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Location notes
Near to Thatcham station, a quiet level crossing which leads into a business park.
Railway type and traffic
Berks and Hants mainline from Reading to Exeter. Expect Intercitys, Adelantes (180s), and Thames Trains 165s.
DB Schenker and Hanson freights.
DB Schenker and Hanson freights.
Environment
A level crossing and footbridge, a very quiet area, some noise from the business park depending on the time you go there. No people around when I have been.
Road directions
Head to Thatcham on the A4, the turning into Colthrop Lane is just to the east of Thatcham village.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Colthrop Level Crossing map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Colthrop Level Crossing map co-ordinates
Parking
I park by the telephone box, you can see the car from the footbridge and there are never people around really. Also the signal box overlooks the crossing so any suspicious sorts would be seen hanging around.
Public transport
Nearest station is Thatcham, you could walk it from there.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Accommodation
Nearest hotel or Bed and Breakfast would most likely be Newbury which is not far away.
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.
Colthrop Level Crossing
Streetmap links
Colthrop Level Crossing general view map
Colthrop Level Crossing close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Colthrop Level Crossing
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Colthrop Level Crossing
Googly map
Colthrop Level Crossing general view map
Colthrop Level Crossing close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Colthrop Level Crossing
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Update 2016: This bridge has been demolished as part of the GWML Electrification program.
You will get the most warning of trains coming from Reading as the line is long and straight in that direction, trains coming from Westbury/Thatcham direction are not in view long before reaching the crossing, which will give you warning when it closes. Plenty of good photos to be had from the bridge and also looking head on at the crossing.
Update: There is now a large lamp post on the S W corner of the crossing (opposite side of the line to the signal box) which can get in the shot.
You will get the most warning of trains coming from Reading as the line is long and straight in that direction, trains coming from Westbury/Thatcham direction are not in view long before reaching the crossing, which will give you warning when it closes. Plenty of good photos to be had from the bridge and also looking head on at the crossing.
Update: There is now a large lamp post on the S W corner of the crossing (opposite side of the line to the signal box) which can get in the shot.
General views - All photographs © Tony Rispoli unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Fig 2 - Looking east
Location Video
The Authors video from the location.
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.
