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Written by Carlos Ferran - 05 Jan 2015
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Location notes
This is a Multi Story Car Park at Luton Airport Parkway, right near Luton, and the namesake Airport. Located on the Midland Main Line/Thameslink Route from London to Bedford.
Railway type and traffic
Luton Airport Parkway is on the Thameslink route from London to Bedford, making up part of the Midland Mainline. It's a 4 track mainline, with the fast lines on the western side. The majority of services are operated by FCC using 319s and 377s and 378s.
Luton Airport Parkway is a major service stop to and from London. EMT run 222's and 43's on intercity services to and through the station.
Freight is sparse, but they make appearances every few hours or so. Engineers, and test trains are fairly frequent on the line.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Luton Airport Parkway - Multistory Car Park
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
The Parkway is in an suburban-like location of Luton, and directly under the flight path of planes taking off from Luton, which is a plus if you're also a plane spotter!
You'll be on top of a Multi-story, so you'll be exposed to the elements. Although very few people are around on the top floor, it not exactly the best place to be after dark.
Road directions
From the M1, Junction 10:
Take the A1081 towards the Airport and follow it to the traffic lights at the bottom of the Hill. Here take the right turn onto the A505 and then a left through the double roundabouts. The multi-story is on the right.

Click here to set up your location for directions to this location

Luton Airport Parkway - Multistory Car Park map co-ordinates
Parking
Plenty, given this is a car park.
Public transport
Take any FCC or EMT service to Luton Airport Parkway.

Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Accommodation
Since you're close to Luton and the airport, lodging is plentiful in both places and prices.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Luton Airport Parkway - Multistory Car Park

Googly map
Streetmap links
Luton Airport Parkway - Multistory Car Park general view map
Luton Airport Parkway - Multistory Car Park close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Luton Airport Parkway - Multistory Car Park



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Photographic notes
The location is on the west side of the tracks, so it's preferred for afternoon shots. Facing the station, you have a little room to work with for trains on the fast lines, not so much for the slow lines. Facing south, you'll have just enough to see the trains coming behind the tree. And in case traffic dies down, theres always Luton Airport to keep you entertained (if the wind is right).
Videographers, depending on what you want, this spot can either be great or a nuisance, because of the planes.


General views - All photographs © Carlos Ferran unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south east


Fig 1 - Looking south east


Fig 2 - Looking north west


Fig 2 - Looking north west


Fig 3 - Looking UP! (and south east)


Fig 3 - Looking UP! (and south east)

Depending on wind direction, planes take off into the wind, planes will either be quite high and climbing or low and ready to land.

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