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Written by Jason Rodhouse - 09 Sep 2007
last update by Jason Rodhouse - 04 Sep 2007
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Location notes
Petts Wood is between Bromley and Orpington in Kent. A complex collection of lines here, with lines to Victoria, Charring Cross, towards Chatham, and down to Tonbridge.
Railway type and traffic
Most passenger trains are operated by South Eastern Trains, featuring 375, 465 and 466.
Most freight workings are in the hands of DB Schenker 66 and 92s, although other workings can often provide a nice surprise!
Environment
The location itself is a set of useful footbridges crossing the lines.
Road directions
From Petts Wood station, bear left down Woodland Way. This leads into a built up housing area. You will shortly notice Manor Way on your right. Keep going. You should then notice Silverdale Road to your right. Ignore this, and keep going and the road should bear to the right. Look out for 'Little Thrift' on the left, and pull in here. There is a public footpath on your left which takes you to the southern bridge, and a path on your right which takes you to the northern bridges.

Click here to set up your location for directions to this location

Petts Wood Junction map co-ordinates
Parking
Park considerately in the nearby streets.
There is also a large car-park at the end of Tent Peg Lane' which is just off 'Crest View Drive'
Public transport
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
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.
Petts Wood Junction

Googly map
Streetmap links
Petts Wood Junction general view map
Petts Wood Junction close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Petts Wood Junction



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Photographic notes
There are several options here, with many different angles to choose from to suit different sun positions throughout the day. However, trees can be troublesome at the northern bridges. The best shooting spot is from the southern bridge. Here, you can get good shots of southbound trains up unto the afternoon, and in the summer, good northbound shots can be had in the evenings.

The best bridge, referred to as the 'southern bridge' in the text has now been turned into a giant cage, and as a result, taking photos from the bridge that spans the lines is an almost impossible task.


General views - All photographs © Jason Rodhouse unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north west - Photo by Victoria Rodhouse


Fig 1 - Looking north west - <i>Photo by Victoria Rodhouse</i>

From the first bridge.
One of only two views which can now be had.

Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 2 - Looking south

From the first bridge.
Taken from halfway down the steps, and was taken by holding a camera through some barbed wire.This is the best one can make of what is now a bad situation

Fig 3 - Looking west - Photo by Victoria Rodhouse


Fig 3 - Looking west - <i>Photo by Victoria Rodhouse</i>

From the second bridge.

Fig 4 - Looking east - Photo by Victoria Rodhouse


Fig 4 - Looking east - <i>Photo by Victoria Rodhouse</i>

From the second bridge.
Visible in the background is a new fence, workmen were erecting 'miles' of this new fencing at the time these pictures were taken.

Fig 5 - Looking east



Fig 5 - Looking east

From the third bridge.
This is the only possible shot from the top of the bridge, and even then was taken with great difficulty, and probably would not be worth the effort. Small steps would be helpful if anyone did want to try for such a shot.

Fig 6 - Looking west - Photo by Victoria Rodhouse



Fig 6 - Looking west - <i>Photo by Victoria Rodhouse</i>

From the third bridge.
This shot is almost passable, but those trees to the right are getting a bit out of control at the moment.

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