Group Formed
Sunday, 13th February, 2000
Group Description
Group keeping members up to date with what's happening and running on the railways within East Anglia. Our area covers the East Coast from London Kings Cross as far north as Peterborough and all lines to the east of it (ECML, WAML, GEML, C2C and all relevant branches). Workings that are coming into the area from other locations are also appreciated.
Group Link
Go to: Anglia Gen
Geographic Area Covered

Locations within group area

Location Name:
TS1146 - Abbots Ripton Foot Crossing

Location Notes:
Located on the ECML, north of Huntingdon, this is a foot crossing over the ECML at the top end of Rectory Lane.

Railway type and traffic
Expect to see East Coast HSTs, 225 sets; Grand Central HSTs & 180 DMUs; First Hull Trains 180 DMUs; First Capital Connect services are operated by a mixture of Class 317, Class 321 and Class 365 units.
The odd daytime freight working also passes through here, including the Biggleswade Plasmor flow, the Dollands Moor - Scunthorpe Steel and Thamesport - Leeds Freightliner.

Location Name:
TS1265 - Addenbrooke's Hospital busway bridge, Cambridge

Location Notes:
A fairly new overbridge in south Cambridge, north of Shepreth Branch Junction where the two routes from Cambridge to London split.

Railway type and traffic
Frequent EMUs operated by Great Northern (317s, 321s and 365s) and Abellio Greater Anglia (317s and 379s), plus hourly class 170 DMUs operated by Cross Country. There's a very small amount of scheduled freight, plus less regular engineers' trains to and from Whitemoor.

Location Name:
TS1266 - Addenbrooke's Road bridge, Cambridge

Location Notes:
A fairly new overbridge in south Cambridge, just north of Shepreth Branch Junction where the two routes from Cambridge to London split.

Railway type and traffic
Frequent EMUs operated by Great Northern (317s, 321s and 365s) and Abellio Greater Anglia (317s and 379s), plus hourly class 170 DMUs operated by Cross Country. There's a very small amount of scheduled freight, plus less regular engineers' trains to and from Whitemoor.

Location Name:
TS632 - Arlesey Station

Location Notes:
A small commuter station situated on the ECML just to the north of Hitchin. The station has two platforms on the outside of the slow roads, with the fast lines in the middle.

Railway type and traffic
There is regular First Capital Connect, East Coast and Hull Trains services with some freight - both Freightliner, DB Schenker - and the occasional charters.

Location Name:
TS633 - Arlesey, Co-op Crossing

Location Notes:
A former foot crossing which has now been upgraded to a foot bridge, about a mile south of Arlesey station, Bedfordshire on the ECML.

Railway type and traffic
There is regular First Capital Connect, East Coast, First Hull Trains and Grand Central services with some freight operated by Freightliner, DB Schenker, GBRf - and the occasional charters.

Location Name:
TS1216 - Arlesey, Former Three Counties Station

Location Notes:
A footbridge across the East Coast Main Line at the site of the former Three Counties Railway Station, south of Arlesey Station.

Railway type and traffic
There is regular First Capital Connect, East Coast, First Hull Trains and Grand Central services with some freight operated by Freightliner, DB Schenker, GBRf - and the occasional charters.

Location Name:
TS26 - Barham

Location Notes:
Situated just north of Ipswich on the Great Eastern Main Line to Norwich.

Railway type and traffic
The line sees all the London to Norwich expresses plus a great deal of freight heading to and from Felixstowe. There is also a stone terminal here which has regular traffic.

Location Name:
TS1106 - Barton Industrial, Bury St Edmunds

Location Notes:
This spot is on the Ipswich-Cambridge route and is about 2 miles from Bury St Edmunds station and about 1 mile from the town centre.

Railway type and traffic
You would usually see mostly units and you can also on a good day get quite a good lot of freight through from and to Felixstowe.

Location Name:
TS528 - Barway Crossing

Location Notes:
Barway is a village in the middle of the fens, a couple of miles from either Ely or Soham in Cambridgeshire.It is on the single track Bury St Edmunds to Ely line.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger services are ONE units: either 150, 156 or 170s.
Freight trains are normally Container trains to and from Felixstowe or Harwich, although other types do feature.

Location Name:
TS135 - Battlesbridge

Location Notes:
This is a single-platform station surrounded by trees and greenery on the single track Southminster - Wickford branch line.

Railway type and traffic
There is a daily 312 diagram, but traffic is mainly Class 315s with 321s in the peak.
Every Thursday 2 DRS Class 20s pass at about 1325 with the Southminster - Willesden Flask Train.

Location Name:
TS1155 - Baylham

Location Notes:
Baylham is a little village located just south of Needham Market which is about 10 miles to the north of Ipswich. The location itself if a foot crossing just to the north of the village, situated alonside the main B road heading out of Needham Market. It is about 20 minutes walk from the station.

Railway type and traffic
This is on the Norwich - London mainline so you will see plenty of Class 90s + DVTs running these express services. You will also see Class 156, 153 and 170 DMUs on local services from Ipswich to places like Peterborough and Cambridge. You can also expect to see some freight, although it can be quite patchy especially at weekends.

Location Name:
TS133 - Beggars Bridge, The Turves

Location Notes:
A Cambridgeshire bridge, known as Beggars Bridge, across a dyke.
Deep in the Fens, between Peterborough and Cambridge, the location is situated on the busy connecting line between Ely and Peterborough.

Railway type and traffic
All regular passenger trains are DMUs, local services between Peterborough and Ipswich are run by Anglia Railways using Class 150 and 153 units. Longer distance services are operated by Central Trains using 156, 158 and 170 DMU classes, running services between Birmingham and Stansted, and Norwich and Liverpool.
Given the proximity to March the location sees a considerable amount of freight traffic. A high proportion of these are DB Schenker aggregate trains. Stone from La Farge at Mountsorrel is transported to Norwich Trowse, Kennett, Barham, Broxbourne and Chesterton Jnc. Limestone trains run to Bury St Edmunds and Brandon for use by the local sugar factories. Bulk sand trains run from Middleton Towers (Kings Lynn), and from Bardon Concrete at Croft (Leicester) to Bishops Stortford. DB Schenker also have two trains running in and out of Felixstowe, intermodal traffic to Wakefield and Cargowaggons to Healey Mills.
The Freightliner traffic is mainly intermodal trains from Wilton and Leeds to Felixstowe, although Heavy Haul now run services to Chesterton Junction near Cambridge.
GBRf have two daily intermodal trains to Felixstowe from Hams Hall and Selby, as well as handling a good number of engineering and construction trains connected with the rebuilding of Whitemoor Yard.

Location Name:
TS1242 - Belstead Bank, GEML

Location Notes:
A road overbrige or field location on the Great Eastern Main Line a few miles south of Ipswich.

Railway type and traffic
Express passenger service between London and East Anglia, also freightliners to/from the port of Felixstowe.

Location Name:
TS1069 - Bentley Foot Crossing, Ipswich

Location Notes:
Bentley Foot crossing is located around 6 miles south of Ipswich on the A137. It is located on the Great Eastern Main Line.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger services to London and Norwich, NXEA 90s and MkIIIs, but also Lowestoft and peterborough. In peak hours there are some trains that terminate at Ipswich. These will be operated by Class 360s,321s or a 170 Turbostar.
You will see a reasonable amount of traffic including Intermodal traffic to and from Felixstowe and the West Coast Main Line.

Location Name:
TS224 - Biggleswade, Holme Green

Location Notes:
A manual level crossing over the East Coast Main Line about a mile south of Biggleswade Station.

Railway type and traffic
From London Kings Cross:
East Cost Expresses to the north. First Capital Connect passenger services to Peterborough and Hull Trains services to Hull and Grand Central to Sunderland and Bradford.
Freight is relatively light on the ECML but there are a some DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf workings during the day.

Location Name:
TS165 - Bowes Park

Location Notes:
Located 5 1/2 miles north of London Kings Cross on the Hertford loop. Bowes Park is also just north of Bounds Green TMD.

Railway type and traffic
Most of the traffic that uses the Hertford loops is First Capital Connect passenger units, with some freight that is not cleared for the slightly restrictive loading gauges of the southern ECML tunnels. The station also has a head shunt to the north of the platforms that movements from Kings Cross to Bounds Green use to reverse into the depot.

Location Name:
TS290 - Brandon

Location Notes:
Brandon is on the Ely - Norwich line, west of Thetford. The town is in Suffolk but the station is in Norfolk (the county boundary is the stream just south of the station).

Railway type and traffic
Passenger:
Central Trains Liverpool - Norwich (hourly) and Greater Anglia Cambridge - Norwich (hourly), both usually with class 170 DMUs (but some Central Trains services are still 158s).

Freight:
Very limited - Mountsorrel - Trowse (Norwich) Lafarge stone train 2 or 3 times a week (runs early afternoon at present - perfect for this location), operated (at October 2004) by DB Schenker using class 66 locos (but rumours abound of a Freightliner Heavy Haul takeover), plus occasional short term contract stone trains to Eccles Road (usually Freightliner) and the seasonal 'sugar stone' to Trowse (DB Schenker).

Location Name:
TS187 - Brantham

Location Notes:
On the Great Eastern Main Line just north of Manningtree.

Railway type and traffic
Express passenger service between London and East Anglia, also freightliners to/from the port of Felixstowe.

Location Name:
TS449 - Breydon Water, Great Yarmouth

Location Notes:
Located just outside Great Yarmouth this location is on the line to Norwich, via Reedham.

Railway type and traffic
Traffic is dominated by East Anglian DMUs. Usually class 156 or 170s. During the summer months the line becomes popular for the 'Drags' where class 47s are used to haul MkIII sets with the DVT and 90 attached from Yarmouth to Norwich, where the 47 detaches from the train and the 90 heads to Liverpool Street.
There is no freight booked along the line.

Location Name:
TS710 - Brookmans Park Station

Location Notes:
Brookmans Park is a little station on the ECML between Potters Bar and Welwyn Garden City.

Railway type and traffic
East Coast class 91 and Class 43 HST, First Capital Connect class 365 and 313, Hull trains Class 222 Pioneer and small amount of freight.

Location Name:
TS870 - Brookmans Park, RVC Foot Path

Location Notes:
Brookmans Park is a little station on the ECML between Potters Bar and Welwyn Garden City. This location is a public footpath just to the south of the station.

