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Written by James Mayl - 06 Jan 2005
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Location notes
A footbridge next to a level crossing in the suburbs of Southampton. On the LSWR mainline from Waterloo to Weymouth. Between Eastleigh and Southampton and next to the Siemens SWT Desiro depot.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger services are worked by Southwest Trains 400 series, 442, 444, 450, 159 and 170; Southern 377 Electrostars
Freight is powered by DB Schenker 60 and 66; Freightliner 66 hauled 'Liners and the daily Ford Car train.
Environment
The area is predominately Sikh on one side of the railway and a bit rough on the other side. During the day you will be safe and there is a large amount of passing traffic on the level crossing. I would not advise any night time shooting due to the activities that take place near the location. Avoid football shirts due to the close proximity of St Mary's Stadium.
Road directions
Head for Junction 5 on the M27 and then take the A335 towards Southampton. Turn left at the 2nd traffic lights and stay on the A335 heading down past Swaythling, and St Denys passing 4 further sets of lights. At the 5th lights, bear left still on the A335. Follow this road past 2 more sets of lights, before bearing left at the 8th set of lights into Mount Pleasant Road - they are next to a used car dealership.
Follow Mount Pleasant Road and you will get to the crossing.

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Northam, Mount Pleasant Crossing map co-ordinates
Parking
Park across the crossing where (on your left) there is a wide pavement with a dirt area behind it. You can see the car from the footbridge if you want to keep an eye on it.
Public transport
The nearest station is St Denys which is about 10 minutes walk. Various buses run from both St Denys and Southampton along the A335 past the end of Mount Pleasant Road.

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Amenities
There are shops back on the A335 and various pubs nearby.
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.
Northam, Mount Pleasant Crossing

Googly map
Streetmap links
Northam, Mount Pleasant Crossing general view map
Northam, Mount Pleasant Crossing close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Northam, Mount Pleasant Crossing



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Photographic notes
The primary shot is a north facing one so the light is best off from late morning as it will have brought the side of the train into sunlight by then. Shots facing south will suffer heavily from backlighting, particularly in the winter when the sun is low.
The barriers have a bell warning system that rings when they are lowering, once they are down the crossing is silent, cars often switch off their engines as the barriers are often down for a while.
Links to photographs at this location

UKrailpics - Tangmere and Maritime


General views - All photographs © James Mayl unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking south

A telphoto shot from the bridge looking in the Southamption direction

Fig 4 - Looking south


Fig 4 - Looking south

A Desiro unit moves on to Northam depot

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