
    This section of line sees an hourly service to Euston and Birmingham New Street. The occasional Virgin service is also scheduled to pass here. Sometimes, particularly at weekends, all traffic can be diverted via this loop.
    The line also sees regular freight traffic including Freightliner and DB Schenker.

    Location Name:
    TS644 - Long Buckby Road - Watford

    Location Notes:
    This location is between Watford and Long Buckby in Northamptonshire.

    Railway type and traffic
    This section of line sees an hourly service to Euston and Birmingham New Street. The occasional Virgin service is also scheduled to pass here. Sometimes, particularly at weekends, all traffic can be diverted via this loop.
    The line also sees regular freight traffic including Freightliner and DB Schenker.

    Location Name:
    TS642 - Long Buckby Station

    Location Notes:
    Long Buckby is a busy Northamptonshire village. The village has a station on the Northampton loop of the West Coast Main Line.

    Railway type and traffic
    There are three trains per hour to London and thrre trains per hour north, these are operated by London Midland.
    This section of line also sees much freight including Freightliner, and DB Schenker workings.

    Location Name:
    TS810 - Long Buckby Wharf

    Location Notes:
    Long Buckby Wharf is just south-west of Long Buckby village itself. The M1, canal, and WCML are within close proximity to each other here, with the railway actually crossing the canal at this particular location.

    Railway type and traffic
    Traffic is mainly Virgin Pendolinos, and the occasional Desiro unit or Voyager. At least one loco hauled diagram each day is booked past here (as at June 2007).
    Although this is on the WCML, it must be noted that some services, including most freight is diverted away from this location, being pathed along the Northampton loop.
    Also this location is very quiet on a Sunday, as most passenger trains also take the loop.

    Location Name:
    TS812 - Long Buckby, Greenhill Farm

    Location Notes:
    If it wasn`t for the nearby M1, this would be a quiet rural location on the outskirts of Long Buckby.

    Railway type and traffic
    The Location sees regular Virgin services running alongside the busy motorway, and also the occasional local service.
    Apart from the odd exception, all freight is pathed along the Northampton loop, and does not pass through this location.

    Location Name:
    TS678 - Long Lawford Village

    Location Notes:
    Long Lawford is a village on the western outskirts of Rugby. The line here runs between Rugby and Coventry.

    Railway type and traffic
    These days, most traffic is Virgin Pendolinos and Class 350 units running into Birmingham. However, some freight can be seen running on the line.

    Location Name:
    TS915 - Long Marston, Warwickshire

    Location Notes:
    Long Marston is an ex-MOD site some 7 miles to the south-west of Stratford-upon-Avon. It is partly used for the storage of redundant rolling stock and locomotives although maintenance and repair and testing of certain items of stock is also carried out. It is situated at the end of a long siding from Honeybourne station, on the Oxford - Worcester line and used to be on the GWR main line from Birmingham to the West Country and South Wales. The nearest major towns are Stratford-upon-Avon and Evesham.

    Railway type and traffic
    This is a single line branch which sees as required traffic comprising off-lease locomotives and various types of vans, wagons and tanks to and from from a variety of locations. There are no timetabled trains and it not worth going without prior knowledge that something is running.
    Locomotives from DB Schenker, Freightliner, DRS, Cotswold Rail and GBRf appear from time to time with classes 20, 31, 37, 45, 47, 60 and 66 having appeared over the last couple of years since the Motorail Logistics facility began operations.
    You may also see various industrial locomotives in use on the internal system, although a HNRC class 11, 12082 is the most frequently used.

    Location Name:
    TS935 - Longbridge Station

    Location Notes:
    Longbridge Station is situated on the Birmingham Cross-City line between Lichfield Trent Valley and Redditch, running on a North East - South West axis

    Railway type and traffic
    At this point, Longbridge is a quadruple track with the Up and Slow lines on the outside with the main lines in the middle.
    Mainly used by Virgin Voyagers and Central Trains City Link services, there is also a very intense local passenger service operating over the Cross City line utilising Class 323 EMUs operated by Central Trains on behalf of Centro.
    Freight traffic also uses the line, with mainly steel and coal operated by DB Schenker and Freightliner Heavy Haul, while DRS also plays a role in running an as-required Nuclear Flask train from Berkeley to Crewe.
    It is also common for charter trains to use this line at weekends as well.

    Location Name:
    TS467 - Loughborough Station

    Location Notes:
    On the Midland Mainline squashed between Nottingham and Leicester, the station is near to the centre of Loughborough.

    Railway type and traffic
    This is a Mainline station with plenty of class 222 Meridians and HST, some of which pass through at very high speeds. There are also central 170s/158s etc and a bit of freight.

    Location Name:
    TS957 - Market Harborough

    Location Notes:
    Market Harborough station is on the Midland Main Line, and is about half way between Leicester and Wellingborough.

