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Written by Tim Squires - 31 May 2015
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Location notes
A reasonably busy road bridge overlooking Barry Town Station and the curve off the Barry Island Branch.
Railway type and traffic
A busy suburban type-line. Mostly Arriva Trains Wales units from Classes 142, 143, 150 and 153.
DB Schenker operated coal trains to and from Aberthaw Power Station, generally Class 66 hauled.
This line is also used for diversions when the Cardiff to Bridgend via Pontyclun route is closed, bringing First Great Western HSTs and more ATW DMUs past Barry.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Barry Town
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
A road bridge with wide pavements located close to Barry town centre, and although Barry is a bit rough around the edges, the spot seems safe enough, with friendly locals, maybe best to hide equipment, if only to avoid awkward questions..
Road directions
Located on the A4055 - strangely for a town location, no road name is apparent! Take directions for the town centre or Island, then once in Barry, following directions to Barry Island should cause you to pass the spot.

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Barry Town map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking available at Barry station, street parking also available in nearby roads such as Miskin Street and Clifton Street, it may be hard to find a parking location within a level walk of the spot, as the area is pretty steeply graded!
Public transport
Frequent trains from Cardiff and the Valleys, and an hourly service from Bridgend.
Bus timetables for the area can be found here), the Route 96 from Cardiff has a half-hourly frequency.

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Amenities
A wide selection of takeaways and a pub or two are available in nearby Broad Street.
There is also a Morrisons supermarket and a KFC just to the east in Barry.
Accommodation
Barry, being a seaside location, has lots of accommodation, including a Premier Inn in the redeveloped dockside area and smaller establishments in the town centre.
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.
Barry Town

Googly map
Streetmap links
Barry Town general view map
Barry Town close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Barry Town



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Railway Gen Group
Rail Gen South Wales
Photographic notes
The best view is looking towards the Island Branch, where a tight slow speed curve offers interesting picture opportunities, shots looking towards the station are also possible, those of Bridgend bound trains have a rather nice backdrop of Barry town. A rather tight shot is also possible looking towards Bridgend from the other side of the bridge.

The sun is best for each for each viewpoint as follows:
  • Looking towards the Island Branch: Summer evenings
  • Looking towards Barry Station: Mornings for the town backdrop, afternoon looking towards the docks.
  • Looking towards Bridgend: Mornings.

    For videos there will be a fair amount of traffic and pedestrian noise.


  • General views - All photographs © Tim Squires unless otherwise stated
    Fig 1 - Looking north

    
Fig 1 - Looking north


    Fig 2 - Looking south

    
Fig 2 - Looking south


    Fig 3 - Looking north east

    
Fig 3 - Looking north east


    Fig 4 - Looking east

    
Fig 4 - Looking east


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