A new mobile site has been ceated. Whilst this page will remain you may find Trainspots mobile better suited to a smart phone.
Road directions
From the M5, Junction 17: head north, down the hill through the village of Easter Compton, on the B4055 towards Pilning.Continue past a Y-shaped junction on the right and follow the road round until it rises up and over the railway.
Alternatively, leave the M48 at Junction 1 and head south on the A403 to Avonmouth. At Pilning (after about 2 miles), turn left onto the B4064 to Pilning village, then about 1/4 mile beyond, when the B4064 turns left, go straight on and the bridge is about 1/2 mile beyond.
Parking
There is space for about two or three cars by the access gate, but do not block it. The bridge is next to houses and the area is safe for parking.
Public transport
The location is on the Wessex Connect 625 bus route from Severn Beach to Bristol (2-hourly) or about a 1 1/2 mile walk from Severn Beach station. Pilning station only has two stopping services per week (!) so don't rely on the rail service to get you out there.
.
Amenities
There is nothing at the location. There is a pub and a general store a few minutes' walk away in the village.
The line runs North West - South East, so up trains can be photographed up to late afternoon, after which they become back-lit. Down trains are backlit in the morning but from about 12:00, they can be photographed for the rest of the day. The line is in a cutting, so shadows may be a problem in winter. There is a signal gantry that makes photography of up trains awkward and a good zoom lens is recommended. Road noise means that video is probably not a good idea here.