Railway type and traffic
East Coast class 91 and Class 43 HST, First Capital Connect class 365 and 313, Hull trains Class 222 Pioneer and small amount of freight.

Location Name:
TS900 - Broxbourne

Location Notes:
Broxbourne station is situated in Hertfordshire, and is on the West Anglia Main Line, and serves stations such as Cambridge, Stratford, Stansted Airport and Liverpool Street.

Railway type and traffic
Mainly passenger trains which sees class 317`s dominate, although some freight can sometimes be seen, such as the Broxbourne-Mountsorrel working.

Location Name:
TS27 - Bury St. Edmunds

Location Notes:
Located on the Ipswich to Cambridge/Ely line.

Railway type and traffic
The line has a passenger service made up mainly of multiple units. There is also quite a bit of freight movement mostly originating from the Port of Felixstowe.

Location Name:
TS234 - Cambridge - Coldham's Common

Location Notes:
On the northern outskirts of Cambridge. The bridge is over the Cambridge to Newmarket line.

Railway type and traffic
Usual traffic is the Cambridge to Ipswich local service. Operated by National Express East Anglia the service will usually be worked by Sprinter units, 150/156s.

Location Name:
TS213 - Chelmsford

Location Notes:
Located on the Great Eastern Mainline, Chelmsford is the County Town of Essex. It is quite large.

Railway type and traffic
There is a passing loop on the down side and access to the old Royal Mail yard, now used for stone trains at the Colchester / Hatfield Peverel end of the station.
Lots of EMUs, Class 321 and 360, and Loco Hauled Class 90s work the Liverpool St-Norwich Intercity trains, with the loco, normally, at the London end of the train. Plus the occasional DMUs, Class 170s, passing on the mainline. The GEML thunderbird also passes through Chelmsford regularly.
Class 60, 66, 86 and 90 work freight trains in the area for DB Schenker and FL, there is also the weekly flask train from Willesden to Sizewell, usually operated by a combination of DRS 20s and 37s.

Location Name:
TS1028 - Church Lane, Margaretting

Location Notes:
Near to Ingatestone, in Essex, between Shenfield and Chelmsford on the Great Eastern Main Line.

Railway type and traffic
The line here is a double track mainline.
Passenger traffic is represented by class 170 DMUs, and class 321 and 360 EMUs. Intercity trains from Liverpool St to Norwich are operated by Class 90 locomotives in push/pull formation, with the loco normally at the London (southern) end.
Freight traffic is hauled by Class 66, 86 and 90 from DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRF, as well as the weekly flask working from Willesden to Sizewell, which is operated by a combination of DRS class 20 and 37s.

Location Name:
TS283 - Colchester (North) Station

Location Notes:
This station is on the Great Eastern Mainline between Chelmsford and Ipswich. It is usually the first stop of the Intercity services from London Liverpool Street to Norwich/Great Yarmouth. The nearest town is Colchester, about 5 minutes by bus or car.
Please note you may need a Platform Ticket or Ticket to travel to gain access to this station depending on which member of staff is on and how busy the station is. The station staff are used to enthusiasts but as always please be polite and move if requested to.

Railway type and traffic
Normal traffic through this mainline station are 321/360 Electric Multiple Units. There are also have a regular 170 Working from Liverpool Street Station to Great Yarmouth during Peak times.
There is also a frequent service to Norwich using either Class 86s or more regularly Class 90s. Occasionally the Class 86/90 will be replaced by 170 units especially during peak times. The Class 86s are being phased out now and will only be in service during October.

The line also has a number of Freightliner and DB Schenker services, as well as the odd DRS Nuclear Flask service.

Location Name:
TS385 - Conington North Level Crossing

Location Notes:
On the ECML, this level crossing is approximately 8 miles south of Peterborough and is just over a mile south of Holme level crossing. The nearest city is Peterborough, however there are several villages in the area.

Railway type and traffic
Being on the main line between Peterborough and London King's Cross, traffic is plentiful yet standardised.
Expect to see East Coast HSTs, 225 sets; First Capital Connect services are operated by a mixture of Class 317 and Class 365 units. The odd daytime freight working also passes through here, including the Biggleswade Plasmor flow.

Location Name:
TS307 - Copenhagen Tunnel

Location Notes:
This location is no longer accessible, after having traveled round the area I was unable to get access to the view. The access off Vale Royal Road is now into a private car park and the builders yard. But the final access to the view itself is blocked by a high concrete wall.
MD 12-09-07

Just to the north of Kings Cross station, immediately north of the North London Line bridge across the ECML. There is a parapet at the top of the tunnel mouth, over which you get good views of the ECML and North London Line with NEXC and HSTs plus First Capital Connect EMUs on the ECML, freight and EMUs on the North London Line. There is also a good view of the connection between the ECML and NLL, the Camden Road Curve.

Railway type and traffic
East Coast HSTs, 91s plus First Capital Connect EMUs on the ECML, freight and EMUs on the North London Line.

Location Name:
TS1103 - Cuckoo Lane, Strumpshaw

Location Notes:
An idyllic country scene set in Norfolk. The location itself is a road bridge over the single track section of the Norwich - Great Yarmouth section between Brundall and Lingwood.

Railway type and traffic
Hourly service between Norwich and Great Yarmouth. Services depart Brundall for Great Yarmouth at xx:46 and depart Lingwood for Norwich at xx:32. It is a 4/5 minute run between Brundall and Lingwood either direction.
During the summer season, one run of the Great Yarmouth drags is guaranteed to pass Cockoo Lane, 1V26 Norwich - Great Yarmouth. The return ECS 5V26 Great Yarmouth - Norwich Crown Point is booked via this route, but frequently runs via Reedham, so mobile internet access is advised to make sure your not waiting about for nothing. If it does run via Reedham, it can be heard, so you know when to leave.
Going on the RHTT 2008 workings, 3W89 Norwich - Acle and 3W90 Acle - Norwich are due at Cuckoo Lane approximatly 10:42 and 11:05 respectivly.

Location Name:
TS359 - Dagenham Dock

Location Notes:
Dagenham Dock is located on the East London / Essex Borders - a short ride on the c2c line from London Fenchurch Street or A13/M25 by car.
The station is, in effect, a branch line of the 'c2c' route served by a mixture of freight and passenger services.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger-wise, services operating from London Fenchurch Street split at Barking (previous station), and serve Dagenham Dock, Rainham, Purfleet, Grays, Tilbury and then join back up with the main line again. Electrostar 357s run every half hour in either direction, with an increased frequency to London in the morning and from London in the evening.
Freight-wise, North and Southbound Liners pass through the station at invariable times. Freightliner (Barking and Dagenham) have their terminal just east of the station and of course, the historic Ford car plant further down the line. Expect to see mainly 66s, however, other locos have been know to pass through. A convoy of the ever-popular 4M26 Dagenham-Crew cars depart at 14:21 on weekdays. Although usually 66-headed, this can sometimes be triple-headed by a diverse range of motive power.

Location Name:
TS721 - Derby Road Station

Location Notes:
A small station on the Ipswich to Felixstowe Line, in Suffolk.

Railway type and traffic
A single unit, usually 153 or 156, will travel up to Ipswich and Down to Felixstowe throughout the day. It is usually the same unit all day, baring failures.
However, you will see ANY Freight going in and out of Felixstowe Docks - put simply, it has to come through Derby Road Station.
Freight wise, all the traffic from Felixstowe Docks pass through the station.
Expect mostly DB Schenker and Freightliner 66s, with the odd class 70. GBRf have daily workings and DRS locomotives appear from time to time on hire to Freightliner. With Felixstowe growing as a port and a destination for rail freight, this may well increase.

Location Name:
TS1160 - Digswell Tunnel North

Location Notes:
Digswell tunnel is a walk away from Welywn North and from Woolmer Green junction. It is on the ECML and is a good location.

Railway type and traffic
Mostly passenger services but there can be a few freight services. You also get the La Farge every Sunday to do a run around at Welywn Garden City.

Location Name:
TS862 - Diss Station

Location Notes:
Diss is the first station south of the Norfolk terminus Norwich, located on the GEML. Diss is on the Suffolk Norfolk border and is a thriving market town.

Railway type and traffic
Diss is unique as it only serves half hourly Intercity trains to and from Norwich and London, with no rural service as there are no branch lines to serve. The Intercity sets are formed of entirely Greater Anglia liveried class 90s with matching MkIIIb coaches and Driving Van Trailer (DVT).
There is how ever Empty Coaching stock moves to and from Norwich Crown Point which do pass Diss, which give a variety of stock which happen to be class170 Turbostars and class 156 and 153 Sprinter units, if you do get bored with class 90s. Along with the ECS moves you do get the Monday - Friday Tanks from North Walsham - Harwich which in the winter run most weekdays or in fact everyday, but is sadly less frequent in the summer, this train has load 18 bogie tanks and a First GBRf class 66/7 on the helm.

Location Name:
TS233 - Dullingham - Devil's Ditch

Location Notes:
Dullingham is to the west of Newmarket in Cambridgeshire, on the Cambridge-Newmarket line.

Railway type and traffic
Usual traffic is Cambridge to Ipswich local service (Greater Anglia classes 150, 153 and 170 DMUs). There is the occasional diverted freight (mostly container trains to Felixstowe) when the Great Eastern main line is blocked.

Location Name:
TS417 - East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel Station

Location Notes:
A small village in the Colne Valley, not far from Colchester in North Essex. The East Anglian Railway Museum is located in the station, which is still served by service trains.

Railway type and traffic
A railway museum on the branch line between Marks Tey and Sudbury, the East Anglian Railway Museum has a number of preserved DMUs (some of which are often on loan to other railways), Carriages, and Steam Engines.
The station building is preserved and decorated in the LNER colours, the goods shed has also been restored, and various works can been seen in the restoration shed. There are many Steam and Thomas specials throughout the year, and each September the EARM hosts the Chappel Beer Festival, One Railway run later services on the branch in association with this. The Branch service uses a Sprinter which runs hourly to and from the mainline at Marks Tey, the station is next to the 32-arch viaduct which makes an excellent photo opportunity (Go out of the station and turn left into the village to view)

Location Name:
TS493 - Eccles Road

Location Notes:
Eccles Road is a station on the Ely - Norwich line, between Thetford and Norwich in Norfolk. It is close to Thetford and Attleborough.

