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Location notes
Brock is approximately 7 miles north of Preston on the West Coast Main Line.
Railway type and traffic
Trains are a mixture of Virgin, North Western and Trans Pennine Express passenger trains with mainly inter-regional freight trains operated by DB Schenker, Freightliner and DRS.
Environment
The location is rural though adjacent to both the A6 and M6 so easy to reach. You are likely to see between 0 and 5 people per hour and maybe the odd cow.
Road directions
Driving north along the A6 from Preston you pass through the village of Bilsborrow and after about 1/2 mile there is a Land Rover dealership on the right. Continue over a canal bridge and there is a lay-by on the left shortly after. Walk back to the canal bridge, cross it and walk into the farm on the left, alongside the canal. The public footpath passes through the yard and straight across the field towards the footbridge.
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Parking
In the lay-by.
Public transport
Stagecoach route 40 operates twice an hour along the A6 between Preston and Lancaster.
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Amenities
There are no toilets however due to the rural nature an alternative is likely to be found! There are several pubs in the village of Bilsborrow, and others regularly along the length of the A6.
Accommodation
Guys Thatched Hamlet adjacent to Old Nells Tavern just off the A6 by the canal in Bilsborrow.
At least one of the pubs in Bilsborrow may have accommodation, though both Preston and Lancaster are within 15 miles.
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.
Brock
Googly map
Streetmap links
Brock general view map
Brock close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Brock
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Photos can be taken here most of the day, principally of trains heading south. In a morning you will need to cross the footbridge and take photos from the field on the east side of the line, though a better vantage point is nearby Brock Crossing. In the afternoon, you can take photos either from the field itself on the west side of the line, or from the stile leading to the small section of footpath leading to the bridge. Early evening in summer, from about 6pm, the sun is far enough round to catch the front of Northbound trains. Due to the proximity of the M6, significant noise can mask the approach of trains sometimes.
General views - All photographs © Mark Bearton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking north
Fig 3 - Looking south
Fig 4 - Looking south
From the foot bridge
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