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Location notes
A low viaduct across the River Esk just north of Carlisle Kingmoor and to the south of the Scottish border.
Railway type and traffic
Anglo Scottish WCML traffic.
Virgin West Coast and Cross Country services, mostly Pendolionos and Voyagers but some loco hauled workings remain. Plenty of freight from DB Schenker, Freightliner and DRS (DRS Kingmoor depot is a short distance to the south).
Environment
Open fields with very little shelter.
Road directions
Signposted off the A74. The sign is very close to the northbound turning so be alert, if you cross the river you have gone to far. From the south the turning is just after the river Esk bridge.
Once you have turned off the A74 park up near the Metal Bridge Public house. There is a public foot path leading from the back of the pub car park to the location. It can get
very overgrown, not a great walk for someone in shorts!
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location Carlisle, Metal Bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
At the Metal Bridge public house.
Public transport
Amenities
The location is a few hundred yards from the Metal Bridge pub.
Accommodation
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.
Carlisle, Metal Bridge
Googly map
Streetmap links
Carlisle, Metal Bridge general view map
Carlisle, Metal Bridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Carlisle, Metal Bridge
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The embankment offers a good unrestricted view of the side of train in either direction, but being a flood plain it can get quite muddy. The bridge has a reasonable low parapet so no steps are required to get a view across the top and the steps offer height differentials for northbound workings head on or south bound round the edge of the parapet.
The early morning suits west facing side shots, with the sun moving to the southbound "on the nose shot around 10-12. After that it will move to the west side of the line.
Links to photographs at this location
Rail-net GWRB tour 2004 - Tractor chasing
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
From the bridge steps
Fig 2 - Looking north
Over the top of the bridge.
Fig 3 - Looking north
From the western riverbank
Fig 4 - Looking south
Directly down the WCML looking towards Carlisle
Fig 5 - Looking south
Fig 6 - Looking north
From the eastern river bank
Fig 7 - Looking west
A general view of the viaduct form the eastern riverbank
Fig 8 - General view of the bridge
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