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Location notes
Just to the north of Kings Cross station this location is on the freight only spur connecting the East Coast Main Line to the North London Line. The area is in a state of redevelopment at the moment, with the CTRL works into St Pancras all but complete now.
You can also see Midland Main Line workings coming out of St Pancras through the concrete and Eurostars should also be visible, although probably not photographable.
Probably also of note is the fact that you will be standing on, or close to, the original route of the Kings Cross Incline, the whole area having been rebuilt for the CTRL.
You can also see Midland Main Line workings coming out of St Pancras through the concrete and Eurostars should also be visible, although probably not photographable.
Probably also of note is the fact that you will be standing on, or close to, the original route of the Kings Cross Incline, the whole area having been rebuilt for the CTRL.
Railway type and traffic
There are no timetabled passenger workings and the freight is very much as required. Pretty much anything can travel up here from Serco Test Trains, Charters or diverted freights. But it will be on an ad hoc basis. So it is probably best to avoid turning up and waiting to see what passes!
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Kings Cross Incline
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
This is inner city London. At the time of writing the location was bounded by cement works and a Camden Council facility. There is quite a bit of noise from the works, and a large amount to dust (esp in the Summer)
Road directions
Follow the A1 all the way into London and then, in Tuffnel Park, turn right onto the A503 Camden Road. After about a mile or so turn left onto York Way and follow this road south. When you start to go under railways take the next right, between the North London Line and the CTRL works, and follow this road up to the location.
It sounds quite simple, but as with all inner London locations the traffic will often be a major problem.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Kings Cross Incline map co-ordinates
It sounds quite simple, but as with all inner London locations the traffic will often be a major problem.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Kings Cross Incline map co-ordinates
Parking
There is plenty of roadside and off road parking at the location. And your car will be visible at all times
Public transport
Key in 'York Way Railway Bridge' as your destination on the Transport for London Website to find out how to get there.
The location is about a miles walk from Kings Cross station, just walk up York Way and the location is the left turn under the CTRL.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
The location is about a miles walk from Kings Cross station, just walk up York Way and the location is the left turn under the CTRL.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
Nothing in the area. There is a petrol station just north of Kings Cross and there could be shops in the streets to the north.
Accommodation
Lots in London, plenty of Bed and Breakfasts near Kings Cross.
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.
Kings Cross Incline
Streetmap links
Kings Cross Incline general view map
Kings Cross Incline close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Kings Cross Incline
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Kings Cross Incline
Googly map
Kings Cross Incline general view map
Kings Cross Incline close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Kings Cross Incline
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Ignoring the curve of the line, the line runs basically east to west. This will favour early morning shots before the sun comes round. Given that the train climbing the grade will be the main focus sun worshippers will be best to avoid this location after lunchtime as the whole area will be back lit.
For videographers, the location is quite industrial in nature and there will be an amount of background noise depending on the time of day. But anything climbing the bank will be working hard. Naturally anything descending (east to west) will be fairly quiet.
The vegetation (weeds) in the area is uncontrolled and high, so some pruning might be required from time to time.
For videographers, the location is quite industrial in nature and there will be an amount of background noise depending on the time of day. But anything climbing the bank will be working hard. Naturally anything descending (east to west) will be fairly quiet.
The vegetation (weeds) in the area is uncontrolled and high, so some pruning might be required from time to time.
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south west
Fig 2 - Looking east
From lower down on the road way.
Fig 3 - Looking north
This view actually shows the HS1 line into St Pancras International, this view can be obtained from York Way its self, which is a minute or twos walk from the original location.
Location Video
The diverted sleeper climbs the incline, sadly a class 90 doesn't make much noise, even on one of the heaviest passenger trains!
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.
