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Location notes
On the Great Western Main Line about halfway between Exeter and Newton Abbot.
Railway type and traffic
A busy two track railway, and station, with frequent First Great Western HSTs and local units (of 143, 150, 153 and occasional 158 varieties), as well as Cross Country Voyagers and HSTs.
Some freight, namely a weekly DB Schenker fuel oil train and Colas log train, occasional Network Rail test trains too.
There is a weekly China Clay train that runs on Thursdays in the late afternoon from the west and the locomotive returns light a few hours later.
Some freight, namely a weekly DB Schenker fuel oil train and Colas log train, occasional Network Rail test trains too.
There is a weekly China Clay train that runs on Thursdays in the late afternoon from the west and the locomotive returns light a few hours later.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Dawlish
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
Dawlish is situated on the South coast. You can walk along the sea wall between the beach and the railway. There are a few places to duct and cover if it rains.
The sea wall and it's attached footbridges are great locations for photography, but do get rather busy in the summer, tripods are definitely not a good idea as space is limited.
The station is staffed during peak times, but can get some undesirable types gathering in the evening.
The sea wall and it's attached footbridges are great locations for photography, but do get rather busy in the summer, tripods are definitely not a good idea as space is limited.
The station is staffed during peak times, but can get some undesirable types gathering in the evening.
Road directions
The location is directly off the A379 just to the south of the station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Dawlish map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Dawlish map co-ordinates
Parking
Plenty of seaside parking (though finding a space can get tricky in high season), as well as a fairly large car park at the station.
Public transport
Good bus links from most of Devon and roughly hourly rail departures to Exeter/Exmouth and Paignton, and a few trains to and from London and the North as well.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
Toilets on the station when it's open, as well as a few public conveniences in the area.
As Dawlish is a seaside resort, there are plenty of restaurant and takeaways in the area.
As Dawlish is a seaside resort, there are plenty of restaurant and takeaways in the area.
Accommodation
Lots of accommodation in the area, with at least two B&B's overlooking both the railway and the sea!
Dawlish
Dawlish
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Dawlish
Streetmap links
Dawlish general view map
Dawlish close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Dawlish
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Dawlish
Googly map
Dawlish general view map
Dawlish close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Dawlish
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Given that the line runs from north to south, the sun is better placed up until mid afternoon, although some sort of short is nearly always available! For seafront shots a set of small steps will gain you the necessary height to get over the fence.
Extra Video notes:Given the seafront location strong winds are frequent, and as above the area can get very busy with people and traffic in high season.
Extra Video notes:
Links to photographs at this location
Northern Railways - Dawlish
The Railway Center.
General views - All photographs © Tim Squires unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
From the cliffe tops to the south of the station, this is a steep walk to this location
Fig 2 - Looking south
From the station footbridge.
Fig 3 - Looking north
Fig 4 - Looking north
Seafront departure view
Fig 5 - Looking north
Seafont view
Fig 6 - Looking east - Image © Craig Allan
From the footbridge to the west of the station.
Fig 7 - Looking west - Image © Craig Allan
Fig 8 - Looking south - Image © Craig Allan
Taken from a passing train.
If photographing out of a train window remember to take care, there are a lot of tunnels on this section of line!
Location Video
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
