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Written by Cosmo Graham - 23 Jan 2018
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Location notes
Fairwood Junction is the point on the Reading-Taunton Line west of Westbury where the main line into Westbury Station and the Westbury Avoider converge. The road bridge above the junction offers views to the west, and on both routes to the east; the eastern view also boasts the Westbury White Horse on the hill above the town.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger traffic usually consists of Great Western Railway HSTs on Intercity services, and Sprinters (of Classes 150, 153, & 158) on local/regional traffic. These are due to be replaced in this area with IETs (mainly Class 802) and Networker Turbos (Classes 165/166) in the coming months.
SWR 159s also occasionally make an appearance.
Freight traffic mainly consists of aggregates trains. The "Jumbo" aggregate trains to/from the Mendip Quarries (Whatley, Merehead etc.) comprise the majority of aggregate traffic, with a Class 59 (operated either by Aggregate Industries, Hanson or DB Cargo) being the main motive power. Some smaller aggregate trains, operated by DB Cargo Class 66s, also make an appearance every so often.
Departmental trains to Taunton Fairwater Yard and beyond also use this route, with Freightliner & Colas providing most of the motive power for them.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Fairwood Junction, Westbury
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
The location is on a stone bridge on the western outskirts of Westbury, accessible by a gravel farm track off Fairwood Road. There are a few fields near by containing farm animals, so disruption would be unwise.
Road directions
From the south:
Take the first turning on the left after Fairwood Lakes Luxury Lodges, then follow the track to the bridge.

From the north:
Take the first turning on the right after Fairwood House (marked with a grand entrance gate); the track is just before a house with a red roof.

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Fairwood Junction, Westbury map co-ordinates
Parking
At the southern end of the bridge, there is a small gravel lay-by to park cars. In summer, the lay-by is quite shady, so is a good spot for a picnic in between a lull in traffic.
Public transport
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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.
Fairwood Junction, Westbury

Googly map
Streetmap links
Fairwood Junction, Westbury general view map
Fairwood Junction, Westbury close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Fairwood Junction, Westbury



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Photographic notes
You can shoot in either direction at the bridge, but shots facing west are better in the morning and shots facing east are better in the afternoon. Using a telephoto lens with a lens hood can help mitigate the worst of the sun if facing it.


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


Fig 1 - Looking east


Fig 2 - Looking west


Fig 2 - Looking west


Fig 3 - Looking east


Fig 3 - Looking east


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