Anybody got some good trainspotting advice?

[Its_Gamestream]

Hello!

I'm nearly 15 years old and I want to start trainspotting.

Do you have any suggestions for how/where to begin?

Is there anything else I should be aware of?


I'd appreciate your advice.



Thank you very much!

 

[birchesgreen]

Well a station is a good place to start. As you are in North London there are a few decent locations near there. It'll depend what you are interested in seeing of course.

As for advice: don't be annoying to staff (getting in sight lines, running down platforms, getting in people's way et cetera).

 

[StephenHunter]

Download the SpotLog app so you can log your sightings and see what you've still got to see.

 

[zwk500]

Welcome to the forum!

1st point is to never put yourself, any companions/friends or any other person around the line in danger through bad actions or bad advice. Always refer to staff if in doubt. Never put any equipment, even the leg of a tripod, beyond the yellow line at any platform.
2nd point is to be considerate to other passengers and staff. People have places to be and jobs to do, by and large if you're respectful of that they'll be respectful of you.
3rd point is to consider what you want to see, record, or keep track of. There are so many ways to do it and everybody has a different preference. If you're into freight, then Willesden Junction may be a good place to start. If you're into collecting as many units as possible, then Clapham Junction or Stratford may be better.

If you intend to spot at a busy station such as a London terminus you may be asked to sign in first for fire safety and security reasons. It may be worth checking the website or dropping an email or twitter DM to the managing TOC/NR before turning up to ask if they have any requirements or conditions for trainspotters or photographers.

 

[50002Superb]

Hello!

I'm nearly 15 years old and I want to start trainspotting.

Do you have any suggestions for how/where to begin?

Is there anything else I should be aware of?


I'd appreciate your advice.



Thank you very much!

Depends what you’re looking for.

If it’s pure numbers then Clapham Junction is probably a good place to start.

If you want to see some freight then Ealing Broadway or Stratford is worth a shout.

If you’re wanting to see some trains before they get scrapped then the 319s, 321s and 313s are all within a reasonable distance for you.

 

[Ken H]

You have made a good first step, coming on here and asking. People will always be ready to help. But do use the search facility to find old posts which may answer the many questions you may have. or ask on here if your search is fruitless.
You will find you will have to find a niche to observe. The railway is so huge and diverse becoming an expert on everything would take a lifetime!.

 

[swt_passenger]

There are potential problems if using Oyster PAYG, if you exceed maximum journey times between entry to and exit from the paid area you can quite easily end up with two maximum fares. (A touch in and unfinished journey, then a later touch out with an un-started journey.)

If you intend to spend a significant time on the platform in the London area I think a paper day travelcard is the safest ticket, but it won’t necessarily be the cheapest...

 

[gazr]

As someone who started out trainspotting and then moving on towards travelling on trains, I almost wish I started the other way around, as it was WAY cheaper to travel as a child/young person. Trains usually last for a very long time, whereas some lines/stations disappear. It all depends on what part(s) of being a railway enthusiast you enjoy- and that's the main part, enjoying it. So if it's spotting, try and see and/or ride on trains that are destined for the cutter torch first. Those are the things you'll remember.

 

[Springs Branch]

Regarding the question of where to go, if I have an hour or two to spare whilst in the north London area, I take myself to South Kenton station on the Watford DC / Bakerloo line.

As already mentioned, it depends what sort of rail traffic the OP is particularly interested in, but South Kenton scores well for variety.

From the island platform there you'll see a wide range of different trains in a constant procession. From Anglo-Scottish trains, Avanti Pendolinos and Voyagers at the exotic end, to regular freights and LNR EMUs on the slow lines, to LO Class 710s and Bakerloo tube trains at the humble, work-a-day end of the spectrum.

Regarding other passengers South Kenton always seems quiet enough, but not deserted, in the off-peak and has never felt dodgy or threatening when I've been there. The only downside, if you're into recording train numbers, is you will sometimes get "bowled" (unable to catch the set number) if a Bakerloo or LO train has stopped on the southbound DC platform when something interesting goes past on the main lines.

 

[LA50041]

Hello!

I'm nearly 15 years old and I want to start trainspotting.

Do you have any suggestions for how/where to begin?

Is there anything else I should be aware of?


I'd appreciate your advice.



Thank you very much!

It depends what you want to spot. If you are looking for passenger trains then the following locations are useful
West London - Ealing Broadway
South London - Clapham Junction
North London - Finsbury Park
East London - Stratford
In all of these locations if you stay away from the platform edge and away from despatch staff you will not be bothered.
To record, spotlog as mentioned above is a good resource, as well as UT tracer which for a small donation to charity lets you record units seen/travelled on as well as track covered

 

[Rovers2012]

It depends what you want to spot. If you are looking for passenger trains then the following locations are useful
West London - Ealing Broadway
South London - Clapham Junction
North London - Finsbury Park
East London - Stratford
In all of these locations if you stay away from the platform edge and away from despatch staff you will not be bothered.
To record, spotlog as mentioned above is a good resource, as well as UT tracer which for a small donation to charity lets you record units seen/travelled on as well as track covered

Do you have a link for the UT tracer, googled but with no look.
Thanks

 

[LA50041]

Do you have a link for the UT tracer, googled but with no look.
Thanks

Yeah - here you go

UT Tracker Home Page

UT Tracker

uttracker.com

 

[railfan99]

As someone who started out trainspotting and then moving on towards travelling on trains, I almost wish I started the other way around, as it was WAY cheaper to travel as a child/young person. Trains usually last for a very long time, whereas some lines/stations disappear. It all depends on what part(s) of being a railway enthusiast you enjoy- and that's the main part, enjoying it. So if it's spotting, try and see and/or ride on trains that are destined for the cutter torch first. Those are the things you'll remember.

Completely agree.

But keep yourself safe: travel near the guard (if trains have one) or driver, and be wary of strangers, including males on their own. Sadly the world has changed somewhat since I was that age, although with strict Catholic parents I wasn't allowed to travel on my own long distances in Australia until the age of 18.

Buy a day rover or other suitable ticket and explore many lines if your parents allow. Why not for instance a trip to East Grinstead to travel on Bluebell Railwaywhen it's operating in 2023? You need to check its website. Could be a most enjoyable day trip.

 

[Ken H]

Always have a plan B. Public
transport can and does let people down.