Location notes
Lea is a few miles west of Preston on the Preston to Blackpool Line.
Railway type and traffic
Since Virgin pulled out of Blackpool most trains on this line are Multiple Units though a great variety of classes and TOCs can be seen - 142,150/1,150/2,156,158,175 for North Western in many liveries and 156 and 158 for Trans Pennine (even the odd 144 has been seen in the past). Currently (2004) a daily 31 hauled train also runs.
Environment
The location is situated on a country lane on the outskirts of Preston.
Road directions
From Preston follow the A583 towards Blackpool from Preston Docks. Morrisons superstore is on the left behind bushes and turn right at next set of traffic lights (with McDonalds on left). This road climbs sharply, take the first left with park on right. The road narrows then turns sharp right (you are likely to go straight on by mistake but road brings you back). Follow the road through estate past Larches Estate Bus turnaround and continue straight on at traffic lights over the A5085. Continue along road, watching for speed camera at bottom of dip, past a pub on the right and underneath the railway. At roundabout turn left, then left again at next corner. The lane narrows and passes over a canal. Shortly after there is a rough lay-by opposite some cottages just before the road crosses over the railway.
Lea map co-ordinates
Lea map co-ordinates
Parking
The rough lay-by is perfectly safe and you can see car from the bridge.
Public transport
Preston Bus Orbit service 88C (88A on return) operates every 15 minutes from outside Preston Station. Ask for the Cotty Brook Public House. When you get off the bus, walk forward until you come to the road passing under a railway bridge. At the far side of this bridge a public footpath is on the left and runs alongside the railway to the next over bridge.
Amenities
There are no toilets in the area. The nearest pub is at the road bridge east of this location. There is a public footpath running on the North Side of the railway leading to this pub (and a short cut back if walking to catch a bus). The nearest local shops are near the Bus Turnaround at the Larches Estate.
Where on the map
Sun Compass
Open this Image in a new window and use as a sun compass with the links below.
Streetmap links
Lea general view map
Lea close up map
Multimap links
Lea on new multimap
Lea general view map
Lea close up map
Lea aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Lea
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The best time of day is in the afternoon for trains heading from Preston to Blackpool. Good pictures can be taken from the farm gate adjacent to the road over bridge. The field beyond is private property though is hardly ever used and good pictures can be taken from it.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Offical Guidelines for Railway Enthusiasts
British Transport Police Guidelines for rail enthusiaist
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
Links to photographs at this location
General views - All photographs © Mark Bearton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east
From the farm gate
Fig 2 - Looking east
From the road bridge
Fig 3 - Looking east
From the field
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
