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Location notes
This is a popular late afternoon to early evening shots in both directions. On clear days there are impressive views of the hills behind.
This land and access to it is Open Access land as defined under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Rights can vary depending on the time of year, and it’s best to use Natural England’s website to check if planning a visit.
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.
This land and access to it is Open Access land as defined under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Rights can vary depending on the time of year, and it’s best to use Natural England’s website to check if planning a visit.
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.
There are a number of freight services operated by DB Schenker/Freightliner/GBRf. DRS operate the autumnal RHTT trains over the route.
There are a number of freight services operated by DB Schenker/Freightliner/GBRf. DRS operate the autumnal RHTT trains over the route.
Environment
You are fairly exposed in this location, with strong winds blowing into you – again it is nice enough when the sun is out. You are around 10 minutes from your car at this location; the station is a different matter.
Road directions
From the M6, junction 38:
Take the A685 towards Kirkby Stephen, following this road through Gaisgill, Wath and Newbiggin-on-Lune before turning right on the A683. From this road take the 2nd public road on your left, called the Tommy Road which heads towards (and over the line). After a cattle grid you should start seeing footpath signs on left, and you want the 3rd sign, which is just before the road heads up over the hill.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Birkett Common map co-ordinates
Take the A685 towards Kirkby Stephen, following this road through Gaisgill, Wath and Newbiggin-on-Lune before turning right on the A683. From this road take the 2nd public road on your left, called the Tommy Road which heads towards (and over the line). After a cattle grid you should start seeing footpath signs on left, and you want the 3rd sign, which is just before the road heads up over the hill.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Birkett Common map co-ordinates
Parking
There is plenty of parking to the side of the road at the start of the footpath.
Once parked follow the well marked footpath heading roughly north east, alongside the wall of a field. This path/farm track opens out to a network of fields alongside the line. At the time of writing all of these fields next to the railway are open access.
Once parked follow the well marked footpath heading roughly north east, alongside the wall of a field. This path/farm track opens out to a network of fields alongside the line. At the time of writing all of these fields next to the railway are open access.
Public transport
There is a train roughly every 2 hours in each direction to Leeds and Carlisle. The nearest station would be Kirkby Stephen, and this would be a good hour walk.
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 are no facilities at this location, the nearest would be at Kirkby Stephen.
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.
Birkett Common
Streetmap links
Birkett Common general view map
Birkett Common close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Birkett Common
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Birkett Common
Googly map
Birkett Common general view map
Birkett Common close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Birkett Common
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Photographic notes
There are a variety of afternoon shots to be had at this location, but you have to pick your spot for either a north or south bound as there is not a point where you can get both.
General views - All photographs © Richard Tearle unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
The classic southbound view taken from the field to the right of the footpath (looking towards the line). Taken on a sunny but hazy late April afternoon, with a 135mm lens.
Fig 2 - Looking south
A northbound view, taken from the first field to the left of the footpath (looking towards the line). Again, taken on a sunny but hazy late April afternoon, with a 85mm lens.
Fig 3 - Looking north
A southbound view, taken from the far corner of the field to the right of the footpath (looking towards the line.) This is the furthest south you can walk along the line. Taken on a dull, overcast September day with a 40mm lens.
Fig 4 - Looking north
By following the footpath northwards along the line you will come to a bridge; from which this is the southbound view, taken on a misty mid April afternoon with a 70mm lens.
Fig 5 - Looking south
The same bridge as before, but a northbound view, this time taken with a 35mm lens.
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.
