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Written by Marcus Dawson - 31 Jul 2007
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Location notes
Located on the Ipswich to Felixstowe branch line this location is a road over bridge. The line serves Felixstowe, Suffolk's, and indeed England's, largest port complex. Which is located at the coastal tip of a flat peninsula bordered by the Rivers Deben and Orwell and the North sea, with the county town of Ipswich on its northern inland edge. By road the port is about 10 miles west of Ipswich.
The entire line between Trimley and Westerfield is scheduled for doubling in the next few years.
Railway type and traffic
A rural passenger service but mainly freight from the nearby port of Felixstowe.
Usual motive power is the ubiquitous class 66 from either DB Schenker, Freightliner or GBRf. But Freightliner 70s also appear.
Environment
The location is a road over bridge. There is little near the location other than fields and a 'research station' a short distance down the road.
Road directions
From the A14:
After crossing the Orwell Bridge continue along the A14 for about 3 miles. Passing one junction, going under the railway and then under a road bridge and then come off at the next junction. Take the third exit towards Nacton and drive for about 400 yards until the road bends. There is a turning on the left, take it and follow this road to the location. When the road becomes a short dual carriage way look out for the bridge on your right and take the road, apptly named 'Bridge Road' to the location.

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Levington, Felixstowe Branch map co-ordinates
Parking
On the northern side of the bridge is a very wide strip of grass that will accommodate a number of cars.
Public transport
The First no 77 bus stops at the end of the road to this location. You can see the location from the bus stop.

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Amenities
Nothing in the area. There are plenty of shops and facilities in Felixstowe Town which is only a few miles drive away, or a few basic shops in Trimley which is about a mile and a half to the east.
Accommodation
Plenty of holiday type accommodation in Felixstowe.
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.
Levington, Felixstowe Branch

Googly map
Streetmap links
Levington, Felixstowe Branch general view map
Levington, Felixstowe Branch close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Levington, Felixstowe Branch



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Railway Gen Group
Anglia Gen
Photographic notes
The primary shot here is for trains heading towards Felixstowe Docks. The line is running south east at this point and as such is well lit for all the morning and a good part of the early afternoon. Trains can be seen approaching from about a mile away and they appear from behind a big oval shaped tree (well it was last time I was there! - ed) and continue round a sweeping curve to the bridge. If you want to shoot from the south west side of the bridge, in the early afternoon, then be warned there is a bush growing up that will obscure trains before long.
The bridge parapets are quite high and steps would be required to see over them. Fortunately the bridge edges are waist height 'armco's' and can easily be seen over.
The shot of trains coming from Felixstowe is nothing to write home about and you would be better walking to another location to get that shot.
This also makes the location very difficult for videographers wishing to use a tripod.
Although the Trimley RTT page shows all workings on the branch you can simply list workings in one direction only by looking at:
Levington Signal Co617 for Felixstowe bound workings is the most appropriate for this location.
Levington Signal Co622 for workings bound for Ipswich and beyond

Update October 2015:
The bushes on either side of the line are now beginning to obscure the wider angles. This, combined with the height of the bridge parapets mean that steps are now almost essential for this location.


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


Fig 1 - Looking north west


Fig 2 - Looking north west - Image © Gary Thomas.


Fig 2 - Looking north west - <i>Image © Gary Thomas</i>.

Taken with a telephoto lens and steps.

Fig 3 - Looking north west - Image © Keith Halton.


Fig 3 - Looking north west - <i>Image © Keith Halton.</i>

From the opposite side of the bridge to fig 1

Fig 4 - Looking north west


Fig 4 - Looking north west

The yellow line shows the rough route of the track approaching the location.

Fig 5 - Looking south east



Fig 5 - Looking south east

The shot of Ipswich bound trains is both unimpressive and blocked by over hanging trees.

Fig 6 - The location



Fig 6 - The location

The bridge parapets are about 6 ft high. The place to park is at the end of the 'armco' on the left hand side of this picture.

Location Video



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