New Mobile Site
We have just launched a new mobile version of this site - m.trainspots. This page will use your smart device's GPS to loctate you and guide you to locations that are close to your present location.
Location notes
The footbridge over Tonbridge West Yard also crosses the Tonbridge to Redhill line, from the bridge you can see Tonbridge Station and also the main line towards the capital. The lines are a busy commuter route plus a minor freight line. The yard it self has seen better day and is now just used mainly for engineering trains. The site is in the heart of West Kent and see a various amount of traffic.
Railway type and traffic
Most of the traffic in this area uses the line that curves to the north from the station towards London, but there is a half hourly service in both direction on the Redhill line, this includes Southern 377 covering the Tunbridge Wells to Horsham route and SET 375 and 508 covering the Tunbridge Wells to London Bridge services. Southern and SWT use the Redhill line to convey EMUs to Chart Leacon for servicing and 455s, Gat Ex and also the 3 CIGs have been seen.
OTP equipment is also seen on route to Ashford Depot. The yard itself has the usual suspects, GBRF owned 73207 has sat on the loco spur for a number of months now, also NR snowploughs and GLVs (De-icers) are based in the yard along with NR 73212 + 73213. GBRF also uses the yard to hold locos and this includes 66/7s and EDs. DB Schenker also use the yard and it is possible to see 66s, 59s, 60s and 67s.
But a word of warning the yard can be completely empty at time with only the usual suspects on view and other times it can be jam packed, when there is engineering work near by the yard is used to run round, so trains can access Hoo junction via the Medway Valley Line.. the bridge also crosses Jubilee Sidings where SET store 375s, 465s and 508s, and some times the VSOE hauled by DB Schenker 67s may stop over.
OTP equipment is also seen on route to Ashford Depot. The yard itself has the usual suspects, GBRF owned 73207 has sat on the loco spur for a number of months now, also NR snowploughs and GLVs (De-icers) are based in the yard along with NR 73212 + 73213. GBRF also uses the yard to hold locos and this includes 66/7s and EDs. DB Schenker also use the yard and it is possible to see 66s, 59s, 60s and 67s.
But a word of warning the yard can be completely empty at time with only the usual suspects on view and other times it can be jam packed, when there is engineering work near by the yard is used to run round, so trains can access Hoo junction via the Medway Valley Line.. the bridge also crosses Jubilee Sidings where SET store 375s, 465s and 508s, and some times the VSOE hauled by DB Schenker 67s may stop over.
Environment
The bridge is open to the elements and in the winter the wind can whip across the bridge. To the South is a housing estate and to the North is a unmade road area where you can park. It is a public footpath and is used by school children so it can be busy at the end of the school days.
Road directions
The easiest way is from the A21, take the turning for the A26 (Tonbridge South) follow the signs for Tonbridge, coming down the A26 Quarry Hill you come to a round-a-bout, go straight over (2nd exit), at the next round-a-bout go straight on (1st Exit) you will pass Tonbridge Station on your left.
At the next round-a-bout go straight over and then take the immediate left into Avebury Avenue. Follow this road to the end and turn right into Barden Road, follow this to the end and at the T-junction turn right into Nelson Avenue, follow this to the end and turn left going across the bridge, which cross the main London line. after the bridge turn left into Pembroke Road, at the bottom turn Left into Clare Avenue. Go to the end and the road turns into a dirt track, a short distance is the area where you can park.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Tonbridge West Yard map co-ordinates
At the next round-a-bout go straight over and then take the immediate left into Avebury Avenue. Follow this road to the end and turn right into Barden Road, follow this to the end and at the T-junction turn right into Nelson Avenue, follow this to the end and turn left going across the bridge, which cross the main London line. after the bridge turn left into Pembroke Road, at the bottom turn Left into Clare Avenue. Go to the end and the road turns into a dirt track, a short distance is the area where you can park.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Tonbridge West Yard map co-ordinates
Parking
Plenty of room just follow above route. Just watch the side roads as there are parking permits between certain times.
Public transport
The location is a 10 minute walk from the station, and the town's High Street. Follow direction from the station by car except when you get to the end of Barden Road walk across Nelson Avenue to the footpath which leads across the main line for London.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There is a local store on Bardon Road, in the town there is a Sainsburys and other shops generally found in a town.
Accommodation
There is a Travel Inn about 10 minutes walk from the station and town centre.
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.
Tonbridge West Yard
Streetmap links
Tonbridge West Yard general view map
Tonbridge West Yard close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Tonbridge West Yard
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Tonbridge West Yard
Googly map
Tonbridge West Yard general view map
Tonbridge West Yard close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Tonbridge West Yard
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The line is East - West almost so depending on the time of day the sun may cause a problem. The Redhill Line is a tight angle to take pictures and you tend to shoot into the light from the North side of the line due to the vegetation. The bridge is not wide so if you use a tripod just beware of groups of people crossing the bridge.
General views - All photographs © Steve Hatcher unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east
Fig 2 - Looking west
Fig 3 - Looking west
Fig 4 - Looking east
Fig 5 - Looking east
Fig 6 - Looking west
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.
