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Location notes
Located on the Great Eastern Mainline, Chelmsford is the County Town of Essex. It is quite large.
Railway type and traffic
There is a passing loop on the down side and access to the old Royal Mail yard, now used for stone trains at the Colchester / Hatfield Peverel end of the station.
Lots of EMUs, Class 321 and 360, and Loco Hauled Class 90s work the Liverpool St-Norwich Intercity trains, with the loco, normally, at the London end of the train. Plus the occasional DMUs, Class 170s, passing on the mainline. The GEML thunderbird also passes through Chelmsford regularly.
Class 60, 66, 86 and 90 work freight trains in the area for DB Schenker and FL, there is also the weekly flask train from Willesden to Sizewell, usually operated by a combination of DRS 20s and 37s.
Lots of EMUs, Class 321 and 360, and Loco Hauled Class 90s work the Liverpool St-Norwich Intercity trains, with the loco, normally, at the London end of the train. Plus the occasional DMUs, Class 170s, passing on the mainline. The GEML thunderbird also passes through Chelmsford regularly.
Class 60, 66, 86 and 90 work freight trains in the area for DB Schenker and FL, there is also the weekly flask train from Willesden to Sizewell, usually operated by a combination of DRS 20s and 37s.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Chelmsford
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
Chelmsford is a fairely large town located in Mid Essex, it isnt too bad, the station its self has won a Safe Station award and has ticket gates, so you will need a ticket to get on the platforms. Once you have done this it is advisable to sign in at the Customer Service point of Platform 1 (The Up platform)
Road directions
Chelmsford Station is located over the road from the University Central Campus which is clearly sign posted.
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Chelmsford map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Chelmsford map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a Multi Story car park and Short Stay car park behind the station (Go under Viaduct and take 1st right), but you will probably find it cheaper to follow signs to the Meadows Shopping Centre car park and walk through the main street.
There is not any on street parking near by, and do not make the mistake of parking in the university across the road, this is often patrolled by Traffic Wardens who do issue tickets.
There is not any on street parking near by, and do not make the mistake of parking in the university across the road, this is often patrolled by Traffic Wardens who do issue tickets.
Public transport
All Great Eastern mainline trains to and from Liverpool Street stop at Chelmsford.
First Essex Bus run lots of Buses to Chelmsford bus station (which is just behind Chelmsford Station) check their website for full details. But other services are operated by Arriva, Stansted Transit and Regal Busways.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
First Essex Bus run lots of Buses to Chelmsford bus station (which is just behind Chelmsford Station) check their website for full details. But other services are operated by Arriva, Stansted Transit and Regal Busways.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
The station has Toilets on both Platforms, and a small cafe on Platform 1, there is also a small shop and WH Smiths downstairs. Several chip shops just down the road - exit the station, and turn right under the railway bridge, several take aways and newsagents along this stretch opposite the bus station.
There is also a Greggs bakery, a Subway sandwich shop and a Tesco Express within the bus station.
There is also a Greggs bakery, a Subway sandwich shop and a Tesco Express within the bus station.
Accommodation
Chelmsford has a wide range of Bed and Breakfasts and Hotels.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
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Chelmsford
Streetmap links
Chelmsford general view map
Chelmsford close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Chelmsford
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Chelmsford
Googly map
Chelmsford general view map
Chelmsford close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Chelmsford
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Platform 2 is the best place to stand, towards the 12 Car Stop, from here you can view trains approaching from Hatfield Perveal, about a minute before they arrive at Chemsford, the track is rather twisty on the approach at Chelmsford but you can see the lights.
Trains coming from London can not be seen until they are in the station, but pass quite slowly, Trains can be heard approaching as they go over a set of crossovers, also the Auto Announcer is quite useful! Background noise isnt too much of a problem from this end of the station.
Trains coming from London can not be seen until they are in the station, but pass quite slowly, Trains can be heard approaching as they go over a set of crossovers, also the Auto Announcer is quite useful! Background noise isnt too much of a problem from this end of the station.
Links to photographs at this location
DarrenJ's Photos - London Eastern Railway
General views - All photographs © Darren Johnson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east
The view from Platform 2 looking towards Hatfield Peverel (down) this is where you can see trains approaching for about a minute.
Fig 2 - Looking south west
The view towards Ingatestone, in the up direction.
Fig 3 - Looking South - Picture © Justin Buckley
From platform 2 Looking towards Shenfield
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.
