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Location notes
The road bridge at Monk Fryston overlooks the junction and sidings of South Milford, which is on the line from Castleford to Church Fenton and York, the junction being the spur connecting this with the Leeds to Selby line.
Update October 2014:
Since the road bridge has been rebuilt in in the early part of 2014 the once easily obtainable shots no longer exist. Part of the bridge rebuild was the provision of a separate footbridge to the north of the road bridge. This has relatively high parapets so some form of elevation is required for southbound shots. The arrangements of the new road bridge and footbridge also make fast transition from northbound to southbound shots and vice versa effectively impossible.
Update October 2014:
Since the road bridge has been rebuilt in in the early part of 2014 the once easily obtainable shots no longer exist. Part of the bridge rebuild was the provision of a separate footbridge to the north of the road bridge. This has relatively high parapets so some form of elevation is required for southbound shots. The arrangements of the new road bridge and footbridge also make fast transition from northbound to southbound shots and vice versa effectively impossible.
Railway type and traffic
The passenger service on this section of line consists of an infrequent York to Sheffield via Pontefract service. There is however a large range of freight services, including regular coal trains from both the sidings at South Milford and from Gascoigne Wood to the various Power Stations and also most freight from the North-East heading down through Yorkshire to the midlands, including Freightliner and Steel traffic.
Despite the closure of the Selby Coalfield there is still a relatively large volume of freight traffic, mainly coal but also biomass and general freight.
Despite the closure of the Selby Coalfield there is still a relatively large volume of freight traffic, mainly coal but also biomass and general freight.
Environment
Monk Fryston is a pleasant rural village. Dog walkers and other pedestrian and cycle passers by often speak. There are a number of pubs in the village. There is a small village shop/post office which sells sandwiches, pies etc. This is some distance from the location towards Selby but easy to reach by car.
Road directions
From the M6, Junction 33:
Head north on the A1 for 3 junctions, taking the A162 north towards Sherburn-in-Elmet. Turn right onto the A63 (this road also leads from the A1) and after less than a mile you will cross the railway. Take the first road on the left immediately after, doubling back to re-cross the railway, but turn right before the bridge into a dead-end lane.
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Monk Fryston map co-ordinates
Head north on the A1 for 3 junctions, taking the A162 north towards Sherburn-in-Elmet. Turn right onto the A63 (this road also leads from the A1) and after less than a mile you will cross the railway. Take the first road on the left immediately after, doubling back to re-cross the railway, but turn right before the bridge into a dead-end lane.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Monk Fryston map co-ordinates
Parking
There is parking on the left of this lane, though this location is popular so there is often a few cars present. However there are also now restrictions to parking on the road parallel to the lines.
Public transport
Arriva services 492/493 operate every hour to Monk Fryston from Pontefract, Church Fenton and Tadcaster.
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
No toilets close by. The Fish & Chip shop in Ferrybridge village is reasonably priced.
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.
Monk Fryston
Streetmap links
Monk Fryston general view map
Monk Fryston close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Monk Fryston
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Monk Fryston
Googly map
Monk Fryston general view map
Monk Fryston close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Monk Fryston
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The line is heading north-south so the light is generally good for southbound trains at most times of the day. Photos are possible of northbound trains, though the A63 road bridge immediately to the north is in view and means you get little warning of approaching trains.
General views - All photographs © Mark Bearton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking south
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.
