Rare Barriers & Bells at Ashwell Gatehouse Level Crossing, Rutland

Описание: Date filmed: Wednesday the 24th of September 2025
Videos filmed between 18:27 and 18:56

Route: Leicester to Peterborough Line
Between Melton Mowbray (MMO) and Oakham (OKM) Stations

Crossing type: Manually Controlled Barrier crossing Remotely-monitored (MCBR)

Filming location: Langham Road, Ashwell (LE15 7LN)

A retro and unusual level crossing located in the village of Ashwell, Rutland, on a very quiet road. It is one of just ten (now eight as of when this video goes live) level crossings remaining nationwide to still have the 'British Rail Western Region' (BRWR) barriers, although the ones here lower silently and only make their characteristic motor noise as they raise. They've also got the classic red 'stop' roundels on them still, something very unusual to see. Nearby Ashwell Signal Box supervises this level crossing, and the barriers most likely spend more time lowered than raised, so users requiring to cross can ask for the barriers to be raised via a plunger on either side. Should a train approach, a light-up sign saying 'train coming' will illuminate until the barriers can be raised. When the barriers lower again, two loud bells will ring, a nice change from electronic alarms! There are no warning lights here for either road users or pedestrians, and the only visual clue the barriers are about to drop is when the boom lights activate at the same time the bells do.

These videos were filmed around sunset, and absolutely nothing else passed me in my time here. It seems as though the signaller decided to raise the barriers every time just in case I wished to cross, even raising them before the plunger could be pressed second time round, and also when I didn't need to cross third time round. Also note one of the barriers dropping ever so slightly to the point where the motor needed to re-raise it.

This will be my last 'normal' upload of 2025, and I hope you'll agree it's a good one. I hope to see some of you for the premiere of my end-of-year special tomorrow!

Trains featured:
Request to raise - 0:00
Barrier dropping & being corrected - 1:26
-
Lowering 1 (1:59):
170 618 (Cross Country) - 3:50
1L50 Birmingham New Street ➡ Stanstead Airport | On-time
-
Lowering 2 (4:53):
69 003 (GB Railfreight) & Engineers' train - 6:05
6L15 Toton North Yard ➡ Whitemoor Yard L.D.C. GBRf | 5 minutes early
-
End-of-video picture showcase: 7:12

Train details sourced from:
Real Time Trains: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sear...

Filmed on: Panasonic HC-VX1 in 4K, 25fps

Thanks for watching!