    Railway type and traffic
    The line sees regular Midland Mainline services, currently a half hour service in each direction, so plenty of opportunities to photograph HST s and Meridian units here.
    There is also plenty of freight traffic on the line, although in daylight hours, these workings are mainly northbound.

    Location Name:
    TS93 - Milton Keynes Central

    Location Notes:
    This is a main Inter City station situated approximately 55 miles from Euston on the West Coast main line.
    It consists of 4 through platforms numbered 2-5 and a bay platform numbered 1 which acts as the outer terminus for Silverlink County’s semi-fast service from Euston. Platforms 2 and 3 are for the slow lines and 4 and 5 act similarly for the fast lines.
    Normally all Virgin services that stop will use platforms 4 and 5 although this sometimes changes for operational reasons. There is only one way to access to all platforms. That is via the main booking hall and through automatic barriers. If arriving by any means other than rail it is necessary to purchase a 10p platform ticket from the booking office. Once this has been done staff are usually amenable to photographers who act responsibly, wandering between platforms at will. As always in a railway environment, responsibly also means not using flash and not using a tripod.


    Update By Kieren Tabor:
    NOTE! Milton Keynes Central has become very photographer unfriendly! I was told to leave by the police. If the gates on the footbridge are closed you have to travel to get past.
    To gain access to the platforms you must either seek out the Station Master (not always reliable) or phone Silverlink customer services and request a platform ticket for a specific date. Alternatively got to Wolverton station and travel down to MKC, whether or not you'll get kicked off I don't know! You are all in all better off going to Wolverton station.

    Once on the station there are excellent views in excess of a mile in each direction which permits plenty of time to set photographic equipment. Pendolino’s easily fit within the platform which are approx 12 coaches in length although northbound VT locomotive hauled trains normally run right to the end of platform 5 which means fully head on photography is not possible while the trains are stationary. It is worth noting here that the first bridge approx 100 yards north of the station is a pedestrian walkway which affords excellent views, notwithstanding the Overhead Line Equipment, for those type of shots.

    Railway type and traffic
    All traffic using the West Coast main line has to go through the station, approx 50% of Virgin West Coast services stop at the station. Virgin use class 390 Pendolino units, with the occasional loco hauled cobbler service. Current Virgin Trains plans call for the eradication of locomotive haulage through this section of the line by September 2004. Also using the station is London Midland, as a terminus for the semi-fasts as well as the fast services heading for Northampton and Birmingham
    There is usually about 2 freight paths per hour in each direction shared between DB Schenker and Freightliner, these will generally be routed through platforms 1 and 2.

    Location Name:
    TS740 - Milton Malsor

    Location Notes:
    Milton Malsor is a quiet village on the outskirts of Northampton.

    Railway type and traffic
    The line sees mainly multiple units running between London Euston and Birmingham New Street on a regular basis. Some Virgin services also pass through.
    This section of the West Coast Main Line also sees a variety of freight traffic, including DB Schenker and Freightliner workings.

    Location Name:
    TS655 - Mountsorrel, Bridleway and Foot Crossing

    Location Notes:
    The footpath has been closed as of 2013

    A wide foot crossing over the 4-track Midland Mainline and the joining roads from the Lafarge plant at Mountsorrel. Set a short distance back from the main road through Barrow-upon-Soar, the location is fairly rural.

    Update from Daniel Cramp:
    The bridleway crossing over the railway is currently (08/08) closed. I visited today and could not get across. According to the notice on the signpost it is only temporary, but it does not state a start or end date.

    Railway type and traffic
    Mainline passenger traffic consists of MML HSTs, and Class 222 Meridians (both 4 and 9 car) on the fast lines. The slow lines see an hourly Ivanhoe service, which is usually worked by a 156, although any Central Trains DMU can be rostered for this service.
    Freight services are usually 66s, with locos from DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf. Various industrial shunters can be seen doing their thing in the Lafarge sidings, as well as 66s / aggregate wagons arriving, waiting, and departing.

    Location Name:
    TS660 - Northampton 'Castle' Station

    Location Notes:
    Northampton is a well served station on the 'Northampton loop' of the West Coast Main Line.

    Railway type and traffic
    The station sees mainly multiple units running between London Euston and Birmingham New Street on a regular basis. Some Virgin services also pass through.
    Most WCML freight traffic uses the loop, including DB Schenker and Freightliner workings.

    Location Name:
    TS739 - Northampton - Grange Farm (White Hills)

    Location Notes:
    This location is on the outskirts of Northampton, close to a large residential estate, yet there is a 'rural' feel to the place.

    Railway type and traffic
    This section of line is on The Northampton Loop, so most West Coast Main Line freight is routed through here. Passenger services see class 321 and 350 units running between Birmingham and London Euston. Also, some Virgin services are scheduled to pass here.

    Location Name:
    TS899 - Northampton, Briar Hill

    Location Notes:
    Briar Hill is an estate to the South of Northampton Castle Station, and the line which runs past here is the 'Northampton loop' of the West Coast Main Line.

