Crossing guides, explainers & county tours

SEO-friendly articles about Britain's level crossings, written with the same obsessive detail Oliver brings to his inspections.

Guides

Class 66 vs Class 88: Which UK Locomotive Should You Spot?

16 April 2026
Guides

Level Crossing Safety: The Facts, The Risks, and What Drivers Must Know

Level crossings are the biggest single safety risk on the UK rail network — and most drivers don't know the rules. Oliver breaks down the statistics, the Highway Code (rules 291–299), what to do if you get stuck on a crossing, and where this is all heading.

8 April 2026
heritage

Best Places to See the Tesco Train in the UK

Discover the best locations to spot the Tesco Express freight train across the UK. From Daventry to Carlisle, Oliver reveals the top spotting locations for train enthusiasts.

5 April 2026
heritage

Britain's Most Historic Level Crossings: A Journey Through Railway Heritage

From Victorian hand-operated wooden gates to preserved heritage railways, Britain has a treasure trail of historic level crossings. Discover Howsham Gates, the Kent & East Sussex Railway, Grain Crossing, and more.

2 April 2026
Crossing Types

The Complete Beginner's Guide to UK Level Crossing Types

From automatic half barriers to CCTV-monitored crossings, Britain has six main types of level crossings. Oliver the Inspector explains each type in a way anyone can understand — with real examples from his inspections!

1 April 2026
local-guides

Level Crossings in Norfolk — A Complete Guide for Railway Enthusiasts & Families

Norfolk hosts some of the UK's most diverse level crossings — from working heritage MCBs on the Mid-Norfolk Railway to the historic Sheringham AOCL connection. Here's your complete guide to finding and visiting them.

2 March 2026
County Guides

Level Crossings in Suffolk: A County Guide

From the busy Great Eastern Main Line to the quiet branch lines of rural Suffolk, this county has some of the most characterful crossings in East Anglia.

2 March 2026
Crossing Types

What Are Manually Controlled Barriers? MCB Crossings Explained

Full barriers, controlled by a signaller. MCB crossings are the gold standard for barrier action — here's everything you need to know.

2 March 2026
Crossing Types

Automatic Half Barriers Explained: How AHB Crossings Work

The most common type of level crossing in Britain. How automatic half barriers work, why they only cover half the road, and what makes a good one.

2 March 2026
Guides

Understanding the 35-Point Scoring System

How does Oliver score each crossing? A deep dive into the Alarm, Action, and Train categories, plus how bonus points work.

2 March 2026