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Location notes
Just south of Cambridge where the line to Audley End and branch to Hitchin diverge.
Over the last 6 years this location has undergone some changes the most recent of which is the most significant. In September 2014 a new foot bridge has been installed at the location. At the time of visiting the bridge was not yet open to the public and the foot crossing was still in place so it was not possible to get shots from the bridge itself. Views of southbound workings, north of the bridge are unaffected.
Over the last 6 years this location has undergone some changes the most recent of which is the most significant. In September 2014 a new foot bridge has been installed at the location. At the time of visiting the bridge was not yet open to the public and the foot crossing was still in place so it was not possible to get shots from the bridge itself. Views of southbound workings, north of the bridge are unaffected.
Railway type and traffic
Frequent EMUs operated by Great Northern (317s, 321s and 365s) and Abellio Greater Anglia (317s and 379s), plus hourly class 170 DMUs operated by Cross Country. There's a very small amount of scheduled freight, plus less regular engineers' trains to and from Whitemoor.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge
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
The crossing is situated in open fields. To the east of the line is a cycle route into Cambridge.
Road directions
From the A1301 in Great Shelford take Granham's Road and park near to the railway level crossing. Park there and follow the public directions.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge map co-ordinates
Parking
If it best to park in Shelford Village on the residential roads near the Liverpool Street line level crossing. From there head back across the level crossing and follow the cycle route up to the junction and it's foot crossing.
Public transport
Shelford station is approx 3/4 mile south. Turn right out of the station, along Station Road and then bear right on Cambridge Road . Granham's Road is on the right just before the railway turn up it and walk along till you reach the lay by. From here follow the westbound footpath across the railway and then walk north to reach the location.
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
No toilets known of nearby. There are shops (including food) in Trumpington (on the corner of Anstey Way), and some in Addenbrooke's Hospital. Plenty of shops in central Cambridge. Pubs in Trumpington, plus a Chinese restaurant.
There is a pub and post office all in Shelford Village.
There is a pub and post office all in Shelford Village.
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.
Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge
Streetmap links
Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge general view map
Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge
Googly map
Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge general view map
Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Better in the afternoon and evening, though possible all day. Bright sun in morning would make northbound shots tricky. The sun is on the front of northbound trains from about 17:00-18:00. There are several locations here, depending on how far one walks along the track at the edge of the field.
2014 Update
Having a set of steps is very useful, especially for any of the positions to the south of the bridge as a new mesh fence which is about 6 foot high has been installed at the location. The foot bridge will offer some new height perspectives on, primarily, northbound workings as the steps face south. Southbound should also be possible but the angles will be much tighter from the steps.
Currently (Oct 14) the fencing on the north west side of the line has not been 'renewed' and remains the 3 wire waist height variety, how long this will remain is unknown. But steps would now be worth bringing just in case.
2014 Update
Having a set of steps is very useful, especially for any of the positions to the south of the bridge as a new mesh fence which is about 6 foot high has been installed at the location. The foot bridge will offer some new height perspectives on, primarily, northbound workings as the steps face south. Southbound should also be possible but the angles will be much tighter from the steps.
Currently (Oct 14) the fencing on the north west side of the line has not been 'renewed' and remains the 3 wire waist height variety, how long this will remain is unknown. But steps would now be worth bringing just in case.
General views - All photographs © Paul Davis unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
A train joins the Hitchin Branch.
Fig 2 - Looking south
A train comes off the Hitchin Branch heading towards Cambridge.
Fig 3 - Looking south
An engineers working heads for Cambridge.
Fig 4 - Looking north
Crossing over the main line to gain access to the Hitchin branch.
Fig 5 - Looking north
Fig 6 - Looking north - Image © Marcus Dawson
Fig 7 - Looking north
Fig 8 - Looking south
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.
