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Written by Richard Tearle - 25 Sep 2007
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Location notes
Located about midway on the Leeds to Carforth. Hellifield is also about 3 miles south east of Settle junction and Located about 10 miles North West of Skipton. Hellifield Pond is on a small but busy for the area road heading out of Hellifield.
For more information on the Settle and Carlisle line please see the Settle - Carlisle Partnership website and consider joining Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line.
Railway type and traffic
Most of the local services to Carlisle are operated by 158 multiple units. Local services to Morecambe are operated by 142s, 144s or 156s.
There are a number of freight services operated by DB Schenker/Freightliner/GBRf.
DRS operate the autumnal RHTT trains over the route.
Environment
Hellifield is situated on the western side of the Pennines. The weather may change at any time. It would be advisable to have warm clothing to hand, although at this location you are never far from your car should the weather change. The station is a different matter.
Road directions
Coming north on the main A65 turn off to the right on the road signposted Otterburn. If you reach the middle of Hellifield you have gone too far.

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Hellifield Pond map co-ordinates
Parking
Following the road until it goes over the railway, from the Hellifield direction, you will see a field entrance that has space for a couple of cars without blocking access to the field. There is also one space on the other side of the road on the Hellifield side of the bridge. Other parking may be found further along the road towards Otterburn.
Public transport
There is a train roughly every 2 hours in each direction to Leeds and Carlisle. There are also 4 trains a day from Lancaster and Morecambe. From the station it would be a good twenty minute walk.

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Amenities
There are no amenities at the location but Hellifield boasts a number of shops and pubs. There is also a cafe on the station.
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.
Hellifield Pond

Googly map
Streetmap links
Hellifield Pond general view map
Hellifield Pond close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Hellifield Pond



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Railway Gen Group
Settle Carlisle
Photographic notes
There are two eastbound shots at this location and one westbound. By following the road back towards Hellifield it is possible to get a shot of the trains just passing a small pond and trees, hence the name for this location. There are also east and westbound shots from on top of the bridge itself. The eastbound shot is best in the morning, and on a cloudy day the westbound is good then. In the afternoon the wrong side shot is still favoured for the westbound shot. From the pond shooting spot it is just possible to see the semaphore signal protecting the crossing which will give you enough notice that a northbound train is approaching – it is also possible to see the westbound trains in the distance for a mad dash back to the bridge.


General views - All photographs © Richard Tearle unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west


Fig 1 - Looking west

Eastbound shot from over the 'pond', taken with a 50mm lens on a typical S&C day (dull and cloudy!). Note the firs at the bottom of the picture that in a few years will make this shot unobtainable.

Fig 2 - Looking west


Fig 2 - Looking west

From the bridge, taken with a 60mm lens, again on a typical S&C day – although a little bit brighter than the last shot. Again the firs are encroaching on this shot as well.

Fig 3 - Looking east


Fig 3 - Looking east

Westbound shot from the bridge, taken with a 50mm lens, again on a typical S&C day.

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