    Railway type and traffic
    The line sees mainly multiple units running between London Euston and Birmingham New Street on a regular basis. Some Virgin services also pass here.
    Most WCML freight traffic uses the loop, including DB Schenker and Freightliner workings.

    Location Name:
    TS468 - Nuneaton Station

    Location Notes:
    Nuneaton Station is situated on the West Coast Mainline, 97 miles from London Euston in Warwickshire, it is also Criss Crossed by the Birmingham - Leicester line, with the branch to Coventry at the Southern End.

    Railway type and traffic
    Passenger wise, all expresses are now Pendolino operated with mainly Euston - Liverpool Lime Street services calling, the Birmingham - Leicester/East Anglia services are operated by Central Trains with a mixture of Classes 156, 158, 170 and the occasional 153 and 150. There is an hourly London Midland service using the superb Desiro class 350 units north & south stopping in platform 2 for northbound services & platform 5 for southbound services.
    There is a good variety of freight, mainly freightliners, Steel to and from Corby and Margam.
    In the evenings though, 3 or 4 car trains pass through with DB Schenker/Freightliner 66s, whilst DRS operate the prestigious WH Malcolm traffic and the late night nuclear flasks. Class 92s also ply their trade with enterprise traffic to and from Dollands Moor.

    Location Name:
    TS1005 - Nuneaton, Abbey Street Junction

    Location Notes:
    This location is on the Birmingham to Leicester line the location is just on the outskirts of Nuneaton town centre its a short walk from the bus/train station.

    November 2010: The bridge appears to be closed for 'strengthening works'.

    Railway type and traffic
    Passenger traffic is mainly cross country class 170s.
    Freight is worked by Freightliner or DB Schenker 66s on coal,stone,cars and LaFarge. The odd class 60s on steel and stone plus tanks on some days.

    Location Name:
    TS861 - Nuneaton, Grove Farm

    Location Notes:
    The location is next to the Aldi Supermarket - in the car park to be precise, overlooking the Birmingham - Nuneaton - Leicester Line.

    Railway type and traffic
    The main workings along the line are DMUs, mainly Class 170s and 158s working between East Anglia/Leicester and Birmingham.
    Freight along the line is very infrequent but fuel trains to Bedworth also use the line (about thrice weekly on average) and ballast trains to and from Mountsorrel and Crewe also appear.
    GBRf also operate 2 return intermodal services to and from Hams Hall, as well as Freightliner's to and from Lawley Street.

    Location Name:
    TS886 - Oakley High Field Road Bridge

    Location Notes:
    This location was originally 'Oakley Station Bridge', this bridge was demolished to make way for the Midland Main Line Electrification extension. The view point now referrs to the next bridg enorth.
    A very quiet area, just north of Bedford on the Midland Main Line. This site used to have a railway station until 1958, when it was closed.

    Railway type and traffic
    HSTs and Meridians are the mainstay but there are occasional charters as well.
    There is a light smattering of freight on the line and there are the odd Serco test train formations running to or from Derby.

    Location Name:
    TS586 - Old Farm Park Bridleway

    Location Notes:
    Old Farm Park bridleway is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Bow Brickhill and Woburn Sands, on the southern outskirts of Milton Keynes. It is a small bridleway way, with modern gates across the line - although it looks little used.

    Railway type and traffic
    The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
    There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
    There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.

    Location Name:
    TS751 - Old Milverton

    Location Notes:
    A quiet countryside location on the outskirts of Leamington Spa and Warwick.
    The location is actually two bridges within close proximity, one is a public footpath, the other is a road bridge.

    Railway type and traffic
    This location is on the single track line which runs from Leamington Spa and Coventry. Passenger trains are only Voyagers these days, but Freightliner 66s, and DB Schenker 66s can be seen on freights.

    Location Name:
    TS756 - Outwoods, Hinckley

    Location Notes:
    This location is on the outskirts of Hinckley in Leicestershire. The location lies on the route between Leicester and Birmingham.

    Railway type and traffic
    Central trains currently operate an hourly service to Leicester and Birmingham.
    Some freight also uses this line, and charter trains can also be seen using this section of line every now and again.

    Location Name:
    TS360 - Pirton

    Location Notes:
    A very little used automatic level crossing at Pirton on the Birmingham - Bristol main line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Passenger services in the hands of Cross Country Voyagers, 170s and 158s, plus the occasional 150.
    A good place to see Cotswold Rail locos as their base is close by at Gloucester.
    Freight consists of DB Schenker coal services from Avonmouth to Midlands power stations, North East - South Wales steel services, fuel tanks, etc. Also some military traffic, and DRS nuclear flask workings.
    A good day should see several class 60s, breaking the Shed monopoly.

    Location Name:
    TS1097 - Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford

    Location Notes:
    This is former railway land not far from Hednesford Station in Staffordshire. The Chase Heritage Trail uses part of the formation of the Rawnsley branch line that joined the Walsall – Rugeley railway at what was Pool Pits Junction.