Railway type and traffic
East Midlands Trains and Greater Anglia both operate hourly passenger trains (although few stop), mostly using class 170 DMUs. The only freight is the Mountsorrel - Trowse (Norwich) stone train two or three times each week, plus seasonal limestone ('sugar stone') to Norwich three times a week (it is used in the processing of sugar beet). The sidings here have no regular traffic, and were last used for delivering the stone used to dual the nearby A11.

Location Name:
TS1196 - Elmswell Hall

Location Notes:
In rolling Suffolk countryside on the edge of the busy village of Elmswell, between Bury St. Edmunds and Stowmarket on the Cambridge / Ely to Ipswich line.

Railway type and traffic
There is an hourly service weekdays from Ipswich to Cambridge and 2 hourly service to Peterborough mainly formed of local Norwich based units from class 153/156/170 in One/Anglia liveries [Now Greater Anglia].
Amongst the many freight services run by DB Schenker/Freightliner/GBRF and others, DRS locos often appear on various movements on this line but it is a growing arterial route for cross country freight and with future loading gauge clearances and line improvements is set to get even busier. There are occasional steam excursions.

Location Name:
TS106 - Ely

Location Notes:
Ely is a hub at the centre of the Cambridge to Kings Lynn mainline, about 12 miles north of Cambridge.
To the south of Ely are two lines, one heading south-east towards Bury St.Edmunds and Ipswich. The other line heads due south to Cambridge and then on to either London Kings Cross or London Liverpool Street.
To the north of the station the line splits into three, one heading due east to Norwich, another heading north to Kings Lynn and the third west towards March and Peterborough.

Railway type and traffic
Ely station is a three platform through station located on the outskirts of the city, a small industrial estate is immediately adjacent to the west and open farmland to the east.
The Passenger traffic through Ely come in two types; Local and Long distance services.
Local services consist of Greater Anglia hourly Norwich to Cambridge and Ipswich to Peterborough services. Great Northern operate hourly services from London Kings Cross to Kings Lynn.
Long distance services consist of Cross Country operated Birmingham New Street to Stansted Airport and Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich services.

The Freight flow through Ely is very good, due to the nature of the track layout. There are Freightliner and GBRf services from Hams Hall and Selby to Felixstowe. Also Leeds to Ipswich. There is a new Port Clarence to Chesterton Jct (Cambridge) flow, DB Schenker from Wakefield to Felixstowe, Mountsorrel to Chesterton Jct, Norwich Trowse and Barham. Also a service from Bury St. Edmunds to Peterborough. Also two daily GBRf return services to Felixstowe, one from Hams Hall, one from Selby. Similarly, two return Freightliner services daily to Felixstowe; one from Leeds and the other from Wilton.
Other services are in the form of Engineering trains operated by both GBRf and DB Schenker, with more to come soon with the move of Temple Mills to March Whitemoor Yard (now in the process of being rebuilt - 02/2004).

The station is staffed throughout its opening hours and I’ve had no trouble taking photographs after dark, the staff members are a friendly bunch.

Location Name:
TS479 - Ely, Avoiding curve

Location Notes:
Ely is a hub at the centre of the Cambridge to Kings Lynn mainline, about 12 miles north of Cambridge.
The Ely avoider is a small freight loop to the north of the city.

Railway type and traffic
The curve does not see any passenger traffic, but there are three booked freights a day. Also the majority of empty coaching stock moves from Norwich to the Midlands will use this line.

Location Name:
TS140 - Ely, Riverside

Location Notes:
Ely is located 12 miles north of the city of Cambridge. It is an important railway junction on the mainline London to Kings Lynn route. Other routes from the junction head north east to Norwich, south east to Ipswich and Felixstowe, south to Cambridge and London, north-west to Peterborough and the East Coast mainline.

Railway type and traffic
Trains are mainly DMUs operated by Anglia Railways and Central Trains and EMUs run by First Capital Connect.
There are a number of daily freight trains from DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf passing Ely at all times of the day.

Location Name:
TS25 - Felixstowe Beach Station

Location Notes:
Following the demolition of the original station building this is now a crossing only location.
Felixstowe is Suffolk's, and indeed England's, largest port complex. Located at the coastal tip of a flat peninsula bordered by the Rivers Deben and Orwell and the North sea, with the county town of Ipswich on its northern inland edge. By road the port is about 10 miles west of Ipswich.

Railway type and traffic
Being a container port the traffic is purely intermodal workings. DB Schenker and Freightliner and GBRf operate services with class 66s dominating, however class 70s are known to appear on the occasional working for Freightliner. The station line is the main access route to the South Docks terminal. It is possible to access the Central terminal but this is a secondary route and is only used in an emergency, such as in the event of a derailment or failure.

Location Name:
TS13 - Felixstowe Central Docks

Location Notes:
Felixstowe is Suffolk's, and indeed England's, largest port complex. Located at the coastal tip of a flat peninsula bordered by the Rivers Deben and Orwell and the North sea, with the county town of Ipswich on its northern inland edge. By road the port is about 10 miles west of Ipswich.

Railway type and traffic
Being a container port most of the traffic is freightliners. DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf operate services. Motive power is predominantly class 66 based but there are also many class 70 Freightliner workings.

Location Name:
TS182 - Felixstowe, Clickett Hill

Location Notes:
A foot crossing between open farmland and industrial units, about 1/4 of a mile from Felixstowe North and Central terminals.

Railway type and traffic
No passenger service along this line. Its primary use is for freight traffic in and out of Felixstowe docks. These services are operated by Freightliner, DB Schenker and GBRf.

Location Name:
TS785 - Felixstowe, Grimston Lane, Trimley St. Martin

Location Notes:
Grimston Lane is situated on the Ipswich - Felixstowe line in Trimley St.Martins, Suffolk. Nearest town is Felixstowe, and the nearest city is Ipswich.
Felixstowe is Suffolk's, and indeed England's, largest port complex. Located at the coastal tip of a flat peninsula bordered by the Rivers Deben and Orwell and the North sea, with the county town of Ipswich on its northern inland edge. By road the port is about 10 miles west of Ipswich.

Railway type and traffic
Some rural passenger service but mainly freight from the nearby port of Felixstowe.
Usual motive power is the ubiquitous class 66 from either DB Schenker, Freightliner or GBRf with the occasional freightliner 70.

Location Name:
TS1111 - Fenway Nature reserve, Bury St Edmunds

Location Notes:
It is on the Ipswich to Cambridge or Peterbourgh route, a short distance way from Bury St Edmunds railway station and the town centre.

Railway type and traffic
There passenger traffic is operated mostly by 156 units.
There numerous intermodal workings each way during the day plus a stone train three times a week from Kennet/Barham. There is also a working into Bury St Edmunds yard.

Location Name:
TS1197 - Fieldgates Crosssing, Meldreth

Location Notes:
An unmanned village footpath crossing the busy Cambridge to London King's Cross line on the borders of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, about 4 miles north of the market town of Royston and ten miles south of the attractive university city of Cambridge.

Railway type and traffic
Frequent passenger services (around 6-8 an hour) using emu 317, 321 and 365 classes) plus irregular freight and occasional steam and diesel excursions. An important King's Lynn / Cambridge to King's Cross link.

Location Name:
TS478 - Funthams Lane Crossing

Location Notes:
Opposite a large industrial unit the line runs in the fens of Cambridgeshire, just outside Peterborough.
The 'classic' site of this shot, a former quarry track parallel to the line, has now been fenced off. So now permission would need to be obtained to gain access to the shot, and once there steps would probably be required to see over said fence.

Railway type and traffic
The line sees a number of units on passenger services. Cross Country and National Express East Anglia 170s 158s and 156s are standard.
There is also quite a bit of freight with most of the traffic to and from Felixstowe to the Midlands passing through, expect 66s from DB Schenker, Freightliner 66s and GBRf.

Location Name:
TS713 - Gidea Park Station

Location Notes:
A small town station in a rural setting, quiet and in a cutting, approximately 28 minutes from London by One Great Eastern. One stop further east than the busy suburban town of Romford on the Great Eastern Mainline from London to Norwich.

Please beware:
There is a strong possibility of getting 'bowled' here due to the island platform nature of the station (when a slow London bound stopper sits in the platform for time, as they always do, the eastbound fast line view is blocked completely, in particular at peak times with 8 car sets).

Railway type and traffic
As the station is on the Great Eastern Main Line, a variety of traffic can be seen. This is one of the busier stretches of the line, due to the fact that the Southend and Southminster branches are yet to branch off. Therefore, expect to see 321s, 360s, 315s, 170s and 90s+DVTs on One Great Eastern / One Anglia services.
There are many Freightliners that pass through the station heading to and from Felixstowe, with haulage usually a 90 or 66, but can be pairs of 86s. DB Schenker freight to Marks Tey passes the station, as does GBRf Intermodals (both 66 hauled usually). Two DRS flask services pass the station, one can be caught in daylight in the summer (that from Sizewell) but the other runs during darkness from Southminster.

Location Name:
TS483 - Great Stukeley Lodge

Location Notes:
This location is on a public footpath on a private road to the north of Huntingdon, that crosses the East Coast Mainline.

Railway type and traffic
East Coast Expresses to the north. First Capital Connect passenger services to Peterborough and Hull Trains services to Hull. Freight is relatively light on the ECML but there are a few DB Schenker and Freightliner workings at the beginning or end of the day. Some GBRf operated infrastructure traffic may also pass through.

Location Name:
TS1169 - Great Yarmouth Station

Location Notes:
Great Yarmouth is an ancient fishing town on the East coast in Greater Anglia. The town also plays host to many holiday-makers and tourists.
It is a fine example of typical British 'seasides'.
The nearest city is probably Norwich, which is the origin / destination for train services to and from this station. The station is at the end of the 'Wherry Line' between Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
The station was clearly designed, built and opened for a very large number of people to use as a major terminus, mainly for holiday makers. Perhaps, since the increase in people who take holidays abroad and the ever rapidly increasing number of people driving to holiday destinations now, the station has a sad and decaying dilapidated atmosphere. With 4 platforms where only one or two are regularly used and a whole host of very much disused carriage sidings, the station is an example of heritage and bygone days.
The website dedicated to the Wherry Lines gives a great deal more information.

Railway type and traffic
The station usually only sees local DMU services from Norwich. These services are formed of class 156, class 153 and class 170 units.
Some summer services have been through services to London via Norwich. These are operated by locomotive hauled MkIII coaches and will usually be a class 47 dragging a class 90.
There is no freight on the Wherry Lines, but the seasonal RHTT trains visit the location and are usually operated by DRS locos.

