I am aware that this location is known by a number of names and none too easy to find so I thought I'd put this piece in to help anyone thinking of an expedition in that direction. Essentially, I am talking about the first road bridge north of Clay Cross Junction on the MML, about 5 miles south of Chesterfield.

Plus points:

1) Four tracks with most freight on the slow lines. Nearly all Up freights stop at or pass at slow speed the signals just north of the bridge and Down freight is still accelerating away from Clay Cross.

2) Good variety of freight traffic and motive power. Both FLHH and EWS coal, NE-SW Steel flows, a couple of Liners, cement and stone. Also a range of 'odd' trains, usually from Toton/Derby or stuff that they don't want littering up the ECML or WCML. Near to Barrow Hill so Harry Needle stuff about at times too.

3) Mindnumbingly boring though modern passenger trains may be, you do get a good variety - Voyagers, MML and 'Rio' HST's and all classes of MML and Central units.

4) You can park right on the bridge. Good chip shop and Mace shop a few hundred yards up the road.

5) Low bridge parapet on the north side.

6) Excellent vista northwards - couple of miles of straightish track with only a slight bend.

Negative points:

1) Traffic is very variable (where isn't it?) and there is often a 'dead spot' in the mid afternoon.

2) The road, although only a minor one, is very busy and the pavement is narrow.

3) High bridge parapet to the south but workable if you are not too short.

4) Not a brilliant viewpoint to the south. Tighter curve and you have to be quick on your feet sometimes.

5) Sewage farm 150 yards away!

If you'd like to get some idea of what's on offer, then my little brother has posted some of his photos taken here. They are:
1) 43095 on a northbound MML HST looking north.
2) 56038 at the signals on the Up Slow.
3) 37428 on the 'Royal Scotsman' stock on the Down Main looking south.
4) 47786 on a northbound rake of scrap Mk2's on the Down Slow - one of the 'odd' trains.