    Railway type and traffic
    London Midland class 170+153 DMU formations on the local Birmingham – Rugeley service
    Freightliner class 66s on the coal traffic to Rugeley, plus the occasional limestone train.

    Location Name:
    TS502 - Portway

    Location Notes:
    A favoured afternoon southbound shot on the Derby - Tamworth line in open countryside.

    Railway type and traffic
    Basically Turbostars and Voyagers, with Class 66s, and perhaps the odd 60, on freight.

    Location Name:
    TS384 - Radwell

    Location Notes:
    A flood plain viaduct on the Midland Main line just to the north of Bedford

    Railway type and traffic
    The line is primarily used by Midland Main Line expresses from London to Sheffield. Currently there is a mix of HSTs and Meridians.
    There is a light smattering of freight on the line and there are frequent test train formations running to or from Derby.

    Location Name:
    TS936 - Redmoor, Bletchley

    Location Notes:
    On the outskirts of Milton Keynes, this location is just to the north of Bletchley on the WCML.

    Railway type and traffic
    Lots of Virgin Pendolinos. Local services to Birmingham, Northampton and Euston are currently in the hands of London Midland class 350 units.
    There is plenty of freight that passes through the station, mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner.

    Location Name:
    TS928 - Roade Cutting

    Location Notes:
    This is on the busy WCML just to the south of Northampton. The 4 tracks split here, with two lines diverting via the Northampton Loop, while the 'main' lines avoid Northampton, heading north via Weedon.

    Railway type and traffic
    Lots of Pendolinos can be seen here, often interrupted by class 321s and 350s on local passenger duties.
    The location is also very busy on the freight front, with regular DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf workings amongst others. Freight usually takes the Northampton Loop.

    Location Name:
    TS75 - Rugby Station

    Location Notes:
    On the West Coast Main Line where the Northampton loop rejoins the main line. 82 miles north of London Euston on the Nuneaton (Trent Valley) section of the WCML.

    Rugby Station is undergoing a vast remodling and track layout change. The information and images contained here are now quite out of date. There will be an update to the page shortly.

    Railway type and traffic
    Usual West Coast Main line Virgin WC traffic on the passenger front. Plenty of freight action from DRS, DB Schenker and Freightliner.

    Location Name:
    TS932 - Rugby, Clifton Road

    Location Notes:
    This location is on the West Coast Mainline just to the east of Rugby Station.
    The location has altered a lot over the last year or so, and is still under going alterations (September 2007.) The old Great Central bridge 'The Birdcage' has now been removed, and has altered the view greatly. The viaduct to the east of the bridge also looks different now due to track alterations during 2007.

    Railway type and traffic
    The usual Virgin WC traffic on the passenger front, complimented with London Midland units catering for the local services.
    There is plenty of freight that works on the line, mainly DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf.

    Location Name:
    TS896 - Rugby, Hillmorton

    Location Notes:
    Since general access has been blocked to the southern side of the line, this location is now largely ignored. Despite being very limited when it comes to photographic options, it nonetheless offers something different to break up monotonous shots taken at the same location time and time again.This is the point where the 4 track WCML splits, and the Northampton loop commences, and it is this loop which is the main focal point at this location.

    Railway type and traffic
    The line sees local trains currently in the form of class 321 and 350 units. Some Virgin services are also scheduled to pass here.
    The line also sees considerable freight activity, with working by DB Schenker, Freightliner and DRS.

    Location Name:
    TS958 - Rugeley Bypass

    Location Notes:
    A countryside location, just north of Rugeley Trent Valley station on the West Coast Main Line in Staffordshire.

    Railway type and traffic
    Scheduled main line passenger trains are class 390 Pendolinos and class 350 Desiro EMUs, plus class 221 Voyagers. Classes 150, 150/2 and 170 provide the local Birmingham - Walsall - Stafford service. This route is often used by charter trains.
    Main line freight (including coal and departmental trains) hauled by DRS, DB Schenker and Freightliner locomotives (classes 60, 66, 67, 86, 90 and 92).

    Location Name:
    TS156 - Rugeley Trent Valley

    Location Notes:
    A small station on the WCML, between Stafford and Tamworth.

    Railway type and traffic
    Central train services between Walsall and Stafford , Nuneaton and Stafford. Virgin West Coast services which do not run to Birmingham or Wolverhampton
    Various DB Schenker freight including MGRs for Rugeley Power Station. Freightliner Intermodal and heavy haul services.

    Location Name:
    TS477 - Ryecroft Junction

    Location Notes:
    Ryecroft Junction is immediately north of Walsall station and is the junction between the line towards Rugeley and the 'Sutton Park' freight line to Water Orton.

    Railway type and traffic
    There is an hourly passenger service, usually Centro's 150 units, to Rugeley, and a variety of freight. Most of these are coal trains to Rugeley Power Station which tend to pass through twice as they currently run round at Bescot, also any freight heading from Bescot to both the South-west, north-east or towards Nuneaton/Leicester.

