Location notes
Near to Thatcham station, a quiet level crossing which leads into a business park.
Railway type and traffic
Berks and Hants mainline from Reading to Exeter. Expect Intercitys, Adelantes (180s), and Thames Trains 165s.
EWS and Hanson freights.
EWS and Hanson freights.
Environment
A level crossing and footbridge, a very quiet area, some noise from the business park depending on the time you go there. No people around when I have been.
Road directions
Head to Thatcham on the A4, the turning into Colthrop Lane is just to the east of Thatcham village.
Colthrop Level Crossing map co-ordinates
Colthrop Level Crossing map co-ordinates
Parking
I park by the telephone box, you can see the car from the footbridge and there are never people around really. Also the signal box overlooks the crossing so any suspicious sorts would be seen hanging around.
Public transport
Nearest station is Thatcham, you could walk it from there.
Accommodation
Nearest hotel or Bed and Breakfast would most likely be Newbury which is not far away.
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
Colthrop Level Crossing general view map
Colthrop Level Crossing close up map
Multimap links
Colthrop Level Crossing on new multimap
Colthrop Level Crossing general view map
Colthrop Level Crossing close up map
Colthrop Level Crossing aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Colthrop Level Crossing
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
You will get the most warning of trains coming from Reading as the line is long and straight in that direction, trains coming from Westbury/Thatcham direction are not in view long before reaching the crossing, which will give you warning when it closes. Plenty of good photos to be had from the bridge and also looking head on at the crossing.
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.
General views - All photographs © Tony Rispoli unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Fig 2 - Looking east
Location Video
The Authors video from the location.
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.
