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Location notes
The location is a public footbridge, on the Lincoln to Sheffield railway line in Retford, North Nottinghamshire.
The nearest cities are Lincoln, Nottingham and Sheffield. Doncaster and Newark-upon-Trent are around a 30 - 40 minute drive way on the A1. The location is also know as Thrumpton West Junction.
The nearest cities are Lincoln, Nottingham and Sheffield. Doncaster and Newark-upon-Trent are around a 30 - 40 minute drive way on the A1. The location is also know as Thrumpton West Junction.
Railway type and traffic
The Lincoln to Sheffield line is double track. Trains are controlled by colour light signals.
The spur on to the East Coast Main Line (ECML) forms two single tracks running on each side of the mainline which disappear under a bridge visible in the distance (looking East.)
Passenger services are operated by Northern Rail on the Adwick / Scunthorpe to Lincoln (via Sheffield) route. There is also a Saturday-only Sheffield to Cleethorpes service.
Freight services are operated by DB Schenker, Freightliner Heavy Haul and GBRf, and are mainly coal trains serving West Burton and Cottam Powers Stations. Several trains run daily mainly to / from Immingham, but some trains originate from Thoresby and Welbeck Collieries.
The spur onto the ECML currently sees little use. However, there is an early morning return train from Sheffield to Retford (High Level) station but other than that, only occasional light engine, engineers or charter trains use the line.
The spur on to the East Coast Main Line (ECML) forms two single tracks running on each side of the mainline which disappear under a bridge visible in the distance (looking East.)
Passenger services are operated by Northern Rail on the Adwick / Scunthorpe to Lincoln (via Sheffield) route. There is also a Saturday-only Sheffield to Cleethorpes service.
Freight services are operated by DB Schenker, Freightliner Heavy Haul and GBRf, and are mainly coal trains serving West Burton and Cottam Powers Stations. Several trains run daily mainly to / from Immingham, but some trains originate from Thoresby and Welbeck Collieries.
The spur onto the ECML currently sees little use. However, there is an early morning return train from Sheffield to Retford (High Level) station but other than that, only occasional light engine, engineers or charter trains use the line.
Environment
On one side is a golf course and the other a wood with a sports field nearby. The location is well away from roads or residential areas. The location is unlit.
The footbridge is mainly used by golfers walking to and from the 3rd Tee. It is also popular with dog walkers.
The footbridge is narrow so please be aware of golfers crossing with their associated trolleys and equipment.
The footbridge is mainly used by golfers walking to and from the 3rd Tee. It is also popular with dog walkers.
The footbridge is narrow so please be aware of golfers crossing with their associated trolleys and equipment.
Road directions
Head out of Retford along the A620 Worksop road and cross the ECML bridge.
Shortly after, turn left down Ordsall Road to a railway bridge just after Northumberland Drive (left.) Cars need to be parked in this area.
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Whisker Hill Junction Footbridge, Retford map co-ordinates
Shortly after, turn left down Ordsall Road to a railway bridge just after Northumberland Drive (left.) Cars need to be parked in this area.
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Whisker Hill Junction Footbridge, Retford map co-ordinates
Parking
The footbridge is accessed by walking along a path running to the right adjacent to the railway cutting just beyond the railway bridge.
Therefore, cars need to be parked in this vicinity. Please bear in mind that this is a busy residential area especially during school time.
Parked cars in this area are not visble from the footbridge.
Therefore, cars need to be parked in this vicinity. Please bear in mind that this is a busy residential area especially during school time.
Parked cars in this area are not visble from the footbridge.
Public transport
By foot:
From Retford railway station turn left down Station Road and then along Westfield Road, keeping the ECML on the left.
At the footbridge, cross the ECML onto West Carr Road. Cross this road and carry straight on down Ordsall Park Road.
At the T junction turn left along Ordsall Road. Just over the railway bridge, a path leads right between the railway cutting and golf course. Follow this path to the footbridge.
This is around a 25 minute walk.
By bus:
Local bus services operate from Retford town centre and stop on Ordsall Park Road and Ordsall Road.
Information about local bus services can be obtained from:
East Midlands (01246 277 451)
Dunn Line (0115 916 9000)
By rail:
For rail services please visit the National Rail Enquiries site.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
From Retford railway station turn left down Station Road and then along Westfield Road, keeping the ECML on the left.
At the footbridge, cross the ECML onto West Carr Road. Cross this road and carry straight on down Ordsall Park Road.
At the T junction turn left along Ordsall Road. Just over the railway bridge, a path leads right between the railway cutting and golf course. Follow this path to the footbridge.
This is around a 25 minute walk.
By bus:
Local bus services operate from Retford town centre and stop on Ordsall Park Road and Ordsall Road.
Information about local bus services can be obtained from:
East Midlands (01246 277 451)
Dunn Line (0115 916 9000)
By rail:
For rail services please visit the National Rail Enquiries site.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are no shops, places to eat or toilets in the area. The nearest amenities are at Retford railway station or in the town centre.
Accommodation
Bed and Breakfast and Hotel accommodation is available to suit most budgets in Retford town centre.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
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Whisker Hill Junction Footbridge, Retford
Streetmap links
Whisker Hill Junction Footbridge, Retford general view map
Whisker Hill Junction Footbridge, Retford close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Whisker Hill Junction Footbridge, Retford
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Whisker Hill Junction Footbridge, Retford
Googly map
Whisker Hill Junction Footbridge, Retford general view map
Whisker Hill Junction Footbridge, Retford close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Whisker Hill Junction Footbridge, Retford
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Photographic notes
The line runs in an East to West direction and is in a cutting.
The footbridge is quite high above the track and good views can be taken in both directions, although the vista looking East is particulary good.
Photographs of trains running up the incline on the ECML spur are hampered by vegetation when looking East. However, a good shot can be obtained looking West as trains branch off the Lincoln-bound line at the junction.
Good photographs of trains running down the incline from the ECML onto the Sheffield-bound line can also be taken.
The footbridge is quite high above the track and good views can be taken in both directions, although the vista looking East is particulary good.
Photographs of trains running up the incline on the ECML spur are hampered by vegetation when looking East. However, a good shot can be obtained looking West as trains branch off the Lincoln-bound line at the junction.
Good photographs of trains running down the incline from the ECML onto the Sheffield-bound line can also be taken.
General views - All photographs © Dr. John Binch unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
On Saturday 2 August 2008, Flamboyant Charters and Doncaster Power Signal Box operated a rail tour from Peterborough to Barrow Hill visiting several freight lines in the South Yorkshire area. Motive power was provided by two West Coast Railway Company Class 47 locomotives operating in ‘top and tail’ mode’. In this view, 47245 (leading) and 47826 take the little used spur from the Sheffield to Lincoln line onto the East Coast Mainline at Whisker Hill, Junction, Retford with the 0732 (1Z47) outward leg from Peterborough.
Fig 2 - Looking east
DB Schenker Class 66/0 no. 66144 powers the 4R23 West Burton Power Station to Immingham empty HTA coal train past Whisker Hill Junction, Retford on Saturday 2 August 2008. The train is on its way to Worksop Yard to reverse.
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.
