Back to watching trains again. Where's best?

[tucker]

Hi everyone
I'm new to this forum so go easy on me.
After MANY years I've got back into the habit of train spotting/watching again.
I used to go everywhere as a kid but work and raising a family put paid to it for a few years.
Where are the best places to go to see a good amount or different variety of locomotives.
When I was younger some of the places were Doncaster, Peterborough, Barnetby, Crewe, Reading, to name just a few.
I know things have changed as even though I never went watching I used to still read the odd railway magazine.
Any tips would be much appreciated
Thanks

 

[yorkie]

Doncaster will give you the most variety.

You would never find me spotting at Doncaster as it's not my thing, but anyone looking out the window as they pass through would spot the spotters at most hours of the day, so you won't be the only one!

 

[gazthomas]

I agree, Doncaster would be the best bet

 

[FQ]

But if you are after freight then Barnetby would probably be best.

But as Yorkie and gazthomas have said, Donny is also very good.

 

[backontrack]

Don't rule out York either.

 

[185143]

But if you are after freight then Barnetby would probably be best.

But as Yorkie and gazthomas have said, Donny is also very good.

Barnetby for the semaphores which are being removed in December...

 

[tucker]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in the Midlands. So are there any good places East, South and West of the country

Thanks backontrack. I'm going to York at the beginning of Dec.

 

[Condor7]

It may help to know if you like spotting all types of trains as many do, or if you would prefer to stick with just freight or loco hauled. Also what part of the UK you would find most accessible.

Doncaster will always come up as a favourite, and I have spent many happy hours there. York is ok, but a lot of freight is diverted via an avoiding loop and a good pair of binoculars are needed to catch these. However Colton Junction just outside the city is a great spot with easy parking.

Carlisle is not like it used to be, but still offers great variety especially for freight. I also like Chesterfield, again some good variety, but also a great station for spotting with plenty of cover in bad weather but still with good visibility.

If you are into units then Leeds would be hard to beat for variety, but freight is limited to just a few a day.

 

[rick pike]

I agree about Carlisle not been as good as it used to be, but there's a lot /most locations you can say the same about now. Anyhow personally id say places like Doncaster, Barnetby, Stafford, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Bedford, Peterborough, Ipswich, Newport, Cardiff to see a wide variety and relatively large quantity of DMUs,EMUs, Locohaul passenger and freight.
Every body's got there favourites and theres bound to be arguments on which is the best place to go.
I hope this helps and inspires you to get out and about again even if it is getting cold and wet and windy. Spring-summer is far nicer to be stood around watching trains go by

 

[Keith Jarrett]

I'll second Stafford. Went there a few weeks back with a mate and there was a pretty steady flow of freight throughout the day. We were there for about 12 hours and logged well over 40 freight movements. Plus you'll get plenty of passenger action too.

Eastleigh is also worth thinking about. While dominated by Freightliner workings, there's enough other stuff as well. But 2-3 workings an hour is the norm.

 

[FQ]

Barnetby for the semaphores which are being removed in December...

I know

I am definitely going to get up there sometime before then (probably a decide on the day thing then hop in the car at stupid o'clock in the morning).

 

[tucker]

Thanks to everyone who replied.
I had a couple of hours at Water Orton today. A good mix of units, voyagers and freight.
47830 coming through light engine was a bonus

 

[alex17595]

Thanks to everyone who replied.
I had a couple of hours at Water Orton today. A good mix of units, voyagers and freight.
47830 coming through light engine was a bonus

Did you see the 50s on the Boston steel train?

 

[DarloRich]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in the Midlands. So are there any good places East, South and West of the country

Thanks backontrack. I'm going to York at the beginning of Dec.

not that one spots train you understand but I often see spotters at Tamworth or Stafford

 

[backontrack]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in the Midlands. So are there any good places East, South and West of the country

Thanks backontrack. I'm going to York at the beginning of Dec.

Enjoy that!

Not sure what Norwich/Ipswich are like for units, but there are two main Cardiff stations so you'd get a reasonable range there (HSTs, FGW Sprinters, ATW Sprinters/Pacers, Class 175s, XC 170s). Check for Rugby World Cup matches though

 

[Bevan Price]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in the Midlands. So are there any good places East, South and West of the country

Thanks backontrack. I'm going to York at the beginning of Dec.

For freight:

Midlands - Stafford, Tamworth, Nuneaton, Water Orton.
South: Stratford, Reading, possibly Willesden.
North: Doncaster, Barnetby, maybe Warrington Bank Quay or Carlisle (although both currently a lot less busy in daytime than they used to be)
At York, most freights use the avoiding line, so binoculars are helpful.

For passenger locos
Class 91: Doncaster, York, Peterborough (or any station as far south as Kings Cross).
Class 90: Stratford, or any station between Liverpool Street & Norwich.
Class 68: Birmingham Moor St for Chiltern services, Edinburgh (2 per day, M-F only)
Class 67: Chester (2 per day, M-F only); Edinburgh (sleeper services only).
Class 37: Carlisle (2 per day, weekdays only)

If you have any interest in dmus or emus, they are almost entirely confined within their own TOC operating areas, e.g. you won't see Northern or Scotrail dmus in the midlands (unless going to/from works) .

