Freight near Southport

[cv01jw]

Evening All

We are planning a trip up to Southport during the coming half term and I was hoping to get some time to go spotting for something other than the South Western EMU's we have down here in Dorset.

Lancashire is an area I am not at all familiar with, and so I was hoping someone on here might be able to recommend some good spotting locations which are reasonably close (say within an hour) to Southport, ideally with a decent level of freight traffic?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kite159]

First option which springs to mind is Wigan North Western.

 

[30907]

First option which springs to mind is Wigan North Western.

Or Preston which has the Docks branch perhaps.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Daytime freight in the north-west is not what it used to be. From Southport Wigan North Western is certainly the closest spotting location of interest with movements to/from Wallgate station visible from the southern end of the station. If it's purely freight you are after then I would suggest checking out Acton Bridge or if that is too far perhaps consider Stockport where there is plenty of variety in passenger movements to maintain interest.

 

[8A Rail]

Clearly some members forget the Liverpool area has freight trains including Biomass, Aggregate, Container and Scrap (the latter operates over night though). Some of it originates from the docks, other from south of Liverpool. The city is accessible by the Merseyrail Northern line trains (Class 507 / 508) and there is a good frequent service to Edge Hill, Roby and Huyton too. The following freight timetable for Huyton will assist: https://www.8arail.uk/huyton.html the station also has a small cafe for basic refreshments. The passenger trains you will see at Liverpool Lime Street / Edge Hill will be likely Class 150, 153, 156, 158, 175 (occasionally), 195, 319, 323, 331, 390, 397 (occasionally) and 802. At Huyton will be Class 319, 323, 331, (397) and 802, along with Class 60 on the Biomass trains, Class 60 / 66 on aggregate train with liners being DB Cargo and Freightliner Class 66 clearly depending on the time of day.

For images on the locations, see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8arail/ and click the relevant album under the 'Albums' section.

However, if you want a straight forward location within one train journey, just go to Wigan North Western Station, may be if you are lucky travel by Class 769 too and watch the various traffic depending on time of day on the WCML. Stretch it a bit further Warrington Bank Quay which would also include some Biomass trains too.

 

[Turbo004]

I'd second 8A Rail's response. A trip to Runcorn (main line station) would be very interesting and not very expensive. A Class 507 or 508 (both of which are old and due to be withdrawn soon??) to Moorfields, then another 507 or 508 to Lime Street. Lots of passenger variety to be seen at Liverpool Lime Street.
Then from Lime Street to Runcorn and back you can travel by LNW 350, Avanti 390, TfW 150, TfW 153, TfW 158 or TfW 175. TfW wise it is booked to be two 153's. Freightwise there is lots to be seen on this final route.
1. Edge Hill - Class 60's and Class 66's.
2. Garston and Halewood - Class 66's.
3. Widnes - 2 Blue 08's normally for shunting Pendolino's
4. Finally more Sidings near Runcorn Bridge for Freightliners.
Probably a fair bit of freight to watch at Runcorn too.
Whatever you do have a good trip. There I'd plenty of variety if you travel from Southport to either Wigan, Liverpool or Runcorn.

 

[8A Rail]

I'd second 8A Rail's response. A trip to Runcorn (main line station) would be very interesting and not very expensive. A Class 507 or 508 (both of which are old and due to be withdrawn soon??) to Moorfields, then another 507 or 508 to Lime Street. Lots of passenger variety to be seen at Liverpool Lime Street. Then from Lime Street to Runcorn and back you can travel by LNW 350, Avanti 390, TfW 150, TfW 153, TfW 158 or TfW 175. TfW wise it is booked to be two 153's. Freightwise there is lots to be seen on this final route.
1. Edge Hill - Class 60's and Class 66's.
2. Garston and Halewood - Class 66's.
3. Widnes - 2 Blue 08's normally for shunting Pendolino's
4. Finally more Sidings near Runcorn Bridge for Freightliners.
Probably a fair bit of freight to watch at Runcorn too.
Whatever you do have a good trip. There I'd plenty of variety if you travel from Southport to either Wigan, Liverpool or Runcorn.

I appreciate your support in my suggestion but to clarify your suggestions / thoughts.

You will only see some of the loco's / trains by being on the train especially at Edge Hill, Halewood and Widnes (Ditton).

You will not see anything at Garston (Freightliner) as out of sight from the mainline which traffic includes the use of Class 90's as well as Class 66's. You may see again passing by train, Class 08, Class 66 or 68 or 88 at Garston Car Terminal, also at Halewood re DB Cargo Class 66 as well as possible Freightliner trains at Ditton Sidings (ex Stobarts) and may be the DB Cargo 'Aluminium' Class 66 train, all depends on time of day.

Going to Runcorn Station (friendly staff), the freight that operates during the day especially after 09.00hrs comes down to one / two Freightliner bin liners (ex Folly Lane), ex Felixstowe F/L (4M45), DB Cargo Aluminium (6M13), ex Ditton F/L (4L92) and ex Garston e/auto (6L48), again depending on time of day.

The easiest way of getting to Runcorn from Southport, is the Merseyrail train to Liverpool South Parkway Station (LSP) and then LM 350 to Runcorn. At LSP, you still see various Units as per Lime Street Station with the exception of Class 397 and 802. Allerton Depot is across the way from LSP but no access and unless you got good binocs, hard press to see the Unit numbers.

 

[cv01jw]

Thanks for all the replies, certainly gives me plenty of options.