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Location notes
Just to the west of Heathrow airport Colnbrook is a small village to the south of Slough.
Railway type and traffic
This is a freight only line to the oil terminal at it's end.
There are a small number of freights that use the branch. Traction will often include DB Schenker 60s or 66s, Freightliner 66s and Mendip 59s.
Environment
An open road bridge just to the west of Heathrow airport, with the M25 between the two.
Road directions
From the M25, Junction 14:Take the M4 westbound,
observing the freight branch you will cross or pass !, and follow it to the next junction - Junction 5. From here take the 1st exit and double back along the A4. The location is about a mile and a half along the A4.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location Colnbrook, A4 bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking is a bit of a problem here. There is no stopping on the A4 so you would be best to pull into the industrial park and walk back from there.
Also Heathrow Airport security have been know to stop and 'question' people with cameras in the area!
Public transport
London United Busways's bus service number, 81 operates in the area:
Bus 81 Slough - Langley - Colnbrook - London (Longford) - Cranford - Hounslow.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There is a petrol station just to the west of the location.
Accommodation
Being in close proximity to Heathrow then there will be lots of hotels in the area, but all will be priced accordingly!
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.
Colnbrook, A4 bridge
Googly map
Streetmap links
Colnbrook, A4 bridge general view map
Colnbrook, A4 bridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Colnbrook, A4 bridge
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Photographic notes
Both the oil terminal and the yard are a few hundred yards from the bridge so a telephoto lens is a must for parked trains.
The oil terminal is not long enough to accommodate full length trains so trains are split in the yard and reversed into the terminal. Accordingly on departure the trains need to be joined.
Given that the location is about a mile from HEathrow there is frequent noise from low flying aircraft. These can make nice additions to the sky in shots though!
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
Taken on a DSLR at 70mm.
Fig 2 - Looking south
Fig 3 - Looking south
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