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Written by John Patston - 27 Jan 2004
last update by Jason Rodhouse - 24 Feb 2014
and by Mark Bearton - 09 Mar 2009
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Location notes
This location is on the West Coast main line approximately 4 miles west of Northampton.
It is on the two track 'main' section where the fast line diverges and by-passes the town rejoining the other slow tracks just south of Rugby. It is in a rural location with good views of the line both from a footbridge that spans the tracks and from the adjoining fields.
Railway type and traffic
The principal user of the line is Virgin West Coast for services from London Euston to West Midlands, Manchester, Liverpool, Holyhead, Carlisle and Glasgow. So mostly Pendolinos with the odd Voyager.
Freight generally will take the Northampton Loop, which you can see to the east across the fields, but might be routed this way as required.
The New Measurement train also makes a weekly run along the line.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Blisworth
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
The location is rural, set in fields, there are no amenities whatsoever, the nearest habitation is the village is Blisworth itself. Northampton is a large town, where you should find anything you might need, and is approximately 5 miles by road.
Road directions
From the M1, Junction 15:
Take the A508 towards Stony Stratford (south westerly direction). After approximately 1 mile take a right turn up an unclassified road heading for Blisworth. After a short while you will cross the main line and after approximately 200 yards on the right there is a track heading downhill towards a metal footbridge. This follows a row of trees along a field border,

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Blisworth map co-ordinates
Parking
There is an area of verge at entrance to the track where it is possible to park a car.
Occasionally contractors use this track to gain access to the lines so please don�t block the access to the track itself.
The lane down to the track is normally closed by a barrier. Sometimes, it is open, sometimes it is not. If it is closed, there is room to park a few cars off-road on the opposite side of the road.
Public transport
Stagecoach services 88/X88 operate hourly between Northampton and Blisworth village, alternate journeys extending to Bicester and Oxford.
Stagecoach service 89 also operates hourly from Northampton to Blisworth and continues on to Milton Keynes. It will be about a mile walk from the village to the location.

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Amenities
Blisworth has a village store and a couple of pubs.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Blisworth

Googly map
Streetmap links
Blisworth general view map
Blisworth close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Blisworth



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Railway Gen Group
Midlands Gen
Photographic notes
This location has had palisade fenceing erected along the lineside

For the locations preferred shot of northbound workings the light will be better from lunchtime onwards. The southbound working, from the southern side of the bridge, has been spoiled by a new signal placed a few meters away from the bridge. This only leaves a southbound shot from the north side of the bridge, which would only be well lit in the summer months before 09:00.
Nothing has been seen or heard that would make special problems for Videography.


General views - All photographs © John Patston unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north - Photo � Jason Rodhouse


Fig 1 - Looking north - <i>Photo © Jason Rodhouse</i>


Fig 2 - Looking east - Photo � Jason Rodhouse


Fig 2 - Looking east - <i>Photo © Jason Rodhouse</i>

From the footbridge.

Fig 2 - Looking east - Photo � Jason Rodhouse


Fig 2 - Looking east - <i>Photo © Jason Rodhouse</i>

From the footbridge

Fig 4 - Looking west - Photo � Jason Rodhouse


Fig 4 - Looking west - <i>Photo © Jason Rodhouse</i>

The addition of a new signal and S&T box has rendered this shot useless

Fig 5 - Looking north east



Fig 5 - Looking north east

This shot is no longer available due to palisade fencing.

Fig 6 - Looking north - Image � Marcus Dawson



Fig 6 - Looking north - <i>Image © Marcus Dawson</i>

This shot is no longer available due to palisade fencing.

Fig 7 - Looking north west - Image � Marcus Dawson



Fig 7 - Looking north west - <i> Image © Marcus Dawson</i>


Fig 8 - The Bridge



Fig 8 - The Bridge


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