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Location notes
Altcar is the southern end of the commuter town of Formby.
Railway type and traffic
The line has a 15 minute frequency worked by class 507/508 EMUs.
Environment
The foot crossing at Altcar is on the edge of fields and is popular with dog-walkers though otherwise very quiet.
Road directions
From the A565 take the roundabout at the southern edge of Formby and head west (signposted to Formby). The road turns right with a building with a lighthouse on the roof to the left. Take the first through road on the left (Altcar Lane). At the end of here, turn left into Hogs Hill Lane. This road becomes a small track and at the gates to the old pumping station turns into a footpath. The crossing is at the end of this path.
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Altcar map co-ordinates
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Altcar map co-ordinates
Parking
There is space for about 2 cars near the Pumping Station gates. During the day it is safe to leave them here.
Public transport
The location is a 20-25 minute walk from Formby station.
Turn left out the station and down the bridge. Turn right at the roundabout (Kings Road). At the end turn left then first right (Windsor Road). At the end of here turn right then immediately left (Belverdere Drive). Turn right at the end of here into Hogs Hill Lane. Arriva services 47/48 and CMT service 284 operate frequently between Liverpool and Southport. Alight at the Royal Hotel in Altcar and walk south then turn right into Altcar Lane, then left into Hogs Hill Lane at the end.
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Turn left out the station and down the bridge. Turn right at the roundabout (Kings Road). At the end turn left then first right (Windsor Road). At the end of here turn right then immediately left (Belverdere Drive). Turn right at the end of here into Hogs Hill Lane. Arriva services 47/48 and CMT service 284 operate frequently between Liverpool and Southport. Alight at the Royal Hotel in Altcar and walk south then turn right into Altcar Lane, then left into Hogs Hill Lane at the end.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are no amenities at the crossing. There are a few shops, and the Royal Hotel pub, on the main road in Altcar. Formby Town Centre is left at the roundabout at the bottom of the station bridge then first right.
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.
Altcar
Streetmap links
Altcar general view map
Altcar close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Altcar
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Altcar
Googly map
Altcar general view map
Altcar close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Altcar
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Light is best for trains heading south towards Liverpool. In the morning this is from the east side of the line and so the angle can be tight for trains heading towards you (though of course fine for the rear end of the units). In the afternoon from the east side, and from the adjoining field, you can get shots of approaching trains.
General views - All photographs © Mark Bearton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking north
From the field
Fig 3 - 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.
