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Written by Mark Bearton - 06 Jan 2005
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Location notes
Brock is a rural area approximately 7/8 miles north of Preston on the West Coast Main Line.

Update by Steve Fort 09/06/08
This location has now 'gone' photographically speaking. If you look at the picture of the pendolino there has been a large mast and associated building placed directly in line with the vantage point and the railway line RIP. Been there today 9-6-08.
Railway type and traffic
There is a mix of traffic on the route. The principal passenger services are provided by Virgin and Trans Pennine bringing Voyagers, Pendolinos and class 175 units, with Northern's 150/153 and 156s also appearing. Railtours fairly regularly traverse the route and there are regular ECS workings to/from West Coast Trains at Carnforth.
Freight includes DRS's Intermodals, Nuclear Flask and Tanks, Freightliner's and DB Schenker services with Coal and Departmental duties usually in the hands of class 66s and Enterprise workings hauled by class 92s.
Environment
The bridge is on a fairly quiet country lane. The M6 runs parallel to the railway at this point so the noise of traffic is constant.
Road directions
Follow the A6 North from Junction 1 of the M55 (close to it's junction with the M6). Follow this for about 4/5 miles, passing through Broughton and Bilsborrow. You will then pass a Land Rover Dealership on the right, followed by a canal bridge and a lay-by on the left. Take the next road on the right, signposted to Beacon Fell Country Park with a garage on the corner, and this road crosses both the railway and motorway bridges.

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Brock, New Lane map co-ordinates
Parking
There is plenty of room on the bridge to park your car. There is a road junction just beyond the bridges which is the easiest way of turning your car.
Public transport
Stagecoach routes 40/41 operate twice an hour along the A6 from Preston to Garstang and Lancaster. Look out for the garage at the bottom of New Lane.

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Amenities
The garage at the end of the road sells snacks.
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, New Lane

Googly map
Streetmap links
Brock, New Lane general view map
Brock, New Lane close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Brock, New Lane



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Photographic notes
Update by Steve Fort 09/06/08
This location has now 'gone' photographically speaking. If you look at the picture of the pendolino there has been a large mast and associated building placed directly in line with the vantage point and the railway line RIP. Been there today 9-6-08.

The light here is best in the afternoon, from about midday onwards until tea time. There are good views of southbound trains but photos of trains heading north are not really possible due to the catenaries.


General views - All photographs © Mark Bearton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north


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