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Location notes
Cosford is west of Wolverhampton on the line to Shrewsbury. The station serves the RAF barracks, as well as the RAF Museum based at the airfield.
The nearest town is Albrighton, a couple of miles South East.
The nearest town is Albrighton, a couple of miles South East.
Railway type and traffic
The line here is a double track mainline, with loops in both directions, although these are rarely used for freight to my knowledge. The Eastbound loop however is sometimes used to hold engineers vehicles.
Passenger services are operated in the main by Central Trains, using DMUs from class 150, 153, 156, 158 and 170. Arriva Trains Wales also operates along this route, mainly using class 158 DMUs.
Freight is few and far between, however coal trains to and from Ironbridge pass this way, usually hauled by a class 66. Also, engineers trains from Bescot to the Shrewsbury area will use this route, often with a class 37 loco if heading down the Cambrian line from Shrewsbury.
Passenger services are operated in the main by Central Trains, using DMUs from class 150, 153, 156, 158 and 170. Arriva Trains Wales also operates along this route, mainly using class 158 DMUs.
Freight is few and far between, however coal trains to and from Ironbridge pass this way, usually hauled by a class 66. Also, engineers trains from Bescot to the Shrewsbury area will use this route, often with a class 37 loco if heading down the Cambrian line from Shrewsbury.
Environment
Cosford exists to serve the RAF barracks, so it is not somewhere to expect trouble, however, as with anywhere these days, probably best to be on your guard.
The location itself is just off a road which leads to the Aerospace Museum, so it can get busy at times, with cars, coaches and pedestrians.
The location itself is just off a road which leads to the Aerospace Museum, so it can get busy at times, with cars, coaches and pedestrians.
Road directions
From the M6, Junction 10A:
Join the M54 Westbound, then leave at Junction 3 (Cosford and Albrighton). Head South on the A41 for approx 1 mile, until you come to a traffic light controlled junction with Worcester Road, which should be signposted for Cosford station. Turn right into Worcester Road, and follow it past the station, and under the railway line. Approx 200 yds beyond the station is a small electricity substation - there is room to park one car here, or there is more parking available at the RAF Museum. From the substation, the location is a short walk (20 yds or so) back along the road - you will see a path leading through the gorse bushes to the line side fence.
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Cosford map co-ordinates
Join the M54 Westbound, then leave at Junction 3 (Cosford and Albrighton). Head South on the A41 for approx 1 mile, until you come to a traffic light controlled junction with Worcester Road, which should be signposted for Cosford station. Turn right into Worcester Road, and follow it past the station, and under the railway line. Approx 200 yds beyond the station is a small electricity substation - there is room to park one car here, or there is more parking available at the RAF Museum. From the substation, the location is a short walk (20 yds or so) back along the road - you will see a path leading through the gorse bushes to the line side fence.
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Cosford map co-ordinates
Parking
Free parking is available at the RAF Museum, just a short way down the road - however note opening times etc here on the RAF Museum website.
Public transport
Mon-Sat:
Cosford is served hourly by Central Trains from Birmingham via Wolverhampton, and from Shrewsbury via Telford.
Sun:
An irregular service is provided by Arriva Trains Wales.
The 892 bus service from Wolverhampton to Wellington runs along the A41. The nearest stop is the Cosford Garage, which is just South of the junction for Worcester Road, which leads to the railway station and the location - around a 3/4 mile walk.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Cosford is served hourly by Central Trains from Birmingham via Wolverhampton, and from Shrewsbury via Telford.
Sun:
An irregular service is provided by Arriva Trains Wales.
The 892 bus service from Wolverhampton to Wellington runs along the A41. The nearest stop is the Cosford Garage, which is just South of the junction for Worcester Road, which leads to the railway station and the location - around a 3/4 mile walk.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are no amenities in the immediate area, however there is a service station on the A41 (turn right at the end of Worcester Road).
There are more facilities a short walk away at the RAF Museum - which is free to enter - there is a shop, cafe etc - however note opening times, and bear in mind special events which may not be free (Cosford Air show etc)
There are more facilities a short walk away at the RAF Museum - which is free to enter - there is a shop, cafe etc - however note opening times, and bear in mind special events which may not be free (Cosford Air show etc)
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.
Cosford
Streetmap links
Cosford general view map
Cosford close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Cosford
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Cosford
Googly map
Cosford general view map
Cosford close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Cosford
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Update 02-03-08:
The signal box has now been removed.
The line here runs roughly East-West at this point. The best shot here is of Westbound trains, and the light is best in mid afternoon til around 18:00 - 18:30 when the sun moves too far around.
A set of steps may be useful to get some height over the gorse bushes, however they are not essential as the worst can be avoided by moving around to find the best spot.
Videographers should not have too many problems - although the road can be busy, the worst of any noise is screened by the bushes behind you. However now and then coaches and trucks etc do pass by which obviously can be noisy.
The signal box has now been removed.
The line here runs roughly East-West at this point. The best shot here is of Westbound trains, and the light is best in mid afternoon til around 18:00 - 18:30 when the sun moves too far around.
A set of steps may be useful to get some height over the gorse bushes, however they are not essential as the worst can be avoided by moving around to find the best spot.
Videographers should not have too many problems - although the road can be busy, the worst of any noise is screened by the bushes behind you. However now and then coaches and trucks etc do pass by which obviously can be noisy.
General views - All photographs © Justin Buckley unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east
Fig 2 - Looking east
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.
Bewdley Tunnel and Black stone nature reserve
