Location notes
A pretty much forgotten bridge over the EMCL joining some very overgrown footpaths between Todds Green and Stevenage.
Railway type and traffic
Standard ECML fare. NXEC Class 91s+MkIV sets and HSTs, FCC 365, 317 and the odd 313, Hull Trains Pioneers, Grand Central HSTs.
There is a small amount of freight, but this is irregular.
There is a small amount of freight, but this is irregular.
Environment
The footbridge is in a very quiet area, judging by the state of the foot paths to the bridge they are very overgrown and little used. It is not a recommended location to walk to in shorts (as I discovered one summers day!).
Road directions
From the A1(M), Junction 8:
Take the exit for Little Wymondyley and then take the next left towards Todds Green.
Option 1:
Follow the road under the bypass bridge and when the road bends to the right turn into the turning on the left and park here.
From here follow the public footpath (honest it's there!) across the horse field and then keeping the wire fence on left follow it round through the woods to the location.
Option 2:
Directly after the left hand turn, to Todds Green, is a farmers road, with gate, park here being careful not to block access.
Then follow the farm track down into the fields, when you reach the end of the track you should be able to see the East Coast Main Line and the bridge across the field and to your right.
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage map co-ordinates
Take the exit for Little Wymondyley and then take the next left towards Todds Green.
Option 1:
Follow the road under the bypass bridge and when the road bends to the right turn into the turning on the left and park here.
From here follow the public footpath (honest it's there!) across the horse field and then keeping the wire fence on left follow it round through the woods to the location.
Option 2:
Directly after the left hand turn, to Todds Green, is a farmers road, with gate, park here being careful not to block access.
Then follow the farm track down into the fields, when you reach the end of the track you should be able to see the East Coast Main Line and the bridge across the field and to your right.
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage map co-ordinates
Parking
Depending on which way you approach the location there is a few off road parking spots, but you will be a good few minutes walk from your car. See the road directions for more details.
Public transport
There is a bus stop on the Little Wymondley Road,
The routes 80 or 101, which can be found here, call at Little Wymondley and should provide access to the locaiton.
Amenities
There is nothing at the location. There is a Sainsburys about a mile and a half away on the other side of the A1(M). That aside Stevenage town center has anything you would probably need.
Accommodation
There are plenty of Hotels and B&Bs in Stevanege.
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
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage general view map
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage close up map
Multimap links
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage on new multimap
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage general view map
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage close up map
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Half Penny Bridge, Stevenage
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
This is pretty much only a southbound/looking north shot. The shot of northbound workings is, in my opinion, far too tight.
The location is also more preferable for mornings as by mid day the sun will be round to the west of the line.
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 location is also more preferable for mornings as by mid day the sun will be round to the west of the line.
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 north east
Taken at 08:15 a south bound working on the fast line.
Fig 2 - Looking north east
A wider shot moments after fig 1. This view shows the proximity of the OLE masts.
Fig 3 - Looking north east
From ground level, this view shows a southbound fast working.
Fig 4 - Looking north east
A northbound working on the slow road.
Fig 5 - Looking north east
From a similar position to fig 3 but a wide angle to show the OLE masts.
Fig 6 - Looking south west
A northbound working on the fast road. This view show the 'tightness' caused by the bridge supports and OLE masts, making north bound shots 'difficult'
Fig 7 - The location
A view of the bridge steps, the encroaching vegitation shows the general state of the area.
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.
