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Location notes
This bridge is in the town of Maidstone on the Medway Valley Line. This line runs between Tonbridge and Strood.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger - everyday, there is a good diet of Southeastern EMUs, with Classes 466, 465 and 375 all using this section of the line. However, Southeastern Class 395 (Highspeed Javelins) EMUs terminate at Maidstone West during the weektime peak,about a quarter of a mile east of the crossing, meaning this class does not ever reach this location.
Freight - (WEEKDAYS) There is a variety of freight which passes the location, the earliest of which is around 05:00 which runs to Allington Stone Terminal further down the line on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. This is usually class 59 or 66 opperated. Also running on these same days is a DB Schenker run stone train from Purley agregatte works to Cliffe. This is usualy between 10:00 and 11:00, as it can run both early and late. Traction for this is usually class 66. Both of these workings are heading east, the latter being particularly good for shots as the sun is in the best position at this time of day.
On a Monday, GBRf run a small convoy of class 73s and 66s from Hoo Junction to Tonbridge yard, heading west. This runs in the same timescale as the DB Schenker stone train.
Also on weekends are regular Ballast and Engineers trains running down the line between various possesions and Hoo Junction Yard. These can be worked by either DB Schenker of GBRf, and run at any time either on Saturday or Sunday.
Freight - (WEEKDAYS) There is a variety of freight which passes the location, the earliest of which is around 05:00 which runs to Allington Stone Terminal further down the line on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. This is usually class 59 or 66 opperated. Also running on these same days is a DB Schenker run stone train from Purley agregatte works to Cliffe. This is usualy between 10:00 and 11:00, as it can run both early and late. Traction for this is usually class 66. Both of these workings are heading east, the latter being particularly good for shots as the sun is in the best position at this time of day.
On a Monday, GBRf run a small convoy of class 73s and 66s from Hoo Junction to Tonbridge yard, heading west. This runs in the same timescale as the DB Schenker stone train.
Also on weekends are regular Ballast and Engineers trains running down the line between various possesions and Hoo Junction Yard. These can be worked by either DB Schenker of GBRf, and run at any time either on Saturday or Sunday.
Environment
The feel of the area can vary, one minute it being a peaceful atmosphere, and the next it being a not very peaceful one. My advice is if you were going to go any time on a weekday after 15:00 or on the weekend to go with someone as at times there are some not very nice people about.
The majority of the time the location is okay, but have your wits about you as what seems a pleasant atmosphere could quickly turn into one which is not!
The majority of the time the location is okay, but have your wits about you as what seems a pleasant atmosphere could quickly turn into one which is not!
Road directions
When coming into Maidstone, head towards Maidstone West. This is on the left on the one way system heading out on the Tonbridge Road. Go straight up past the station and continue in the left hand lane. Once you reach a junction, head straight ahead until you reach a left hand turn before a parade of shops. Turn Left down what is a single direction road. At the end of this, head left down, and at he pub, veer left, and then once you go round the corner, the foot crossing is at the bottom of a very steep hill.
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Tovil Crossing map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Tovil Crossing map co-ordinates
Parking
Bower Lane has a 2 hour waiting limit on parking, but there are not a lot of spaces.
Public transport
Get the train to Maidstone West, which is the closest station, and then either the Route 6,7 or 85 Busses run by Arriva to St Michaels Church, or a 10 minute walk from the station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are some nearby shops near to the top of the very steep hill, however the area is not necessarily the safest around so be careful!
There are one or two Pubs and a SPAR shop not too far from the location. There are no public toilets so the closest place would be in the Pub.
There are one or two Pubs and a SPAR shop not too far from the location. There are no public toilets so the closest place would be in the Pub.
Accommodation
There is the Grangemoor Hotel which is about 5 minutes away from the the location on St Micheals Road. 1 minute away from this is the main road into Maidstone (Tonbridge Road).
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.
Tovil Crossing
Streetmap links
Tovil Crossing general view map
Tovil Crossing close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Tovil Crossing
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Tovil Crossing
Googly map
Tovil Crossing general view map
Tovil Crossing close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Tovil Crossing
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The location is great if the sun is out. In the morning, the sun is behind you facing westward, so shots of trains coming from the Tonbridge direction at this time come out fantastic as the trains go round the 'S' curve bend. In the afternoon and evening, the location is good for trains heading towards Tonbridge away from Maidstone West. Best shots are obtained from the Bridge.
General views - All photographs © Andrew Doyle unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Fig 2 - Looking east
Location Video
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.