Location Name:
TS291 - Haddiscoe

Location Notes:
Situated on the Norwich - Lowestoft line in Suffolk, close to Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger:
A roughly hourly Greater Anglia Norwich - Lowestoft local service, using class 150 (to be replaced by 156), 153 and 170 DMUs. On the days of the Lowestoft Air show, this has in the past been supplemented by a couple of loco hauled trains, usually in top and tail mode.

Freight:
Infrequent train of 'mudstone' between Lowestoft and Aberdeen, operated by DB Schenker using class 66. May run once every couple of weeks or so.

Location Name:
TS1227 - Hadley Wood Road Footbridge

Location Notes:
This is a bridge over the East Coast Main Line between New Barnet and Hadley Wood.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger:
First Capital Connect: Class 313, 321, 365
East Coast: HSTs & 225s
Hull Trains: Class 180s
Grand Central: Class 180s & HSTs

Freight:
GBRF, DBS & Freightliner Class 66s, occasionally a Class 92

Location Name:
TS1051 - Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage

Location Notes:
A pretty much forgotten bridge over the EMCL joining some very overgrown footpaths between Todds Green and Stevenage.

Railway type and traffic
Standard ECML fare. East Coast Class 91s+MkIV sets and HSTs, Great Northern 365s, 317s, 321s and the odd 313, Hull Trains Pioneers, Grand Central HSTs/180s.
There is a small amount of freight, but this is irregular.

Location Name:
TS976 - Harringay Park Junction

Location Notes:
Harringay Park Junction is in a quiet suburban area of leafy North London, almost equidistant between Harringay and Crouch Hill stations. It forms a link between the Gospel Oak - Barking line and the ECML.
The junction has the added attraction of a BR-era signalbox and semaphore signals in a tree-lined cutting.

Railway type and traffic
There is a half-hourly passenger services on the line operated by 3 Class 150s which shuttle between Gospel Oak and Barking.
Timetabled freight services are operated by DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf using 59s 66s and 67s.

Location Name:
TS134 - Hatfield Peveral

Location Notes:
In the East Anglian region near Chelmsford in Essex, the line is the Great Eastern main line between London Liverpool street and Norwich.

Railway type and traffic
Half-hourly Express services from London Liverpool Street - Norwich, two in each direction per hour. National Express utilise their class 90 fleet, Mk3 coaches and Driving Van Trailers for these services. Otherwise class 321s and 360s operating from London Liverpool Street to Braintree, Witham, Colchester Town, Clacton, Harwich and Ipswich.
The number of freights often exceeds 30 in any 24-hour period, the majority being Freightliners to and from the port of Felixstowe, hauled by class 66/86 and 90s - in addition to these, DB Schenker operate several flows to and from Felixstowe, Marks Tey, Harwich Parkestone Quay, Acton Yard and Hayes. GBRf operate two daily Intermodal trains from Felixstowe to Hams Hall in Birmingham, and DRS run a once weekly nuclear flask train from Willesden Brent to Sizewell.

Location Name:
TS2 - Hatfield Station

Location Notes:
Situated on the East Coast Main Line 20 miles north of London Kings Cross

Railway type and traffic
A four track station seeing both inner and outer suburban (Great Northern) and express (Virgin East Coast) traffic but not a great deal of freight. This gets routed via the Hertford Loop.

Location Name:
TS703 - Haughley Junction

Location Notes:
Situated slightly North of Stowmarket. This is where the Mainline to Norwich meets the branch line to Bury St. Edmunds/Cambridge/Peterborough. Located along the Great Eastern Main Line.

Some Historical notes from Paul Kidger:
Before remodelling in about 1971, Haughley Junction used to have 4 platforms. The Bury branch appears from layout drawings to have diverged from the main line, actually on the level crossing.to reach the platform on the left (when viewed from the crossing). On the extreme right, was a bay platform for the Mid Suffolk Light Railway or Middy (last train in 1952). Within the concrete works and visible from the road, there are some concrete buffer stops probably marking the end of the Middy.
If you go along Haugh Lane you come across the bridge abutments where the Middy crossed this road, before going under the Norwich line then the Bury & Cambridge branch.
If you go from Old Newton towards Bacton, the road makes 2 right angle bends. Just after the second, on the left is a red painted bungalow. This was the crossing keepers cottage and the Middy went off on the right beside what is now a pig farm.
There are many relics of the Middy still around such as earthworks, and odd 'flats' in the road at the site of crossings.

January 2015: The last remnants of the old Haughley Junction station have now been renovated and are in use as offices for a local building and decorating company. Until electrification in the late 1980's, they were in use as the junction signalbox from which the signalman would come out and open/close the gates.

Railway type and traffic
This part of the line sees all of the passenger trains to and from Ipswich - Class 90s/DVTs class 170/153/156).
Also freight traffic, to and from, the port of Felixstowe.

Location Name:
TS1145 - Hinxton

Location Notes:
Hinxton is south of Whittlesford station on the line is the line from Cambridge to London.

Railway type and traffic
This line is very busy. National Express West Anglia class 317 EMUs (2 each way per hour weekday), Cross Country class 158 and 170 DMUs (1 each way per hour).
Some freight - some DB Schenker stone traffic to Bishops Stortford and Harlow, plus some infrastructure trains.
Steam specials are not uncommon ('Cathedrals Express' to Ely or Norwich)

Location Name:
TS629 - Hitchin, Benslow Lane Bridge

Location Notes:
On the ECML, just south of Hitchin station.

Railway type and traffic
Standard south end ECML traffic, ie class 91s, HSTs, Hull Trains 222s, class 313, 317, 365 EMUs and some freight. Hitchin goods yard is served by both incoming stone trains and outgoing scrap, typically twice a week for each traffic type, using Freightliner 66s. Pway trains can often be seen at weekends but their movements are unpredictable. RHTT trains trains are also to be seen here in the autumn.

Location Name:
TS591 - Huntingdon Station

Location Notes:
Huntingdon is around 25 miles south of Peterborough, in the heart of Cambridgeshire. The station is set in fairly rural countryside, just a few minutes from the bustling town.

Railway type and traffic
On a 4-track section of the East Coast Main Line, Huntingdon sees several passing Virgin Trains East Coast services, as well as a regular stopping service from Thameslink Great Northern.
There are Various freight flows pass through the station, but these are mostly at night.

Location Name:
TS753 - Ingatestone foot crossing

Location Notes:
As of June 2013 this crossing has been closed, until further notice.
Ingatestone is a large village, in Essex, between Shenfield and Chelmsford on the Great Eastern Main Line.

Railway type and traffic
The line here is a double track mainline, with a goods loop on the Down (Northbound) line.
Passenger traffic is represented by class 170 DMUs, and class 321 and 360 EMUs. Intercity trains from Liverpool St to Norwich are operated by Class 90 locomotives in push/pull formation, with the loco normally at the London (southern) end.
Freight traffic is hauled by Class 66, 86 and 90 from DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRF, as well as the weekly flask working from Willesden to Sizewell, which is operated by a combination of DRS class 20 and 37s.

Location Name:
TS228 - Ipswich Station

Location Notes:
Ipswich is the county town of Suffolk and is located on the Great Eastern Main Line. To the west of the station is a Freightliner stabling point.

Railway type and traffic
All passenger trains go to London (to the South) and to Norwich, Felixstowe, Lowestoft, Peterborough and Cambridge (to the North) All trains are operated by NX and Great Eastern. NX Anglia operating the express trains to London and NX Great Eastern operating the stopping service to London. On passenger duties: Class 90 with DBSO/DVT combinations, Class 150, Class 153, Class 170, for NX Anglia. Class 321, 360 for NX Great Eastern.

At Ipswich expect to see lots of freight running through the station and locos stabling in the yard, ready for their next duties. The locos you can expect to see at Ipswich are:
Freightliner Class 66, 86, 90.
DB Schenker 66.
D.R.S Class 20's.

Location Name:
TS1166 - Keepers Crossing, Gaymers Lane, Trimley

Location Notes:
Gaymers Lane is situated on the Ipswich to Felixstowe line and is located in the village of Trimley St. Mary, Suffolk. The nearest town being Felixstowe. Felixstowe has Britain's largest container port and is located on a peninsula between the Rivers Deben and Orwell, and the North Sea. The area is generally quite flat with not many hills.

Railway type and traffic
Abellio Greater Anglia operate an hourly service bewteen Ipswich and Felixstowe, usually operated by a Class 153 or 156, sometimes a Class 170.
Many freight services to and from the nearby port of Felixstowe, operated by Class 66's from Freightliner, DB Schenker and First GBRF as well as Freightliners class 70s.

Location Name:
TS245 - Kelvedon Station

Location Notes:
A station on the Great Eastern Main line between Witham and Marks Tey in Essex, the nearest city is Colchester.

Railway type and traffic
A Great Eastern Main Line station with lots of varied passenger and freight services passing through at quite high speed, lots of freight going to and from Felixstowe.

Location Name:
TS1220 - Kelvedon, Church Street crossing

Location Notes:
On the Great Eastern Main line between Witham and Marks Tey in Essex, the level crossing is just south of the station. The nearest city is Colchester.

Railway type and traffic
Varied passenger and freight services passing through at quite high speed, lots of freight going to and from Felixstowe.
Typically you will see Class 66, occasional 70s, 90 (on passenger & freight), 321 & 360.

Location Name:
TS287 - Kennett

Location Notes:
Situated on the Cambridge / Ely - Ipswich line, close to the Cambridgeshire - Suffolk country boundary. Newmarket is a few miles to the west and Bury St. Edmunds a few miles to the east.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger: Anglia DMUs - 170s working Ipswich - Peterborough (about every 2 hours) and Ipswich - Cambridge.
Freight: mostly container trains to and from Felixstowe (GBRf, Freightliner and DB Schenker), plus stone trains a few times a week to Kennett stone terminal (1.5 miles east of the station), Barham (north of Ipswich) and Bury St. Edmunds. When the south end of the West Coast Main Line or the Great Eastern Main Line south of Ipswich is closed, Freightliner trains from the Midlands, the North West and Scotland are diverted this way.

