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Written by Marcus Dawson - 01 Aug 2008
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Location notes
A pretty much forgotten bridge over the EMCL joining some very overgrown footpaths between Todds Green and Stevenage.
Railway type and traffic
Standard ECML fare. East Coast Class 91s+MkIV sets and HSTs, Great Northern 365s, 317s, 321s and the odd 313, Hull Trains Pioneers, Grand Central HSTs/180s.
There is a small amount of freight, but this is irregular.
Environment
The footbridge is in a very quiet area, judging by the state of the foot paths to the bridge they are very overgrown and little used. It is not a recommended location to walk to in shorts (as I discovered one summers day!).
Road directions
From the A1(M), Junction 8:
Take the exit for Little Wymondyley and then take the next left towards Todds Green.

Option 1:
Follow the road under the bypass bridge and when the road bends to the right turn into the turning on the left and park here.
From here follow the public footpath (honest it's there!) across the horse field and then keeping the wire fence on left follow it round through the woods to the location.

Option 2:
Directly after the left hand turn, to Todds Green, is a farmers road, with gate, park here being careful not to block access.
Then follow the farm track down into the fields, when you reach the end of the track you should be able to see the East Coast Main Line and the bridge across the field and to your right.

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Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage map co-ordinates
Parking
Depending on which way you approach the location there is a few off road parking spots, but you will be a good few minutes walk from your car. See the road directions for more details.
Public transport
There is a bus stop on the Little Wymondley Road, The routes 80 or 101, which can be found here, call at Little Wymondley and should provide access to the locaiton.

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Amenities
There is nothing at the location. There is a Sainsburys about a mile and a half away on the other side of the A1(M). That aside Stevenage town center has anything you would probably need.
Accommodation
There are plenty of Hotels and B&Bs in Stevanege.
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.
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage

Googly map
Streetmap links
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage general view map
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage



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Photographic notes
This is pretty much only a southbound/looking north shot. The shot of northbound workings is, in my opinion, far too tight.
The location is also more preferable for mornings as by mid day the sun will be round to the west of the line.


General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east


Fig 1 - Looking north east

Taken at 08:15 a south bound working on the fast line.

Fig 2 - Looking north east


Fig 2 - Looking north east

A wider shot moments after fig 1. This view shows the proximity of the OLE masts.

Fig 3 - Looking north east


Fig 3 - Looking north east

From ground level, this view shows a southbound fast working.

Fig 4 - Looking north east


Fig 4 - Looking north east

A northbound working on the slow road.

Fig 5 - Looking north east



Fig 5 - Looking north east

From a similar position to fig 3 but a wide angle to show the OLE masts.

Fig 6 - Looking south west



Fig 6 - Looking south west

A northbound working on the fast road. This view show the 'tightness' caused by the bridge supports and OLE masts, making north bound shots 'difficult'

Fig 7 - The location



Fig 7 - The location

A view of the bridge steps, the encroaching vegitation shows the general state of the area.

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