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Written by Jason Rodhouse - 13 Jun 2007
last update by James Power - 11 Apr 2008
and by Marcus Dawson - 24 Jun 2009
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Location notes
Lea Marston is a village to the east of Birmingham, and is on the triangle of lines between Water Orton and Kingsbury.
Please note that not all freight that is scheduled to pass here actually does! Freight can often be diverted via Whitacre Junction, which is on the other edge of the triangle.
Railway type and traffic
The location sees much passenger use, with 156, 158 ,170 and Voyagers busying themselves.
The location is very good for it's selection of freight, with DB Schenker, Freightliner, and services can be seen daily, including class 56, 60, 66 and 67 on a regular basis.
Environment
This particular location is a large road bridge, but it is reasonably quiet here. There is only pavement on the north east side with the other being just a short grass kerb area.
Road directions
From the M42, Junction 9:
Head south on the Lichfield Road (A446) then take the first left at the roundabout down Faraday Avenue (Dual carriageway). You need to take the first left which will take you to the village itself. In the centre of the village, you need to bear right onto the road which leads to Whitacre Heath. As you leave the village of Lea Marston, you will pass over the railway, and this is the location.

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Lea Marston map co-ordinates
Parking
You can park just beyond the bridge by the side of the road. There is also room to park off-road on the left hand side at the bottom of the hill before the bridge.
Public transport
Stagecoach in Warwickshire operate route 717 every hour Monday - Saturday between Nuneaton and Birmingham International Airport. The bus does pass over the bridge itself and you need to alight in the village itself and walk to the bridge, this however should take no more than 5 minutes.
A timetable for the 717 route can be found, in pdf format, here.

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Amenities
There are plenty of amenities in nearby Water Orton, There are also at least a couple of pubs at Whitacre Heath.
Accommodation
There is a large hotel to the north of the village down Haunch Lane. You could always try the Railway Guest House in Whitacre Heath itself.
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.
Lea Marston

Googly map
Streetmap links
Lea Marston general view map
Lea Marston close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Lea Marston



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Photographic notes
Good shots of southbound workings can be had here until the early afternoon, although Northbound workings are really only suited to a morning shoot. This location can get very busy if something unusual is due, and though not essential, steps may be an advantage, if only to get above other photographers heads!
A shot can also be had from within a little opening in the hedge within a stones throw to the south of the bridge.


General views - All photographs © Jason Rodhouse unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south west


Fig 1 - Looking south west


Fig 2 - Looking north east


Fig 2 - Looking north east


Fig 3 - Looking north east - Image © Marcus Dawson


Fig 3 - Looking north east - <i>Image © Marcus Dawson</i>


Fig 4 - Looking south west - Image © Marcus Dawson


Fig 4 - Looking south west - <i>Image © Marcus Dawson</i>

Taken with a DSLR @ 80mm. Bushes in the foreground of this shot are growing quite tall and will encroach on shots with shorter focal lengths.

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