Location Name:
TS730 - King Cross

Location Notes:
London Kings Cross is one of London's main stations, at the end of the East Coast Main Line from Edinburgh Waverly and Aberdeen. GNER and First Capital Connect now operate into the station.
The NMT visits Kings Cross on Monday evenings and Tuesdays mornings once a fortnight.

Railway type and traffic
East Coast HSTs, 91s and MK IV DVTs. Class 67s will often be found in the Thunderbird bay at the end of Platform 1.
First Capital Connect 319s and 365s.
There is usually a few charters around at the weekend.

Location Name:
TS1025 - Knebworth Station

Location Notes:
Knebworth train station is 25 miles from London Kings Cross. It is situated in a large village.

Railway type and traffic
Knebworth is on the East Coast Mainline with lots of traffic. Stopping services are in the hands of First Capital Connect 365s, but 317s or 313s will appear from time to time. Express workings from NXEC, Grand Central, Hull Trains also pass through the station.
Freight is sparse but DB Schenker and Freightliner traffic will appear, though most freight is pathed via the Hertford Loop.

Location Name:
TS247 - Lakenham

Location Notes:
Lakenham is a suburb of Norwich, which covers a of square mile or so of both the Norwich to Ely and Norwich to London lines once they have passed Trowse Junction, where the two lines part.

Railway type and traffic
Mostly passenger traffic operated by Central Trains 156/158/170s and Greater Anglia mainly 170s with the odd 150. The odd freight including North Walsham CondensateTanks and departmental workings.

Location Name:
TS98 - Leigh-on-sea

Location Notes:
A bridge in the seaside town of Leigh-on-Sea. Urban area with some greenery surrounding the tracks. On the c2c line between London & Shoeburyness, 3 miles west of Southend Central.

Railway type and traffic
Mainly c2c Class 357s (8 per hour off peak), but with some freight services and old units going to Pig's Bay (especially Mk 1s) for storage and scrapping.

Location Name:
TS918 - Letchworth Greenway

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.

Location Name:
TS1255 - Letchworth Station

Location Notes:
A large open 2 track station services passing and stopping every half an hour. Usually staffed in the day, not very busy in between trains, but can get crowded.

Railway type and traffic
Usual Great Northern EMUs on the Cambridge Branch:
365s, 317s, 321s and 313s (which terminate at Letchworth) . The EMU sidings are just south of the station. Visible form Platform ends.
There are infrequent freights, mostly STP engineers workings to or from Whitmoor. There is a (week)daily Hoo to Whitemoor and return working, currently operated by Colas.

Location Name:
TS843 - Levington, Felixstowe Branch

Location Notes:
Located on the Ipswich to Felixstowe branch line this location is a road over bridge. The line serves Felixstowe, Suffolk's, and indeed England's, largest port complex. Which is located at the coastal tip of a flat peninsula bordered by the Rivers Deben and Orwell and the North sea, with the county town of Ipswich on its northern inland edge. By road the port is about 10 miles west of Ipswich.
The entire line between Trimley and Westerfield is scheduled for doubling in the next few years.

Railway type and traffic
A rural passenger service but mainly freight from the nearby port of Felixstowe.
Usual motive power is the ubiquitous class 66 from either DB Schenker, Freightliner or GBRf. But Freightliner 70s also appear.

Location Name:
TS619 - Litlington Crossing

Location Notes:
On the Hitchin - Cambridge line, close to the boundary between Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, about two miles west of Royston. Nearest town is Royston.

Railway type and traffic
Mostly class 317 and 365 EMUs, with some 313s in the peaks. The NMT usually passes on a Monday evening.
Weekends often see pway trains to/from Whitemoor but these are unpredictable in their timings. Very little booked freight. The route is a diversionary route for the ECML, between Hitchin and Peterborough.

Location Name:
TS628 - Little Wymondley, Arch Bridge

Location Notes:
On the ECML about two miles south of Hitchin.

Railway type and traffic
Standard southern ECML traffic; class 91s/Mk4s, HSTs, Hull Trains 222s, Great Northern 313s, 317s, 365s.
There is little scheduled freight during daylight hours. Pway trains can often be seen at weekends but their operation is unpredictable.

Location Name:
TS1246 - Littleport

Location Notes:
Littleport is a small town situated near the River Great Ouse in the Fens on Norfolk. The Fen line connecting Cambridge to Kings Lynn passes through here.

Railway type and traffic
Most, if not, all the traffic you'll see are Great Northern and Greater Anglia Class 365's but Great Northern 317s and 321s make an occasional appearance.
There is also a regular (usually every few days) freight service to Middleton Towers, this is usually class 66 hauled.
If they send a special, you may see the odd Class 47/57, RHTT trains, but that's it. Since the line north of the station is single track, you're looking at 2-3 trains an hour. Despite the lack of trains, it has (as of October 2013) a staffed signal box and wooden gates just south of the station.

Location Name:
TS267 - Liverpool Road, Highbury, London N1

Location Notes:
This location is no longer correct, with the building of the overground network and the addition of new lines, extended platforms and new overhead line masts the images available will be dramatically different. An update to this location is most welcome

Liverpool Road is in Islington, North London. It is a short walk from Highbury and Islington station (Victoria Line, Silverlink Metro and First Capital Connect) and overlooks the North London line between Highbury and Islington and Caledonian Road and Barnsbury

Railway type and traffic
Three track electrified railway (third rail AND 25kV) used by Freightliner, DRS, DB Schenker and London Overground. All 25kV electric trains use the northern most of the three tracks; London Overground usually use the two third rail lines whilst diesel hauled freights turn up on any line. The northern track is reversible.

Location Name:
TS236 - Manea - Welney Road level crossing

Location Notes:
Manea, Cambridgeshire. Situated on the Ely-Peterborough line.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger services: Central Trains class 158 and 170 DMUs, Greater Anglia class 150, 153 and 170 DMUs. Several per hour each way. Freight services: DB Schenker (mainly 66s, some 60s), Freightliner (66s), GBRf (66s), plus infrastructure services to and from Whitemoor Yard.

Location Name:
TS235 - Manea Station

Location Notes:
Manea, Cambridgeshire, on Ely-Peterborough line.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger services: Central Trains class 158 and 170 DMUs, Greater Anglia class 150, 153 and 170 DMUs. Several per hour each way. Freight services: DB Schenker (mainly 66s, some 60s), Freightliner (66s), GBRf (66s), plus infrastructure services to and from Whitemoor Yard.

Location Name:
TS282 - Manningtree, Cattawade

Location Notes:
A river crossing on the estuary to the north of Manningtree station, on the Great Eastern Line. This location is also called Cattawade by some, although the village of that name is several miles away.

Railway type and traffic
All passenger trains go to London (to the South) and to Norwich, Felixstowe, Lowestoft, Peterborough and Cambridge (to the North). Due to the layout of the junction just to the south this location, services to Harwich from London are not viewable, but northbound freights from Harwich are.
All trains are operated by Greater Anglia. On passenger duties: Class 90 with DBSO/DVT combinations, Class 150, Class 153, Class 170, for Greater Anglia. Class 321, 360 for Greater Great Eastern. Unlike the WCML, the DBSO/DVT’s are, usually, at the north end of the train, with the locomotive towards the south.
Also expect to see lots of freight running. The locomotives you can expect to see are: Freightliner Class 66, 70, 86, 90; DB Schenker 66; D.R.S Class 20's.

Location Name:
TS237 - March - Westry (A141 Bridge)

Location Notes:
March, Cambridgeshire. On Ely-Peterborough line, west of March station and Whitemoor Yard.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger services: Central Trains class 158 and 170 DMUs, Greater Anglia class 150, 153 and 170 DMUs. Several per hour each way. Freight services: DB Schenker (mainly 66s, some 60s), Freightliner (66s), GBRf (66s), plus infrastructure services to and from Whitemoor Yard.

Location Name:
TS109 - March South Junction

Location Notes:
A Cambridgeshire signal box and level crossing,
Deep in the Fens, between Peterborough and Cambridge, March South Junction is situated on the busy connecting line between Ely and Peterborough. The signal box and level crossing are situated on Creek Road.

Railway type and traffic
All regular passenger trains are DMUs, local services between Peterborough and Ipswich are run by Anglia Railways using Class 150 and 153 units. Longer distance services are operated by Central Trains using 156, 158 and 170 DMU classes, running services between Birmingham and Stansted, and Norwich and Liverpool.
March sees a considerable amount of freight traffic. A high proportion of these are DB Schenker aggregate trains. Stone from La Farge at Mountsorrel is transported to Norwich Trowse, Kennett, Barham, Broxbourne and Chesterton Jnc. Limestone trains run to Bury St Edmunds and Brandon for use by the local sugar factories. Bulk sand trains run from Middleton Towers (Kings Lynn), and from Bardon Concrete at Croft (Leicester) to Bishops Stortford. DB Schenker also have two trains running in and out of Felixstowe, intermodal traffic to Wakefield and Cargowaggons to Healey Mills.
The Freightliner traffic is mainly intermodal trains from Wilton and Leeds to Felixstowe, although Heavy Haul now run services to Chesterton Junction near Cambridge.
GBRf have two daily intermodal trains to Felixstowe from Hams Hall and Selby, as well as handling a good number of engineering and construction trains connected with the rebuilding of Whitemoor Yard.

Location Name:
TS110 - March Station

Location Notes:
Deep in the Fens, between Peterborough and Cambridge, March station is situated on the busy connecting line between Ely and Peterborough.

Railway type and traffic
All regular passenger trains are DMUs, local services between Peterborough and Ipswich are run by Anglia Railways using Class 150 and 153 units. Longer distance services are operated by Central Trains using 156, 158 and 170 DMU classes, running services between Birmingham and Stansted, and Norwich and Liverpool.
March sees a considerable amount of freight traffic. A high proportion of these are DB Schenker aggregate trains. Stone from La Farge at Mountsorrel is transported to Norwich Trowse, Kennett, Barham, Broxbourne and Chesterton Junction. Limestone trains run to Bury St Edmunds and Brandon for use by the local sugar factories. Bulk sand trains run from Middleton Towers (Kings Lynn), and from Bardon Concrete at Croft (Leicester) to Bishops Stortford. DB Schenker also have two trains running in and out of Felixstowe, intermodal traffic to Wakefield and Cargowaggons to Healey Mills.
The Freightliner traffic is mainly intermodal trains from Wilton and Leeds to Felixstowe, although Heavy Haul now run services to Chesterton Jnc near Cambridge.
GBRf have two daily intermodal trains to Felixstowe from Hams Hall and Selby, as well as handling a good number of engineering and construction trains connected with the rebuilding of Whitemoor Yard.

