New Mobile Site
We have just launched a new mobile version of this site - m.trainspots. This page will use your smart device's GPS to loctate you and guide you to locations that are close to your present location.
Location notes
Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire (near Duxford, south of Cambridge). On Liverpool Street-Cambridge line.
Railway type and traffic
Usual traffic:
Greater Anglia class 317 EMUs (2 each way per hour weekday), Central Trains class 158 and 170 DMUs (1 each way per hour). A little freight - some DB Schenker stone traffic to Bishops Stortford and Harlow, plus some infrastructure trains. Steam specials are not uncommon ('Cathedrals Express' to Ely or Norwich), and Whittlesford is the nearest station to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.
Greater Anglia class 317 EMUs (2 each way per hour weekday), Central Trains class 158 and 170 DMUs (1 each way per hour). A little freight - some DB Schenker stone traffic to Bishops Stortford and Harlow, plus some infrastructure trains. Steam specials are not uncommon ('Cathedrals Express' to Ely or Norwich), and Whittlesford is the nearest station to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.
Environment
Single shift staffed station, close to housing.
Road directions
Whittlesford station is a short distance from Whittlesford village, and is very close to the A505 road, east of M11 junction 10. From the M11 head east and turn left just after crossing the railway (signposted Whittlesford station). Alternatively, turn left before the railway bridge (it is the 3rd left turn after the M11 roundabout) and then turn 1st right to the other side of the station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Whittlesford Station map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Whittlesford Station map co-ordinates
Parking
Use the station car park - short stay is free. There is probably parking on the approach roads as well.
Public transport
Two trains each way each hour call at Whittlesford on weekdays, Liverpool St-Cambridge services operated by 'one' West Anglia.
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
There are Shops in the nearby Whittlesford or Duxford villages (both about 1 mile away); Sawston (about 2 miles away) is a bit bigger. The pub next to the station serves good food and real ales.
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.
Whittlesford Station
Streetmap links
Whittlesford Station general view map
Whittlesford Station close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Whittlesford Station
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Whittlesford Station
Googly map
Whittlesford Station general view map
Whittlesford Station close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Whittlesford Station
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The line runs almost north - south, but curves gently through the station.
For southbound trains, shoot from the northbound platform, either at the north end (watch for shadows late in the day) with a standard or short telephoto lens, or coming through the station (watch for shadows from the station buildings and footbridge) - the light is right during the afternoon, but the sun comes off the nose during the early evening.
For northbound trains, shoot from the southbound platform, either at the south end (under the A505 bridge) with a standard or short telephoto lens, or coming through the station - the light is right in the morning, but will be off the nose except for very early; however, shadows are not a problem with the platform end shot.
There are also head-on shots in both directions from the other platforms - northbound trains from the northbound platform in the afternoon, and southbound trains from the southbound platform in the morning.
Videoing northbound trains is especially good as you get a good view of the approaching train, but there is some traffic noise from the A505 which crosses the south end of the platforms.
For southbound trains, shoot from the northbound platform, either at the north end (watch for shadows late in the day) with a standard or short telephoto lens, or coming through the station (watch for shadows from the station buildings and footbridge) - the light is right during the afternoon, but the sun comes off the nose during the early evening.
For northbound trains, shoot from the southbound platform, either at the south end (under the A505 bridge) with a standard or short telephoto lens, or coming through the station - the light is right in the morning, but will be off the nose except for very early; however, shadows are not a problem with the platform end shot.
There are also head-on shots in both directions from the other platforms - northbound trains from the northbound platform in the afternoon, and southbound trains from the southbound platform in the morning.
Videoing northbound trains is especially good as you get a good view of the approaching train, but there is some traffic noise from the A505 which crosses the south end of the platforms.
General views - All photographs © Brian Carter unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
This view shows a southbound train, taken looking north from the end of the northbound platform. The date is 24th June 1995, and the loco is class A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.
Fig 2 - Looking south
This view shows a northbound train, taken looking south from the end of the southbound platform. To frame the loco in this position needs a lens of 85mm or just less focal length (for 35mm). The date is 9th November 2002, and the B1 is working a Past Time Rail special from Liverpool Street to King's Lynn.
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.
