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Location notes
A small station on the Hertford Loop of the East Coast Main Line.
Railway type and traffic
Mostly class 313 units on the Great Northern outer suburban services to Letchworth from Moorgate. The line is a primary diversion route should there be problems on the ECML between Alexandria Palace and Stevenage.
There are a couple of scheduled freights during daylight hours and a few more overnight.
Any workings heading directly for Bounds Green will take the Hertford Loop to gain direct access to the depot, this will usually be a failed set or stock move.
The line in the local area is also bi-directional. This is due to the down/northbound line also being used as a test track between Bragbury Junction to the south of Stevenage and Molewood Junction to the north of Hertford.
The line is used for testing of ERTMS signalling equipment. Often 313121 cab be found shuttling along the down line with normal workings running on the up side.
There are a couple of scheduled freights during daylight hours and a few more overnight.
Any workings heading directly for Bounds Green will take the Hertford Loop to gain direct access to the depot, this will usually be a failed set or stock move.
The line in the local area is also bi-directional. This is due to the down/northbound line also being used as a test track between Bragbury Junction to the south of Stevenage and Molewood Junction to the north of Hertford.
The line is used for testing of ERTMS signalling equipment. Often 313121 cab be found shuttling along the down line with normal workings running on the up side.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Watton-at-Stone
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.
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
An open station in a quiet Hertfordshire village. The platforms are accessible 24/7 as there are no barriers to close the station (as of Nov 2015).
Road directions
From the A1, Junction 7:
Follow the signs for Hertford and once out in the countryside you will pass the 'Three Horseshoes' pub on the right. About a mile after this you will come to a roundabout. Take the 2nd exit, straight across, and enter Watton-at-Stone village. At the second mini roundabout turn right, the station is signposted, and continue up this road until you reach the Station.
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Watton-at-Stone map co-ordinates
Follow the signs for Hertford and once out in the countryside you will pass the 'Three Horseshoes' pub on the right. About a mile after this you will come to a roundabout. Take the 2nd exit, straight across, and enter Watton-at-Stone village. At the second mini roundabout turn right, the station is signposted, and continue up this road until you reach the Station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Watton-at-Stone map co-ordinates
Parking
There is road side parking next to the station but check you don't park in residential 'spaces'.
Public transport
By train from Moorgate/Kings Cross (change at Finsbury Park) or southbound from Letchworth/Stevenage.
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
Nothing on the station, there are a couple of small shops in the village but these are 5/10 minutes walk away.
Come out the station at the footbridge end and walk down the bendy road to the Mini roundabout / T-junction. Turn right and continue along the road for a few more minutes.
There is also the George and Dragon Pub on the main road.
Come out the station at the footbridge end and walk down the bendy road to the Mini roundabout / T-junction. Turn right and continue along the road for a few more minutes.
There is also the George and Dragon Pub on the main 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.
Watton-at-Stone
Streetmap links
Watton-at-Stone general view map
Watton-at-Stone close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Watton-at-Stone
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Watton-at-Stone
Googly map
Watton-at-Stone general view map
Watton-at-Stone close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Watton-at-Stone
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Two track line, but be aware of the bi-di working. To the south you can see for a mile or so but the line to the north is on a curve. Due to the 'quiet' country nature of the location you can offer hear them approaching.
The station is well lit at night allowing for video of passing trains.
The station is well lit at night allowing for video of passing trains.
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
Fig 2 - Looking north
Fig 3 - Looking south
Fig 4 - Looking north
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.
