Location notes
Situated on the Channel Tunnel Rail link opposite the M2 crossing of the Medway river
Railway type and traffic
Currently the only traffic operating on the line is Eurostars although freight may feature in the future
Environment
Located in Kent near the city of Rochester there are plenty of vantage points to watch trains crossing the viaduct.
Road directions
From the M2 junction 3 (A229) follow the local signs to Wouldham. When you go underneath the CTRL there is a turning on your left, take it. Then the next left is a track that will lead you back up to the location.
Medway Viaduct, (Country end) map co-ordinates
Medway Viaduct, (Country end) map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking is available on the track leading to the locations
Amenities
There are no facilities in the immediate vicinity but the city of Rochester is a few minutes drive away
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
Medway Viaduct, (Country end) general view map
Medway Viaduct, (Country end) close up map
Multimap links
Medway Viaduct, (Country end) on new multimap
Medway Viaduct, (Country end) general view map
Medway Viaduct, (Country end) close up map
Medway Viaduct, (Country end) aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Medway Viaduct, (Country end)
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The CTRL is a high speed line so it's very unlikely that you will get anything slow moving on the line. High shutter speeds are a must. Also digital camera users with shutter lag beware - the train will have travelled a coach length in the time it takes to take a picture!
Another location, not described here, can be seen at The North Downs Way, Cuxton to Boxley fotopic site. This site describes a walk and this view is taken from much further away giving a much better overall impression of the viaduct. I guess this shot was taken from here.
If you want to see Eurostars at anything approaching 300 km/h, then either end of the CTRL is not really the place.
In the down direction, the first time you can get above about 280 km/h is as you emerge from the Tunnel from where it is that sort of speed until you hit the loops next to the M20 a few miles out from Ashford, when line speed goes down to 270 km/h. If you concentrate your efforts within a couple of miles of the motorway services at Bearsted, then even the trains that have stopped at Ashford should be back up to near enough full speed.
Many thanks to Nev Arthur - Eurostar Driver for the above comment.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Another location, not described here, can be seen at The North Downs Way, Cuxton to Boxley fotopic site. This site describes a walk and this view is taken from much further away giving a much better overall impression of the viaduct. I guess this shot was taken from here.
If you want to see Eurostars at anything approaching 300 km/h, then either end of the CTRL is not really the place.
In the down direction, the first time you can get above about 280 km/h is as you emerge from the Tunnel from where it is that sort of speed until you hit the loops next to the M20 a few miles out from Ashford, when line speed goes down to 270 km/h. If you concentrate your efforts within a couple of miles of the motorway services at Bearsted, then even the trains that have stopped at Ashford should be back up to near enough full speed.
Many thanks to Nev Arthur - Eurostar Driver for the above comment.
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
The CTRL Link - The Medway Viaduct
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Close up
From the top of the road track you can see the end of the viaduct
Fig 2 - Wide
Continuing along the track side there is a small mound that brings you up to track level….
Fig 3 - Close up
… or with steps you can get close again, the fence is protected there is barbed wire along the top.
Fig 4 - Close up
The reverse angle shows to good effect the roller coaster gradients employed on the CTRL. To get this shot you will need steps to gain height against the security fence.
Fig 5 - Viaduct wide shot
Probably a little to low for trains on the opposite side, but this angle shows the viaduct off nicely
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.
