Location notes
East Lancashire Railway - ELR
Townsendfold is on the outskirts of Rawtenstall (the northern most point of the ELR). Trains take only about 2 minutes to reach there from Rawtenstall (Southbound) and no more than 3 minutes from Irwell Vale (Northbound).
Townsendfold is on the outskirts of Rawtenstall (the northern most point of the ELR). Trains take only about 2 minutes to reach there from Rawtenstall (Southbound) and no more than 3 minutes from Irwell Vale (Northbound).
Railway type and traffic
The East Lancashire Railway is a Heritage line. Most traffic is confined to Saturday and Sunday although the line does operate a summer timetable which includes running on some weekdays. For timetable and special events details look at the ELR Website.
Environment
Duckworth Lane Crossing is a foot / farm (not used) crossing just south of the main Townsendfold crossing. If it’s a wet day or has been raining the terrain, although a footpath, it may be a bit muddy. Some of the best shots are from the crossing but on the trackside - if you’re going to go trackside wear high visibility clothing, keep your wits about you and acknowledge the train.
Accessing trackside is technically trespass and therefore done at your own risk. Neither Trainspots or the author accept responsibility for your actions or the consequences of them.
Accessing trackside is technically trespass and therefore done at your own risk. Neither Trainspots or the author accept responsibility for your actions or the consequences of them.
Road directions
Follow directions for Townsendfold Once parked, walk south (away from signal box following the line) through the grounds and to the right of K-Steels then follow the path left to the railway crossing. It will take 5 minutes or so.
ELR,Townsendfold (Duckworth Lane Crossing) map co-ordinates
ELR,Townsendfold (Duckworth Lane Crossing) map co-ordinates
Parking
Do not park in either the K-Steels or Rossendale Combining car parks as you might just get locked in!!
During The week parking may be limited by HGVs although using a bit of common sense there isn’t usually a problem. Weekends are usually fine.
During The week parking may be limited by HGVs although using a bit of common sense there isn’t usually a problem. Weekends are usually fine.
Public transport
Local bus services from Rawtenstall to Bury or Bolton (ask for the stop before the Whitchaff Inn pub) also probably only a £3.00 journey by taxi from Asda in Rawtenstall or walk able in about 25 minutes from Rawtenstall either by road or via the River trail.
Amenities
Local Pub, The Whitchaff Inn on the Main Road. No other shops or amenities.
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
ELR,Townsendfold (Duckworth Lane Crossing) general view map
ELR,Townsendfold (Duckworth Lane Crossing) close up map
Multimap links
ELR,Townsendfold (Duckworth Lane Crossing) on new multimap
ELR,Townsendfold (Duckworth Lane Crossing) general view map
ELR,Townsendfold (Duckworth Lane Crossing) close up map
ELR,Townsendfold (Duckworth Lane Crossing) aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
ELR,Townsendfold (Duckworth Lane Crossing)
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Photographic notes
Good shots in both directions here and pretty good for videoing Southbound (to Bury) trains. Some of the best shots are not from the crossing but on the trackside - if you’re going to go trackside wear high visibility clothing, keep your wits about you and acknowledge the train where possible. It is worth noting that Southbound (to Bury) trains are usually under power but will be coasting Northbound (to Rawtenstall).
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
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.
Links to photographs at this location
General views - All photographs © Andy Slater unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking north
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.
