New here- Watching trains around Manchester?

[750XL]

Hi all, first post here so be nice

Maybe a bit of an odd post but here goes.

I live around the Manchester area and work a lot of early shifts, and often find myself bored in the early hours of the morning when I cannot sleep so often set off in the car for a drive around listening to music etc.

I'd be interested to know if there are any locations in/around the Greater Manchester area that offer views of the tracks from my car? I know nothing about railways, but find it interesting seeing trains on the few times I ever get near a station/track.

I'm guessing due to the time (between 0000-0400) it'd have to be near a fairly busy line to actually see anything. I've parked up at Hale train station crossings a few times before and seen some stuff pass.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Condor7]

I am not familiar with Manchester so not much help, but I do remember a car park near the MEN centre that over looks the railway. It is a maned car park during the day where you have to pay, but I have no idea if it is open at night and if you still have to pay.

The problem you will have is seeing anything in the dark, freight trains will be almost impossible to see, and the few passenger trains will just be a flash of lights.

So finding somewhere that is lit, and visible from a car is not going to be easy, but I hope others who know the area may be able to help.

Welcome to the hobby anyway, and I hope you find somewhere.

 

[copernicium112]

The Stockport Stalybridge line is abundant in freight, you might be able to see whats there?

 

[Ash Bridge]

The Stockport Stalybridge line is abundant in freight, you might be able to see whats there?

I totally agree with you're advice about the freight traffic on this route these days, the only thing is that there's so much lineside foliage which has grown unchecked alongside the line over recent years which makes it difficult to recommend a vantage point (especially from a car) of which there used to be many, mostly a green tunnel route these days sadly.

 

[northwichcat]

Real Time Trains is a useful site to show what movements take place.

For instance at Hale (which you mentioned) between 00:01 and 04:00 it shows 4 booked freight paths, an ATW service which runs non-stop via Hale so that ATW drivers retain knowledge of working the line to cover diversions and a Northern empty stock movement.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/HAL/2016/07/26/0001-0400?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

[JohnB57]

Deleted...

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Somewhat to the west of Manchester itself, but definitely in Greater Manchester, you will find the West Coast Mainline (WCML) which is the main Anglo-Scottish artery for railfreight and even today still reasonably busy with such traffic. There are various possibilities for roadside trainwatching. The A573 in and to the north of Golborne is almost adjacent to the line and various side roads would allow you to park up safely though bear in mind the proximity of residential properties. Further north on the southern outskirts of Wigan is Taylors Lane. Maps show it as stopping short on the eastern side of the line but in fact it continues westwards across the line, providing road access to nearby fishponds, and immediately to the west of the bridge, on the northern side, is a gated access point to Springs Branch Junction. Back in the day anybody could drive down to the junction itself but now, provided Network Rail aren't using the access point for its intended purpose, you could park in the gateway itself and have a decent enough view. Would strongly suggest using Streetview as a preview facility before venturing out.

As for traffic a check on Real Time Trains for Golborne Junction tomorrow 0001-0400 reveals quite a long list of trains. Even if none of the "Q" workings run (I would guess a couple may) that still leaves 15 trains including ordinary passenger services, Caledonian Sleeper trains and various freights.

The important thing to remember of course is that unlike main roads railways are not lit at night (yes I know, stating the obvious!) so you need to make the best of any available light. This does not include using your car's headlights as illumination!

HTIOI

 

[750XL]

Many thanks for the kind replies and useful information, which is all brand new to me as somebody who knows absolutely nothing about railways

I'm not fussed about seeing 'too much' in the grand scheme of things, and this entire thread probably seems a little odd for most! But I do find it strangely relaxing to park up in the early hours of the morning and just relax to a bit of music whilst the world sleeps. I went out the other night and found that Asda at Longsight offers a nice view of the track next to the car park, but I'm not too sure how busy this is during the night. I didn't see anything in the hour or so I was there.

https://goo.gl/maps/cwMCdPs2rVS2

Once again I appreciate the replies.

 

[copernicium112]

Actually, I'd forgotten that, yes it is a good place very busy. It's actually just round the corner from where I live!

 

[750XL]

Just another little update Went for a drive last night and found a nice view overlooking the WCML near Warrington, on Old Alder Lane.

https://goo.gl/maps/LUqJ7mPKs7k

Very quiet road but had the same 4x4 pickup truck pass me a few times rather suspiciously, followed 10minutes later by a police van asking what I was up to and asking if I'd move on... :roll:

Not quite sure what's going on there, but there you go!

 

[telstarbox]

I don't know the area but sadly it could be a suicide hotspot.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Just another little update Went for a drive last night and found a nice view overlooking the WCML near Warrington, on Old Alder Lane.

https://goo.gl/maps/LUqJ7mPKs7k

Very quiet road but had the same 4x4 pickup truck pass me a few times rather suspiciously, followed 10minutes later by a police van asking what I was up to and asking if I'd move on... :roll:

Not quite sure what's going on there, but there you go!

Hello, and welcome to the forum,
I've done some photography at this spot back in the seventies (around 1974) when the WC Mainline was newly electrified, it was a great vantage point but equally a very remote spot back then so l could imagine that telstarbox is not wide of the mark with his comment.

I think this known as Winwick Junc. and if you view the attached image look at the top slightly to the right and there is a line of poplar trees visible, these I'm sure were located alongside the former Vulcan Foundry Locomotive Plant which amongst other things produced some of our finest locomotives, did someone mention Deltics?

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

I don't know the area but sadly it could be a suicide hotspot.

Actually a crime hotspot, in particular cable theft. So much so that internal railway notices included an instruction to traincrew to be aware of suspicious lineside activity. So the police request, though disappointing, is understandable.

 

[750XL]

Actually a crime hotspot, in particular cable theft. So much so that internal railway notices included an instruction to traincrew to be aware of suspicious lineside activity. So the police request, though disappointing, is understandable.

Thanks for the reply, interesting to know

Obviously I moved, but legally speaking, I'm not sure the police have much authority to move somebody legally parked up on the side of the road sat inside their vehicle as long as no crime is being committed?