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Written by Mark Bearton - 27 Oct 2004
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Location notes
Heath Charnock is a rural area two miles south of Chorley on the Preston to Bolton and Manchester line.
Railway type and traffic
Most trains on this line are North West Trains/Trans Pennine classes 156/175 with 142 and 150s appearing usually at Peak times. There is a two hourly service provided by Voyagers. Currently there is a daily class 31 hauled train operating for North Western and the line is also used as a diversionary route when the WCML is closed south of Preston.
Environment
This is a rural location and the footpath can get very muddy and waterlogged when it has been wet.
Road directions
The footpath leads from the A6 just south of Chorley.
After leaving the built up area there is a long straight through some woods, with a pub on the left. Turn into the first residential road on the right, about 400 yards before a set of traffic lights and park on the left hand side.
Return on foot onto the A6 back towards Chorley for about 100 yards and there is a footpath signposted on the right leading sharply down into the woods. Take extra care here when slippery. The footpath has a small bridge over a stream then climbs again until parallel with a canal. Cross over the stone bridge and follow the path alongside the fields to the railway.

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Heath Charnock map co-ordinates
Parking
See road directions.
Public transport
Stagecoach service 125/126 operates every 10 minutes between Preston, Chorley and Bolton and stops at the top of the path.

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Amenities
The nearest pub is on the A6 about 400 yards from the path. There is also a popular ice-cream parlour at the traffic lights.
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.
Heath Charnock

Googly map
Streetmap links
Heath Charnock general view map
Heath Charnock close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Heath Charnock



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Photographic notes
The light is best at this location in the afternoon for trains heading from Preston towards Manchester, taking photos from the foot crossing which gives good 'line side' shots. Late afternoon shots are also possible of trains from the other direction from the private field adjacent which only very rarely is used to graze cows.


General views - All photographs © Mark Bearton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north

From the crossing

Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north

From the footpath

Fig 3 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking north

From the field

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