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Written by Marcus Dawson - 17 Jul 2009
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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.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link East Midlands Parkway
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
The area is mainly open with fields and marinas in the area, with no residential areas close by. There is, of course the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station that tends to dominate the skyline.
The station is a parkway facility for the nearby East Midlands Airport and planes will be seen at low altitudes coming in to land from here.
Road directions
From the M1, junction 24:
Take the A453 north east from the junction and the station will be signposted. But it is basically along the road and left at the traffic lights.

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East Midlands Parkway map co-ordinates
Parking
East Midlands Parkway has a very large car park, or there are a number of building site turn ins where you could leave a car. But park off the road as a number of buses use this route.
Public transport
East Midlands Park way is served by East Midlands Trains from places like Derby and Leicester.

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Amenities
The station has a set of basic facilities, but little in the way of food and drink. For this you would need to travel up to Long Eaton.
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.
East Midlands Parkway

Googly map
Streetmap links
East Midlands Parkway general view map
East Midlands Parkway close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
East Midlands Parkway



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Railway Gen Group
Midlands Gen
Photographic notes
The main shot at this location is one with the cooling towers dominating the skyline. For this you will need a wide angle lens around 20-24mm on a Digital SLR. But as this shot is facing north then it will be well lit from mid morning to quite late in the day. Steps will be required to see of the the bridge sides as they are over 7ft high, but the sides views are just road side crash barriers.
The approach to the station is in a cutting that slopes down as it goes away from the bridge but should not cause much problem with shadows.
The northbound shot is not really much to speak of and there are far better locations a short journey away.


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


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking north

Taken with a DSLR at 60mm this view shows the signals that are located at a prime position to obscure the shot!

Fig 4 - Looking south


Fig 4 - Looking south


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