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
This location is in the South East of England on the main West Coast Main Line. It is sited about 1 mile north of Leighton Buzzard and is not really one point but an area that follows the main line for about 1/2 mile. Within this area there are several individual points that provide good photographic vantage points.
Railway type and traffic
This line contains a mixture of passenger and freight traffic. Right through the Leighton Buzzard area the route is 4 tracked but NOT signalled for bi directional working.
All passenger traffic from the south is running from the London Euston terminus whilst the northern destination are Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Holyhead and Glasgow with other train terminating at destinations between those major cities.
Normal weekday and Saturday service dictates that there will be a Virgin Trains express passenger service in each direction on average once every 5 minutes, together with an average of 1 London Midland suburban service every 10 minutes and roughly 2 freight paths an hour so even an hour spent here can yield considerable quantities of material.
Normal weekday and Saturday service dictates that there will be a Virgin Trains express passenger service in each direction on average once every 5 minutes, together with an average of 1 London Midland suburban service every 10 minutes and roughly 2 freight paths an hour so even an hour spent here can yield considerable quantities of material.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Old Linslade
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
This section of the track is completely rural, flanked on both sides by fields.
Road directions
As can be seen this area is just off the A4146 Leighton Buzzard to Bletchley road and is about 1 mile to the north of Leighton Buzzard.. Leaving Leighton Buzzard cross over the railway and a road goes off to the right, this goes in the direction of the railway, go under the bridge and just immediately before the narrow hump-back canal bridge there is a small public (only hardcore surface) car park on the right which is mainly used by fishermen on the canal. Leave the car park, cross the road and turn left in the direction you came. After about 50 yards there is a stile and a public footpath sign, follow this footpath in an uphill direction and you will come to the footbridge, and the relevant locations.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Old Linslade map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Old Linslade map co-ordinates
Parking
A small public (only hardcore surface) car park
Public transport
On foot is necessary to travel to Leighton Buzzard station and walk approx. 1 ½ miles, there are no bus services serving this location.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
None at the location.
However the nearest facilities available in Leighton Buzzard which is approx 1 ½ miles to the south. The nearest facilities for food are the Tesco superstore which can be reached either by following the A4146 into Leighton Buzzard. Perhaps more pleasantly in the summer by following the canal towpath, the Store is adjacent to the canal with an entrance to the site directly from the towpath.
However the nearest facilities available in Leighton Buzzard which is approx 1 ½ miles to the south. The nearest facilities for food are the Tesco superstore which can be reached either by following the A4146 into Leighton Buzzard. Perhaps more pleasantly in the summer by following the canal towpath, the Store is adjacent to the canal with an entrance to the site directly from the towpath.
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.
Old Linslade
Streetmap links
Old Linslade general view map
Old Linslade close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Old Linslade
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Old Linslade
Googly map
Old Linslade general view map
Old Linslade close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Old Linslade
Who likes this location on facebook
Photographic notes
Update by Geoff Plumb 16-09-07:
The location 1 shot is no longer possible as a huge mound of earth is being dumped alongside the railway on the east side, north of the road underbridge. Part of the field has been fenced off and has earth-moving machinery in it at present, landscaping the spoil. Another 'bund' has already been made south of the roadbridge, so this location is now a complete 'no-no'.
Quite often sheep are grazing loose on the east side of the line which can again add interest to the photograph.
Additionally from location 3 it is possible to frame shots with the Grand Union canal in the far background both looking NE and SE as the canal arcs round the far side of the track.
Extra Video notes
This area is away from main roads so noise is not an issue for videographers.
For the purpose of following descriptions these have been given names Location 1, 2, 3 and 4. These are roughly
1. At the southern end of the area on top of a small hillock to the east of the line.
Shoot south west towards Linslade tunnel, only possible on cloudy days or early morning otherwise you may have problems with backlighting from the sun.
Shoot north west towards footbridge, sun does not cause a problem at any time of day, however one or two of the bushes can cause viewing problem so you may have to fine tune your exact position.
2. In the Middle part of the area on the east side of the line by the footbridge that spans the line at the exact point of the Bedfordshire/Buckinghamshire county boundary.
Shoot south, only an option on overcast days otherwise sun backlighting may cause a problem.
3. Also in the middle of the area, to the west of the main line on top of a small hillock.
Shoot south east only a problem on sunny early mornings.
Shoot north east as it is good at any time, the only downside is the gap between the hillocks does not allow full length trains.
4. At the northern end of the area, to the west of the line.
Shooting south can be a problem on sunny days although with careful positioning the hill (which has position 3 on top) can be used to shield from the sun.
The location 1 shot is no longer possible as a huge mound of earth is being dumped alongside the railway on the east side, north of the road underbridge. Part of the field has been fenced off and has earth-moving machinery in it at present, landscaping the spoil. Another 'bund' has already been made south of the roadbridge, so this location is now a complete 'no-no'.
Quite often sheep are grazing loose on the east side of the line which can again add interest to the photograph.
Additionally from location 3 it is possible to frame shots with the Grand Union canal in the far background both looking NE and SE as the canal arcs round the far side of the track.
Extra Video notes
This area is away from main roads so noise is not an issue for videographers.
For the purpose of following descriptions these have been given names Location 1, 2, 3 and 4. These are roughly
1. At the southern end of the area on top of a small hillock to the east of the line.
Shoot south west towards Linslade tunnel, only possible on cloudy days or early morning otherwise you may have problems with backlighting from the sun.
Shoot north west towards footbridge, sun does not cause a problem at any time of day, however one or two of the bushes can cause viewing problem so you may have to fine tune your exact position.
2. In the Middle part of the area on the east side of the line by the footbridge that spans the line at the exact point of the Bedfordshire/Buckinghamshire county boundary.
Shoot south, only an option on overcast days otherwise sun backlighting may cause a problem.
3. Also in the middle of the area, to the west of the main line on top of a small hillock.
Shoot south east only a problem on sunny early mornings.
Shoot north east as it is good at any time, the only downside is the gap between the hillocks does not allow full length trains.
4. At the northern end of the area, to the west of the line.
Shooting south can be a problem on sunny days although with careful positioning the hill (which has position 3 on top) can be used to shield from the sun.
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south west - Location 1
Shoot south west towards Linslade tunnel, only possible on cloudy days or early morning otherwise you may have problems with backlighting from the sun.
Fig 2 - Looking north west - Location 1 - Photo © John Patston
Shoot north west towards footbridge, sun does not cause a problem at any time of day, however one or two of the bushes can cause viewing problem so you may have to fine tune your exact position.
Fig 3 - Looking south west - Locaition 2
Shoot south, only an option on overcast days otherwise sun backlighting may cause a problem.
Fig 4 - Looking north east - Location 3
Shoot north east as it is good at any time, the only downside is the gap between the hillocks does not allow full length trains.
Fig 5 - Looking south east - Location 3
Shoot south east only a problem on sunny early mornings.
Fig 6 - Looking south - Location 4
Shoot south, only an option on overcast days otherwise sun backlighting may cause a problem.
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.
