London spotting

[ValleyLines142]

Thinking of doing a bit of Southeastern spotting on my next trip to London, I've done St John's a couple of times as it's possible to stand on the bridge without tapping in.

I'm thinking of Hither Green maybe? Somewhere without barriers so I can tap in only when I'm ready to travel.

Need to move away from Clapham Junction!

I'm only into passenger units that I can log in my phone for the Trains You've Seen Working thread!

 

[telstarbox]

At Hither Green, although there aren't barriers, you'll need to pass the readers before you can spot anything. So it might be worth making yourself known to the station staff just in case there's a revenue block.

 

[ValleyLines142]

At Hither Green, although there aren't barriers, you'll need to pass the readers before you can spot anything. So it might be worth making yourself known to the station staff just in case there's a revenue block.

Are they likely to be there today on a Sunday?

 

[telstarbox]

NRE says the ticket office is open until 1940 tonight.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Any other further stations with a side barrier? Thinking of Grove Park or Chislehurst?

Also Earlsfield or Raynes Park? SWML units are always a good shot.

Finally, in terms of Southern, are any of the intermediate stops between Clapham Junction and East Croydon gated? Thinking of either Balham or Wandsworth Common?

The reason I ask is not for fare evasion, but because I like to spend a couple of hours on the platforms and jot down some units on my phone. I know it's always said that a paper ticket is better than Oyster for spotting/enthusiasts purposes but I have quite a bit of money on my Oyster and would rather use it, and just tap in when I'm ready to travel. Unless I time it so that I complete my journey just before exceeding the maximum journey time.

NB - I'm not making a journey any time soon by the way, this is just planning for when it's safe to travel

 

[telstarbox]

I would try Petts Wood - no barriers, a bridge over all platforms and you would get Thameslink units too.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I would try Petts Wood - no barriers, a bridge over all platforms and you would get Thameslink units too.

Can't remember if the Dover/Ramsgate services go through Petts Wood, or do they diverge beforehand?

 

[telstarbox]

Tonbridge services do, Bromley South - Rochester ones don't.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Tonbridge services do, Bromley South - Rochester ones don't.

Yes, a quick check on RTT shows that Chislehurst is the last station beforehand.

A quick check at the station plan on NRE shows it's subway access to the platforms, whether or not there'll be a revenue check is another thing.

 

[Far north 37]

Buy a one day paper travelcard you can travel between all the stations and dont have time restrictions staying on platform's you have with an oyster card.

 

[Andy Pacer]

I have also gone back to paper tickets for riding around as it avoids me getting penalties for messing up Oyster tapping in/out on the National Rail stations in the suburban areas!