    Location Name:
    TS271 - Sharnbrook, Souldrop

    Location Notes:
    On the Midland Main Line, midway between Wellingborough and Bedford.
    At this point there are two lines, the main lines are raised and have a harder gradient over Sharnbrook Summit, whilst the freight avoids the summing with a gentler line to the east.

    Railway type and traffic
    There are 4 East Midlands Trains services an hour, mostly operated by 222s with the odd HST. Quite often services pass in this area, so there will often be two workings in the space of a minute.
    From around 12:00hrs on a good day there can be a procession of north-bound empty freights, mainly aggregate trains, as well as a couple of cement trains. There is little if any south-bound afternoon freight traffic.

    Location Name:
    TS270 - Shilton, Ansty Canal

    Location Notes:
    A classic shot of the West Coast Main line opposite the Oxford Canal. Situated on the WCML between Rugby and Nuneaton this line is the main route avoiding Birmingham. The location has picked up the tag of Ansty, in actual fact the location is only a couple of hundred yards from the former Shilton station.

    Railway type and traffic
    Plenty of Pendolinos and Voyagers also the as required Virgin Trains MkIII hauled service.
    A fair amount of diesel and electric freight from DB Schenker, Freightliner, DRS, GBRf and also Colas.

    Location Name:
    TS897 - Shustoke Reservoir, Crossing #1

    Location Notes:
    Shustoke is about halfway on the Birmingham-Nuneaton line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Local 'Central' units can be seen on the line, as can various freight workings, mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner.

    Location Name:
    TS911 - Shustoke Reservoir, Crossing #2

    Location Notes:
    Shustoke is about halfway on the Birmingham-Nuneaton line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Local 'Central' units can be seen on the line, as can various freight workings, mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner.

    Location Name:
    TS912 - Shustoke Reservoir, Crossing #3

    Location Notes:
    Shustoke is about halfway on the Birmingham-Nuneaton line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Local 'Central' units can be seen on the line, as can various freight workings, mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner.

    Location Name:
    TS404 - Stafford, Moss Pit

    Location Notes:
    Network Rail have closed this foot crossing making the location unavailable.
    Moss Pit is a residential area at the southern tip of Stafford and is on the line from Stafford towards Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

    Railway type and traffic
    There is a regular passenger service on the line of Voyagers on longer distance services and various units on the Birmingham to Liverpool services.
    Freight comprises of services south of Crewe generally to the South Coast, also Infrastructure trains from Basford Hall to Bescot. West Coast services are sometimes diverted this way on weekends.

    Location Name:
    TS403 - Stafford, Queensville Curve

    Location Notes:
    The Queensville Curve is immediately south of Stafford station on the West Coast Main Line, and is where the Trent Valley route turns through ninety degrees to head briefly east away from the Birmingham line.

    Railway type and traffic
    The main services on the line are the now Pendolino operated Liverpool and Preston/Glasgow to London Euston services, with Holyhead to London trains operated by Voyagers. There is an hourly Stafford to Birmingham via Walsall local service.
    Freight at this point is mainly Freightliner and DB Schenker Enterprise services heading south out of Crewe.

    Location Name:
    TS74 - Stenson Freight line

    Location Notes:
    A farm track / road bridge (with public right of way) over cross country freight line approximately. 7.5 miles north east of Burton on Trent and approximately. 1 mile from Stenson Junction.

    Railway type and traffic
    A double track freight line.
    There is no passenger service as the route is freight only, but Derby to Birmingham Central Trains DMU's and Virgin Voyagers can be seen in the distance.
    Freight traffic consists of bogie tanks, departmental, intermodal, coal and steel trains run by DB Schenker 60, 66 Freightliner 66 and GBRF 66.
    This location is a nice change from Stenson Junction close by and approx. 1/3 to 1/2 of the traffic seen at Stenson Junction comes off this line.
    The farm track does lead up to the Birmingham to Derby main line were you can view freightliners, voyagers and DMU's

    Location Name:
    TS663 - Stratford-upon-Avon Station

    Location Notes:
    Stratford-upon Avon station although once a through station, is now a terminus in Warwickshire.

    Railway type and traffic
    This station is served by multiple units which go to Birmingham, Leamington Spa, and London Marylebone. There are also frequent charters to the town, both steam and diesel hauled.

    Location Name:
    TS447 - Sutton Bonnington

    Location Notes:
    Sutton Bonington is on the Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire border, on the Midland Main Line between Loughborough and Long Eaton. Near to Kegworth and Ratcliffe Power Station.

    Railway type and traffic
    The usual MML traffic, with HSTs, Meridians, and the odd unit sharing the Fast lines.
    Freight is usually hourly, and the same types of freight that can be seen at locations such as Barrow On Soar and Cossington, also pass Sutton Bonington.

    Location Name:
    TS662 - Sydenham

    Location Notes:
    A district on the outskirts of Royal Leamington Spa.

