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Location notes
Located on the East Coast Main Line 4.5 miles north of Grantham and 1.25 miles south of Frinkley Lane crossing. The site was formerly the Barkston station (closed to passengers on 16 March 1955). Nothing remains of the station except the former station house.
Railway type and traffic
DB Schenker, GBRf freight and passenger trains by East Coast and Hull Trains as well as Central Trains services to/from Boston and Skegness. Barkston South junction is visible from the location. Also, in the opposite direction about a quarter of a mile away, can be seen the Grantham avoiding line.
Environment
A quiet rural location with little noise except some traffic from the nearby road and occasional light aircraft passing overhead. No shelter here, so if on foot, waterproofs or/and umbrella advisable!
Road directions
On leaving Grantham, follow A607 (in the direction of Sleaford and Lincoln) for approximately four miles. On passing Syston village, just off the main road) look for the turning on the left (a directional sign shows it as a route to Marston). Follow this C class road (Sand Lane) for approximately 1.25 miles and after passing under the ECML bridge, a short distance on to the left is a driveway which heads back towards the ECML.. After a sharp turn left, follow this for a short distance and park at the top of the short incline near to the fence.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Barkston map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Barkston map co-ordinates
Parking
There is ample space at the location for parking. Please do not park on the road itself as this is used occasionally for farm access.
Public transport
On weekdays a bus service (The Number 1 route) operates between Lincoln (Bus Station) and Grantham (Bus Station) most of the day. Alight at Barkston Green. Walk a short distance to the junction with the busy A607. Adjacent to the left is Sand Lane (signposted as a route to Marston). Cross the road and walk down this for about 1.25 miles. Unfortunately there is no pavement and the road is moderately busy for a minor road. A well as cars, occasional tractors and sceptic tank lorries. A very gentle gradient, but the countryside is quite pleasant! As the ECML is in view, a driveway off to the left leads to the former station house. Continue down the minor road and under the bridge which carries the ECML. A short distance on is a driveway on the left heading towards the ECML. Follow this to the top (another slight gradient).
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
The Stag pub is in the centre of the village (by The Green, and close to the bus stop. It opens lunchtimes and evenings. A little further up the minor road towards the church is a Post Office/Shop. On the main road heading north is a large garage which also has a shop.
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.
Barkston
Streetmap links
Barkston general view map
Barkston close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Barkston
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Barkston
Googly map
Barkston general view map
Barkston close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Barkston
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Note from Richard Labrum, June 2014:
On visiting the site in June 2014, I found that a recently erected wire fence now surrounds the viewing area that ruins most Southbound rail shots. There are still two areas that allow the northbound line to be photographed unhindered.
The location is just set back slightly from the 'down line' (no access on the 'up line' side). The ECML is roughly North to South at this point so location is probably best from mid-day onwards for position of sun. Bright sunshine will be good for southbound trains, slight cloud will also be helpful for photographing northbound ones. A bridge number sign is slightly intrusive for photographing southbound trains, but does give photographs a sense of location! The junction for the Skegness branch is close by and a slight zoom emphasizes the gradient from East Junction. Note that at this point, Skegness bound Central trains use the 'up' on the ECML! With a good zoom it is possible to capture images of trains (usual Central trains dmus and the occasional Boston freight) on the Grantham avoiding line in the opposite direction. There is some noise from traffic on the nearby road, and on my visit, also light aircraft overhead.
On visiting the site in June 2014, I found that a recently erected wire fence now surrounds the viewing area that ruins most Southbound rail shots. There are still two areas that allow the northbound line to be photographed unhindered.
The location is just set back slightly from the 'down line' (no access on the 'up line' side). The ECML is roughly North to South at this point so location is probably best from mid-day onwards for position of sun. Bright sunshine will be good for southbound trains, slight cloud will also be helpful for photographing northbound ones. A bridge number sign is slightly intrusive for photographing southbound trains, but does give photographs a sense of location! The junction for the Skegness branch is close by and a slight zoom emphasizes the gradient from East Junction. Note that at this point, Skegness bound Central trains use the 'up' on the ECML! With a good zoom it is possible to capture images of trains (usual Central trains dmus and the occasional Boston freight) on the Grantham avoiding line in the opposite direction. There is some noise from traffic on the nearby road, and on my visit, also light aircraft overhead.
General views - All photographs © Peter of LEYTR unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
Fig 2 - Looking north
Fig 3 - Looking north
A unit exits the main line and heads towards Nottingham.
Fig 4 - Looking west
From Station Lane
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.
