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
The Great Central Railway is a heritage railway running between Loughborough, to the south, and Leicester, to the north. There is an extensive double track section between Loughborough and Rothley. On top of this the Great Central has now been granted permission to run at 60mph for specific purposes such as testing locomotives and rolling stock.
This location is between Quorn and Swithland.
This location is between Quorn and Swithland.
Railway type and traffic
The railway runs as a steam main line, with the occasional diesel working at the weekends. There are often extra freight, parcels and light loco movements.
See the railway’s website for more information.
See the railway’s website for more information.
Environment
A very quiet area of open fields with some nice hills (though try to avoid getting the farm machinary to one side of the location into your shot).
Road directions
From the A6 ,Quorn roundabout:
Take a slip road to the left and follow signposts to Quorn Station. Carry on over the railway bridge, follow the road for approx 1 mile (ish), until you reach a small farm track called 'Rushey Lane (pay attention or you will miss it!). This says unsuitable for motor vehicles but is fine really! Take this for 0.5 - 0.75 miles until you reach a railway overbridge.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
GCR, Kinchley Lane map co-ordinates
Take a slip road to the left and follow signposts to Quorn Station. Carry on over the railway bridge, follow the road for approx 1 mile (ish), until you reach a small farm track called 'Rushey Lane (pay attention or you will miss it!). This says unsuitable for motor vehicles but is fine really! Take this for 0.5 - 0.75 miles until you reach a railway overbridge.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
GCR, Kinchley Lane map co-ordinates
Parking
On most days this will be fine, park near, but not on, the bridge. On special events days allow at least an extra 10-15 minutes for your first shot as you may have to park some distance away.
Public transport
The nearest public transport is approximately 1.5 miles away in Quorn.
Take Bus 127 to Quorn as above or any of buses: Kinch 2, First 25 or 70, Arriva 127 - Birstall, the island which has McDonalds on it (25 turns off just before this, take the 2nd stop after crossing the main road), over a footbridge which is clearly visable, take the railway to Quorn And Woodhouse station and follow route as above.
There is a very pleasant walk from the station however if you do not wish to take the main road. Ask at the booking office for details of the walk to Kinchley Lane.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Take Bus 127 to Quorn as above or any of buses: Kinch 2, First 25 or 70, Arriva 127 - Birstall, the island which has McDonalds on it (25 turns off just before this, take the 2nd stop after crossing the main road), over a footbridge which is clearly visable, take the railway to Quorn And Woodhouse station and follow route as above.
There is a very pleasant walk from the station however if you do not wish to take the main road. Ask at the booking office for details of the walk to Kinchley Lane.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
This is a very quiet area, nearest decent amenities are Quorn Station.
Accommodation
Plenty in Leicester, 1 bus/train trip away. Better still, try the Great Central Hotel, Loughborough, or the Bluebell Inn, Rothley, both of which are one stop along the railway in either direction.
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.
GCR, Kinchley Lane
Streetmap links
GCR, Kinchley Lane general view map
GCR, Kinchley Lane close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
GCR, Kinchley Lane
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
GCR, Kinchley Lane
Googly map
GCR, Kinchley Lane general view map
GCR, Kinchley Lane close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
GCR, Kinchley Lane
Who likes this location on facebook
Photographic notes
Light is good, best times are late morning or early evening (go for 1015 - 1145 trains or 1600 - 1730 ones) Trains can be shot in either direction, however those heading South are much better!
The line curves at this point and there are shots available in each direction, however the best shots are those facing North - East. Theoretically most times are fine, though it is very nicely lit on a Summer's evening, especially from the footpath along the bank rather than the bridge, as you can get some nice shots framed by trees.
One point to look out for, as this is approximately 1.5 miles from the station, you can hear a loco starting from there (don't be fooled by the first whistle you hear - trains are audable from around 3 miles away here!), so often trains are just easing off by the curve, however in many gala days drivers tend to show off here, so it is bes to go on one of these dates.
Ideal for video photographing as there is no road noise!
The line curves at this point and there are shots available in each direction, however the best shots are those facing North - East. Theoretically most times are fine, though it is very nicely lit on a Summer's evening, especially from the footpath along the bank rather than the bridge, as you can get some nice shots framed by trees.
One point to look out for, as this is approximately 1.5 miles from the station, you can hear a loco starting from there (don't be fooled by the first whistle you hear - trains are audable from around 3 miles away here!), so often trains are just easing off by the curve, however in many gala days drivers tend to show off here, so it is bes to go on one of these dates.
Ideal for video photographing as there is no road noise!
General views - All photographs © George Denscombe unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking north
Fig 3 - Looking north
Fig 4 - Looking north - Photo by Mike Snow
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.