    Railway type and traffic
    Arriva Cross country, and Chiltern railway services calling at Leamington Spa station pass through here.
    Also plenty of freight traffic, mainly by DB Schenker and Freightliner.

    Location Name:
    TS63 - Syston Bypass bridge

    Location Notes:
    The A607 road bridge over the Leicester to Peterborough two track main line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Passenger traffic is a mix of Turbostars and Sprinters. Freight traffic is mostly stone traffic to and from Mountsorrel. Pendolino drags to and from the Asfordby test centre also pass this way.

    Location Name:
    TS184 - Tamworth

    Location Notes:
    Tamworth is a small town around 14 miles north-east of Birmingham.

    Railway type and traffic
    Tamworth station is a dual level station. The upper level is served by the Derby - Birmingham line, and the lower level is situated on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) between Lichfield and Nuneaton.
    Both these routes see dozens of trains every day, including many freights.

    Location Name:
    TS1004 - Tile Hill

    Location Notes:
    Tile Hill is situated between Coventry and Birmingham New Street on the West Coast Mainline.
    The area is a field adjacent to Tile Hill Station, on the outskirts of Coventry in the West Midlands.

    Railway type and traffic
    The railway is predominantly Class 390 Pendolinos working Virgin West Coast services between Wolverhampton/Birmingham New Street and London Euston. You also get Class 350/323 EMUs working London Midland services between Birmingham New Street and Coventry/Northampton.
    Currently, spring 2008, there is a loco-hauled passenger working on a Monday - Friday which uses the line and is worked by an DB Schenker Class 90 and ex-Virgin MkIII coaching stock, although a shot of this working is only possible from April - September owing to the longer days.
    There is little freight that use the line, a DB Schenker enterprise from Bescot to Wembley in the evening.

    Location Name:
    TS884 - Washwood Heath

    Location Notes:
    This location is at the northern throat of the, largely disused, DB Cargo Freight Yard in the inner city of Birmingham on the Cross-Country Route (B'ham-Derby/Nuneaton). The location is on a private road that leads to the Alstom complex. From the bridge you can see the main running lines and the west side of the yard where most locos will be stabled. There is also a view of the R.M.C. Terminal when facing west.

    Railway type and traffic
    On the main running lines you will see Freightliner services (Lawley Street to Felixstowe/Southmpton, Leeds-Soouthampton; mainly 66s and 70s), Steel to and from Margam (DBC), Scrap from Kingsbury (DBC), Steel between Washwood Heath and Boston Docks (Colas, either a 56 or 47), amongst others. At weekends you might get 57/3's pulling Pendolinos towards Nuneaton, although these are a rarity nowadays. There is also a possible charter to photograph on the weekend.

    Location Name:
    TS726 - Water Orton Crossings

    Location Notes:
    Water Orton is a busy village between Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill. The northern line at this location is the line to Tamworth and Derby, whilst the southern line runs from Birmingham to Nuneaton.
    The two crossing are a very short walk (or quick dash!) apart. There is a footbridge over the Leicester line, and a crossing on the Nuneaton line.

    Railway type and traffic
    The station is served by Cross Country, and many units including 170s can be observed, as can Virgin voyagers and HSTs.
    The location is very good for it`s selection of freight, currently DB Schenker, Freightliner, GBRF and Colas Rail services passing with class 47, 56, 57, 60, 66 & 67 on a regular basis. Freightliner services are Intermodal, Coal and Ballast.
    GBRF services are Engineers
    Colas services are steel.

    Location Name:
    TS725 - Water Orton Footbridge

    Location Notes:
    Water Orton is a busy village between Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill, and is on the Birmingham to Leicester, and Birmingham to Nuneaton lines.

    Railway type and traffic
    The station is served by Cross Country, and many units including 170s can be observed, as can Virgin voyagers and HSTs.
    The location is very good for it`s selection of freight, currently DB Schenker, Freightliner, GBRF and Colas Rail services passing with class 47, 56, 57, 60, 66 & 67 on a regular basis. Freightliner services are Intermodal, Coal and Ballast.
    GBRF services are Engineers
    Colas services are steel.

    Location Name:
    TS724 - Water Orton Station

    Location Notes:
    Water Orton is a busy village between Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill, and is on the Birmingham to Leicester, and Birmingham to Nuneaton lines.

    Railway type and traffic
    The station is served by Cross Country, and many units including 170s can be observed, as can Virgin voyagers and HSTs.
    The location is very good for it`s selection of freight, currently DB Schenker, Freightliner, GBRF and Colas Rail services passing with class 47, 56, 57, 60, 66 & 67 on a regular basis. Freightliner services are Intermodal, Coal and Ballast.
    GBRF services are Engineers
    Colas services are steel.

    Location Name:
    TS657 - Watford Gap

    Location Notes:
    Watford Gap is better known for it`s busy service station on the M1 motorway. However, motorway noise aside, the general area is in quiet rural countryside.

