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Location notes
On the western outskirts of Letchworth, on the Hitchin - Cambridge line. The view overlooks Hitchin East Junction and the new (2013) Hitchin Grade Separation or Down Cambridge Flyover (DCF) as well as the old road towards Hitchin.
Railway type and traffic
This is an electrified secondary line. Regular Great Northern EMUs, mainly 365s with some 317s, 321s and 313s.
The line is a diversionary route for the ECML and occasional freight trains do appear, mostly engineers trains to/from Whitemoor Yard. Grand Central and First Hull Trains units have also been diverted this way in the past.
The line is a diversionary route for the ECML and occasional freight trains do appear, mostly engineers trains to/from Whitemoor Yard. Grand Central and First Hull Trains units have also been diverted this way in the past.
Environment
Open fields on the outskirts of Letchworth. The Greenway is popular with local walkers but you are very unlikely to get any hassle. No lighting and you are some way from the line, so not much use after dark. It is quite exposed, and the footpath can get muddy in places.
Road directions
From Letchworth town centre: head out of town to the west on Station Way, with the line on your right (hidden behind trees). The road eventually becomes Burnell Rise; follow this until it turns sharp left and then take the first right (Hillbrow). Continue along Hillbrow for about 200 yards (just before the road will bears to the left) and you will see the footpath signposted to your right. You can park in this area; it is residential and pretty safe.
This is also the walking route from Letchworth station; come out of the station, turn immediately right and at the end of the forecourt road, turn right again; this is Station Place, which leads to Station Way.
From the A505, if coming from the Hitchin direction, take the first left after entering the town; this is Highfields and becomes Hillbrow; you will find the footpath on your left. If coming from the Baldock direction, use the same road (obviously a right-hand turn from the A505).
Once on the footpath and out of the built-up area (only a few minutes' walk from Hillbrow), you will see the line to your right; there are many different shots that can be taken from different parts of the path.
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Letchworth Greenway map co-ordinates
This is also the walking route from Letchworth station; come out of the station, turn immediately right and at the end of the forecourt road, turn right again; this is Station Place, which leads to Station Way.
From the A505, if coming from the Hitchin direction, take the first left after entering the town; this is Highfields and becomes Hillbrow; you will find the footpath on your left. If coming from the Baldock direction, use the same road (obviously a right-hand turn from the A505).
Once on the footpath and out of the built-up area (only a few minutes' walk from Hillbrow), you will see the line to your right; there are many different shots that can be taken from different parts of the path.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Letchworth Greenway map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking is OK in Hillbrow, but as it is residential, space may be limited. The area is safe to leave your car.
Public transport
About a 15-20 minute walk from Letchworth station, as per the directions above. Letchworth is served by frequent FCC services from Kings Cross to Cambridge. Local bus services also serve the station and buses towards Hitchin run along Station Way.
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
None, at the location.
Letchworth town centre has plenty of shops, including a Wetherspoons pub and the Broadway Hotel, near the station, which has a very reasonably-priced carvery. There are also some good cafes and chip shops. In addition, David's Bookshop on Eastcheap sells OS and street maps, including guides to the Greenway and also has a very good selection of railway books, both new and second-hand.
There is also a good chip shop in nearby Stotfold; Charles Fish and Chips, 9 Regent Street. Special offer if you mention Trainspots; free soft drink with any food order over £2.50
Letchworth town centre has plenty of shops, including a Wetherspoons pub and the Broadway Hotel, near the station, which has a very reasonably-priced carvery. There are also some good cafes and chip shops. In addition, David's Bookshop on Eastcheap sells OS and street maps, including guides to the Greenway and also has a very good selection of railway books, both new and second-hand.
There is also a good chip shop in nearby Stotfold; Charles Fish and Chips, 9 Regent Street. Special offer if you mention Trainspots; free soft drink with any food order over £2.50
Accommodation
Broadway Hotel, Eastcheap, Letchworth.
In addition, there is a motel at Junction 10 of the A1(M) a few miles to the north-east, plus some hotels in Hitchin and Stevenage.
In addition, there is a motel at Junction 10 of the A1(M) a few miles to the north-east, plus some hotels in Hitchin and Stevenage.
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.
Letchworth Greenway
Streetmap links
Letchworth Greenway general view map
Letchworth Greenway close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Letchworth Greenway
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Letchworth Greenway
Googly map
Letchworth Greenway general view map
Letchworth Greenway close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Letchworth Greenway
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Looking out this is more of a panoramic view than a close up location, so a zoom lens is definitely a must and perhaps a tripod. Only really good for trains heading towards Letchworth and Cambridge, although units are symmetrically ended so it might not matter! You have a view of almost the entire Hitchin Grade Separation and the old route from Hitchin. It is possible to hear workings approaching but it is easy to confuse traffic on the Stotfold Road.
Vegetation on the bank prevents some angles.
The sun will best suit later mornings to early evening here.
The open nature of the location mean that videos will suffer from wind noise.
Vegetation on the bank prevents some angles.
The sun will best suit later mornings to early evening here.
The open nature of the location mean that videos will suffer from wind noise.
General views - All photographs © Richard Allen unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Fig 2 - Looking west
Fig 3 - Looking west
Fig 4 - Looking west
This is where the linecrosses a minor road.
Fig 5 - Looking north west - Image © Marcus Dawson
The Down Cambridge Flyover (DCF) can be seen in the background.
Fig 6 - Looking west - Image © Marcus Dawson
A Cambridge bound working heads along the old route.
Fig 7 - Looking west - Image © Marcus Dawson
Crossing the DCF (Down Cambridge Flyover) a 365 heads towards the junction.
Location Video
This location starts at 00:30
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.