 

[Tim R-T-C]

I'm not sure on York, lovely station but much of the freight now uses the avoiding lines. Doncaster is better, most freight runs through the stations and you get the extra London to Leeds services so some 30% extra Virgin East Coast traffic.

Chesterfield is pretty good in the Midlands, fair amount of freight traffic and a continual stream of passenger workings. Tamworth is also fun, but hard work as there is no good spot to watch both levels so you need to run between them.

More northerly, Warrington is pretty good - heady mix of freight traffic, locos running around at the low level including 60s and plenty of passenger stuff. Class 325 parcels units run through too.

London is a great place, although there is no single good spot, moving around between a few hot spots can get you a massive assortment of passenger loco haulage and freight trains.

 

[RichmondCommu]

I know

I am definitely going to get up there sometime before then (probably a decide on the day thing then hop in the car at stupid o'clock in the morning).

Well at least you won't be driving the car!

 

[tucker]

I missed the 50's Alex. Just my luck. Is that a normal working? if so any idea of the times.
Thanks everyone. There has been you very helpful information in your replies If anyone can think of anywhere that's been missed I'd appreciate it. I may do Water Orton again tomorrow. I'm over that way again

 

[rick pike]

The Hoovers only tend to come out to play when Colas are short of locos. Its usually a 56 on the Boston steal booked to pass Water Orton at 15:45. Why not try Tamworth or Nuneaton instead of Water Orton. Around Half of the trains at Water Orton will pass through Tamworth and the rest through Nuneaton, but you would gain the Traffic that runs up and down the WCML. In fact sod it... Spend a day at each. just make sure its a nice day at Tamworth so you can stand at the top of the stairs as theres no cover at that bit. Its also the best place to see every thing passing through up top and below. At Nuneaton theres plenty of platform canopys to shelter from the rain and theres an Asda just out side the station

 

[tucker]

What about Saturday's. Are these places still good then. In fact is anywhere good on Saturday's

 

[rick pike]

If its freight your after then can't beat a week day.
From memory Doncaster, Barnetby and Stafford arnt to bad in the morning. If there's engineering trains booked then that can make a big difference but it depends on where the work sites are. For instance at Doncaster some week ends every thing heads south from Belmont/Decoy yards and doesn't pass through the station then some times you can get an engineer's train every hour from midday.
Have you looked at "Real time trains" website yet?

 

[tucker]

No I haven't Rick. I'm a train enthusiast from the 70's and 80's. I'm a bit rusty ON where to look for workings and where to go
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I don't know why 'on' was in capitals. Sorry Rick

 

[rick pike]

Enthusiasts nowadays are spoilt with the amount of gen that's available. When I started in the late 90s you didn't know what was coming and when. I then moved on to subscribing to the Freightmaster books that got me out spotting at different locations. Perhaps a copy might give you an idea on where and when to go.

 

[tucker]

The 'game' has obviously changed over the years. I used to wonder sometimes how people knew just when to turn up when something unusual was coming through.
Is Toton still a good place for loco's.
If so I may give it a call in tomorrow.
My other old fave Tinsley is long gone:cry:

 

[rick pike]

Sorry. Yes Toton still has a lot of locos lying around all be it most are stored unserviceable. Passing freight wise... AFIK there's not a lot that passes through.

 

[tucker]

Well I'm getting back into the swing of watching trains again now. I've been to Rugby, Coventry and Birmingham the last week or so. I may try Toton tomorrow. Can you still park in the Asda supermarket and walk up. Or am I better off parking near the bank?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
As I'm off work this week I was going to get an East Midlands rover. My aim is to do Peterborough,Doncaster, Barnetby, Chesterfield. Is there anywhere else that's good that I've missed? Is Retford low level any good?

 

[Crossover]

I'll third Stafford - I think there are busier periods of freight, with some hours having little, but it is still a very busy spot, being the junction of the line to Colwich and Wolverhampton - pretty much the only thing that doesn't pass are the Manchester to Euston VT's that go via Hixon

I'm not a platform ending type, but towards the end of my time at uni in the town, a group of people, some from here, met up for a spotting day and I met with them and there was a lot of activity of various workings (on the particular day we were there, a test run of 390054 (just after shortening from 11 car) happened to be passing)

The staff there were enthusiast friendly too and sometimes would make announcements for any special services that were due to pass, though I am not sure if this still happens

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Hi everyone
I'm new to this forum so go easy on me.
After MANY years I've got back into the habit of train spotting/watching again.
I used to go everywhere as a kid but work and raising a family put paid to it for a few years.
Where are the best places to go to see a good amount or different variety of locomotives.
When I was younger some of the places were Doncaster, Peterborough, Barnetby, Crewe, Reading, to name just a few.
I know things have changed as even though I never went watching I used to still read the odd railway magazine.
Any tips would be much appreciated
Thanks

The platforms...?

 

[tucker]

Just got back from Toton. My first time there in over 15 years. Not a lot passing through.37116 light engine being the highlight. Lots of class 60's lying around in the sidings. Couldn't get it all though. Still an enjoyable few hours out though