The Great Britain X - 29/04/17 to 07/05/17

great. Thanks

 

Can anyone with knowledge of the Durham area suggest some good video shots between Tursdale Jn and the southern outskirts of Newcastle, please? I'm looking for something fairly side-on, to minimise the effect of the overhead wires. Also somewher that has fairly easy access from/to the A1M. From the map, Sunderland Bridge (over the R. Wear) looks promising, perhaps from the bridleway on the north side of the river. Any good? Alternatives? My previous shot is likely to be around Bradbury / Mordon, which I've done a few times before. After that it will be Beal / Cheswick for a view with Lindesfarne in the background

@guycarr360 ? @The Black Hat ? @henrywinskill ?

Thanks in advance

 

Hi Mark I would suggest Croxdale Viaduct just north of Sunderland Bridge Footpath goes underneath to west side Its visible for about 50 yds after viaduct finishes Good luck

 

Croxdale viaduct is quite far from the A1, and like me if your looking to chase then it could mean that you have a detour for that one shot.

Some suggestions for you could be to start at Brafferton, then its northwards for Bradbury, and after that, as the train skirts into Durham, Id suggest maybe either Plawsworth just south of Chester-le-Street, or depending on traffic, Newcastle for the bridges. Then like you, its a charge up the Northumberland coast.

How far are you chasing the tour?

 

Mark is a video man Brafferton is quite overgrown and Plawsworth is only good southbound

 

All true. Theres Ricknall Grange which is ok for north bound and the shot off the bridge for the A1, but you probably wont make Bradbury. There's Hett area or Croxdale near the bridges, but that really takes you away from the A1, unless you plan on going via the side of Durham and come back on at Chester-Le-Street.

 

Thanks chaps. Croxdale sounds good, especially if the leaves aren't out too much yet up there (though Oxfordshire is greening rapidly - you can see the change day-to-day)

The whole way! It's my annual holiday. There's three of us traveling in 2 cars and 1 "golden" priv ticket. 10th time we've done this. Look out for a silver Skoda Fabia and a crimson Renault Scenic.

Bradbury will be my first shot of 60009. From there to Croxdale, is it worth going up the A1M 1 junction, or better to go up the A167? Looks like it's reasonable road to the west of Ferryhill. After Croxdale, I guess it's better to go south, east and north to J61 (it's not more than about 5 miles, is it?) rather than picking one's way through Durham at 5pm on a Saturday.

 

Hi Mark
A167 best route to Croxdale from South,(Durham services) I wouldnt go to jn 63 from Croxdale as loads of lights,head back towards Hett brings you out at Durham Services jn (might be j61) A1 again

 

Hope to see you somewhere along the road, Henry.

 

For somewhere different, if you park up at Tursdale, having turned right into the little trading estate (Tursdale Business Park) off the A688 as you head towards Spennymoor from J61 (Durham services/Bowburn) but immediately go left after coming off the A688 and follow the track round to the south of the trading estate, there's a footpath that goes over a stile, ( at 54° 42’ 55.05”N, 001° 32’ 02.97” W, according to Google Earth) , crosses the Leamside alignment then heads towards Tursdale Junction, between the Leamside and the ECML. It then drops down and bears right under the ECML, next to a beck. You can make your way along it, following the path round the field, until you're far enough away from the ECML for your needs.

 

It is indeed J61

 

Thanks Mark - up towards Broom Hill Farm? Is the lineside fairly clear along there? I'd spotted that on the map, and thought about approaching it from the minor road to the west, via the footpath through the farmyard. No 9 should be working nicely, accelerating away from the loop, though I think it's downhill there.

 

Post 178 updated with day 7 from Grange to Bristol.

James

 

Yes, it's a nice walk, either way you do it. The lineside was pretty clear the last time I was along there, last year. You're right about the gradient falling for northbound trains there, but she will be getting up to line speed as quickly as possible I would think, so she should be working well, although not 'against the collar', as it were. If you go towards and past Hett from that farm, there are some nice vantage points looking into the cutting along there, but obviously that's not what you're looking for on this occasion.

Sadly I'm going to miss this - I'll be arriving at a Norwegian port about the time she's due past. Pity, as it's not a long walk for me to get to Tursdale Junction from home - just down the Leamside formation for a mile or so...

 

Edit: Will repost in the morning!

 

Yes as usual see you somewhere

 

A spot I have looked at many times is in the Estate at Hilda Park, that gives you an uninterrupted view of the viaduct at Chester le Street, have never seen it done either.

Also, you can get really close to the viaduct on the North Side, East side, for a great view as it comes across the viaduct.

Again have never seen that one tried either.

A great southbound one, is just behind meadowfield industrial estate, where you will get a long view, as it heads towards you, and then curves off away, have not scouted that one fully yet.

Any questions just message me, could probably meet you if required, and maybe take a test shot in Hilda Park if you want.

Good Luck!!!

 

That does look interesting Guy, cheers