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Location notes
UPDATE Feb 05: This location has now changed dramtically. The bridge now has been moved and a wire mesh now encloses the walkway, thus rendering the locaiton no longer viable.
Update from Lester Hayes 12-11-04:
Smitham Station Car Park is currently closed and will be until January or February 2005. More importantly, on 25th & 26th December 2004 the existing footbridge is scheduled to be replaced by a new anti vandal type structure, which will make photography and simply watching the trains, much more difficult.
This work is in connection with the building of the Coulsdon By-pass. The existing bridge is in a structurally poor condition. The section over the old Coulsdon North Station site is supported by Jacks.
About 10 miles south of Central London, between Croydon and Redhill on the Brighton Main Line.
Update from Lester Hayes 12-11-04:
Smitham Station Car Park is currently closed and will be until January or February 2005. More importantly, on 25th & 26th December 2004 the existing footbridge is scheduled to be replaced by a new anti vandal type structure, which will make photography and simply watching the trains, much more difficult.
This work is in connection with the building of the Coulsdon By-pass. The existing bridge is in a structurally poor condition. The section over the old Coulsdon North Station site is supported by Jacks.
About 10 miles south of Central London, between Croydon and Redhill on the Brighton Main Line.
Railway type and traffic
Almost completely passenger trains, with South Central services from London to the South Coast, Gatwick Express, and South Eastern Trains from London to Tonbridge via Redhill. A few freight services pass by if you are lucky. Also a couple of Virgin Cross Country trains use this route. It is very busy with a train passing about every 3-4 minutes. Smitham station is very close with South Central suburban services.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Coulsdon
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
A footbridge crossing the main line, used by residents to get to local shops. Fairly respectable area, feels quite safe.
Road directions
From the M25, take the M23 northbound towards London, and stay on the road when it becomes the A23. After a couple of miles you will pass under two railway bridges near Coulsdon South Station. After about 500 yards, turn right into the approach to Smitham station, where you will be able to see the footpath leading to the footbridge.
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Coulsdon map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Coulsdon map co-ordinates
Parking
Smitham station car park, also street parking seems quite easy.
Public transport
Smitham station has frequent services from London and East Croydon.
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
Local shops nearby on the A23 Brighton Road.
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.
Coulsdon
Streetmap links
Coulsdon general view map
Coulsdon close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Coulsdon
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Coulsdon
Googly map
Coulsdon general view map
Coulsdon close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Coulsdon
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Close to Stoats Nest Junction where the Quarry Line diverges from the former main line via Redhill. There are good views from the footbridge along all the lines, so it is easy to see when a train is approaching.
Best time of day for photography is the afternoon because there is a bank on the eastern side of the tracks which tends to cast a shadow in the mornings. The sun can also be a bit tricky with southbound shots. It is difficult to get a shot from the side because there are bushes on the east side of the line and the west side is well fenced off.
Best time of day for photography is the afternoon because there is a bank on the eastern side of the tracks which tends to cast a shadow in the mornings. The sun can also be a bit tricky with southbound shots. It is difficult to get a shot from the side because there are bushes on the east side of the line and the west side is well fenced off.
General views - All photographs © Paul Bowery unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
With the Redhill line on the left and the Quarry Line on the right. Coulsdon South station is on the Redhill line in the far distance.
Fig 2 - Looking north
This view shows a rail tour heading towards Redhill. The signals for Stoats Nest Junction can be seen in the distance.
Fig 3 - Looking south
Gatwick Express heading northwards on the Quarry Line. Smitham station is out of picture to the left.
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.
