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Written by Richard Allen - 08 Aug 2006
last update by Ian Bowskill - 08 Aug 2006
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Location notes
On the ECML, just south of Hitchin station.
Railway type and traffic
Standard south end ECML traffic, ie class 91s, HSTs, Hull Trains 222s, class 313, 317, 365 EMUs and some freight. Hitchin goods yard is served by both incoming stone trains and outgoing scrap, typically twice a week for each traffic type, using Freightliner 66s. Pway trains can often be seen at weekends but their movements are unpredictable. RHTT trains trains are also to be seen here in the autumn.
Environment
Footbridge linking two residential areas. Quiet and unlikely to get any hassle from the locals.
Road directions
From Hitchin, take the A505 towards Letchworth. Immediately after passing under the ECML take the next right at the roundabout (St Michael's Road). Go along this road for about 1/4 mile until you see an unmarked road on the right (opposite Gibson Close). Turn right and you can park here, making sure you do not block the footpath to the bridge or the railway access gates.

From the Letchworth direction, take the A505 until you get to the same roundabout (which is just after North Hertfordshire College) and turn left, thence as above.

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Hitchin, Benslow Lane Bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
Space for about three or four cars; just make sure you do not obstruct either the path itself or the railway access gates. Unlikely to be any problem with parking the car here.
Public transport
From Hitchin station, go down the approach road to the main road, turn right, pass under the ECML and the directions are the same as by car. Walking time about 10 minutes.

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Amenities
None. Nearest facilities are at Hitchin station and in the town centre (about 3/4 mile away)
Accommodation
There are hotels available in Hitchin and Letchworth.
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.
Hitchin, Benslow Lane Bridge

Googly map
Streetmap links
Hitchin, Benslow Lane Bridge general view map
Hitchin, Benslow Lane Bridge close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Hitchin, Benslow Lane Bridge



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Photographic notes
The line runs NW-SE; the location is best before about 1000-1030 as the east side of the line is quite open and you can see the goods yard in the foreground. With a good zoom lens, you can get shots of trains in the goods yard (locos are mainly Freightliner 66s). Up trains can be photographed from the west side of the line but down trains can only be photographed from the east side, owing to the presence of trees. As a result, the location is only good for photographing up trains after about 1000-1030. Electrification structures are OK for up trains but do slightly obstruct views of down trains.
The location is quiet, so videoing should be OK; you do not, however, get much warning of up trains although the down starting signals at Hitchin station (visible in the distance) give warning of the approach of down trains.


General views - All photographs © Richard Allen unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking south


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