    Railway type and traffic
    The Location sees regular Virgin services running alongside the busy motorway.
    Apart from the odd exception, all freight is diverted along the Northampton loop, and does not pass through this location.

    Location Name:
    TS658 - Watford Village

    Location Notes:
    Watford Village is a small Northamptonshire village, and is a short distance away from Long Buckby.

    Railway type and traffic
    This section of line is on The Northampton Loop, so most WCML freight is diverted here. Passenger services see class 321 and 350 units running between Birmingham and London Euston. Also, some Virgin services are scheduled to pass here.

    Location Name:
    TS737 - Watford, Jurassic Way

    Location Notes:
    Watford Village is a small Northamptonshire village, and is a short distance away from Long Buckby.

    Railway type and traffic
    This section of line is on The Northampton Loop, so most West Coast Main Line freight is routed here. Passenger services see class 321 and 350 units running between Birmingham and London Euston. Also, some Virgin services are scheduled to pass here.

    Location Name:
    TS683 - Weedon, Stowe Tunnel

    Location Notes:
    Weedon is a village in Northamptonshire, which sees the busy West Coast Main Line meander through.

    Railway type and traffic
    Most services are now solely in the hands of Pendolinos these days. Voyagers and class 350 units can also be seen, although less frequently.

    Location Name:
    TS99 - Wellingborough, Finedon Road

    Location Notes:
    On the Midland main line, 35 miles south of Leicester.

    Railway type and traffic
    There are 4 Midland Mainline services an hour though so plenty of opportunities for HST and 'Meridian' shots.. From around 12:00hrs on a good day there can be a procession of north-bound empty freights, mainly aggregate trains, as well as a couple of cement trains. There is little if any south-bound afternoon freight traffic.
    This is where the Forders to Cricklewood binliner runs round in both mornings and evenings on weekdays.

    Location Name:
    TS97 - Wellingborough, Harrowden Junction

    Location Notes:
    On the Midland main line, 35 miles south of Leicester. This is the point where freight usually rejoins the main line from the freight lines avoiding Sharnbrook Summit, though the line continues north of this location.

    Railway type and traffic
    There are 4 EMT services an hour though so plenty of opportunities for HST and 'Meridian' shots.. From around 12:00hrs on a good day there can be a procession of north-bound empty freights, mainly aggregate trains, as well as a couple of cement trains. There is little if any south-bound afternoon freight traffic.

    Location Name:
    TS102 - Wellingborough, Kangaroo Spinney

    Location Notes:
    On the Midland main line, 35 miles south of Leicester.

    Railway type and traffic
    There are 4 EMT services an hour though so plenty of opportunities for HST and 'Meridian' shots.. From around 12:00hrs on a good day there can be a procession of north-bound empty freights, mainly aggregate trains, as well as a couple of cement trains. There is little if any south-bound afternoon freight traffic.

    Location Name:
    TS103 - Wellingborough, Knuston Lodge Farm

    Location Notes:
    On the Midland main line, 36 miles south of Leicester.

    Railway type and traffic
    There are 4 Midland Mainline services an hour though so plenty of opportunities for HST and 'Meridian' shots.. From around 12:00hrs on a good day there can be a procession of north-bound empty freights, mainly aggregate trains, as well as a couple of cement trains. There is little if any south-bound afternoon freight traffic.

    Location Name:
    TS101 - Wellingborough, Mill Road Bridge

    Location Notes:
    On the Midland main line, 35 miles south of Leicester.

    Railway type and traffic
    There are 4 EMT services an hour though so plenty of opportunities for HST and 'Meridian' shots.. From around 12:00hrs on a good day there can be a procession of north-bound empty freights, mainly aggregate trains, as well as a couple of cement trains. There is little if any south-bound afternoon freight traffic.

    Location Name:
    TS100 - Wellingborough, Sanders Road

    Location Notes:
    On the Midland main line, 35 miles south of Leicester.

    Railway type and traffic
    There are 4 EMT services an hour though so plenty of opportunities for HST and 'Meridian' shots.. From around 12:00hrs on a good day there can be a procession of north-bound empty freights, mainly aggregate trains, as well as a couple of cement trains. There is little if any south-bound afternoon freight traffic.

    Location Name:
    TS1053 - Welton

    Location Notes:
    Apart from the nearby A5, a quiet countryside location.

    Railway type and traffic
    The Location sees regular Virgin services running alongside the busy motorway, and also the occasional local service.
    Apart from the odd exception, all freight is pathed along the Northampton loop, and does not pass through this location.

    Location Name:
    TS1336 - Westwood Road Footbridge, Atherstone

    Location Notes:
    A footbridge on a small side road in Atherstone along the busy WCML.

    Railway type and traffic
    West Coast Main Line traffic so mostly Pendolinos, Voyagers and there is plenty of freight passing through as well.

