Stow Bardolph Level Crossing, Norfolk

Date filmed: 14/07/2020
Route: The Fen Line
Between Downham Market and Watlington Stations
Location: West Head Road, Stowbridge
Trains: Class 387 (Great Northern) - 2:00
The description below is partially out-dated as this level crossing received new LED lights over the Christmas Period of 2024.
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A level crossing located between the settlements of Stow Bardolph and Stowbridge, within the Fens of Norfolk, next to the long-closed Stow Bardolph Station, of which a Victorian station building (dated 1846) is all that remains. This level crossing retains a total of five sets of rare halogen lights to the day of recording, and all of which, apart from the one extra set of lights for the access road to a property, have long shades for the red lights. Two of these lights on one side of the level crossing are incredibly high up as to be seen coming over a humped bridge that crosses over the River Great Ouse located a very short distance from the level crossing. There are original 1990s Smiths Industries barriers at this level crossing too, one of which has an arm fitted the incorrect way around, and another grinds and squeals very loudly as it lowers. This level crossing has remained completely unchanged for many years, and the extra-tall lights here, coupled in with the station building, make it a very unique level crossing, in a very nice location too. The only issue here is the lack of trains, as only a total of two pass within an hour.
A far-back view of the entire level crossing sequence from start to finish is the viewpoint of this video.
Thanks for watching!

[@theuklevelcrossings-channe4454]

Amazing filmmaking! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thanks a lot! Glad you enjoyed the video! 👍👍😁

[@freebrickproductions]

Great video and crossing! Love the long visors they have as well! Also love how y'all consider just 2 trains an hour to be a "lack of trains", while, over here in the US, two trains an hour would mean for a fairly busy line!

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thanks! These long shades really complement the crossing well! I just don't get why only an hourly service serves a place as major as King's Lynn of all places lol

[@thewiltshiretrainspotter]

Cool video! A very strange level crossing indeed!! I am going to see a steam railtour at Westbury tomorrow, sadly I couldn't go on as standard class was fully booked 🙄 but I will hopefully get some great videos of it!!

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thank you! This crossing's certainly unique, and that's cool! 👍👍

[@trainsdu4940]

The wigwags was pretty high, halogen lights (very rare in 2020), two of these barriers are making a lot of noise, and long shades over the red lights (I don't know if these kind of shades can be seen over the amber light); quite an unique crossing ;)
And 387 at high speed, love it ^^
Liked, subscribed.

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thanks so much for liking and subscribing! 👍😁
This is a very interesting crossing, and the long shades do only cover the red lights.

[@craigdoig9486]

Thinking Downham Market or some where like that controls the crossing

[@NELincsTransport]

Great video

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thank you! 😁

[@lctrains6768]

Nice vid

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thanks! 👍😎

[@LiftEnthusiast2020OFFTOPIC]

😎👍🏻 Awesome crossing. How long until this gets LEDs?

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thanks! Yes it's a very nice crossing! There is currently no date for a lights upgrade.

[@nathansrailwayphotography8125]

Great video

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

👍👍