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Written by Nick Hair - 15 Apr 2012
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Location notes
In South East London, near to Dartford, on a mainly passenger line, but with some freight, and a great view.
Railway type and traffic
Its a suburban line, one of three to Dartford. The majority of traction is Southeastern class 376 and class 465 / Class 466.
Freightliner services (Monday to Friday, Class 66) pass at around 11:40 and 19:10 towards London from Grain. On some occasions, DB Schenker Class 66s passes at around 17:10 for Didcot with Cargowaggons.
When the Sidcup and Woolwich lines are closed for Engineering works or are experiencing diversion, the Bexleyheath line is used. There is also additional freight at weekends in the form of Hoo Junction based Civil Engineers trains, or additional Freightliner services, usually to Scunthorpe or Crewe.
DRS do not operate, GBRf do use the line for the Civil Engineers trains, but have no WTT services. Interestingly, a new intermodal / supermarket distribution facility at Slade Green will direct many new intermodal services to the line.

It may not be a huge freight place, but staying in the area does afford great connections to many other places where freight is far more frequent, and you can use Erith for Angerstein traffic, or Stone Crossing for Hoo and Thamesport / Grain traffic. Also, it is in the Travelcard Zones, so cheap train fares to London for all forms of freight is available.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Barnehurst Station
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 itself is very safe, and after dark is just as fine. It is suburban, but not in one of those 'dodgy London suburbs'. The station affords great views either way, and the shot from the footbridge for trains towards London are also very reasonable.
Road directions
From the A2, jump off at the Black Prince interchange. Head towards Bexleyheath, up the Gravel Hill. At the Mariott hotel, continue straight forwards, all the way past the Bus Garage, and down to the second mini roundabout. Turn right towards the parade of shops, and take the first left down Hornbeam Lane to leave your car.

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Barnehurst Station map co-ordinates
Parking
The car park is very safe, has many cameras, and as the area is fine, it is ok to leave your cars.
Public transport
Buses 89 / 99 / 229 / 492 serve the local area from places such as Bluewater, Dartford, Bexley, Crayford, Erith, Slade Green, Woolwich and Bexleyheath. The more obvious solution is the train, which is served by trains every 10 minutes or so from / to Lewisham, of which every 30 minutes to each of Cannon Street, Victoria and Charing Cross. Only four of these six trains an hour continue to Dartford, two terminate. On Sunday, it is a half hourly service from Charing Cross to Dartford.

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Amenities
There are varying places for toilets, including the station. There are take aways for Pizza, Chinese, Indian and Fish & Chips. There is always a newsagent or off licence open from 06:00 through to 00:00, all prices are reasonable. The best is 'The Cabin'. The regular buses go to Bexleyheath, where you can find McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and many other such places.
Accommodation
Marriott.
Holiday Inn.
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.
Barnehurst Station

Googly map
Streetmap links
Barnehurst Station general view map
Barnehurst Station close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Barnehurst Station



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Railway Gen Group
South East Gen
Photographic notes
The station faces roughly east west so there should be options for most of the day. There is also the Eirth Road brridge which looks down on a cutting for trains heading in an easterly direction.


General views - All photographs © Nick Hair unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west


Fig 1 - Looking west

66422 is seen approaching Barnehurst heading towards London, having come from the Dartford direction

Fig 2 - Looking east


Fig 2 - Looking east

466009 is seen approaching Barnehurst towards Dartford, taken from Erith Road

Fig 3 - Looking west


Fig 3 - Looking west


Location Video

From the footbridge, shooting 4E24 to Leeds:


Again from the footbridge, on the other side, showing an engineers:


Another engineers, from the station, the other platform is better for Dartford-bound traffic such as this:


Again, use the other platform, but this is London-bound traffic, taken from the same platform to avoid being 'bowled'. The bank is the best photo opportunity:


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