    Location Name:
    TS1279 - Wharfdale Road Bridge, Tyseley

    Location Notes:
    A bridge over the railway next to Tyseley station, offering wide views looking of workings approaching the station.

    Railway type and traffic
    A busy area with London Midland local trains mixing with Chiltern services to and from London (including the locomotive hauled services), as well as Cross Country services.
    There is a reasonable amount of freight.

    Location Name:
    TS809 - Whilton Locks

    Location Notes:
    Whilton locks is a canal side location in Northamptonshire. The West Coast Mainline runs through here.

    Railway type and traffic
    Traffic is mainly Virgin Pendolinos, and the occasional Desiro unit or Voyager. At least one loco hauled diagram each day is booked past here (as at June 2007).
    Although this is on the WCML, it must be noted that some services, including most freight is diverted away from this location, being pathed along the Northampton loop.
    Also this location is very quiet on a Sunday, as most passenger trains also take the loop.

    Location Name:
    TS806 - Whitacre Junction

    Location Notes:
    Whitacre Junction is where the Birmingham-Nuneaton line meets with the line running from Kingsbury. The location itself is on a large road bridge between the villages of Whitacre Heath and Shustoke.
    Please note that not all freight that is scheduled to pass here actually does! Freight can often be diverted via Lea Marston, which is on the other edge of the triangle.

    Railway type and traffic
    A variety of units can be witnessed here on passenger duties, and DB Schenker, Freightiner all put in appearances on various freight workings.
    Hams Hall freight terminal is a mile or so west of the bridge and all traffic to and from goes past this location. However note that some freight workings to and from Kingsbury may be diverted via Lea Marston, even if they are scheduled to pass at this location. It really can be hit and miss in this respect!

    When there are engineering works between Birmingham and Coventry WCML Pendolinos are dragged via Water Orton and Whitacre Junc.

    Location Name:
    TS831 - Whitnash, Blackbridge

    Location Notes:
    Whitnash is now effectively a suburb of Royal Leamington Spa.

    Railway type and traffic
    Cross Country, Wrexham and Shropshire and Chiltern railway services operating between Snow Hill and London Marylebone are the main diet on this stretch of line.
    There is also plenty of freight traffic, mainly operated by DB Schenker and Freightliner.

    Location Name:
    TS65 - Wigston South Junction

    Location Notes:
    A road overbridge which overlooks Wigston South Junction and the site of the former Wigston Magna station.

    Railway type and traffic
    The junction of the Midland Main Line and Wigston South curve. Midland Mainline services are formed of Turbostars and HST's. There is a limited amount of freight traffic mostly stone traffic to and from the quarries at Croft, Bardon Hill and Mountsorrel.

    Location Name:
    TS814 - Willenhall, Gypsy Lane, Walsall

    Location Notes:
    Willenhall is halfway between Wolverhampton and Walsall. The line is a double track between Portobello Junction, where the lines from Wolverhampton and Bushbury Junction meet, and Pleck Junction, where line to Walsall meets line to Bescot.

    Railway type and traffic
    Off peak passengert traffic in the early morning or late evening from Virgin Trains and Cross Country.
    Freight traffic out of Bescto yard can produce almost anything.
    Weekends see the potential for the diversion from the Trent valley lines.

    Location Name:
    TS514 - Willington

    Location Notes:
    A footbridge which spans the Derby to Birmingham line. The line is a long straight between here and Stenson Junction which is about 1 1/2 miles to the north east.

    Railway type and traffic
    1/2 hourly Virgin Voyagers in each direction, hourly Central Trains services, freight services mainly operated by DB Schenker and Freightliner and also GBRf. Serco test trains and movements from Brush works to the West coast.

    Location Name:
    TS487 - Wilnecote

    Location Notes:
    Wilnecote is a suburb of Tamworth and is located on the Birmingham to Derby main Line.

    Railway type and traffic
    There are regular passenger services-usually four per hour made up of two Voyager workings and two Central Trains 170s.
    There is also a wide range of freight, including South Wales to North East steel, coal to Rugeley and Ironbridge, oil tanks to Kingsbury as well as departmental and Freightliner workings.

    Location Name:
    TS587 - Woburn Sands

    Location Notes:
    Woburn Sands station is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Bow Brickhill and Aspley Guise, on the northern outskirts of the village it serves. The platforms are both on the west side of the crossing.
    There is a small waiting shelter on platforms which can provide shelter from sudden downpours. There are 4 foot crossings within easy walking distance from the station, the first is to the west of the station, with the other 3 to the east of the station.

    Railway type and traffic
    The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
    There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
    There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.

    Location Name:
    TS914 - Wolverton Station

    Location Notes:
    Wolverton station lies on the busy West Coast Main Line between Northampton and Milton Keynes.

    Railway type and traffic
    Lots of Virgin Pendolinos. Local services to Birmingham, Northampton and Euston are currently in the hands of class 321 and 350 units.
    There is plenty of freight that passes through the station, mainly DB Schenker and Freightliner.


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