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Location notes
Located on the West Coast Main Line just to the south of Leighton Buzzard.
[NR] - Outline plans have been published for a new road from Linslade to Aylesbury which if it goes ahead the current footpath will be closed in approx 3-4 years time (2009-2010). Could be a get it while you can location.
Railway type and traffic
Plenty of Virgin Anglo-Scottish/London - Midlands express passenger services. London Overground runs the slower rural passenger services. There is also a wide mix of freight, working north to places like Manchester and Scotland.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Ledburn JunctionThis link should be close to the location, but may not be the
actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
Open fields in Bedfordshire.
Road directions
From the A505 (Leighton Buzzard By pass) roundabout junction with the B488 (you can see the WCML from this roundabout) take the B488 turning. The location is the second turning on the right.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location Ledburn Junction map co-ordinates
Parking
IMPORTANT UPDATE
There have been a number of cases of cars being broken into at this location, the theves seem to know that photographers go there. Be VERY careful that the contents of your car are not on display.
The location is an old farm bridge at the end of a muddy track, which has hardcore underneath so it is safe to take the car up.. These days, the track, is only used by enthusiasts, Permanent way contractors and probably the farmer! Half way up the track there is a hardcore area that can be used to park the car or turn round when on the way out, you can also park up by the bridge but it is probably best to park half way up to allow any access.
UPDATE - Please note:
The old gate at the entrance to the track has, since New Year 2004, been closed because some very unsociable persons decided to use the location as an unofficial tip.
You can still walk past the gate and walk to the bridge but you now need to park just to the side of the gate leaving access available to the track (still used by p/w contractors) and the farm gate.
Please if you spot anyone tipping on the site please report this to the authorities as there is a grave danger that if it continues the landowner will declare the location "out of bounds" and deprive all enthusiasts of one the better local locations.
Public transport
Amenities
None at the location
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.
Ledburn Junction
Googly map
Streetmap links
Ledburn Junction general view map
Ledburn Junction close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Ledburn Junction
Who likes this location on facebook
Photographic notes
The WCML runs directly north to south through the location and as the normal WCML push-pullconfiguration is to have the loco at the north end of the formation to get head on shots you are working directly into the sun hence head on shots can only really be taken on cloudy days. This will also become less of a problem when the WCML goes over to Pendolino operation.
Also as well as the usual WCML abundance of overhead line masts there is an obtrusive bush mid shot!
General views - All photographs © John Patston unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east
Fig 2 - Looking north west
The bush!
Fig 3 - Looking north west, wide view
Taken from the road looking across the fields.
You can see a printed copy of this picture in the October 2003 edition of
"Railways Illustrated"
Fig 4 - Looking south east
Included for referenceNot much of a shot due to the large amounts of OLE and the sun is usually directly infront of you in this direction. The southwest facing shot is even worse than this due to the clutter of a large pole and transformers.
Fig 5 - Looking south - Photo by Jason Rodhouse
Fig 6 - Looking south - Photo by Jason Rodhouse
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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.
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