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Location notes
On the border between Surrey and Greater London, near Purley. The line is the branch line to East Grinstead and Uckfield.
Railway type and traffic
Usually just Southern passenger units, with EMUs for East Grinstead and DMUs (mostly class 170 nowadays) for Uckfield.
Environment
On a footpath between a public open space and residential/industrial areas. The path is very lightly used, probably because it is on a very steep slope. The viaduct crosses an old quarry which is now a fenced off nature reserve.
Road directions
From the M25, junction 6:
Take the A22 and head towards London. After you have passed 2 roundabouts look for the Jewson builders merchants on the right hand side of the road, the footpath is right next to Jewsons.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Riddlesdown Viaduct map co-ordinates
Take the A22 and head towards London. After you have passed 2 roundabouts look for the Jewson builders merchants on the right hand side of the road, the footpath is right next to Jewsons.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Riddlesdown Viaduct map co-ordinates
Parking
Usually easy to park in Old Barn Lane, which is on the other side of the A22.
Public transport
Leave Purley station through the back exit by platform 5. Take the 407 bus, turn right and then walk down the steps to the bus stop. On the bus look for Jewsons on the left and get off at the next stop. Travelcards are valid on this bus.
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
Not much nearby, but there is a large Tesco store and other shops at Purley, about a mile away.
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.
Riddlesdown Viaduct
Streetmap links
Riddlesdown Viaduct general view map
Riddlesdown Viaduct close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Riddlesdown Viaduct
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Riddlesdown Viaduct
Googly map
Riddlesdown Viaduct general view map
Riddlesdown Viaduct close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Riddlesdown Viaduct
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The line runs roughly north-south and the light is usually good for shots of the viaduct at all times of the day, from the east side of the line in the morning and the west side in the afternoon.
For southbound shots the sun can be a problem in the morning. On the east side of the line there are steps up the hill with good views down to the viaduct. There are metal railings about 4 inches apart alongside the footpath, so if your camera won't fit through the gap some steps would be useful. On the other side there is an unrestricted view across the viaduct from the trackside. Southbound trains will be climbing uphill so diesel trains can be heard well in advance.
The A22 is fairly close so there is a bit of road noise.
For southbound shots the sun can be a problem in the morning. On the east side of the line there are steps up the hill with good views down to the viaduct. There are metal railings about 4 inches apart alongside the footpath, so if your camera won't fit through the gap some steps would be useful. On the other side there is an unrestricted view across the viaduct from the trackside. Southbound trains will be climbing uphill so diesel trains can be heard well in advance.
The A22 is fairly close so there is a bit of road noise.
General views - All photographs © Paul Bowery unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2- Looking north
Fig 3 - Looking south
Fig 4 - Looking south
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.
