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Location notes
This is a small road bridge over the main Cardiff to Newport main line. The entire area between these two cities is generally flat drained marshland. It is nearer to Newport than Cardiff, but as they are only 15 miles apart, it is not that far from either.
Railway type and traffic
The Cardiff to Newport line is split into two double lines - the southernmost pair are predominantly freight, the northernmost are passenger. (As far as I can make out, anyway!). Passenger workings include First Great Western HSTs and Adelantes (cl 180s), Wessex 158s and the occasional top and tail 31 I believe, Arriva Trains Wales Pacers, 150s, 156s, 158s, and the odd Central Trains 170s. (The CT 158s are Arriva Branded). There are also plenty of excursions for events at the Millennium Stadium.
Freight includes steel trains for Cardiff Maritime (steelworks), containers for Wentlooge Freightliner Terminal as well as stuff for Margam and other places further out west. Locos include classes 60, 66 (DB Schenker and FL), 67.
Freight includes steel trains for Cardiff Maritime (steelworks), containers for Wentlooge Freightliner Terminal as well as stuff for Margam and other places further out west. Locos include classes 60, 66 (DB Schenker and FL), 67.
Environment
Green Lane is a tiny country lane, which seems to go nowhere (The map does not appear to be strictly correct), and whose road surface is covered is moss, so it can't be used too much!
The area round the lane is lightly wooded farmland with light industrial estates also nearby. It seems to be quite safe, although the turning circle at the end of Green Lane is full of dumped sofas and things, so this area could be dubious after dark, if there is anyone about. From the condition of the road, and where it leads to (nowhere), I feel this could be unlikely.
The area round the lane is lightly wooded farmland with light industrial estates also nearby. It seems to be quite safe, although the turning circle at the end of Green Lane is full of dumped sofas and things, so this area could be dubious after dark, if there is anyone about. From the condition of the road, and where it leads to (nowhere), I feel this could be unlikely.
Road directions
From the M4 Junction 28:
Take the A48 into Duffryn. At the large roundabout take the thrid exit which is the B4239. Green Lane is a turn-off from this road, first left after the small village of Fair Orchard. If you are coming from Newport, the 'Green Lane' roadname-sign is visible, just past some trees, and there are houses scattered along the road. From Cardiff, go through the village of St Brides, round a long curve with a wide farm track joining on the apex (you will see some of the farm, too). The road is the next left. From both directions, the turning is quite wide, so should be easy enough to spot. Be careful on the B4239 though - there are some tight corners! Once on the lane, keep following it, until your cross the bridge (the road climbs up to it).
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Newport - Green Lane bridge, Maerdy map co-ordinates
Take the A48 into Duffryn. At the large roundabout take the thrid exit which is the B4239. Green Lane is a turn-off from this road, first left after the small village of Fair Orchard. If you are coming from Newport, the 'Green Lane' roadname-sign is visible, just past some trees, and there are houses scattered along the road. From Cardiff, go through the village of St Brides, round a long curve with a wide farm track joining on the apex (you will see some of the farm, too). The road is the next left. From both directions, the turning is quite wide, so should be easy enough to spot. Be careful on the B4239 though - there are some tight corners! Once on the lane, keep following it, until your cross the bridge (the road climbs up to it).
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Newport - Green Lane bridge, Maerdy map co-ordinates
Parking
As you cross the bridge, you will notice that it is much wider than the lane. This is where I normally park. The best place to turn your car is not the end of the lane (which is a dead end) as the turning circle is full of rubbish, but a field entrance on the other side of the bridge: As you drive over the railway, and down the other side, just as the road levels out, there is a wide field entrance to your left. Best turn here. (You could possible park here, too). I usually park, tucking in tight on the east side of the bridge.
Public transport
Amenities
The area is farmland and light industrial estates. During the week, you may find the odd burger van for the workers, but otherwise Newport and Cardiff are your best bets.
Accommodation
There will be plenty of accommodation in Cardiff, and probably Newport too.
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.
Newport - Green Lane bridge, Maerdy
Streetmap links
Newport - Green Lane bridge, Maerdy general view map
Newport - Green Lane bridge, Maerdy close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Newport - Green Lane bridge, Maerdy
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Newport - Green Lane bridge, Maerdy
Googly map
Newport - Green Lane bridge, Maerdy general view map
Newport - Green Lane bridge, Maerdy close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Newport - Green Lane bridge, Maerdy
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Photographic notes
At this point the line goes from SSW to NNE, roughly. Therefore, watch out for the evening sun when looking towards Cardiff (west). Looking east, the daytime sun could hamper most pictures, as you can only get a decent angle from the north side of the bridge (due to overhanging trees on the south side). There are no such obstructions on the west side - both north and south ends are clear, and it is down to your preference of angle, and what line the train is on.
For the videographers, it is a fairly quiet spot, with some light industrial sounds quietly in the background.
For the videographers, it is a fairly quiet spot, with some light industrial sounds quietly in the background.
General views - All photographs © Mark Henderson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Fig 2 - Looking east
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.
