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Location notes
Whitacre Junction is where the Birmingham-Nuneaton line meets with the line running from Kingsbury. The location itself is on a large road bridge between the villages of Whitacre Heath and Shustoke.
Please note that not all freight that is scheduled to pass here actually does! Freight can often be diverted via Lea Marston, which is on the other edge of the triangle.
Please note that not all freight that is scheduled to pass here actually does! Freight can often be diverted via Lea Marston, which is on the other edge of the triangle.
Railway type and traffic
A variety of units can be witnessed here on passenger duties, and DB Schenker, Freightiner all put in appearances on various freight workings.
Hams Hall freight terminal is a mile or so west of the bridge and all traffic to and from goes past this location. However note that some freight workings to and from Kingsbury may be diverted via Lea Marston, even if they are scheduled to pass at this location. It really can be hit and miss in this respect!
When there are engineering works between Birmingham and Coventry WCML Pendolinos are dragged via Water Orton and Whitacre Junc.
Hams Hall freight terminal is a mile or so west of the bridge and all traffic to and from goes past this location. However note that some freight workings to and from Kingsbury may be diverted via Lea Marston, even if they are scheduled to pass at this location. It really can be hit and miss in this respect!
When there are engineering works between Birmingham and Coventry WCML Pendolinos are dragged via Water Orton and Whitacre Junc.
Environment
A road bridge across the line.
Recent safety improvements to the bridge means that the parapet is now higher than before, so steps would be a bonus. There is no pavement on the western side of the bridge so it is not the best place for eastbound shots. Also the road is quite busy. Given that approaching traffic from one side is on a tight bend it is not the best place to run across the road on a whim.
Recent safety improvements to the bridge means that the parapet is now higher than before, so steps would be a bonus. There is no pavement on the western side of the bridge so it is not the best place for eastbound shots. Also the road is quite busy. Given that approaching traffic from one side is on a tight bend it is not the best place to run across the road on a whim.
Road directions
From the M42, Junction 9:
Head south on the A446 until you reach the first roundabout. Turn left here into the dual carriageway (Faraday Lane) and take the first left which will take you to Lea Marston. From here, head Eastwards which will bring you to Whitacre Heath. When you reach the main road, turn right, and follow this road to the road bridge.
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Whitacre Junction map co-ordinates
Head south on the A446 until you reach the first roundabout. Turn left here into the dual carriageway (Faraday Lane) and take the first left which will take you to Lea Marston. From here, head Eastwards which will bring you to Whitacre Heath. When you reach the main road, turn right, and follow this road to the road bridge.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Whitacre Junction map co-ordinates
Parking
You will have to park before or after the bridge to the side of the road, but please ensure you do not block any 'work' entrances..
Public transport
Amenities
There are at least a couple of pubs in the village. Nearby Water Orton has many shops that should provide for any other needs!
Accommodation
You could always try the Railway Guest House in Whitacre Heath itself. There is also a large hotel just to the North of Lea Marston, which is situated off of Haunch lane.
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.
Whitacre Junction
Streetmap links
Whitacre Junction general view map
Whitacre Junction close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Whitacre Junction
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Whitacre Junction
Googly map
Whitacre Junction general view map
Whitacre Junction close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Whitacre Junction
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Good shots can be had here up until about mid-afternoon, after which, the sun becomes too 'head-on'.
As mentioned above recent safety improvements to the bridge means that the parapet is now higher than before, so steps would be a bonus.
As mentioned above recent safety improvements to the bridge means that the parapet is now higher than before, so steps would be a bonus.
General views - All photographs © Jason Rodhouse unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east
Fig 2 - Looking south west
Location Video
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.
