Ely Station

[gareth taylor]

I am going to Ely on Thursday. I am wondering what is the best platform for photos, etc.

Also, whats the freight like there as well.

Thanks in advance

Kris

 

[GB]

Never been there to take photos myself, but I'd imagine either end of the island platform would be best.

As for freight, you have regular daily intermodel services that run to and from Felixstowe and stone trains that run to Barahm and Bury St Edmonds every other day. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays is the usual time to see engineering trains.

There will also be other bits and pieces depending what days you go.

 

[transportphoto]

Passenger trains wise - you will get:

Cl365 FC - Kings Lynn to KGX

Cl170 LE - Norwich to Cambridge
Peterborough to LST

Cl170 XC - Birmingham New Street to Stansted Airport

Cl158 EM - Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street

You will see all of the above in any given daytime hour!

In the Peaks you will See:

Cl317 LE - LST to Kings Lynn!

 

[Kneedown]

Will also get few 66's through which may be routed through the station or via the avoiding line, in which case Platform 3 will give you a great vantage/photo point.

 

[Alan1310]

used to get a few class 60`s but not any more

 

[jamesontheroad]

If I recall correctly, the platforms are numbered from west to east, so 1 is with the ticket office and 2/3 are on the island.

The north end of 1 will give you a good view of all trains arriving from the west / north / east, especially if they're heading for platform 3 (most EMT services do, where they then reverse) or if they're freight and they're moving towards the avoiding tracks east of 3. You'll get a clear front/side view of them coming off the level crossing.

 

[Super Sprinter]

Hi,

Just out of interest, which is the best station for photography?

I am very much a newbie to all this, but it is so interesting, I am quickly becoming hooked! Wikipedia is so useful, been learning lots!

 

[transportphoto]

Hi,

Just out of interest, which is the best station for photography?

I am very much a newbie to all this, but it is so interesting, I am quickly becoming hooked! Wikipedia is so useful, been learning lots!

Welcome to the Forum.
I'm sure that has been discussed before - this thread has not got the best title to start discussing that, so if you want this disused then I would suggest a new thread, but it is up to you if you want to make one!

If I recall correctly, the platforms are numbered from west to east, so 1 is with the ticket office and 2/3 are on the island.

Correct, the ticket office is on Plat 1 side!

The north end of 1 will give (most EMT services do, where they then reverse) or if they're freight and they're moving towards the avoiding tracks east of 3. You'll get a clear front/side view of them coming off the level crossing

Correct also.

I believe that platform 1 is the down side and 2 is up.

This is the usual list of what services use what platform:

First Capital Connect:

Kings Lynn Bound - Pl1​

London Bound - Pl2​

Arriva XC:

Birmingham Bound - Pl1​

Stansted Bound - Pl2​

NXEA:

Peterborough / Norwich Bound - Pl1​

Cambridge Bound - Pl2​

Kings Lynn Bound - Pl1​

London Bound - Pl2​

EMT:

Reversing in Pl3​

Again this is only what usually happens - but this is not to say that changes won't happen.

 

[LE Greys]

Hi,

Just out of interest, which is the best station for photography?

I am very much a newbie to all this, but it is so interesting, I am quickly becoming hooked! Wikipedia is so useful, been learning lots!

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2795

Hasn't been updated since last year, but there should be some decent recommendations on it.

 

[Super Sprinter]

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2795

Hasn't been updated since last year, but there should be some decent recommendations on it.

Thanks for that!

 

[O L Leigh]

Hmm. Consistently forgetting the peak time NXEA Cl317's on Ely's and Lynn's. Tut tut.

O L Leigh

 

[transportphoto]

Post edited accordingly!