Location notes
This is former railway land not far from Hednesford Station in Staffordshire. The Chase Heritage Trail uses part of the formation of the Rawnsley branch line that joined the Walsall – Rugeley railway at what was Pool Pits Junction.
Railway type and traffic
London Midland class 170+153 DMU formations on the local Birmingham – Rugeley service
Freightliner class 66s on the coal traffic to Rugeley, plus the occasional limestone train.
Freightliner class 66s on the coal traffic to Rugeley, plus the occasional limestone train.
Environment
The location is beside an urban footpath, part of the popular Chase Heritage Trail, with dwellings on the opposite side of the railway. Trees now grow where there used to be sidings.
Road directions
From Rugeley:
Pass through Cannock Chase on the A460. Pass the road on the right (Walkers Rise) that leads up to the Cannock Chase Enterprise Centre and take the next right, at the car dealership, then immediately turn left into the road that runs alongside the dealership. Park on this road.
From the M6, junction 11 (Cannock):
Take the A460 Wolverhampton – Rugeley road (the Cannock eastern by-pass). When you reach the double-roundabout junction at Hilltop, Hednesford, stay on the A460 by taking the right turn at the first roundabout and the left at the second roundabout. Pass through two sets of traffic lights and pass the memorial on the right and the park on the left. Pass through the next set of traffic lights but then immediately turn left, and left again into the road that runs alongside the car dealership. Park on this road.
Then:
You will see the Heritage Trail leads up to, and along, the embankment that used to form the branch from Rawnsley. Walk along this path, towards Hednesford, until you reach the palisade fencing that runs alongside the railway.
There is no access to the path from Green Slade Grove or The Sidings.
Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford map co-ordinates
Pass through Cannock Chase on the A460. Pass the road on the right (Walkers Rise) that leads up to the Cannock Chase Enterprise Centre and take the next right, at the car dealership, then immediately turn left into the road that runs alongside the dealership. Park on this road.
From the M6, junction 11 (Cannock):
Take the A460 Wolverhampton – Rugeley road (the Cannock eastern by-pass). When you reach the double-roundabout junction at Hilltop, Hednesford, stay on the A460 by taking the right turn at the first roundabout and the left at the second roundabout. Pass through two sets of traffic lights and pass the memorial on the right and the park on the left. Pass through the next set of traffic lights but then immediately turn left, and left again into the road that runs alongside the car dealership. Park on this road.
Then:
You will see the Heritage Trail leads up to, and along, the embankment that used to form the branch from Rawnsley. Walk along this path, towards Hednesford, until you reach the palisade fencing that runs alongside the railway.
There is no access to the path from Green Slade Grove or The Sidings.
Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford map co-ordinates
Parking
It should be safe to leave the car outside the dealership during the daytime but be aware access is needed to the industrial estate that is on this side of the railway.
Public transport
From Hednesford railway station:
From the Rugeley bound platform, cross over the railway by means of the road bridge. Walk down on, or alongside the road bridge to the mini roundabout. Cross the road to walk along Victoria Street, pass the bus station and into the park. Stay on this path through the park and you will reach the location.
The Arriva Midlands service 32 Walsall – Aldridge – Rugeley passes along the A460 Rugeley Road: Those unfamiliar with the area are advised to alight at the bus station and walk through the park.
From the Rugeley bound platform, cross over the railway by means of the road bridge. Walk down on, or alongside the road bridge to the mini roundabout. Cross the road to walk along Victoria Street, pass the bus station and into the park. Stay on this path through the park and you will reach the location.
The Arriva Midlands service 32 Walsall – Aldridge – Rugeley passes along the A460 Rugeley Road: Those unfamiliar with the area are advised to alight at the bus station and walk through the park.
Amenities
There are shops and banks in Hednesford town centre. Toilets are at the bus station.
Accommodation
The visit Cannock Chase website list some local hotels. The nearest being the Uxbridge Arms and the Cross Keys.
Where on the map
Sun Compass
Open this Image in a new window and use as a sun compass with the links below.
Streetmap links
Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford general view map
Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford close up map
Multimap links
Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford on new multimap
Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford general view map
Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford close up map
Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Photographic notes
This location has the benefit of semaphore signals and is quiet but a steps/ladder (standing on rough grass) is needed to tackle the palisade fencing.
The line runs roughly north-east to south-west on a gentle curve. The trees are set back from the railway therefore their shadows should not be a problem. By 14:00 GMT photographs of trains from Walsall would have the camera facing the sun. On the other hand, trains from Rugeley are heading into the sun and the industrial estate, on the site of the West Cannock number 5 colliery, can be seen on the hillside on the edge of Cannock Chase in the distance above the Station Road bridge. Trains from Rugeley are still climbing the gradient but the empty coal trains are often held at the signal here for a short while until the preceding local DMU clears the block to Bloxwich.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
The line runs roughly north-east to south-west on a gentle curve. The trees are set back from the railway therefore their shadows should not be a problem. By 14:00 GMT photographs of trains from Walsall would have the camera facing the sun. On the other hand, trains from Rugeley are heading into the sun and the industrial estate, on the site of the West Cannock number 5 colliery, can be seen on the hillside on the edge of Cannock Chase in the distance above the Station Road bridge. Trains from Rugeley are still climbing the gradient but the empty coal trains are often held at the signal here for a short while until the preceding local DMU clears the block to Bloxwich.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Offical Guidelines for Railway Enthusiasts
British Transport Police Guidelines for rail enthusiaist
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
General views - All photographs © Gary S. Smith unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking north
Fig 3 - Looking south west
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
