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Road directions
Although it is feasible to drive along the unmade lane, this is not recommended.
From the A570 St. Helens to Ormskirk Road: Turn east into Bushey Lane at the roundabout by the Wheatsheaf Hotel (just on the north side of a rail bridge). At the end, bear right into News Lane and continue past Rainford station for about half a mile then turn left into Reeds Brow. Continue along this road until you reach Crawford Village. Stop when you see a playing field on the north side of the road, and park here, avoiding causing obstructions with vehicles parked outside houses on the opposite side of the road. Walk back towards Rainford for about 50 yards, then turn into Dukes Wood Lane, which is a wide path between 2 houses, and heads north towards the railway line. Allow about 10 minutes walking time from Crawford, and note that parts of the track can be very muddy after rain.
Access is also possible from the M58 and Skelmersdale. Leave the M58 at Junction 5 and follow a one way system heading for West Pimbo. Parking is possible on Pimbo Road where the road turns sharp left, near some large horizontal cylinders, but the writer would not recommend parking here in school holidays.
From the southern side of the line, there are clear views of eastbound trains, with the sun position ok until late morning, and plenty of space for 2-3 photographers standing well clear of the running lines. A lineside equipment cabinet restricts photo. Opportunities for westbound trains in the morning. Standing on the northern side of the line, the sun should be ok for photographs of westbound trains in late afternoons, but the writer has not checked this personally.
