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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.
During events and galas this location can be very popular. Steps will give you height over other photographers and allow more people to use the location.
During events and galas this location can be very popular. Steps will give you height over other photographers and allow more people to use the location.
Railway type and traffic
The railway runs as a steam main line, with the occasional diesel working at the weekends
See the railway’s website for more information.
See the railway’s website for more information.
Environment
Very busy dual carriageway overbridge. Traffic is constant, making this location unsuited to videoing. However, that said, it is possible to go in the field on the Birstall side of the carriageway where you can get away from the traffic.
Road directions
From the M1 Junction 21a:
Take the A46 towards Newark. After approx 3 miles, take the exit for the A6 (signposted Loughborough), and do a complete u-turn on the roundabout and head back west along the A46. After approx 1/4 mile, there is a lay-by where you can park. The location is a further walk of about 300 yards.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
GCR, Thurcaston map co-ordinates
Take the A46 towards Newark. After approx 3 miles, take the exit for the A6 (signposted Loughborough), and do a complete u-turn on the roundabout and head back west along the A46. After approx 1/4 mile, there is a lay-by where you can park. The location is a further walk of about 300 yards.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
GCR, Thurcaston map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a layby 200yds to the east on South side of dual carriageway.
Public transport
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, Thurcaston
Streetmap links
GCR, Thurcaston general view map
GCR, Thurcaston close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
GCR, Thurcaston
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
GCR, Thurcaston
Googly map
GCR, Thurcaston general view map
GCR, Thurcaston close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
GCR, Thurcaston
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Photographic notes
Photographs can be taken from the road bridge in both directions. Southbound trains are best at around lunchtime, and northbound trains are good in the late afternoon / early evening. There is also a shot from the field on the Birstall side of the bridge where there is a very nice oak tree that can be used in shots.
General views - All photographs © Mike Snow unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 -
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.