Location Name:
TS704 - March West Junction, Footbridge

Location Notes:
This location is situated on the busy Ely - Peterborough, in March, Cambridgeshire, connecting line. The footbridge is situated just west of Whitemoor Virtual Quarry and March Station.

Railway type and traffic
All passenger trains passing March are DMUs. Central Trains operate Class 170s and 158s on this route while Greater Anglia use Class 170s and occasionally Class 156s.
March sees a considerable amount of freight, with stone trains from Mountsorrel to Barham, Middleton Towers, Broxbourne, Kennet, Trowse and Chesterton Junction. Intermodal Trains make regular appearances operated by DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf. Other 'as required' trains make appearances.
Whitemoor Yard is the main Network Rail centre for East Anglia, and sees a lot of engineers traffic. Weekends are the best time to see these. The yard also has several trip freights booked out, including sleepers from Tallington.

Location Name:
TS207 - Marks Tey

Location Notes:
A Small village in North Essex, split by the A12, just south of Colchester.

Railway type and traffic
Located on the Great Eastern Mainline, the Sudbury line branches off from the Down line in the station, and the Marks Tey Rail Sidings are located just north of the station on the up side.
Lots of EMUs (Class 321 and 360) and Loco Hauled (Class 86s and 90s with InterCity sets) on passenger services and occasional DMUs (Class 170s) passing on the mainline, Sudbury line has a DMU shuttle service (Class 150 weekdays, 153 Weekend)
Quite a lot of freight heading to or from Harwich and Felixstowe (usually Class 86, 90 and 66) The sand train runs from the Sidings North of the station, this is usually a 66, but sometimes a 60. DRS Flask (with Class 20) runs past once a week.

Location Name:
TS1256 - Marks Tey - Long Green Footbridge

Location Notes:
This is a brand new (2014) Network Rail funded footbridge on the outskirts of Marks Tey to replace the former foot crossing.

Railway type and traffic
The GEML, the premier East Anglian Main Line from London to Norwich. Double track, heavy traffic.
Abellio Greater Anglia is the main passenger operator on the line, operating mostly 360s on local and intercity duties, with Class 90s on the London to Norwich expresses. Occasionally other EMU units will visit the line from time to time.
Freight is mainly Freightliner hauled with 66s, 70s, 86s, 90s, mostly intermodal and unit hopper trains running. DB Schenker trains are frequent too, these are mainly intermodal in the hands of 66s. DRS runs 'coal' trains to the power plant north of Ipswich on the coast, and occasionally run other trains. Power include 20s, 37s, 47s 57s and 66s. GBRf run to and from the port at Felixstowe with 66s and oil tanks from North Walsham.

Location Name:
TS808 - MNR, Crownthorpe

Location Notes:
Crownthorpe is a location on the Mid-Norfolk Railway, and lies just to the North-west of Wymondham.

Railway type and traffic
A preserved line, so it is best to check with the Mid-Norfolk Railway website for running times and any special events.

Location Name:
TS816 - MNR, Hardingham

Location Notes:
This location is on the Mid-Norfolk Railway, and is near to the small village of Hardingham.

Railway type and traffic
A preserved line, so it is best to check with the Mid-Norfolk Railway website for running times and any special events.

Location Name:
TS17 - Morden Grange Farm

Location Notes:
On the Hitchin to Cambridge branch line

Railway type and traffic
Mostly electric multiple units although the route is cleared as a diversionary route for the East Coast Main Line

Location Name:
TS1262 - Nacton, Piggeries Crossing

Location Notes:
Just to the east of the Suffolk County show ground this is a gated road crossing over the Ipswich to Felixstowe branch.

Railway type and traffic
The passenger traffic is multiple units on the Ipswich to Felixstowe shuttle which is usually the same unit all day. But the primary traffic on the branch is freight to the port of Felixstowe. This is modal traffic in the hands of DB/Freightliner/GBRf 66s and Freightliner 70s.

Location Name:
TS549 - Norwich Station

Location Notes:
Norwich is the northern terminus for the 'one' Anglia Intercity services on the GEML. It is in the heart of Norfolk with loads of scenery and a thriving city.

Railway type and traffic
Greater Anglia IC services operated by Class 90 + MKIII sets (half hourly). Local services operated by Class 156/153 sprinter DMUs( hourly). Greater Anglia also runs an Ely/Cambridge service using class 170 DMUs (Hourly). East Midlands Trains also operate out of Norwich with an hourly Liverpool Lime Street diagram.
The occasional freight uses the sidings to reverse and these are usually DB Schenker 66 operated although a Class 60 hauled service is not unheard of.

Location Name:
TS108 - Norwood Road, March

Location Notes:
Viewpoint for traffic in and out of March Whitemoor Yard
Deep in the Fens, between Peterborough and Cambridge, March is situated on the busy connecting line between Ely and Peterborough. Norwood Road bridge takes the road over the entrance to Whitemoor Yard.

Railway type and traffic
Whitemoor Yard is the main infrastructure yard serving the South and Midlands of England. There are frequent Network Rail Ballasts and rail trains heading out of the yard. DB Schenker, Freightliner operated trains out of the yard. GBRf also operate the shunting facilities.

Location Name:
TS561 - NVR, Longueville Junction

Location Notes:
The point on the Nene Valley Railway where the line from the East Coast joins the preserved railway. There are two tracks: one heads for Peterborough NVR and the other to the main line.

Update 03/01/2011:
Recent housing developments in the area have required a new crossing to be constructed a few meters to the east of the original crossing. This crossing has safety fencing to keep walkers, cyclists from accidentally straying onto the line.

Railway type and traffic
Preserved line with a mixture of Steam and Diesels. Operating Days can be found on the NVR Website.

Location Name:
TS961 - NVR, Lynches Bridge

Location Notes:
Located in the Nene Valley Country Park, Lynches Crossing over the River Nene.

Railway type and traffic
Preserved line with a mixture of Steam and Diesels. Operating Days can be found on the NVR Website.

Location Name:
TS531 - NVR, Mill Road Bridge

Location Notes:
An overbridge on the preserved Nene Valley Railway.

Railway type and traffic
Preserved line with a mixture of Steam and Diesels. Operating Days can be found on the NVR Website.

Location Name:
TS950 - NVR, Splash Dyke, Castor

Location Notes:
A pleasant country location on the Nene Valley Railway.

Railway type and traffic
Preserved line with a mixture of Steam and Diesels. Operating Days can be found on the NVR Website.

Location Name:
TS960 - NVR, Yacht Club Crossing

Location Notes:
Located on the Nene Valley Railway situated between Orton Mere and Ferry Meadows. Delightful location on a curve.

Railway type and traffic
Preserved line with a mixture of Steam and Diesels. Operating Days can be found on the NVR Website.

Location Name:
TS825 - Offord Cluny

Location Notes:
The 'Offords' are a few miles south of Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. The busy East Coast Main Line runs through here.

Railway type and traffic
Regular NXEC, Hull trains and First Capital connect passenger trains pass the location, as do some freight workings.

Location Name:
TS916 - Offord D'Arcy

Location Notes:
The 'Offords' are a few miles south of Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. The busy East Coast Main Line runs through here.

Railway type and traffic
Regular National Express, Hull Trains and First Capital connect passenger trains pass the location, as do some freight workings.

Location Name:
TS29 - Peterborough Station

Location Notes:
Peterborough is located on the East coast Main Line about 75 miles north of London. As well as ECML express and suburban traffic there are also routes to east Anglia and the midlands. A wide range of traffic passes through.

Railway type and traffic
A very busy location where routes from The Midlands and East Anglia cross the ECML. Ideal for the DB Schenker Depot and Peterborough Yard. Traffic includes express, cross country services and quite a bit of freight.

Location Name:
TS1243 - Playford, East Suffolk Line

Location Notes:
An over bridge on minor road south of Playford village, between Ipswich and Woodbridge.

Railway type and traffic
Mostly Turbostars, 153 and 156 DMUs.
Occasional nuclear flasks, winter RHTTs. Very occasional loco hauled specials.

Location Name:
TS1239 - Poppy Bank, Hitchin

Location Notes:
Opened in July 2013 this is the embankment part of the Hitchin Grade Separation. A new section of single line taking Cambridge bound trains over the East Coast Main Line and connecting to the Royston branch.

Railway type and traffic
Predominantly Great Northern units; 313/317/321/365.
There are also engineers trains to or from March Whitemoor yards, these tend to run in the mornings or evenings to or from possessions.

Location Name:
TS289 - Potters Bar

Location Notes:
Potters Bar is on the East Coast Main Line, just north of the Greater London - Hertfordshire boundary.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger:
East Coast Inter-City services using class 91 + MkIV coaches (loco usually on north end), HSTs; First Capital Connect inner and outer suburban services using class 313, 317 and 365 EMUs; and Hull Trains class 170 DMUs.

Freight:
Almost none during day light hours - the limited freight workings usually go via Hertford North. However, in the autumn there are usually daytime water cannon trains this way.

Location Name:
TS255 - Prickwillow

Location Notes:
Approximately midway between Ely and Shipea Hill stations.

Railway type and traffic
Mostly diesel multiple units and a small amount of freight.. The odd steam hauled charter to Norwich also appears.

Location Name:
TS1221 - Purfleet Station

Location Notes:
A small station on the line between Dagenham and Grays in Essex. It is also the route out of Tilbury docks into London.

Railway type and traffic
C2C trains run every 30 minutes to Grays and London Fenchurch Street mostly 357.
There are Freightliners passing through on route to and from Tilbury. Mostly Class 66s, but there is (at time of writing in early 2013) a Class 86 working (4M54 from Tilbury @ 1030)

Location Name:
TS1002 - Rainham, HS1

Location Notes:
A foot bridge over HS1 in Rainham, Essex. The main operator is C2C Rail.

Railway type and traffic
C2C trains run every 30 minutes to Grays and London Fenchurch Street at 27 & 57 past the hour to Grays and 28 & 58 to Fenchurch St.
You are also located right next to HS1 the high speed link to and from London St Pancras International.
You also get Freightliners through Rainham going to and from Tilbury.

Location Name:
TS240 - Reedham Junction

Location Notes:
Reedham, Norfolk, not far from Great Yarmouth. The location is the junction of the Norwich to Lowestoft and Norwich to Great Yarmouth via Berney Arms lines.

