Suggestions for upcoming trip to Manchester?

[GrahamD83]

I am visiting Manchester on 13th July, arriving and departing from Victoria on TPE. I also plan to visit Piccadilly and Oxford Road.

I would welcome any advice from anyone who has experience of trainspotting at these stations, e.g. are there ticket barriers/permission requirements and best vantage points etc. I am not taking cameras or tripods. Also are the three stations walking distance from each other?

Thanks in advance.

 

[shredder1]

A free bus service operates between all stations, they are barriered however, but you vcould buy a return from Victoria to Piccadilly Via Oxford Road, (your ticket might already cover you for this anyway), that way you wont have to bother with any barriers

https://www.tfgm.com/public-transport/bus/metroshuttle

 

[GrahamD83]

A free bus service operates between all stations, they are barriered however, but you vcould buy a return from Victoria to Piccadilly Via Oxford Road, (your ticket might already cover you for this anyway), that way you wont have to bother with any barriers

https://www.tfgm.com/public-transport/bus/metroshuttle

Thanks for the advice. My ticket destinations states 'Manchester Stations'

'Valid on booked TPE and connections only'

It then states the reservation details for the TPE train between Newcastle and Man Victoria.

Wouls this be valid between the different stations in Manchester as these could be classed as connections?

 

[shredder1]

Thanks for the advice. My ticket destinations states 'Manchester Stations'

'Valid on booked TPE and connections only'

It then states the reservation details for the TPE train between Newcastle and Man Victoria.

Wouls this be valid between the different stations in Manchester as these could be classed as connections?

If its valid for Manchester stations I imagine it would be alright to use it via Victoria to Piccadilly and it will go via Oxford Road.

If you are on booked trains the price of a return ticket from Victoria to Piccadilly would only be a few quid anyway and allow you to drop off at all three stations and exit barriers as you wished.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Apologies, I know I'm too late for this now. I hope you had a good day!

For future reference with Piccadilly, to save messing around with the barriers, there is a lift on Fairfield Street at the exit to the drop-off/taxi rank, which goes up behind Costa up in the waiting area by platforms 13 and 14. If you're alighting by tram, instead of heading up to the main concourse, walk out at street level and use this lift.

Similarly in the opposite direction, instead of using the travellator, use the lift. Sometimes ticket inspectors are at the lifts mind.

 

[GrahamD83]

Thanks. In the end I decided to walk from Victoria to Oxford Road, where I bought a single to Piccadilly for £2.00 and this covered the barriers at both. Piccadilly's barriers actually only cover platforms 1 to 7 from the main foyer, but 8 to 11 had two employees checking tickets. I did notice the lift behind Costa you mention. Also is there a platform 12?

I then walked back to Victoria for my train home.

 

[Kite159]

Thanks. In the end I decided to walk from Victoria to Oxford Road, where I bought a single to Piccadilly for £2.00 and this covered the barriers at both. Piccadilly's barriers actually only cover platforms 1 to 7 from the main foyer, but 8 to 11 had two employees checking tickets. I did notice the lift behind Costa you mention. Also is there a platform 12?

I then walked back to Victoria for my train home.

Platform 12 is in the corner next to platform 11, however it doesn't have direct access to the overbridge

 

[sgraIRL]

Graham,

Hope you had a good day. I was there myself 2 weeks ago. Manchester Piccadilly is lovely. Access to platforms 13/14 from the main concourse is very handy - there is a bridge over all the other platforms and you can drop down to whatever platform you like without additional barriers. Manchester to Stockport and back makes for an excellent run.

S

 

[Ianno87]

Platform 12 is in the corner next to platform 11, however it doesn't have direct access to the overbridge

It does, but only via the lift between Fairfield Street and the 'satellite lounge' (no steps)

 

[GrahamD83]

Graham,

Hope you had a good day. I was there myself 2 weeks ago. Manchester Piccadilly is lovely. Access to platforms 13/14 from the main concourse is very handy - there is a bridge over all the other platforms and you can drop down to whatever platform you like without additional barriers. Manchester to Stockport and back makes for an excellent run.

S

Thanks. I agree Piccadilly is impressive, I do like the old station designs with the arched roofing. Victoria is a bit too modern for my liking. I will bear the Stockport trip in mind if I visit again. Would you suggest any particular TOC or class to ride on for this? Thanks

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Thanks. I agree Piccadilly is impressive, I do like the old station designs with the arched roofing. Victoria is a bit too modern for my liking. I will bear the Stockport trip in mind if I visit again. Would you suggest any particular TOC or class to ride on for this? Thanks

Take a Pacer, after 2019 they will be no more...

 

[InterCity:125]

you vcould buy a return from Victoria to Piccadilly Via Oxford Road,

Ah the good old days of the platform ticket.

 

[GrahamD83]

Take a Pacer, after 2019 they will be no more...

Thanks, I live near Sunderland so have experienced Paces all my life.

 

[InterCity:125]

Take a Pacer, after 2019 they will be no more...

Good riddance to bad rubbish.