Freight at Hackney

[Eibonvale]

Hi everyone. Does anyone have any suggestions for the best time of the day/week to catch freight trains on the North London Line?

I have a chance to do some photography from somewhere not many rail photographers will get to - a friend's roof in Hackney Wick, London. I took a few pics there before of the overground trains:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eibonvale/8444521537/ .

I like these wider views with a city backdrop and I want to go back there for a more serious photoshoot - hopefully to catch some freight trains. I was wondering if anyone here has any recommendation for the best times to catch freight on the line or any specific trains it might be worth trying to 'make an appointment with'?

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[westcoaster]

With the advent of open data from NR a lot of sites now show when services are due through given locations the one I use is http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/ all you need to do is click on advanced at the top, and input hackney into the location box, it will list all trains through hackney freight is also listed at frgt.

Follow this link for today http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...edule_type=0&show_wtt=1&show_var=1&show_stp=1

 

[Freightmaster]

I was wondering if anyone here has any recommendation for the best times to catch freight on the line

Weekdays 'between the peaks' (specifically 10:45 to 15:45) will give
you between two and four freight movements an hour at Hackney Wick

It kicks off again after 19:30 and stays busy through the night...

MARK

 

[Eibonvale]

Thanks both of you for your replies! Both extremely useful. You can tell i am quite new to this side of things since i had no idea you could get real-time data on freight like that. Fantastic site!