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Written by Adam Gibbons - 01 Nov 2017
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Location notes
This location is approximately 5 miles from Doncaster's town centre, it is a bridge with woodland one side and a housing estate another. The location is located on the railway between Doncaster and Gainsborough therefore you commonly get EMT units travelling towards Lincoln as well as intermodals and other freight services. The M18 is nearby so the can be noisy at times however generally a quiet area with a few dog walkers.
Railway type and traffic
EMT run fairly frequent services from Doncaster to Lincoln mostly with 153s but 156s and 158s also appear on these services.
The best time to visit the location is on a weekday, generally in the afternoon as this is a busier time of day in terms of freight.
Common freight trains include intermodals from Leeds/Doncaster to Felixstowe hauled by Freightliner 66. There are also intermodals from Wakefield with DB 66s and from Masborough with GB 66s. There are also other freight services such as the 'bricks' going to Heck under DB operation and GBRF traction on the sand train from Middleton Towers.
A lot of charter services which use the joint line to travel up the ECML will also go via this location with varying traction. Engineers trains also use this route fairly frequently to avoid the busy ECML.
Environment
This location is a bridge in-between woodland and a housing estate, only people on foot can use this bridge and is common with dog walkers. I would not advise coming here when dark as there is little light available to see where you are going. You can use the woodland as make shift shelter. However, proper shelter isn't available at this location, so be prepared when it starts raining heavy.
The M18 is nearby so this location can get noisy at times. However the bridge is little used so can be a nice quiet location at times.
Road directions


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Doncaster, Hatchell Wood map co-ordinates
Parking
Yes you can park at Warnington Drive which is about a 5 minute walk from this location. It is within a housing estate so fairly safe.
Public transport
Bawtry road is served by frequent buses from the town centre. 55/56/21/25/29/99 bus services are approximately a 15 minute bus ride from here. The bus stop is the one before the Miller and Carter stop.

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Amenities
Miller and Carter steakhouse is the closest place for food and a decent meal however can be expensive. There are also some shops in Bessacarr and a Tesco further down Bawtry Town towards town centre.
Accommodation
The closest hotels to here are at Lakeside with 2 x Premier Inns as well as several hotels in the Town Centre.
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.
Doncaster, Hatchell Wood

Googly map
Streetmap links
Doncaster, Hatchell Wood general view map
Doncaster, Hatchell Wood close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Doncaster, Hatchell Wood



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Photographic notes
Light is good all day, with the light remaining in the southern side all day. Light is best for Lincoln bound trains in the morning and early afternoon with the Doncaster bound trains best in the evening.
Since trees have been cut down around the bridge the light comes through a lot better than previously. For videograhers the bridge can be used as a location to put the video camera.


General views - All photographs © Adam Gibbons unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west


Fig 1 - Looking west


Fig 2 - Looking east


Fig 2 - Looking east


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