Crewe Whats it like?

[Lukespenceruk1]

I planning to visit crewe in a few days time, what's it like for filming in the terms of staff do they stop you, i know if could happen anywhere at anytime but do you think i would have a problem or is it ok?

 

[37401]

Staff are sweet you'll not get hossed by them, stations good too

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Crewe is always full of cranks so no bother with the staff or BTP. I tend to find the North end of platforms 5/6/11 and South end of 1/5/6/12 are the best for shots

 

[GNERman]

I planning to visit crewe in a few days time, what's it like for filming in the terms of staff do they stop you, i know if could happen anywhere at anytime but do you think i would have a problem or is it ok?

Your better off going to Stafford, just south, because any freight at Crewe goes via the underpasses which are nearly impossible to see or photograph well, barely any freight goes through the platforms.

Crewe is, to put it nicely, a bit of a dump. It has been tidied over the years but is just still awful...

 

[Crossforth]

isn't it one of those stations listed for an upgrade?

 

[GNERman]

isn't it one of those stations listed for an upgrade?

Crewe was on the "Worst Stations List" being 3rd I believe...

 

[37401]

Your better off going to Stafford, just south, because any freight at Crewe goes via the underpasses which are nearly impossible to see or photograph well, barely any freight goes through the platforms.

Crewe is, to put it nicely, a bit of a dump. It has been tidied over the years but is just still awful...

Not quite correct there my lad, there is a bridge when you can get both avoiders and on the station stuff but not everything goes to Stafford, take my last visit for example 37425 Crewe-Crewe cant get that at stafford. crewe has lots more on offer, you can also see stored locos ect ect from the station

 

[Lukespenceruk1]

Do they have barriers, and what they like for tripods?

 

[37401]

Do they have barriers, and what they like for tripods?

Tripods fine, Barriers cant say, I dont think so

 

[Jordy]

There are no barriers

 

[neil scarlett]

I passed through Crewe station recently and I'm sure it has barriers. If I had to chose between the two I would definitely agree with the suggestion to go to Stafford station instead as it's a much more comfortable station, no barriers, long platforms where you can set up well out of the way of travellers, other enthusiasts so you're not alone, friendly staff and you even get tannoy announcements telling you to stand back when a freight train is coming which gives you time to get ready. Plenty of traffic and a decent amount of freight although it's not light enough yet to catch the busiest time for electric freight which is between 4 and 7pm Nevertheless you'd get half a dozen electric freight at around 11.00, 14.05,14.45, 15.15, 15.55 (2 x 86) and 16.50 if that's what you're after. Otherwise plenty of 66s, Pendos, Voyagers, EMUs and you never know what else on the day and there's no avoiding lines. And if it's cold there's decent waiting rooms on and above the platforms. Hope that helps.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I must be wrong about the barriers. Cheers.

 

[GNERman]

Not quite correct there my lad, there is a bridge when you can get both avoiders and on the station stuff but not everything goes to Stafford, take my last visit for example 37425 Crewe-Crewe cant get that at stafford. crewe has lots more on offer, you can also see stored locos ect ect from the station

Yeah i've been on the bridge, you can't really get any good photos from it at all, there are a fair few movements around crewe but the station is just awful, and as said the main freight is hard to photograph well going on the avoiders...

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Can confirm that there are definitly NO barriers at Crewe.

 

[truckman060473]

just out of interest, this is an extremely busy station and was wondering why there aren't ticket barriers? even down in Bridgend with just 3 platforms they have barriers now.

 

[First class]

just out of interest, this is an extremely busy station and was wondering why there aren't ticket barriers? even down in Bridgend with just 3 platforms they have barriers now.

Partly correct.

London Midland 'human' barriers are becoming increasingly common since the introduction of Penalty Fares there.

 

[Lukespenceruk1]

Best Platform to stand on to see everything?

 

[Crossforth]

]I tend to find the North end of platforms 5/6/11 and South end of 1/5/6/12 are the best for shots

As previously stated

 

[Drimnagh Road]

I'd rather Crewe over Stafford myself, it has a much better variety with 150/153/158/175, 322s, the Riviera yard always has a couple of 47s lying around along with various interesting rolling stock, also with Gresty Road around the corner expect to see some DRS movements, the 57/3 WAG all of which you will not get at Stafford.

While Crewe station is a bit of a "dump", I would view this from the passenger perspective. Crewe is an enthusiasts dream, and I never mind if I have to wait for an hour while changing trains as I know it will fly through.

I think there's a 92 freight that comes through the main station about 16:30 on weekdays, used to see it when I'd be getting the 57 & 390 when it ran weekdays anyway, not sure if it still comes through at that time nowadays.

 

[rail-britain]

I agree, if you are wanting to see freight then Crewe isn't for you
I only saw one southbound through the station on my most recent visit of about four hours

After visiting Crewe I usually head down to Stafford and then Rugby
Both of these stations have fairly good views from the nearby roads, I've never found a suitable location in Crewe

In the past more freight would pass through the station between 22:00 and 05:00, rather than take the avoiding lines, I don't know if that still applies

 

[323235]

Tamworth kept me busy last time I went

 

[adamp]

You tend to get a lot of interesting and unusual moves around Crewe with the depots.
For example, last time i was there, 66956, 90049 and 86607 turned up in one of the bay platforms on a move to the depot.
Then 15 minutes later 86607 turned up again with 86613 and 66956 sandwiched in the middle of the two electrics!
You get lots of weird and wounderful happenings/moves.

 

[Lampshade]

just out of interest, this is an extremely busy station and was wondering why there aren't ticket barriers? even down in Bridgend with just 3 platforms they have barriers now.

At most of the Virgin run WCML stations, particularly Crewe, Preston, Lancaster and Oxenholme Lake District, the distances between stops is more than sufficient to perform a full ticket check before arrival. Human barriers are sometimes there to perform random spot checks though.