Spotting at Didcot - Issues?.

[james60059]

Hi Folks,

I'm visiting the Railway Centre tomorrow afternoon, and just wondering if it's OK to go spotting on Didcot Parkway?. I know some stations are OK with it like Nuneaton, but others are still finicky about it.

Cheers

James

 

[py_megapixel]

Been there a couple of times and had no issues. I would have thought the Railway Centre being literally accessed through the station would mean the staff there were quite used to (and therefore hopefully receptive of) enthusiasts.

FWIW if you just want to watch and photograph the trains then some parts of the Railway Centre itself are pretty fantastic, but unless you have very very good eyesight you won't have much of a chance at reading the numbers

 

[Mag_seven]

Hi Folks,

I'm visiting the Railway Centre tomorrow afternoon, and just wondering if it's OK to go spotting on Didcot Parkway?. I know some stations are OK with it like Nuneaton, but others are still finicky about it.

Cheers

James

I've just passed through Didcot and there is someone spotting there so you should be OK.

 

[Peter C]

I've been spotting at Didcot several times over the past few years and I've never had any issues. Most of the times, I've gone to the Railway Centre and then the station afterwards, but on a couple of occasions I've spent a couple of hours there just on the station.
It's pretty difficult to spot anything on the avoiding lines which go around the Railway Centre if you're actually in the Railway Centre, and it's not worth bothering spotting anything going through the station because there's too much in the way for much of the site.
You might see a few spotters at Didcot Parkway this morning because there's a "Cotswold Express" railtour going through to Worcester - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53354/2020-09-12/detailed

Hope this helps!

-Peter

 

[james60059]

Thank you for the replies everyone. Much appreciated

 

[davetheguard]

I'll think you'll find that the station staff are well using to people taking numbers on Didcot station - I don't suppose a day passes when it doesn't happen. Towards the London end of island platform 2/3 is usually favourite, and you probably won't find yourself alone!

 

[Peter C]

Towards the London end of island platform 2/3 is usually favourite, and you probably won't find yourself alone!

I can say that platforms 2/3 are very good for spotting. Especially the waiting shelter which is lovely and warm in cold weather!

-Peter

 

[dave87016]

I have had no problems spotting at Didcot though I rarely go now since the withdrawal of the HST’s !! However the pub across from the station does really good tasty pub grub at a reasonable price and a good pint aswell for me that’s worth the visit alone

 

[Peter C]

I have had no problems spotting at Didcot though I rarely go now since the withdrawal of the HST’s !! However the pub across from the station does really good tasty pub grub at a reasonable price and a good pint aswell for me that’s worth the visit alone

You mentioning the pub across the road reminded me that you can get some nice photos of trains when the sun begins to set at Didcot as the sun sets over in that direction. More do-able in Winter than Summer I assume!

-Peter