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Written by Cosmo Graham - 09 Jun 2017
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Location notes
This location is the B4114 road bridge, the Saltley Viaduct, within the inner city of Birmingham on the Birmingham to Derby/Nuneaton Line, between Washwood Heath and Landor Street Junction. From the bridge you can see the main running lines and the approaches to Landor Street Junction.
Railway type and traffic
All sorts pass through here. Passenger wise, CrossCountry are the only operator, with Class 43s, 170s, 220s and 221s passing at regular intervals. VT Voyagers also pass the location running ECS to Central Rivers.
Regarding freight, almost every operator uses the route through the location:
  • Freightliner: services working from Lawley Street to Felixstowe/Southampton can usually be seen to the right hand lines looking south (at the western end of the bridge); services between Leeds and Southampton use the main lines (to the east). Sometimes a few Washwood Heath-Bescot sleeper runs take place. Traction: 66s/70s.
  • DB Cargo: Steel to and from Margam, Cement from Avonmouth and various other oddments. Traction: 66s.
  • DRS: The as required Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flask trains pass through here, en route to the WCML via Sutton Park. Traction: usually 68s. The Daventry-Wentloog southbound Tesco liner runs through here on weekdays, and usually has a 66 up front.
  • GBRf: Mainly ballast trains from Eastleigh/Westbury to Mountsorrel/Cliffe Hill Stud Farm. Traction: 66s.
  • Environment
    The location is a very busy road bridge, with cars, buses and lorries in plentiful supply. These can come over the bridge like the clappers, so use of the traffic lights is highly recommended.
    You might want to use steps at the bridge to get a better view looking over as the parapet is about 6 foot high, though the western end looking south has a gap, and part of the north end has a missing section of parapet. Space for steps is a problem here as the paths are quite narrow, and a lot of people walk over it at all times of day.
    If going, company is highly recommended, as Saltley is, sadly, not known for being a crime-free area.
    Road directions


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    Saltley Viaduct map co-ordinates
    Parking
    There are a few local roads (Devon Street, Mainstream Way, Alderflat Place, among others), which look like like they have parking, however details of how busy it gets are unconfirmed.
    Public transport
    The nearest station would be Duddeston. From there, walk north along the B4132 (Melvina Road) until the roundabout with the A47, then turn east along the A47 (Saltley Road), following it until the next roundabout. From there, walk up to the B4114 on the viaduct.

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    Accommodation
    The nearest accommodation would be in Birmingham City 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.
    Saltley Viaduct

    Googly map
    Streetmap links
    Saltley Viaduct general view map
    Saltley Viaduct close up map

    Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
    Saltley Viaduct



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    Photographic notes
    Zoom lenses are highly recommended for traffic at Landor Street Junction. The south west corner of the bridge offers a decent aperture to most looking south.


    General views - All photographs © Cosmo Graham unless otherwise stated
    Fig 1 - Looking north

    
Fig 1 - Looking north


    Fig 2 - Looking south

    
Fig 2 - Looking south


    Fig 3 - Looking north

    
Fig 3 - Looking north


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