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Written by Marcus Dawson - 07 Jun 2007
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Location notes
A wide foot bridge over the London to Portsmouth main line just to the north of Guildford station. Three lines converge under the bridge, looking north from left to right:
+ The line from Farnborough and Ash - fig 2,
+ The main line from London via Woking- fig 1
+ Other lines from London via Effingham, Leatherhead or Oxshott - fig 3
Railway type and traffic
Fast passenger services are in the hands of SWT, predominantly 444s with the odd 450, two fast trains each way per hour and one stopping train each way per hour. There are slow slower services utilitising 455s and 168s
The only freight is the Fawley - Holybourne tanks, which go north around 10:35 and return at around 14:55.
Environment
The location is a public foot path linking Guildford University on the west and the town on the east. It will be busy at most times of day. There is no lighting on the lines so the location is not much use after dark anyways.
Road directions
From the A3:
Follow the signs, marked University/Cathedral, into Guildford town centre and just before the railway station there is a sign to the 'Recycling Centre' take this road, it is a left turn, and follow it round to the car parks.
The university entrance is 'protected' by a rising bollard, so do not be tempted to park on the university grounds as you may end up stuck!

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Guildford, University Bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
The location is just off a large public car park, so finding somewhere should not be difficult. You can not, however, see your car from the location, so keep those valuables well hidden.
Public transport
Come out of Guildford Station on the western side (up the stairs and head left). Once you are through the barriers turn right and follow the road around till there is a left hand bend. The turning you are looking for is the second right (next after Rupert Road). This is signed 'Recycling Centre' and follow this road to the car park and continue straight through the car park and the location is on your right.

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Amenities
There is nothing at the location, but there is plenty in the town center.
Accommodation
There are a number of hotels in Guildford town centre.
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.
Guildford, University Bridge

Googly map
Streetmap links
Guildford, University Bridge general view map
Guildford, University Bridge close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Guildford, University Bridge



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Railway Gen Group
South East Gen
Photographic notes
The line is pretty much north - south so lighting is best for southbound trains for all but the start and finish of the daylight hours.
The bridge parapet is reasonably high. You can see over standing on the ground, but a small height boost might be advantageous! Looking to the south is the station. Owing to the track layout the line speed though the station is not very high.
There is little noise to disturb videos.


General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north

A train on the main line from Woking.

Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north

This line leads to Ash then on to either Reading or Alton.

Fig 3 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking north

This line leads to Effingham Junction then splits to either Leatherhead and Epsom or Oxshott and New Malden.

Fig 4 - Looking south


Fig 4 - Looking south

A view of the station from the bridge

Fig 5 - The Location



Fig 5 - The Location

To the left of this shot is the station and to the right is the 3 diverging lines.
Both the bridge edges have barriers, on the left you can look under the pipe and the spikes on the right are big enough to easilly put a camera lens through.

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