| Kennett Written by Brian Carter - 09 Oct 2004 last update by
Gareth Kelly -
18 Aug 2012
and by
Mark Tassell -
22 Dec 2013 |
A new mobile site has been ceated. Whilst this page will remain you may find
Trainspots mobile better suited to a smart phone.
Either park in the station car park or on the wide grass verge by the bridge on the south side of the line.
The Cambridge - Ipswich Anglia trains call at Kennett, although most of the Peterborough - Ipswich ones do not.
There is a pub in Kennet End, 0.5 mile south on B1085. Other nearest facilities in Newmarket.
The nearest accommodation will probably be in Newmarket.
Note from the editor:Since this location was written up the signal box has been moved to the
Clone Valley Railway. Although the physical layout of the track has not changed the signal box no longer features in the shot. It is unclear from the update if the semaphores are still in situ and updated images would be appreciated.
There are two spots for taking photos - the station platforms and the road over bridge to the east of the station. The pavement on one side of the road bridge is quite narrow, but the road is not busy and, due to the narrow bridge, traffic is controlled by traffic lights. For videographers, there are good views both ways, especially to the east (where the line is very straight). Traffic noise from the nearby A14 may be a distant hum; traffic on the B1085 is light.
From the bridge it is possible to get shots of trains in both directions, although looking east is quite head on if the sun is out due to the trees on the south side of the line.
The shot from the end of the up (westbound) platform is good looking west.If the sun is not out, shots can be taken from the down (eastbound) platform looking east; this shot is also possible with the sun out late on summer evenings, but shadows will be a problem as the line is in a cutting and there are plenty of tall trees.
The line runs approximately east-west here, so shots are possible for most of the day from around 09:00. The sun comes off the nose of eastbound trains and onto the nose of westbound trains at about 13:00. Tall trees on the south side of the line will probably prevent photography from the bridge in winter. Further comments are included with the photos below.
It is possible to get closer to the rather fine signal at the west end of the station by walking down the field (which appears to be just waste ground) on the south side of the line, although this is not a public right of way. A standard lens is needed and steps are useful to remove line side vegetation and the wire fence from the shot.
Another location close by which is really good for westbound trains (especially long freights) is the A14 bridge, about half a mile east of the station. The trackside is clear of vegetation, and a semaphore signal also features in the middle distance. This location is reached by parking in the lay-by on the A14 eastbound carriageway (after crossing the railway) and walking back. The A14 is VERY busy, but once at the bridge you stand on the bank well away from the road. The sun would be alright for much of the day up to about 16:00 with the sun on the nose from about midday. Traffic noise would be a major problem for videos.