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Written by Steven Brykajlo - 24 Feb 2010
last update by Peter Kellett - 25 Feb 2010
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Location notes
A rural location on the ECML about 15 miles north of Berwick-Upon-Tweed where the line sweeps through the Berwickshire hills.
Railway type and traffic
Regular East Coast expresses throughout the day to and from Edinburgh worked by either class 91s and 225 sets or HSTs. There are also regular Arriva Cross Country services to and from Edinburgh worked by Voyager units, although there is the odd service worked by HSTs. Charter services to and from Edinburgh also regularly use this stretch of the ECML.
Freight services currently include at least two Freightliner Heavy Haul coal trains per day to and from Leith Docks. A Freightliner HH cement working from Oxwellmains to Seaham and return also runs at least once a week.
DBS operate an steel service between Teeside and Dalzell, plus a couple overnight freights. GBRf are also soon to take over the Alcan traffic between North Blyth and Fort William. The Network Rail NMT is also a semi regular visitor to the line, as well as other test trains from time to time heading to or from Scotland.
Environment
It is a very rural area in the Berwickshire hills, although there is a small village nearby. You will have to walk through a field, across the Eye Water, go under the railway and up the hills on the other side to reach the classic photo spots. Occasionally, there may be farm animals in field where you take the northbound shot.
Road directions
Houndwood is on the A1 about about 15 miles north of Berwick-Upon-Tweed and about a couple of miles south of Grantshouse.

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Houndwood map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking is best on the verge at the end of the dual carriageway heading west.
Descend into the field here and make the first crossing of the Eye Water by means of the steel girder, cross this field to the second stream of the Eye Water crossing on another steel girder. Cross this field crossing under the railway by means of the gated underpass. Turn right for the best position for northbound shots and left for the better vantage point for southbounds, both involve some climbing plus the northbound position requires yet another burn (stream) to be crossed that has no means of crossing other than jumping or at times getting your footwear wet!
Public transport
Perryman's buses do operate a limited service between Berwick-Upon-Tweed and Edinburgh that goes through Houndwood.

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Amenities
There is very little in Houndwood apart from a few houses. There is a pub in Grantshouse a couple of miles to the north, but the nearest place for major facilities is Berwick-Upon-Tweed about 15 miles to the south.
Accommodation
The closest hotels and B&Bs are in Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
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.
Houndwood

Googly map
Streetmap links
Houndwood general view map
Houndwood close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Houndwood



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Photographic notes
For the southbound shot, the light is generally good in the morning up until mid afternoon when the sun starts to move too far around. Obviously, this means that the northbound shot is not so good in the morning, but gets better as the afternoon goes on as the sun travels further around.


General views - All photographs © Steven Brykajlo unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east


Fig 1 - Looking east


Fig 2 - Looking west - Image © Peter Kellett


Fig 2 - Looking west - <i>Image © Peter Kellett</i></a>


Fig 3 - Looking south - Image © Peter Kellett


Fig 3 - Looking south - <i>Image © Peter Kellett</i></a>


Fig 4 - Looking west - Image © Peter Kellett


Fig 4 - Looking west - <i>Image © Peter Kellett</i></a>

From over the hill from the Fig 1 shot position.

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