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Written by John Turner - 30 Oct 2003
last update by Mick Evans - 18 Aug 2013
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Location notes
Just north of Ferrybridge and Knottingley and about 10 miles south of Colton Junction. This is off the A162. The nearest village is Monk Fryston in North Yorkshire. The line runs from Milford Junction to Castleford.
Railway type and traffic
The location has 4 lines in total. Most of the traffic is freight and you are likely to see the usual mix of 66s. 56s from DCR can also be seen as they run to Kellingley Colliery. The Shunter from Milford often trips crippled wagons down this line to the nearby Knottingley TMD.
During summer you will also see tours being pulled by Heritage Traction units and Steam Engines from time to time.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Hillam Gates Level Crossing
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
A small village in rural North Yorkshire. This Level Crossing is unmanned and is in the middle of nowhere, literally. The crossing is illuminated and you will often find enthusiasts parked up doing 'overnighters'. The lowering of the crossing barriers and the sirens give plenty of warning of approaching trains.
Road directions
From the M62, junction 33 (Ferrybridge services):
Take the A1 northbound. After about 2 miles take the A162 turn to South Milford. Continue along the road. You will pass over the railway and under some overhead power lines, the turning (Betteras Hill Road) is next right. This leads you to the location.

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Hillam Gates Level Crossing map co-ordinates
Parking
Road side parking at the location for one or two cars but given that the location is a level crossing the it is not recommended to park too close to the crossing.
Public transport
There are bus services that will get you to Monk Fryston but from there you would have to walk from there into Hillam and then to the location. The service 402/403 from Selby to Leeds and vice versa pass through Monk Fryston every 30 minutes.

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Amenities
The Post Office in nearby Monk Fryston does wonderful and inexpensive, freshly made sandwiches and other refreshments, whilst the village also has a couple of useful pubs.
Not too far away is Squire Bikers Cafe which is well worth a visit. Squires can be found on the B1222 at Newthorpe near Sherburn in Elmet in West Yorkshire. It is just off Junction 42 on the A1(M). Postcode LS25 5LX
Accommodation
There nearby pubs in Monk Fryston and Hillam to provide accomodation. Or for the really well heeled among you there is the very upmarket Monk Fryston Hall Hotel.
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.
Hillam Gates Level Crossing

Googly map
Streetmap links
Hillam Gates Level Crossing general view map
Hillam Gates Level Crossing close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Hillam Gates Level Crossing



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Railway Gen Group
Yorkshire Rail
Photographic notes
The line runs North/South so shooting North would not be a problem for most of the day as the light would be on your back. Shooting South is ok too as the view south has a large bank of Fir Trees that block the light a little so giving a nice backdrop to images.
As you are shooting over a level crossing a tripod would be more of a hindrance here I would imagine. As it's not on a busy road there is room for you to stand in the road and take photo's with no real problem, just use your eyes and ears.
Links to photographs at this location

53a Pics


General views - All photographs © John Turner unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north

The view towards Milford.

Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 2 - Looking south

The view towards Castleford or Ferrybridge.

Fig 3 - Looking east - Image �Mick Evans


Fig 3 - Looking east - <i>Image ©Mick Evans</i>


Location Video


During the day.



During the night.

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