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Written by Michael David Stuart - 06 Jan 2015
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Location notes
North of Preston, near Broughton. On the West Coast Main Line.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger services run by Virgin, Trans-Pennine and occasionally Northern Rail.
A morning and evening nuclear flask train run by DRS, along with DRS liners. Freightliner 86s on liners although most of these run at night. Plenty of West Coast Rail stock moves to and from Carnforth and evening Class 325 mail trains.
Environment
Open field in a quiet area next to a water treatment plant. On a small and quiet lane, occasionally used by vans going to and from the plant and locals living in the area. No farm animals usually in the field, but occasionally are chickens roaming the lane!
Road directions
From Preston follow the A6 north past the M55 junction and through Broughton traffic lights, follow the road and it's your first left down Station Lane. Carry on down the lane and the first left is the childrens play area. Park your car here and walk up to the road bridge and turn left again down the lane to the Water Treatment Plant, you will see the open field on the left.

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Barton & Broughton Loop map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a small childrens play area that is usually quiet that has a small car park which is a 5 minute walk from the field. If not you can park your car on the lane if it is a short visit.
Public transport
Stagecoach run the 40/41 bus which is fairly regular past Station Lane.

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Amenities
No toilets nearby, couple of shops in nearby Broughton village and Billsborough. Nearest pub is The Phantom Winger near the M55 motorway junction.
Accommodation
Nearest hotel is the IBIS hotel near the M55 motorway junction.
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.
Barton & Broughton Loop

Googly map
Streetmap links
Barton & Broughton Loop general view map
Barton & Broughton Loop close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Barton & Broughton Loop



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Photographic notes
The line runs north to south so light is good in the afternoon/evening for southbound trains, and is good for northbound trains in the evening. The loop is the closest line to the field, so if there's a freight in it you won't see much. There's a couple of views along the fence for both north and southbound trains. Steps may be useful for extra height, but tricky in the field.


General views - All photographs © Michael David Stuart unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2- Looking south


Fig 2- Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking south


Fig 4 - Looking south


Fig 4 - Looking south

A northbound working waits in the loop.

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