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Road directions
Take the A46 north from Leicester and turn left just north of Syston (signposted A607). Soon after leaving the A46 there is a roundabout, turn left here and the road immediately crosses the railway on an overbridge (location 1). To get to location 2, carry on for another approx 600 yds and turn right into the village of Cossington. Take the first right turn in the village and follow this twisty road until you come to the railway overbridge.
None in the immediate area. The nearest shops including a chip shop can be found in the centre of Sileby about 1 mile to the north of Cossington. The Thurmaston retail park is about 2 miles away and has some fast food outlets.
Still Photography Notes: At both locations clearances on the roadside verges are tight so you will have cars and lorries passing very close behind you.
Location 1
Known to the locals as the 'Commercial Bridge' as it is close to a lorry park called Cossington Commercials. Parking here is limited, but
this is the best place to be for a southbound train on the slow line
(note: all trains to or from the Peterborough line at Syston Junction will be on the slow lines at Cossington. The slow lines are the two easternmost tracks).
The southbound morning shot is good from first light until approx 10am when the sun comes in line. It is possible to take northbound trains in the morning, but there is a colour light signal in the way and the northbound shot suffers from shadows in the winter. The sun does not get on the front of northbound trains here. After the sun has moved round, it is possible to photograph southbound trains here on both the fasts and the slows. It is also possible in high summer to photograph northbound trains from this bridge with sun on the nose from around 4pm, though you will need a long lens if you do not wish to have colour light signals in your picture. Update 14-3-2012 - Bob Young
The location is very busy with road traffic and its very difficult to park. Best location for video, but the traffic noise is deafening.
Location 2
Known to locals as Humbles Lane bridge. The morning shot is good for trains on the fasts, but a little tight for trains on the slow lines as it is rather bushed up on the eastern side of the track. As per location 1, the sun is coming in line with the track after approx 10am. In the afternoon there is a good shot of southbound trains on the slow line although southbound trains on the fast have to be taken a little head on due to vegetation. Northbound trains will get sun on the nose from about 4pm in the summer and good shots can be taken of northbound trains on both the fast and the slow. The northbound shot gets the sun until approx 90 minutes before sunset.
Video Photography Notes:
Both bridges are good for video although you will be far more at risk from traffic noise on the 'Commercial' bridge. It is not possible to do pan shots on either bridge, but long zoom shots are possible.
Special Note:
For any train taking the Peterborough line at Syston Junction, it is possible to chase the train to the Syston bypass bridge for a second shot by heading back to the roundabout near the Commercial bridge and then taking the A607 towards Melton. This road will take you straight to the Syston bypass bridge where it is possible to park on the grass verge near the bridge.
Update 14-3-2012 - Bob Young
Officially known as Cossington Bridge Back Lane. Go over the bridge and park your car in Blackberry Lane on the left. The back lane road leads into Humble Lane and at the bottom, you can park here as well.
At the bottom of Humble lane, you are parallel with the line. Here you can walk to the wooden boarded crossing that goes over the main lines. This seems to be a public footpath with a stile like wooden gates both sides. I saw 3-5 photographers here during the day to catch the stone and steel trains that pass.
