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Location notes
I regret to report that galvanised iron fencing has now been erected here, currently only on the south side of the line, but ruining most photo. opportunities (and looking a complete eyesore in an open country area)
Grassy scrub-land, about 1 1/4 miles east of Newton Le Willows station, not far from Parkside East Junction.
Grassy scrub-land, about 1 1/4 miles east of Newton Le Willows station, not far from Parkside East Junction.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger services between Manchester and Liverpool, Warrington Bank Quay, Chester and North Wales. These trains now all DMU operated by Classes 142, 150, 156, 158, 175 from First North Western & Arriva Trains Wales. Also sometimes used for diversions from other routes - check the National Rail timetable for dates - when Central Trains, Trans Pennine & Virgin services may appear.
Freight traffic is variable, but mostly light and subject to change. DB Schenker Class 66, plus an occasional Freightliner Class 66 are most likely to be seen.
Freight traffic is variable, but mostly light and subject to change. DB Schenker Class 66, plus an occasional Freightliner Class 66 are most likely to be seen.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Lowton, Highfield Moss
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
Rural, mainly grassy open space. Note that, as a former moss, some parts of the area can be muddy after heavy rain.
Road directions
Best from the section of A572 between Newton Le Willows and A580 at Lowton Lane Head. It is preferable to park on the A572 near the garden centre, just east of the M6 over bridge, but if you wish to risk parking nearer the location, proceed to the nearby junction with the A573 and turn south. Cross both railway bridges, and after about another 1/4 mile, there is a footpath sign on the left. Then follow the directions as for public transport (below)
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Lowton, Highfield Moss map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Lowton, Highfield Moss map co-ordinates
Parking
Best on the A572 - see Road Directions (above). The A573 is very busy at times, with some bends, and unattended parked cars might be considered as an obstruction. Allow about 15 minutes walking time from the A572.
Public transport
By rail to Newton Le Willows station.
From the station, turn right into the A572, walk under the M6 bridge, then turn right into the A573. After crossing two railway bridges, continue until a footpath sign on the left hand side of the road. Walk down this footpath until it forks slightly right towards a farm. At this point, take a much narrower footpath which forks left towards the railway line. The footpath actually continues across the railway line, but for photos before about 18:00, branch right onto a footpath that runs approximately parallel to the railway line on its south side. There are several gaps in the vegetation from which photographs can be taken, and you may need to move position dependent on whether you wish to photograph eastbound or westbound trains. Allow about 30 minutes from Newton Le Willows station.
An alternative route is available from Newton Le Willows. Pass the A573 junction and continue until the second footpath sign pointing towards the south. Walk to the end of this path, carefully cross the railway line at the public footpath crossing, then proceed as above.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
From the station, turn right into the A572, walk under the M6 bridge, then turn right into the A573. After crossing two railway bridges, continue until a footpath sign on the left hand side of the road. Walk down this footpath until it forks slightly right towards a farm. At this point, take a much narrower footpath which forks left towards the railway line. The footpath actually continues across the railway line, but for photos before about 18:00, branch right onto a footpath that runs approximately parallel to the railway line on its south side. There are several gaps in the vegetation from which photographs can be taken, and you may need to move position dependent on whether you wish to photograph eastbound or westbound trains. Allow about 30 minutes from Newton Le Willows station.
An alternative route is available from Newton Le Willows. Pass the A573 junction and continue until the second footpath sign pointing towards the south. Walk to the end of this path, carefully cross the railway line at the public footpath crossing, then proceed as above.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
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.
Lowton, Highfield Moss
Streetmap links
Lowton, Highfield Moss general view map
Lowton, Highfield Moss close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Lowton, Highfield Moss
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Lowton, Highfield Moss
Googly map
Lowton, Highfield Moss general view map
Lowton, Highfield Moss close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Lowton, Highfield Moss
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Staying on the south side of the railway, sun is best for eastbound trains until late morning, then best for westbound trains until about 17:30 On summer evenings, some photos of westbound trains should be possible from a path on the north side of the line.
General views - All photographs © Bevan Price unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
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.
