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Written by James Farrell - 17 Aug 2006
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Location notes
Chevin is situated on the Midland Mainline between Duffield and Belper in Derbyshire. About 20 minutes by road from Derby, or Belper station is 11 minutes away from Derby but then it involves a 30 minute walk.
Railway type and traffic
This is a busy main line with many passenger services, and it is said to be the busiest freight line in the East Midlands. Midland Mainline HST and Meridian services between Sheffield and London St Pancras pass through at high speed, as do Arriva Cross Country Voyagers. Virgin also run HSTs on summer Saturdays. Central Trains run a local Derby - Matlock service, this is usually a Turbostar but can really be anything from the Central Trains diesel fleet.
DB Schenker work coal, aggregate, intermodal, cars and steel trains through the area. Freightliner work intermodal, coal and cement trains.
Environment
Although it is quite close to a town, when you are in the area you will not realise. The location is in a field surrounded by farms and trees, but the field itself is not used. The area does not see many people except for the odd dog walker, and the locals are friendly.
Road directions
Milford is situated on the A6 just south of Belper. If heading from the Derby direction, follow signs for Matlock. If you are heading from the Matlock direction follow the signs for Derby. Milford is clearly signposted when entering. Look for the Strutt Arms pub which is very easy to spot. Head up the road opposite the pub (Chevin Road) which is a residential road at first but it soon turns into a country lane. You will soon head over a railway bridge. Look for the parking space straight after that. On leaving the car, walk onto Strutt's Bridge (another bridge next to the parking spaces which is a footpath only) and look down at the line where the line side spot can be easily seen. It is then another minutes walk through the field.

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Chevin, Milford map co-ordinates
Parking
There are a couple of parking spaces alongside the road which will probably hold no more than 3 cars each. If you are going on a day when a charter is expected, these spaces will soon fill up.
The location is very popular on charter days, particularly steam with 30+ photographers sometimes.
Public transport
Milford is very well served by the bus operating company, TrentBarton. Even though Belper is closer to the spot than Derby, it is a lot more difficult to get to from Belper if you are not familiar with the area. From Derby station, get the Transpeak bus which leaves at 40 minutes past every hour. You can get any of the caramel coloured Sixes buses (6.1, 6.2, 6.3 or 6.4) from the city centre which run every 15 minutes. Simply ask for Milford Strutt Arms and tell the driver you are not familiar with the area, and they will let you know when to get off. The walk up Chevin Road and in about 5 minutes you will see Strutt's Bridge which is a footpath only. Walk onto there you will see the location.

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Amenities
There are no public toilets in the area. The Strutt Arms pub and Mill House restaurant both do fantastic food. Also near the Strutt Arms is a hand car wash which usually has a snack wagon next to it.
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.
Chevin, Milford

Googly map
Streetmap links
Chevin, Milford general view map
Chevin, Milford close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Chevin, Milford



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Photographic notes
There is always enough light, but in the middle of the day it might be a bit bright when photographing trains coming out of the tunnel from ground level. It is still possible to get trains travelling the other way but there is usually a few bushes in the way. Standing on Strutt's Bridge however allows some fantastic shots of both directions.


General views - All photographs © James Farrell unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south


Fig 1 - Looking south


Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking north


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