Merseyside Spotting Trip

[Chris Wallis]

I have pass from the Mrs for a spotting trip (also funded by my Mrs) in a few weeks time. I would like to visit Liverpool and would appreciate some advice if possible please.....

The aim is to chase the MerseyRail units and other stock based in the area.

So I wondered what would be the best Station to see the most MR units in a three to four hour period? If that location had some freight as well, then that would be a bonus.

Are Lime Street and stations on the MR network, Spotter friendly/safe?

Is there a decent Real Ale pub near Lime Street?

Any advice greatly appreciated

Chris

 

[FQ]

Liverpool Central would be best as you have all of the Wirral line trains through there and when they start repeating, you can go to the Northern line platforms. It isn't a very nice station though, as it is all underground and looks like a tube station.

 

[55013]

Sandhills is a good place to see all the Northern line stuff and it's above ground.
The only thing is that this is where the "Soccerbus" link to both Liverpool and Everton home games goes from, so it will get very busy if there's a match on.

 

[Techniquest]

Aye Sandhills is pretty good for sure, with all Northern line trains passing through. For the Wirral line though there's no one good place for them.

Never had a problem with spotting anywhere in Merseyside so you'll be fine.

You should get quite a bit in 3 or 4 hours

 

[FQ]

Aye Sandhills is pretty good for sure, with all Northern line trains passing through.

Only problem with Sandhills is that absolutely every time I have been there, there has been someone smoking.

 

[Bevan Price]

In addition to other comments, there will be some units in Kirkdale & Birkenhead North depots - you can see some (but not all) from passing trains. Also, there are usually one or two trains parked in Southport station, and occasionally in New Brighton or West Kirby stations. A Merseytravel Saveaway day ticket would be useful if you want to take a ride to see some of these "parked" units.

For other stock, you will see Northern units (142/150/156 plus 319), TPE units (185s), EM (mostly 158s, but an occasional 156) LM (350s) and Wirgin West Coast 390s at Edge Hill or Liverpool Lime St.

Edge Hill has better visibility for getting numbers, but can be a bit "bleak" if it is wet or windy.

 

[Chris Wallis]

Thanks for the information so far. It's really appreciated.

 

[Chris Wallis]

Thanks to the information given I have booked my trip for next week. I really appreciate your help.....thank you.

Liverpool Central would be best as you have all of the Wirral line trains through there and when they start repeating, you can go to the Northern line platforms.

How long do you think it would be before they start repeating?

Also, anybody know what the Bars/Pubs on Lime Street like for Real Ale?

I'll need to to be mellowed out for the long journey home....

 

[fowler9]

Thanks to the information given I have booked my trip for next week. I really appreciate your help.....thank you.



How long do you think it would be before they start repeating?

Also, anybody know what the Bars/Pubs on Lime Street like for Real Ale?

I'll need to to be mellowed out for the long journey home....

The pubs on Lime Street itself aren't that great. Dr Duncan's is about a two minute walk from Lime Street and is very good with a lovely view of St Georges Hall out the window. Five minutes further in the same direction is the Ship and Mitre which is one of the best in the city.

Heading the other way about ten mins walk is The Dispensary which is also very good as is the Roscoe Head around the corner from there.

If you get off the Merseyrail Network at Moorfields you can walk about a minute up the road and see the old Exchange Station frontage which is very nice, also right next to it are The Railway and The Lion which are good pubs.

If you are spending time at Sandhills I really wouldn't recommend wandering off to find a pub there. Ha ha. You'll be fine on the station which is quite busy but the surrounding area isn't great.

If you happen to get off at Mossley Hill there is an amazing little bar called Pi about a minute from the station. Loads of unusual real ales on tap and bottled lagers and ales from around the world. Had to get a plug in there because I live in Mossley Hill (Although my local station is West Allerton).

 

[Bevan Price]

Thanks to the information given I have booked my trip for next week. I really appreciate your help.....thank you.



How long do you think it would be before they start repeating?

.

West Kirby & New Brighton lines start to repeat after 75 minutes ; you need 90 mins to see all Chester & Ellesmere Port line services.

On the Northern line, you may need up to 2 hours to see all trains operating on the Hunts Cross - Southport service, during which time see will get repeats of all units operating on the Kirkby & Ormskirk lines. Earlier this week, there were 3 to 4 units parked outside Kirkdale Depot at about noon; binoculars advisable if you want to try and read the numbers from Kirkdale station.

 

[Chris Wallis]

What MR ticket would be best for me to purchase?

My plan is to go from Lime Street to Central, stay there for a couple of hours, and then back again......

 

[FQ]

Probably a return from Lime Street to Central. Or if you wanted to go further out, a Merseyrail Saveaway.

 

[fowler9]

What MR ticket would be best for me to purchase?

My plan is to go from Lime Street to Central, stay there for a couple of hours, and then back again......

Not sure what ticket you are getting to Liverpool but if it is a return to Liverpool it will probably be return to Liverpool Stations including Central and you won't need another ticket, just pop down the escalator.

If you are travelling around the saveaway is good value.

 

[Techniquest]

The Saveaway is amazing value indeed, I've done a few last year and for the money you can cover a lot of area! Not been up since 14th July, changing that soon with a mini-day trip a week on Monday

 

[fowler9]

The Saveaway is amazing value indeed, I've done a few last year and for the money you can cover a lot of area! Not been up since 14th July, changing that soon with a mini-day trip a week on Monday

Hope you have a good trip chief. I'll be in work sadly or I would have tried to meet up for a cuppa.

 

[Techniquest]

Fair games, if I'm up on an overnight stay trip next time I'll let you know