trainspots logo


Written by Jonathan Lewis - 03 Nov 2006
last update by Justin Buckley - 16 Dec 2007
New Mobile Site
We have just launched a new mobile version of this site - m.trainspots. This page will use your smart device's GPS to loctate you and guide you to locations that are close to your present location.
Location notes
Coedkernew is a line-side road bridge on the busy section of the South Wales mainline between Newport and Cardiff.
Railway type and traffic
Regular units of any class and HSTs operated by Central Trains, First Greet Western, Virgin Trains and mainly Arriva Trains Wales. Arriva Trains Wales sometimes put on loco hauled extras for events at Cardiff (on these days the location may be busy with a current record of over 20 people at the bridge at the same time!)
Freight here is fairly busy and is mainly operated by DB Schenker and includes Steel, Coal, Oil, Scrap (with 66s and 60s) and also a few Freightliner trains a day.
Environment
The location is on a quiet lightly used road bridge.
Road directions
Take the A48 from Newport and head take a half abandoned dual carriageway (leaving to a disused new factory) to the south near Duffryn and pass a golf course before arriving at the bridge.
See map for exact location

Click here to set up your location for directions to this location

Coedkernew map co-ordinates
Parking
It is possible to park in a few places close to the bridge including on the west side of the bridge but do not park anywhere which will be a photo spot.
Parking is also possible to each side of the bridge. Please do not block entrances to the fields and you may be asked to move. Also on days of events at Cardiff with extra loco hauled services this location can get very busy so to get the best parking spots arrive early.
Public transport
Newport Bus service 31C, which runs every 2 hours Mon-Sat, passes close by this location.
Alight at the end of Hawse lane, shortly after passing through the village of St Brides. You will pass a garden centre on the right, which has a tank, yes, a tank!, in the car park - the road is about 200 yds after this on the right. It is then approximately a 10 to 15 minute walk up Hawse Lane to the bridge over the line.
If you are buying a rail ticket to Newport ask for a PlusBus ticket, which costs £2 extra and adds bus travel all around the Newport area - see here for details: Plus Bus Website.
Return bought on the bus is £2.15, or £2.50 for a day ticket. (prices at time of writing)

Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
Nothing in walking distance to the bridge nearest shops in the Newport area.
Accommodation
There will be accomdation in both Newport and Cardiff.
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.
Coedkernew

Googly map
Streetmap links
Coedkernew general view map
Coedkernew close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Coedkernew



Who likes this location on facebook



Railway Gen Group
Rail Gen South Wales
Photographic notes
Line NE-SW so sun on the front of eastbounds early in morning and on the front of westbounds from mid morning to mid afternoon when the sun will move onto the other side. Freight normally uses the freight lines which are to the south of the passenger lines. Photos possible with the sun on the side (until it moves round) of trains on any line.


General views - All photographs © Jonathan Lewis unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east


Fig 1 - Looking north east


Fig 2 - Looking south west


Fig 2 - Looking south west


Fig 3 - Looking south west


Fig 3 - Looking south west


Disclaimer
Back to the top

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.