| Grain Branch, Cooling
Written by Jonathan Makepeace - 13 Aug 2007 |
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From the A289 heading towards the Medway tunnel take the B2000 almost into Cliffe and then take a right turn towards Cooling (Cooling Road) and follow this very twisty road for about 2 km. Park by the public toilets and walk to the east picking up the footpath that heads south between the lay-by and the pub.
Cooling is very quiet and cars can be parked in the lay-by by the public toilets.
There is no public transport to Cooling and the only alternative would be to catch a bus to either Cliffe or High Halstow and walk the rest of the way.
There are public toilets in Cooling as well as the CAMRA Horseshoe and Castle pub.
The line runs from west to east so trains can be photographed at most times of the day usually from the south side of the line, however the best view is looking towards the west. Please note than when the trees are in leaf they will pretty much block any sun on the line.
The line is a challenge for photographers being largely flat (bring stepladders!), much line side vegetation and a proliferation of electricity pylons at some locations. Also for the majority of trains one is shooting into the light with biggest challenge being the evening Fastline Class 56 service to Thamesport which is only possible to photograph on the branch in midsummer.
