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Location notes
On the Berks and Hants portion of the GWML between Reading and Newbury. The location is gated crossing in Theale Business Park, approximately 1/4 mile on the Reading side of Theale station.
Update from Howard Osiransky 02-12-2006
Please note the crossing has now had palisade fencing erected, with a high locked gate. It is not possible to gain entry. However, the gate position has been move dcloser to the line and it possible to photograph by poking camera through the fence. Photos in both dierections will be on the opposite side to the sun.
Update from Howard Osiransky 02-12-2006
Please note the crossing has now had palisade fencing erected, with a high locked gate. It is not possible to gain entry. However, the gate position has been move dcloser to the line and it possible to photograph by poking camera through the fence. Photos in both dierections will be on the opposite side to the sun.
Railway type and traffic
Great Western Main Line - Berks and Hants.
Mostly FGW HSTs, and Thames Turbos.
There is a daily cement flow headed by Freightliner 66s from Theale to Earles (Hope Sidings) in the morning. Several stone trains to/from Merehead using 59s or 60s, and some DB Schenker workings using 66s.
Mostly FGW HSTs, and Thames Turbos.
There is a daily cement flow headed by Freightliner 66s from Theale to Earles (Hope Sidings) in the morning. Several stone trains to/from Merehead using 59s or 60s, and some DB Schenker workings using 66s.
Environment
A business park near Theale Station. Safe and secure - patrolled by private security.
Road directions
From the M4, junction 12:
Follow the signs for Theale Station. This brings you into the business park. When you come head-on to the railway and the road bears right towards the station, there is a left turn. Take this turn and follow for approx 300 yards.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Theale Business Park map co-ordinates
Follow the signs for Theale Station. This brings you into the business park. When you come head-on to the railway and the road bears right towards the station, there is a left turn. Take this turn and follow for approx 300 yards.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Theale Business Park map co-ordinates
Parking
On street parking within the Business Park.
Public transport
Thames Trains run services to Theale Station.
From the station turn right on Brunel Road and walk for about half a mile through the business park to the location.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
From the station turn right on Brunel Road and walk for about half a mile through the business park to the location.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are services between Jct 11 and Jct 12 on the M4 and there should be basic shops in Theale.
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.
Theale Business Park
Streetmap links
Theale Business Park general view map
Theale Business Park close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Theale Business Park
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Theale Business Park
Googly map
Theale Business Park general view map
Theale Business Park close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Theale Business Park
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The line runs east-west (approximately), so the sun will be overhead a lot of the day, this will favour London (east) bound morning shots and west bound afternoon shots.
Video and sound recordings will be ok as this is a reasonably quiet location.
Video and sound recordings will be ok as this is a reasonably quiet location.
Links to photographs at this location
UK Railpics - Theale and Purley
General views - All photographs © James Mayl unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Fig 2 - Looking east
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.
