Location notes
Just to the west of Heathrow airport Colnbrook is a small village to the south of Slough.
Railway type and traffic
This is a freight only line to the oil terminal at it's end.
There are a small number of freights that use the branch. Traction will often include EWS 60s or 66s, Freightliner 66s and Mendip 59s.
There are a small number of freights that use the branch. Traction will often include EWS 60s or 66s, Freightliner 66s and Mendip 59s.
Environment
An open road bridge just to the west of Heathrow airport, with the M25 between the two.
Road directions
From the M25, Junction 14:
Take the M4 westbound, observing the freight branch you will cross or pass !, and follow it to the next junction - Junction 5. From here take the 1st exit and double back along the A4. The location is about a mile and a half along the A4.
Colnbrook, A4 bridge map co-ordinates
Take the M4 westbound, observing the freight branch you will cross or pass !, and follow it to the next junction - Junction 5. From here take the 1st exit and double back along the A4. The location is about a mile and a half along the A4.
Colnbrook, A4 bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking is a bit of a problem here. There is no stopping on the A4 so you would be best to pull into the industrial park and walk back from there.
Also Heathrow Airport security have been know to stop and 'question' people with cameras in the area!
Also Heathrow Airport security have been know to stop and 'question' people with cameras in the area!
Public transport
London United Busways's bus service number, 81 operates in the area:
Bus 81 Slough - Langley - Colnbrook - London (Longford) - Cranford - Hounslow.
Bus 81 Slough - Langley - Colnbrook - London (Longford) - Cranford - Hounslow.
Amenities
There is a petrol station just to the west of the location.
Accommodation
Being in close proximity to Heathrow then there will be lots of hotels in the area, but all will be priced accordingly!
Where on the map
Sun Compass
Open this Image in a new window and use as a sun compass with the links below.
Streetmap links
Colnbrook, A4 bridge general view map
Colnbrook, A4 bridge close up map
Multimap links
Colnbrook, A4 bridge on new multimap
Colnbrook, A4 bridge general view map
Colnbrook, A4 bridge close up map
Colnbrook, A4 bridge aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Colnbrook, A4 bridge
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Both the oil terminal and the yard are a few hundred yards from the bridge so a telephoto lens is a must for parked trains.
The oil terminal is not long enough to accommodate full length trains so trains are split in the yard and reversed into the terminal. Accordingly on departure the trains need to be joined.
Given that the location is about a mile from HEathrow there is frequent noise from low flying aircraft. These can make nice additions to the sky in shots though!
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
The oil terminal is not long enough to accommodate full length trains so trains are split in the yard and reversed into the terminal. Accordingly on departure the trains need to be joined.
Given that the location is about a mile from HEathrow there is frequent noise from low flying aircraft. These can make nice additions to the sky in shots though!
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Offical Guidelines for Railway Enthusiasts
British Transport Police Guidelines for rail enthusiaist
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
Taken on a DSLR at 70mm.
Fig 2 - Looking south
Fig 3 - Looking south
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
