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Location notes
Reedham, Norfolk, not far from Great Yarmouth. The location is the junction of the Norwich to Lowestoft and Norwich to Great Yarmouth via Berney Arms lines.
Railway type and traffic
Usual service is Norwich-Lowestoft local service, about 1 per hour each way Mon-Sat (1 each way every 2 hours on Sun), plus a few daily Norwich-Great Yarmouth via Berney Arms trains, worked by Greater Anglia class 150, 153 and 170 DMUs. Many of the summer Saturday only workings to and from Great Yarmouth run this way rather than via Acle, including Central Trains class 158 and 170 DMUs and Greater Anglia loco-hauled workings, but their routing is sometimes changed at the last minute (on a good day it is possible to wait at Great Yarmouth to see which route the signaller sets for the train and then get here before it by car, but this is with minutes to spare!).
During very busy times (eg the Lowestoft Air Show on a Thursday and Friday at the end of July / beginning of August) there are additional loco-hauled workings, worked top-and-tail on full length Greater Anglia Intercity sets. Occasional freight - class 66 on OBA wagons, the Aberdeen-Lowestoft 'mudstone' (used drill heads from oil rigs which have the oil removed at Lowestoft). However, this is not the best location in the locality for photographing Lowestoft trains.
During very busy times (eg the Lowestoft Air Show on a Thursday and Friday at the end of July / beginning of August) there are additional loco-hauled workings, worked top-and-tail on full length Greater Anglia Intercity sets. Occasional freight - class 66 on OBA wagons, the Aberdeen-Lowestoft 'mudstone' (used drill heads from oil rigs which have the oil removed at Lowestoft). However, this is not the best location in the locality for photographing Lowestoft trains.
Environment
A road bridge over the railway on the edge of the village, close to houses. The locals are friendly.
Road directions
From the A47(T) from Norwich:
Leave at the Acle (B1140) junction, but turn right at the roundabout (over the railway line, past the station) rather than going into the village. Follow the B1140 through Freethorpe, then follow the 'joint' directions below.
From the A47(T) from Great Yarmouth:
Turn left at the Stracey Arms (by a windmill) onto an unclassified road which goes over the parallel railway line (this is the first turn after leaving Great Yarmouth), and follow this road through Halvergate towards Freethorpe on the B1140; turn left towards Reedham, then follow the 'joint' directions below.
Joint directions:
At the edge of Reedham (near the start of the 30mph limit and the village sign) turn left (signed 'Zoo'), then take the 2nd right. The bridge is 0.25 miles further on.
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Reedham Junction map co-ordinates
Leave at the Acle (B1140) junction, but turn right at the roundabout (over the railway line, past the station) rather than going into the village. Follow the B1140 through Freethorpe, then follow the 'joint' directions below.
From the A47(T) from Great Yarmouth:
Turn left at the Stracey Arms (by a windmill) onto an unclassified road which goes over the parallel railway line (this is the first turn after leaving Great Yarmouth), and follow this road through Halvergate towards Freethorpe on the B1140; turn left towards Reedham, then follow the 'joint' directions below.
Joint directions:
At the edge of Reedham (near the start of the 30mph limit and the village sign) turn left (signed 'Zoo'), then take the 2nd right. The bridge is 0.25 miles further on.
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Reedham Junction map co-ordinates
Parking
Park at the side of the road, probably best in the side road south of the bridge as the main road is quite narrow.
Public transport
Walk from Reedham station - about 0.75 miles. On the south side of the railway line take the road heading east (the first left), parallel to the railway line. Turn left across the bridge over the railway, right at the T juntion and then right again. The bridge is about 0.25 miles further on.
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Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There may be a few small shops in Reedham village, but it is a small village.
Accommodation
The 'Railway Tavern' by the station does Bed and Breakfast - Tel. (01493) 700340.
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.
Reedham Junction
Streetmap links
Reedham Junction general view map
Reedham Junction close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Reedham Junction
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Reedham Junction
Googly map
Reedham Junction general view map
Reedham Junction close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Reedham Junction
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
All the signals are semaphores here, and trains will be moving slowly, especially going onto or coming off the Great Yarmouth line.
The best shots are of trains coming off the Great Yarmouth (Berney Arms) line, so looking east. This line runs almost east - west, so the light is right for shooting from the south side for most of the day until early evening, with the sun on the nose from around lunchtime. However, the bridge parapet is high and steps are essential, and space is quite tight to get the right angle. This works well with a standard lens, especially taken vertically, and includes a semaphore signal with a sighting board. There is also a shot from the north side of the line, where the sun would be right from around 18.00 to 19.00 (if there were a train); there is more space to stand, and steps are not needed!
It is more difficult to photograph trains coming from Lowestoft as the line curves quite steeply and there are trees on the south side; it is possible if the sun is not out.
Looking west (towards Norwich) there are two eastbound tracks: that on the extreme north is for trains to (and from) Great Yarmouth, and this has the best angle. The sun will be correct for most of the day, with the sun on the nose until around lunchtime. It is also possible to photograph trains on the middle track (to Lowestoft), but this is more head-on.
There is a semaphore signal close to the bridge, and this can be incorporated into shots especially with a wide angle lens. Once again, a set of steps is needed if standing at the south end of the bridge where the parapet is highest.
For videographers, there will be some passing traffic, but the road is not busy. Trains will be moving slowly and can be seen for some distance.
The best shots are of trains coming off the Great Yarmouth (Berney Arms) line, so looking east. This line runs almost east - west, so the light is right for shooting from the south side for most of the day until early evening, with the sun on the nose from around lunchtime. However, the bridge parapet is high and steps are essential, and space is quite tight to get the right angle. This works well with a standard lens, especially taken vertically, and includes a semaphore signal with a sighting board. There is also a shot from the north side of the line, where the sun would be right from around 18.00 to 19.00 (if there were a train); there is more space to stand, and steps are not needed!
It is more difficult to photograph trains coming from Lowestoft as the line curves quite steeply and there are trees on the south side; it is possible if the sun is not out.
Looking west (towards Norwich) there are two eastbound tracks: that on the extreme north is for trains to (and from) Great Yarmouth, and this has the best angle. The sun will be correct for most of the day, with the sun on the nose until around lunchtime. It is also possible to photograph trains on the middle track (to Lowestoft), but this is more head-on.
There is a semaphore signal close to the bridge, and this can be incorporated into shots especially with a wide angle lens. Once again, a set of steps is needed if standing at the south end of the bridge where the parapet is highest.
For videographers, there will be some passing traffic, but the road is not busy. Trains will be moving slowly and can be seen for some distance.
General views - All photographs © Brian Carter unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east
A train coming off the Great Yarmouth line at around 17.00 on 27th July 2002. Steps are needed to see over the bridge parapet in order to get this angle. A standard lens was used.
Fig 2 - Looking East
From the north side of the line (as the sun was not out). This shows 31519 working 16.55 Great Yarmouth-Birmingham New Street on 19th June 1993, but very little has changed since (apart from the 31s and stock being replaced by 158s and 170s).
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.
