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Written by Keith Halton - 30 Sep 2013
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Location notes
A road overbrige or field location on the Great Eastern Main Line a few miles south of Ipswich.
Railway type and traffic
Express passenger service between London and East Anglia, also freightliners to/from the port of Felixstowe.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Belstead Bank, GEML
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
Depending on the location you are either on a minor road bridge over the railway or in fields close to the bridge.
Road directions
From the A14, Junction 56:
Follow the A137 south for about a mile. You will pass some large radio aerials on your right. When you come to a staggered cross roads take the right turn, signed to Belstead and Pinewood. Continue up this road for about another mile and you will reach the road bridge.

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Belstead Bank, GEML map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a small lay by just to east of bridge where you could tuck your car in. You could also on bridge, but there is only a little room there.
Be considerate, and aware, that large farm vehicles use this road.
Public transport
This would require a long walk from the nearest

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Amenities
Nothing available at the location.
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.
Belstead Bank, GEML

Googly map
Streetmap links
Belstead Bank, GEML general view map
Belstead Bank, GEML close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Belstead Bank, GEML



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Railway Gen Group
Anglia Gen
Photographic notes
For southbound trains, from the bridge itself. Need to choose position to minimise effect of OHL. Possibilities from both sides of line.
Also, from public footpath or field edge north of the overbridge. Public footpath starts about 100 yards west of bridge and runs along unsurfaced farm track. After 300 yards it crosses another public footpath which runs across the field to the railway, and crosses the line on a footpath. Depending on the state of crops, there are various possibilities from the path, and also along the fence line.
Warning: Do not stand inside the railway fence at the crossing. If crossing the line take great care. This is a 100 mph line with limited visibility at the crossing.
There are also possibilities from the edge of the field on the east side, depending on the state of the field.
The line is in a shallow cutting and folding steps are an advantage.
The sun is on the east side until mid afternoon. Best time for photography on west side is therefore later afternoon or summer evenings.
An alternative stretch of line is accessible via a footpath which leaves the road about 450 yards east of the overbridge, at the corner of a wood. There is space for a couple of cars at the starting point of the path. The path follows the edge of the wood, to the next overbridge south, which is a half mile walk. There is a possibility for a southbound photo here from west side of line. For northbound trains, go along the field edge southwards from this bridge.
At all these locations, vegetation can be a problem between May and November.


General views - All photographs © Keith Halton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


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