Railway type and traffic
Usual service is Norwich-Lowestoft local service, about 1 per hour each way Mon-Sat (1 each way every 2 hours on Sun), plus a few daily Norwich-Great Yarmouth via Berney Arms trains, worked by Greater Anglia class 150, 153 and 170 DMUs. Many of the summer Saturday only workings to and from Great Yarmouth run this way rather than via Acle, including Central Trains class 158 and 170 DMUs and Greater Anglia loco-hauled workings, but their routing is sometimes changed at the last minute (on a good day it is possible to wait at Great Yarmouth to see which route the signaller sets for the train and then get here before it by car, but this is with minutes to spare!).

During very busy times (eg the Lowestoft Air Show on a Thursday and Friday at the end of July / beginning of August) there are additional loco-hauled workings, worked top-and-tail on full length Greater Anglia Intercity sets. Occasional freight - class 66 on OBA wagons, the Aberdeen-Lowestoft 'mudstone' (used drill heads from oil rigs which have the oil removed at Lowestoft). However, this is not the best location in the locality for photographing Lowestoft trains.

Location Name:
TS239 - Reedham Swing Bridge

Location Notes:
Reedham, Norfolk, not far from Great Yarmouth. On the Norwich to Lowestoft line.

Railway type and traffic
The usual service is Norwich-Lowestoft local service, about 1 per hour each way Mon-Sat (1 each way every 2 hours on Sun), worked by Greater Anglia class 150, 153 and 170 DMUs. During very busy times (eg the Lowestoft Air Show on a Thursday and Friday at the end of July / beginning of August) there are additional loco-hauled workings, worked top-and-tail on full length Greater Anglia Intercity sets. Occasional freight - class 66 on OBA wagons, the Aberdeen-Lowestoft "mudstone" (used drill heads from oil rigs which have the oil removed at Lowestoft).

Location Name:
TS769 - Romford Station

Location Notes:
A bustling London suburban town on the Great Eastern Main Line out of London Liverpool Street, 15 miles from the terminus.

Railway type and traffic
Romford sees an off peak stopping service frequency of every 10 minutes on the slow lines, and two fast trains an hour. At peak times, the metro services run at approximately 5 minute intervals, but no fast trains stop at the station then. Metro services are operated by Class 315s and the occasional 321. The same traction can be found working the Upminster branch line from platform 1 (more commonly a 321 nowadays).
Also passing the station are yet more Class 321s, then Class 360s and Class 90 + DVT hauled Greater Anglia services from London to Norwich.
In terms of freight, a variety of locomotives can be seen, in particular Freightliner 66s, 86s and 90s working to/from Ipswich and Felixstowe. DB Schenker do not operate an awful lot through the station, but it is common to see 66s (sometimes class 60s) on the Marks Tey workings as well as one daily intermodal service. DRS activities are sparse but not unfounded, with 37s or 20s likely to be seen on the Sizewell/Southminster flask trains and movements to DRS bases at Norwich and Stowmarket are also common. Cotswold Rail movements through the station regularly occur with loco positioning moves to Norwich and thunderbird duties on the GEML being taken up by CR 47s.

Location Name:
TS118 - Sandy Station

Location Notes:
Sandy station is on the East Coast Main Line, about 44 miles north of London and about 30 miles south of Peterborough.
2018 Update: Ticket barriers have now been installed so access to the platforms is now via these.

Railway type and traffic
Standard southern ECML traffic.
Great Northern services from London Kings Cross and Peterborough formed of 313s, 317’s, 321s and 365’s. East Coast Expresses to the north with HST’s or 91+MKIV’s. Hull trains 180s.
Freight on this section of the ECML is sparse. There is a Biggleswade - Heck Plasmor block working. Freightliner and DB Schenker 66 also operate the odd train during the day. Some GBRf operated infrastructure traffic may also pass through.

Location Name:
TS594 - Sandy, Sunderland Road Industrial Estate

Location Notes:
A footbridge on a public footpath crossing the ECML at the northern extremity of an industrial estate off Sunderland Road on the north side of Sandy.

Railway type and traffic
East Coast express services to and from London, approximately 4 an hour each way, 5 return workings to Hull operated by Hull Trains Pioneers and a half-hourly First Capital Connect service to Peterborough operated by 365s.
A very sparse freight service and occasional charters.

Location Name:
TS186 - Shenfield

Location Notes:
On a Junction of the GEML where the mainlines go off to Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich and 2 lines go off to Southend, with a later diversion at Wickford Junction to Southminster (for TS135!). There is a long section of straight track looking North.

Railway type and traffic
Mainly passenger traffic with 90s, 315s, 321s and 360s.
Mostly Freightliner traffic to from Felixstowe and the WCML.

Location Name:
TS254 - Shepreth Branch Junction, Cambridge

Location Notes:
Just south of Cambridge where the line to Audley End and branch to Hitchin diverge.
Over the last 6 years this location has undergone some changes the most recent of which is the most significant. In September 2014 a new foot bridge has been installed at the location. At the time of visiting the bridge was not yet open to the public and the foot crossing was still in place so it was not possible to get shots from the bridge itself. Views of southbound workings, north of the bridge are unaffected.

Railway type and traffic
Frequent EMUs operated by Great Northern (317s, 321s and 365s) and Abellio Greater Anglia (317s and 379s), plus hourly class 170 DMUs operated by Cross Country. There's a very small amount of scheduled freight, plus less regular engineers' trains to and from Whitemoor.

Location Name:
TS995 - Soham, Wiken Road Bridge

Location Notes:
Soham is a small town on the edge of the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire border only 10 minutes drive from the town of Newmarket and the A14 carriageway.The railway line is on the route from Bury St. Edmunds to Ely.

Railway type and traffic
This line is a branch line but is an important freight artery for cross country traffic to the port of Felixstowe, it often sees aggregate and engineering trains to East Anglian destinations. GM class 66s are the norm but DRS/DB Schenker often run locos of many classes throughout the year and expect to see less often than the daily 66s class 20,31,37,47,57,67 on various special workings however passenger traffic at the time of writing is 2 hourly and you need to be very patient sometimes at this location waiting for trains to pass!

Location Name:
TS18 - Sopers Viaduct, Cuffley

Location Notes:
Located on the Hertford Loop the Cuffley Viaduct is part of the main East Coast Main line diversion route between London and Stevenage

Railway type and traffic
Mainly Electric Multiple Units but most of the ECML's southern freight uses the loop as the loading gauge is wider than the main ECML

Location Name:
TS20 - Stevenage Old Town

Location Notes:
Situated on the East Coast Main Line 27 miles north of London Kings Cross. This is the site of the former Stevenage station, before the new town was built.

Railway type and traffic
The southern part of the ECML plays host to mainly Great Northern and Virgin East Coast services, some freight services. This section is four tracks.

Location Name:
TS436 - Stowmarket, A1120 over bridge

Location Notes:
Stowmarket is north of Ipswich, Suffolk on the Norwich - Liverpool Street 'Great Eastern Main Line'.

Railway type and traffic
Passenger: two Greater Anglia loco hauled Norwich - Liverpool Street trains per hour (loco on south end); Cambridge - Ipswich DMU every hour; Peterborough - Ipswich (- Liverpool Street) DMU (class 170) every two hours.
Freight: container trains to and from Felixstowe and Harwich (mostly Freightliner and GB Rail freight, but some DB Schenker); North Walsham - Harwich condensate tanks a few times each week (DB Schenker); Lafarge stone train to Barham once or twice a week (DB Schenker).

Location Name:
TS1223 - Stratford International - HS1

Location Notes:
A modern four platform station on sited in the regenerated London area of Stratford, despite the moniker 'International', no trains to outside of the UK stop at the station.
The station is on the High Speed 1 (HS1) line.
You will need to sign in and purchase a platform ticket (10p in Jan 2013) to gain access to the platforms, however this is a relatively simple procedure. Tripods are not permitted on the platforms.

Railway type and traffic
Only:
  • Class 395 "Javelins"
  • Class 373 "Eurostar"
    		•

    Location Name:
    TS189 - Stratford Station

    Location Notes:
    Stratford is located in East London, just a 5 minute ride from London Liverpool Street Station on the Great Eastern Line. The the London Overground operated North London Line also terminates here.

    Railway type and traffic
    At Stratford you can expect to see a variation of Freight Trains, Passenger Trains and Stock movements.
    The Passenger stock you can expect to see is:
    Greater Anglia Class:
  • Class 90s,
  • 170s,
  • 321s,
  • 360s.

    c2c 357 units

    London Overground:
  • 315s,
  • 378s.

    On the light railway front there is a Docklands Light Railway terminus to the south of the station and Central line tube trains pass through the centre roads.

    The Freight locomotives that usually come through Stratford Station consists of:
  • Mendip Rail 59s,
  • DB Schenker 59/2s,
  • Occasional DB Schenker 60s,
  • DB Schenker 66s,
  • Freightliner 66s,
  • Freightliner 70s
  • Freightliner 86s,
  • Freightliner 90s

    and the occasional service of the D.R.S. freight flow.
    		•

    Location Name:
    TS288 - Thetford Forest, Santon

    Location Notes:
    Situated on the Ely to Norwich line, between Brandon and Thetford stations in Norfolk. The level crossing mentioned below is officially 'Santon' on the railway.

    Railway type and traffic
    Passenger:
    Central Trains Liverpool - Norwich (hourly) and Greater Anglia Cambridge - Norwich (hourly), both usually with class 170 DMUs (but some Central Trains services are still 158s).

    Freight:
    Very limited - Mountsorrel - Trowse (Norwich) Lafarge stone train 2 or 3 times a week (runs early afternoon at present - perfect for this location), operated (at October 2004) by DB Schenker using class 66 locos (but rumours abound of a Freightliner Heavy Haul takeover), plus occasional short term contract stone trains to Eccles Road (usually Freightliner) and the seasonal 'sugar stone' to Trowse (DB Schenker).

    Location Name:
    TS256 - Thetford Station

    Location Notes:
    The principal intermediate station on the Ely-Norwich line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Mostly diesel multiple units and a small amount of freight.. The odd steam hauled charter to Norwich also appears.

