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Location notes
Located on the ECML just south of Darlington Bank Top station. The location is on Network Rail land, but is fenced off away from the railway line. Network Rail don't mind people using the area, which is also popular with local dog owners (so be careful what you stand in).
Update 19-08-08:
This area is now closed off, access is usually unavailable.
Update 19-08-08:
This area is now closed off, access is usually unavailable.
Railway type and traffic
The location overlooks a junction between the ECML and the Darlington-Middlesbrough line. It sees a wide variety of traffic, including East Coast, Virgin Cross Country, Trans Pennine Express and Arriva passenger services. DB Schenker and Freightliner run regular freight services throughout the day. Railtours and engineering/track recording trains are regular visitors, as well as diverted freight services at weekends.
Classes 43, 60, 66, 67, 91, 142, 156, 158, 220 and 221 can be seen throughout the day, plus occasional visits by other types of stock. Trains pass regularly throughout the day, so any time of the day is good.
Classes 43, 60, 66, 67, 91, 142, 156, 158, 220 and 221 can be seen throughout the day, plus occasional visits by other types of stock. Trains pass regularly throughout the day, so any time of the day is good.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Darlington, South Junction
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
Located in a residential part of Darlington, the spot is slightly elevated, giving excellent views of the ECML for over half a mile both north and south.
Road directions
Once in Darlington, follow directions to the railway station, which is signposted on all approaches into the town. If approaching from the north, be careful not to end up at North Road station, which is separately signposted. You should approach the station from the steep Victoria Road, looking up at the clock tower. When you reach the clock tower, turn right and drive down Park Lane. Turn left at Smithfield Road and drive under the bridge. It should be noted that the under bridge is quite narrow, so take care when driving. Once under the bridge, turn left and drive up the steep road. Stop and park before the gate. Then climb over or squeeze past the gate and you're there. The location is quite popular with local photographers, so there may already be a car parked there, which you might block the exit for.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Darlington, South Junction map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Darlington, South Junction map co-ordinates
Parking
You can freely park in the residential streets around the area, but be careful not to leave anything on display in your car, as always. The local railway station has car parking facilities, but these are expensive - £5 a day.
Public transport
If coming to Darlington by train, the location is only five minutes walk from the station. Simply come out of the station via the subway, turn left and walk down Park Lane until you come to Smithfield Road. Turn left again, and walk under the bridge. A steep road immediately to the left leads up the location, but there is a gate you will need to climb over at the top. As for buses, 26, 27, 28 and 54 (Saturday only) Arriva bus services serve the railway station. Some are supposed to continue all the way from Park Lane, but may not do so if running late.
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
The nearest public toilets are at the railway station, five minutes walk away. Much closer to hand, there is a Chinese takeaway that sells excellent chips, and a good chip shop a short walk further down Park Lane away from the railway station.
Accommodation
Victoria Road, near the railway station, houses a couple of Bed and Breakfasts and hotels that can provide overnight accommodation.
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.
Darlington, South Junction
Streetmap links
Darlington, South Junction general view map
Darlington, South Junction close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Darlington, South Junction
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Darlington, South Junction
Googly map
Darlington, South Junction general view map
Darlington, South Junction close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Darlington, South Junction
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Mornings are the best time to photograph from here, as the sun will be behind you. On evenings the sun will be shining into your lens if facing south, and in the winter a similar problem will occur during the afternoon too. There should be no problems facing north. It is possible to easily shoot either north or south, though a signal and some OHL posts might obstruct views. The area is large enough that a good vantage point can easily be found. People often walk their dogs here, so be careful where you stand! Tripods should be no trouble to set up. A large bank to the south obstructs much of the view of trains on the Middlesbrough branch line, but should still be easy to film/photograph.
General views - All photographs © Rich Mackin unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
From the bank across the junction.
Fig 2 - Looking south
The Middlesbrough line just visible on the far left
Fig 3 - Looking north
Looking towards the station, with the fast and goods lines on the right
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.
