Accessible Trainspotting Locations in York for Fast Trains?

[Millsy_2102]

Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice on good trainspotting locations in York. I'm keen to find places where I can see trains go by at speed, but my main criteria is that they need to be accessible by train, bus, or on foot from the city centre. I won't have a car, so anything requiring a drive is out.
I'm particularly interested in places that offer good views of the East Coast Main Line, where I can see the high-speed services.
Does anyone have any suggestions for good bridges, footpaths, or other vantage points that are easily reachable without a car? Any tips on specific bus routes or walking directions would be a huge help!
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

[Trainguy34]

Getting ones both near York and at speed will be tricky as pretty much everything stops there, but the bridge over the A1237 is hopefully good enough, can be a bit of a trek but you might be able to get decent shots.

 

[NER1621]

If you want to see trains on the ECML near York at speed then you need to get out to one of the peripheral villages north or south of the city centre which are accessible by bus: I’d suggest Copmanthorpe southwards (Connexions Bus route 13 from the railway station) or Shipton by Beningbrough northwards (various company’s buses from Exhibition Square, near the Theatre Royal). Bus services to both are only hourly but it sounds like that won’t matter too much for you. Shipton probably has the best vantage points as there’s an overbridge across the line next to the former station site on Station Lane (surprise surprise), and you’ve also got the Sidings Restaurant right next to the line if you fancy a bite to eat whilst spotting!

All travel and map info readily available on the internet.

 

[DarloRich]

Surely the park and ride near the Tesco at Askham Bar would be a good site. You could also go to Rawcliffe Bar P&R north of York and walk to the footpaths along the Ouse

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

The problem at this time of year is the sheer quantity of vegetation blocking many potential views. A quick look at Street View will illustrate this all too well. I would echo the suggestion of Copmanthorpe. The 13 bus actually runs every 45 minutes, journey time 22 minutes from York station and the terminus is but a short walk from the Temple Lane bridge over the ECML with the view south-westwards being less obstructed than many.

 

[greyman42]

York Pullman run a bus service every 2 hours to Colton where you can walk across a field and watch trains from a footbridge which is right by Colton Junction which is a 125 mph junction. It is pretty isolated so take your own food and drink.