    Location Name:
    TS833 - Thurston, Grove Farm

    Location Notes:
    Thurston is a small thriving village a few miles east of the market town of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Thurston Grove Farm is a position a few miles east of the station situated between the top and bottom of the steady incline that trains have to climb heading towards Bury St Edmunds.
    This location is situated on the main cross country route for freight between Ipswich and Peterborough.

    Railway type and traffic
    There is an hourly service weekdays from Ipswich to Cambridge and 2 hourly service to Peterborough mainly formed of local Norwich based units from class 153/156/170 in One/Anglia liveries.
    Amongst the many freight services run by DB Schenker/Freightliner/GBRF and others, DRS locos often appear on various movements on this line but its a growing arterial route for cross country freight and with future loading gauge clearances and line improvements is set to get even busier.

    Location Name:
    TS30 - Trimley

    Location Notes:
    On the Felixstowe branch line from Ipswich.

    Railway type and traffic
    Some rural passenger service but mainly freight from the nearby port of Felixstowe

    Location Name:
    TS292 - Waterbeach

    Location Notes:
    A station situated on the Cambridge - Ely line in Cambridgeshire.

    Railway type and traffic
    Passenger:
    Hourly First Capital Connect King's Lynn - King's Cross service using class 365 EMUs, hourly Central Trains Stansted Airport - Birmingham service using class 170 (and at present a few class 158) DMUs, roughly hourly Greater Anglia Norwich - Cambridge service using class 170 DMUs, peak hours Greater Anglia Liverpool Street - King's Lynn service using class 317 EMUs.
    Freight:
    Quite limited. Includes Lafarge stone trains from Mountsorrel to Chesterton Junction or Harlow several times each week, and the two daily Wembley - Ely intermodal Enterprise workings.

    Location Name:
    TS1337 - Watton-at-Stone

    Location Notes:
    A small station on the Hertford Loop of the East Coast Main Line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Mostly class 313 units on the Great Northern outer suburban services to Letchworth from Moorgate. The line is a primary diversion route should there be problems on the ECML between Alexandria Palace and Stevenage.
    There are a couple of scheduled freights during daylight hours and a few more overnight.
    Any workings heading directly for Bounds Green will take the Hertford Loop to gain direct access to the depot, this will usually be a failed set or stock move.

    The line in the local area is also bi-directional. This is due to the down/northbound line also being used as a test track between Bragbury Junction to the south of Stevenage and Molewood Junction to the north of Hertford.
    The line is used for testing of ERTMS signalling equipment. Often 313121 cab be found shuttling along the down line with normal workings running on the up side.

    Location Name:
    TS293 - Welham Green

    Location Notes:
    An outer suburban station on the East Coast Main Line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Passenger:
    East Coast Inter-City services using class 91 + MkIV coaches (loco usually on north end), HSTs ); First Capital Connect inner and outer suburban services using class 313 and 365 EMUs; and Hull Trains class 222 DMUs.

    Freight:
    Almost none during day light hours - the limited freight workings usually go via Hertford North. However, in the autumn there are usually daytime water cannon trains this way.

    Location Name:
    TS294 - Welney Washes, Ely Side

    Location Notes:
    This is in Cambridgeshire, where the Ely - Peterborough line crosses what are known as the Hundred Foot Washes - two man-made rivers (the Old Bedford River and New Bedford River, also known as the Hundred Foot Drain) with a flood plain in between. This was built as a cut off for the River Great Ouse, avoiding Ely. It has become a nature reserve, and regularly floods in winter.
    The railway crosses the two rivers on girder bridges; the flood plain is crossed mostly on an embankment but with bridges across the drainage channels at each side (see fig 1 below).

    Railway type and traffic
    East Midlands Trains Norwich - Liverpool and Stansted Airport - Birmingham services (both hourly) using class 170 (and, at present, class 158) DMUs; Greater Anglia Ipswich - Peterborough services (mostly every two hours) using class 150 (to be replaced by 156), 153 and 170 DMUs.

    Daily Lafarge stone trains from Mountsorrel to Kennett, Barham or Trowse (Norwich) operated by DB Schenker (at present); additional stone trains to other East Anglian destinations, including seasonal 'sugar stone'; Leeds / Wilton - Felixstowe Freightliners (not all in daylight); GBRf Selby and Hams Hall - Felixstowe container trains; infrastructure trains to and from March Whitemoor Yard.
    There will also be any short notice workings from March Whitemoor to East Anglia.

    Location Name:
    TS22 - Welwyn Garden City

    Location Notes:
    Welwyn Garden City is the northern terminus of the inner suburban services out of Moorgate. Outer suburban services also call here. To facilitate reversing of the inner suburban services there is a flyover to the south of the station.

    Update September 2007:
    Ticket barriers have been installed at this station now. So to access the platforms you will now need a ticket.

    Railway type and traffic
    There is a mix of suburban passenger and express workings passing through the station. Also the yard to the south of the station is often used to store rolling stock and reverse freight trains. Platform 1 (East side) is very rarely used by passenger services.

    Location Name:
    TS19 - Welwyn North

    Location Notes:
    Situated on the East Coast Main Line 23 miles north of London Kings Cross

    Railway type and traffic
    A two track station situated between tunnels to the north and a viaduct to the south, sees both suburban and express traffic. Suburban passenger services by Great Northern 313s, 317s, 321s, 365s and Express Traffic from East Coast 91+MkIV combos, HSTs, Hull Trains 180s and Grand Central HSTs and 180s (August 2009).
    There are infrequent freight services, but some will head south, run round at Welwyn Garden City and return north around an hour later.

    Location Name:
    TS494 - Whittlesea, Hearts Drove

    Location Notes:
    An un-manned gate crossing on the outskirts of Whittlesea, just into the countryside. The location is at the start/end of a banked curve, which is known as `Whittlesea Curve` All trains have to sound their horns here, because of the crossing being unprotected.

    Railway type and traffic
    Central trains services to Stansted Airport, Norwich, Liverpool Lime Street and Birmingham New Street, `one` services every other hour to Peterborough and London Liverpool Street. These are the only passenger services to stop here during the day.
    Freight is mainly DB Schenker aggregate trains, with PGAs and 66s with the occasional 60. On everyday except Monday and Thursdays, and RMC train runs from Peak Forest to Ely with a 60. A daily paper train runs with an DB Schenker shed from Felixstowe to Healy Mills, Freightliner traffic is common with day time liners to Felixstowe from Leeds and Wilton, and some going.
    GBRf wise, a daily modal service to Felixstowe. Also some one-off and scheduled GBRf ballast trains can be seen running from Bardon Hill to Whitemoor yard.

    Location Name:
    TS238 - Whittlesford Station

    Location Notes:
    Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire (near Duxford, south of Cambridge). On Liverpool Street-Cambridge line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Usual traffic:
    Greater Anglia class 317 EMUs (2 each way per hour weekday), Central Trains class 158 and 170 DMUs (1 each way per hour). A little freight - some DB Schenker stone traffic to Bishops Stortford and Harlow, plus some infrastructure trains. Steam specials are not uncommon ('Cathedrals Express' to Ely or Norwich), and Whittlesford is the nearest station to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.

    Location Name:
    TS999 - Witham

    Location Notes:
    Located 40 miles from London on the Great Eastern Main Line from London Liverpool Street to Norwich, Witham provides a junction for the single track branch to Braintree.
    The station has four platforms, one of which serves the branch, the other provides a starting point for some outer suburban commuter trains and is frequently used as a holding loop for 'up' freight trains. There are also passing loops for both 'up' and 'down' lines quite clearly seen to the north east of the station. The remains of the former branch line junction to Maldon and other sidings are still present.

    Railway type and traffic
    Mainline passenger services from London to Norwich are usually travelling at high speed through the station hauled by Class 90 locos in a variety of liveries. Long distance services to Lowerstoft and Peterborough are usually Class 170 DMUs. Witham is a commuter town so there are frequent services most of which stop in the station usually comprising Class 321 or 360 EMUs. They also serve the branch to Braintree.
    Mainline freight trains mostly consist of container traffic to and from Harwich or Felixstowe, usually hauled by Class 66 or Class 86/87/90 electrics. Sand and aggregates are also common from Marks Tey 'virtual quarry' to London. There are occasional nuclear flasks from Sizewell. In the winter there have been pairs of Class 20s or Class 20 plus Class 37 on rhtt duties.

    Location Name:
    TS1 - Woolmer Green

    Location Notes:
    Situated on the East Coast Main Line 24 miles north of London Kings Cross

    Railway type and traffic
    Woolmer Green is where the ECML changes back (or to) four tracks from two after the Welwyn viaduct and tunnels. The traffic is mainly express and suburban passenger workings. There is a small amount of freight but most of this is patched via the Hertford loop.

    Location Name:
    TS346 - Wroxham and Hoveton

    Location Notes:
    Wroxham is north of Norwich on the line to Cromer and Sheringham. It used to be the juction for the former Great Eastern cross-country route to County School. Part of this line now forms the narrow-guage Bure Valley Railway which operates from an adjacent station. The line was resignalled recently but the signal box and old sidings were still there in Spring 2004.

    Railway type and traffic
    There is a regular hourly service between Norwich and Sheringham usually operated by class 150 units. There is also a daily tank train from North Walsham to Harwich. This conveys sludge from North Sea Oil Pipes, so during summer when there is not as much oil needed there tends to be less sludge so therefore the train may only run two or three times a week. This train usually passes south through Wroxham about 1430, following the local train to Norwich.

    Location Name:
    TS345 - Wymondham

    Location Notes:
    Wymondham is a small town west of Norwich on the line from there to Ely and Peterborough. It used to be the junction for the branch to Dereham. This connection is still in use allowing access to the Mid-Norfolk Railway which has a separate station in the town.

    Railway type and traffic
    There are roughly two passenger trains an hour along the line, one being a East Midlands Trains service from Norwich to Liverpool, the other being a Greater service to Cambridge. Most of these trains stop at Wymondham. Freight traffic on this route is sparse though there is an occasional aggregates working between Mountsorrel and Norwich. There is a regular programme of excursion trains originating from the Preserved line to Dereham some of which reverse at Wymondham.

    Location Name:
    TS879 - Yaxley, Haddons Bridge

    Location Notes:
    Haddons Footbridge is located in a country park 2 1/2 miles south of Peterborough City Centre on the East Coast Main Line.

    Railway type and traffic
    Located on the East Coast Main Line, the location you can see NXEC, First Capital Connect, Hull Trains and occasional freight trains.


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