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Location notes
This is a public footbridge that crosses the main line to London from Hastings and Ashford, it is one of the main commuter lines from the South-East and also used for some of the freight to and from Dollands Moor. It is just on the curve of the line to the North-West of Tonbridge.
Railway type and traffic
The majority of the traffic is SET 375s and 465s with the occasional tour including the VSOE.
Freight is a mixture of DB Schenker 66s, 59s and 92s with 59s to Allington, 92s to Dollands Moor and 66s on engineering trains, GBRF opperate the Gypsum trains to and from Mountfield (on the Hastings Line) and also engineering trains, and DRS 37s and 20s work the Dungeness flasks and the test trains. Various engineering trains use Tonbridge to get to Hoo Junction when there is engineering work in the area.
Freight is a mixture of DB Schenker 66s, 59s and 92s with 59s to Allington, 92s to Dollands Moor and 66s on engineering trains, GBRF opperate the Gypsum trains to and from Mountfield (on the Hastings Line) and also engineering trains, and DRS 37s and 20s work the Dungeness flasks and the test trains. Various engineering trains use Tonbridge to get to Hoo Junction when there is engineering work in the area.
Environment
This location is a public foot path in a residential area, although the bridge is well graffitied there is little trouble there. The footpath leads to Tonbridge West Yard to the South and can be seen from this bridge.
Road directions
From the A21 take the turn for the A26 Tonbridge South, follow the signs for Tonbridge and you will come down into Tonbridge via Quarry Hill, at the first round-a-bout take the 2nd exit straight on, at the next round-a-bout take the 1st exit straight on, you will pass Tonbridge station on your left, at the next round-a-bout take the 1st left straight on to the High Street, turn first left into Avebury Avenue.
Follow the road to the end and turn right at the T junction into Bardon Road, follow the road to the end. The foot path to the bridge will be right in front of you.
Alternately turn left on to Nelson Avenue and follow the road to the end and turn left across the railway bridge, take the first left and then left again into Clare Avenue. Follow the road ahead and then down a small dirt track and park, the foot path leading to the bridge is back towards the way you came in.
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Tonbridge, Bardon Road map co-ordinates
Follow the road to the end and turn right at the T junction into Bardon Road, follow the road to the end. The foot path to the bridge will be right in front of you.
Alternately turn left on to Nelson Avenue and follow the road to the end and turn left across the railway bridge, take the first left and then left again into Clare Avenue. Follow the road ahead and then down a small dirt track and park, the foot path leading to the bridge is back towards the way you came in.
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Tonbridge, Bardon Road map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking is permit only between 09:30 - 10:30 in Nelson Avenue and Barden Road (this is to stop the commuters). The alternative car park (which is the same for Tonbridge West Yard) has no restrictions.
Public transport
Tonbridge Station is about 10 minutes slow walk, turn left out of the station main entrance and walk down to the round-a-bout, just before the round-a-bout is Barden Road which turns back towards the station, follow the road to the end and the footpath will be right in front of you on Nelson Avenue.
Arriva Buses stop right out side the station and there are routes from Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.
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Arriva Buses stop right out side the station and there are routes from Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
The street in Tonbridge is well stocked with shops and there is a good cafe and Fish and Chip shop on Avebury Road. Half way along Barden Road on the left hand side travelling from the High Street is a small corner shop. Just behind the High Street is a Sainsburys which has a petrol garage and plenty of parking (pay and display).
Accommodation
There are several hotels in the area including 2 travel Inns and the Rose And Crown Hotel in the High Street.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
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Tonbridge, Bardon Road
Streetmap links
Tonbridge, Bardon Road general view map
Tonbridge, Bardon Road close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Tonbridge, Bardon Road
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Tonbridge, Bardon Road
Googly map
Tonbridge, Bardon Road general view map
Tonbridge, Bardon Road close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Tonbridge, Bardon Road
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Photographic notes
The line is a curve from the north going around to the east, on a bright sunny day the shot towards Tonbridge Station will be into the light, but the shot towards London is ok all day. Anti-vandal fences have been added to the bridge and the side of the main bridge is about 6 high so a small pair of steps can help. The undergrowth to the South of the bridge is starting to infringe but a shot is still possible between the railings under the anti-vandal fence. Due to the nature of the curve trains are limited to 50mph so even in low light it is possible to get a good picture.
General views - All photographs © Steve Hatcher unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south east
Fig 2 - Looking north
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.
