Written by Marcus Dawson - 31 Aug 2004
Location notes
A low viaduct across the River Esk just north of Carlisle Kingmoor and to the south of the Scottish border.
Railway type and traffic
Anglo Scottish WCML traffic.
Virgin West Coast and Cross Country services, mostly Pendolionos and Voyagers but some loco hauled workings remain. Plenty of freight from EWS, Freightliner and DRS (DRS Kingmoor depot is a short distance to the south).
Environment
Open fields with very little shelter.
Road directions
Signposted off the A74. The sign is very close to the northbound turning so be alert, if you cross the river you have gone to far. From the south the turning is just after the river Esk bridge.

Once you have turned off the A74 park up near the Metal Bridge Public house. There is a public foot path leading from the back of the pub car park to the location. It can get very overgrown, not a great walk for someone in shorts!

Carlisle, Metal Bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
At the Metal Bridge public house.
Amenities
The location is a few hundred yards from the Metal Bridge pub.
Accommodation
The Metal Bridge Inn
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
Carlisle, Metal Bridge general view map
Carlisle, Metal Bridge close up map

Multimap links
Carlisle, Metal Bridge on new multimap
Carlisle, Metal Bridge general view map
Carlisle, Metal Bridge close up map
Carlisle, Metal Bridge aerial view (where available)

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Carlisle, Metal Bridge
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.

Helpful location information
Weather forecast
Railway Gen Group
North West Gen
Photographic notes
The embankment offers a good unrestricted view of the side of train in either direction, but being a flood plain it can get quite muddy. The bridge has a reasonable low parapet so no steps are required to get a view across the top and the steps offer height differentials for northbound workings head on or south bound round the edge of the parapet.
The early morning suits west facing side shots, with the sun moving to the southbound "on the nose shot around 10-12. After that it will move to the west side 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.
Links to photographs at this location
Rail-net GWRB tour 2004 - Tractor chasing
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north

From the bridge steps

Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north

Over the top of the bridge.

Fig 3 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking north

From the western riverbank

Fig 4 - Looking south


Fig 4 - Looking south

Directly down the WCML looking towards Carlisle

Fig 5 - Looking south



Fig 5 - Looking south


Fig 6 - Looking north



Fig 6 - Looking north

From the eastern river bank

Fig 7 - Looking west



Fig 7 - Looking west

A general view of the viaduct form the eastern riverbank

Fig 8 - General view of the bridge



Fig 8 - General view of the bridge


Disclaimer
Back to the top

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.