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Location notes
Situated on the Channel Tunnel Rail link opposite the M2 crossing of the Medway river
Railway type and traffic
Currently the only traffic operating on the line is Eurostars although freight may feature in the future
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Medway Viaduct, (London end)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
Located in Kent near the city of Rochester there are plenty of vantage points to watch trains crossing the viaduct.
Road directions
London side
Take junction 2 off of the M2 motorway.
At the roundabout take the second exit back under the motorway.
At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit and park somewhere on the A228
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location Medway Viaduct, (London end) map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking at the location is problematic with only lay bys and pavement parking to choose from. But if you are prepared to walk there are lay bys on the A228.
Public transport
There is no easy rail access with Strood being the nearest station which is a few miles away.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are no facilities in the immediate vicinity but the city of Rochester is a few minutes drive away
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.
Medway Viaduct, (London end)
Googly map
Streetmap links
Medway Viaduct, (London end) general view map
Medway Viaduct, (London end) close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Medway Viaduct, (London end)
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The CTRL is a high speed line so it's very unlikely that you will get anything slow moving on the line. High shutter speeds are a must. Also digital camera users with shutter lag beware - the train will have travelled a coach length in the time it takes to take a picture!
If you want to see Eurostars at anything approaching 300 km/h, then either end of the CTRL is not really the place.
In the down direction, the first time you can get above about 280 km/h is as you emerge from the Tunnel from where it is that sort of speed until you hit the loops next to the M20 a few miles out from Ashford, when line speed goes down to 270 km/h. If you concentrate your efforts within a couple of miles of the motorway services at Bearsted, then even the trains that have stopped at Ashford should be back up to near enough full speed.
Many thanks to Nev Arthur - Eurostar Driver for the above comment.
Links to photographs at this location
Rail-net - CTRL High speed testing
The CTRL Link - The Medway Viaduct
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Facing North from the A228
From the M2 over bridge looking towards London.� The path here is quite narrow and traffic on the road behind can be quite heavy.� Recommended only for short durations.� The opposite side of the road (not show) affords a superb view directly along the via
Fig 2 - Facing South from the footpath - wide
The footpath leading away from the bridge zig zags back to trackside offering a nice wide shot from one position�.
Fig 3 - Facing South from the footpath - close
� to a close up view from another
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