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Written by Jonathan Lewis - 03 Nov 2006
last update by Justin Buckley - 16 Dec 2007
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Location notes
Coedkernew is a line-side road bridge on the busy section of the South Wales mainline between Newport and Cardiff.
Railway type and traffic
Regular units of any class and HSTs operated by Central Trains, First Greet Western, Virgin Trains and mainly Arriva Trains Wales. Arriva Trains Wales sometimes put on loco hauled extras for events at Cardiff (on these days the location may be busy with a current record of over 20 people at the bridge at the same time!)
Freight here is fairly busy and is mainly operated by DB Schenker and includes Steel, Coal, Oil, Scrap (with 66s and 60s) and also a few Freightliner trains a day.
Environment
The location is on a quiet lightly used road bridge.
Road directions
Take the A48 from Newport and head take a half abandoned dual carriageway (leaving to a disused new factory) to the south near Duffryn and pass a golf course before arriving at the bridge.
See map for exact location

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Coedkernew map co-ordinates
Parking
It is possible to park in a few places close to the bridge including on the west side of the bridge but do not park anywhere which will be a photo spot.
Parking is also possible to each side of the bridge. Please do not block entrances to the fields and you may be asked to move. Also on days of events at Cardiff with extra loco hauled services this location can get very busy so to get the best parking spots arrive early.
Public transport
Newport Bus service 31C, which runs every 2 hours Mon-Sat, passes close by this location.
Alight at the end of Hawse lane, shortly after passing through the village of St Brides. You will pass a garden centre on the right, which has a tank, yes, a tank!, in the car park - the road is about 200 yds after this on the right. It is then approximately a 10 to 15 minute walk up Hawse Lane to the bridge over the line.
If you are buying a rail ticket to Newport ask for a PlusBus ticket, which costs �2 extra and adds bus travel all around the Newport area - see here for details: Plus Bus Website.
Return bought on the bus is �2.15, or �2.50 for a day ticket. (prices at time of writing)

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Amenities
Nothing in walking distance to the bridge nearest shops in the Newport area.
Accommodation
There will be accomdation in both Newport and Cardiff.
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.
Coedkernew

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

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Coedkernew



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Railway Gen Group
Rail Gen South Wales
Photographic notes
Line NE-SW so sun on the front of eastbounds early in morning and on the front of westbounds from mid morning to mid afternoon when the sun will move onto the other side. Freight normally uses the freight lines which are to the south of the passenger lines. Photos possible with the sun on the side (until it moves round) of trains on any line.


General views - All photographs © Jonathan Lewis unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east


Fig 1 - Looking north east


Fig 2 - Looking south west


Fig 2 - Looking south west


Fig 3 - Looking south west


Fig 3 - Looking south west


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