Barnes Level Crossings, Greater London

Borough: London Borough of Richmond-Upon-Thames

Date filmed: 05/03/2023
Video filmed between 16:05 and 16:41

Route(s): London Waterloo to Reading Line / Hounslow Loop Line
Barnes is the closest station for both.

Crossing type: Manually Controlled Barriers crossing with CCTV (MCB-CCTV)
Both crossings are of the same type.

A selection of late-afternoon trains are seen passing this pair of level crossings located opposite each other just after the Hounslow Loop Line splits off from the very busy London Waterloo to Reading Line at Barnes Station. The level crossings are separated by only 200 feet (60 metres), and it is fairly unusual to have two level crossings on the same stretch of road so close together. It's not unusual at all to have both closed at the same time, or be stopped by one and THEN the other. This is a good place to spend a while if you're a railway enthusiast, as there's never long to wait for a train and a good variety of trackside views to be had! The level crossing on the line towards Richmond is significantly busier than the one on the line towards Hounslow, and the latter has an abandoned British Railways signal box next to it, with a large abandoned railway goods shed between the two crossings also. Frequent aeroplanes using one of Heathrow Airport's busiest flight paths pass overhead and make quite a lot of noise at this otherwise quiet and peaceful location. Both level crossings are controlled and operated from Wimbledon.

As the South West Main Line was closed between Clapham Junction and Weybridge, main line services had to be diverted via Feltham on the day of filming. Most used the line towards Richmond, though some used the Hounslow Loop Line as a relief since the former was incredibly busy. A mixture of, suburban, commuter and long-distance South Coast services are seen. Rather amusingly, someone had written 'BMW...' on a sign in place to advise drivers against idling whilst waiting at the barriers, and this can be seen in the video. Enjoy!

Location: Vine Road, Barnes
Trains featured:
Intro - 0:00
Hounslow Line crossing Lowering 1 (0:51):
1) 2 Class 707s (South Western Railway) - 2:08
London Waterloo ➡ Woking

2) 2 Class 458s (South Western Railway) At Richmond Line Crossing - 2:47
Windsor & Eton Riverside ➡ London Waterloo

3) 2 Class 444s (South Western Railway) - 2:55
Weymouth ➡ London Waterloo (Via Feltham & Hounslow)
-
Richmond Line crossing lowering 1 (3:38):
3 Class 450s (South Western Railway) - 4:11
London Waterloo ➡ Portsmouth Harbour (Via Richmond & Feltham)
-
Richmond Line Crossing lowering 2 (4:51):
1) 2 Class 444s (South Western Railway) - 5:55
London Waterloo ➡ Weymouth (Via Richmond & Feltham)

2) 2 Class 455s (South Western Railway) - 6:18
Shepperton ➡ London Waterloo
-
2 Class 450s (South Western Railway) - 6:54
London Waterloo ➡ Ascot
-
Hounslow Line crossing lowering 2 (7:37):
2 Class 450s (South Western Railway) - 8:20
Woking (Cancelled from Portsmouth & Southsea) ➡ London Waterloo (Via Feltham & Hounslow)
-
Richmond Line crossing lowering 3 (9:02):
2 Class 444s (South Western Railway) - 9:57
London Waterloo ➡ Poole (Via Richmond & Feltham)
-
Richmond Line crossing lowering 4 (10:31):
1) 2 Class 455s (South Western Railway) - 11:02
London Waterloo ➡ Shepperton

2) 2 Class 450s (South Western Railway) - 11:28
Ascot ➡ London Waterloo
-
Richmond Line crossing lowering 5 (11:55):
2 Class 455s (South Western Railway) - 12:45
London Waterloo ➡ Windsor & Eton Riverside

Thanks for watching!