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Location notes
Potters Bar is on the East Coast Main Line, just north of the Greater London - Hertfordshire boundary.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger:
East Coast Inter-City services using class 91 + MkIV coaches (loco usually on north end), HSTs; First Capital Connect inner and outer suburban services using class 313, 317 and 365 EMUs; and Hull Trains class 170 DMUs.
Freight:
Almost none during day light hours - the limited freight workings usually go via Hertford North. However, in the autumn there are usually daytime water cannon trains this way.
Environment
A tarmaced public footpath running parallel to the railway line north from central Potters Bar. This location is close to the Cranmore Road industrial estate, on the edge of the town. You will encounter people using the footpath.
Road directions
To reach central Potters Bar, leave the M25 at junction 24 and take the A111 north (signed Potters Bar); at the traffic lights this becomes the B556. After passing over the railway line, continue straight ahead at the next traffic lights (turning right takes you to the station) and after about 0.75 miles turn right near a school, signed for an industrial estate (I think). This road eventually reaches the railway, which is on a slight embankment. From here the footpath heads south towards the station and also northwards. There are shots from both sections.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location Potters Bar map co-ordinates
Parking
Park at the side of the road near the railway line.
Public transport
Walk from Potters Bar station (lots of trains and buses) along the footpath, which is on the west side of the line. The location is about 0.75 miles from the station. Either stop as the footpath begins to descend to the industrial estate or continue further and onto the next section of path as it climbs up again.
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Amenities
There are plenty of facilities in central Potters Bar.
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.
Potters Bar
Googly map
Streetmap links
Potters Bar general view map
Potters Bar close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Potters Bar
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The best shots are looking north. Steps are useful to see over the palisade fencing.
The line runs NNW-SSE, and the sun is on the correct side from about 11am. There are four tracks (from west to east: down slow, down fast, up fast, up slow) and it is possible to photograph all trains heading south. Shots of northbound trains are possible, but not as good, although going away shots of trains on the down fast are fine. The sun would not be on the nose of northbound trains until very late in the afternoon.
There is also a footpath leading south which has good over views of the track. Leave the station via the main booking hall and look right, you will see an office block on the right of this office block is the pathway that leads up to Mutton Lane. I have not been there for many years but is was another spot to take good photos. - Chris Marrable 20-9-06
General views - All photographs © Brian Carter unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
From the northern section of the footpath, taken at around midday in November. The train is on the up slow line. Note some shadows encroaching on the track, which would not be a problem in summer.
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