Photography in the Liverpool Area.

[lm321412]

Hello,

Are these stations generally relaxed when taking photos of the trains?

Stations managed by Merseyrail?

Liverpool Lime St?


If I just aware them of my presense and sign in or w/e, I shouldnt have any problems with these ones?

I am hoping its a generally relaxed station such as Manchester Piccadilly.

 

[alexdodds]

Hello,

Are these stations generally relaxed when taking photos of the trains?

Stations managed by Merseyrail?

Liverpool Lime St?


If I just aware them of my presense and sign in or w/e, I shouldnt have any problems with these ones?

I am hoping its a generally relaxed station such as Manchester Piccadilly.

Merseyrail have no problems at all with enthusiasts. highley unlikey you will get challenged by staff. I spent 25 minutes in Hamilton Square station taking videos and not once i was challenged and i didnt even ask for permission.

Lime Street station is managed by network rail except the merseyrail platform. so you would need to sign in at the station reception on P1.

however the last time i went i didnt have to sign in or get a badge.

They told me just as long as you let us know then thats fine.

 

[Pumbaa]

You certainly won't get bothered at Lime St over the express side (7-9).

 

[lm321412]

Thanks for that guys, I probably will sign in with Network Rail when I do go to Lime St and hopefully should have a good time there.

I ask as to the Merseyrail platforms as some of them do indeed remind me of the London Underground (which apparently can be a nightmare to photo on). I was thinking about Liverpool Central to take some train photographs, but It doesnt seem the best station for photos (busy, dark and gloomy).

But I have a Cheshire Dayranger on that day, so therefore I will probably explore some of the suburban stations the area has too.

 

[142094]

Spent around half an hour taking pictures at Liverpool Central last year, no problems. You shouldn't either unless you do something stupid like setting up a tripod! I know the lighting is crap but instead of using a tripod I balanced it on one of the plastic seats built as a recess into the wall and this worked a treat.

 

[lm321412]

Spent around half an hour taking pictures at Liverpool Central last year, no problems. You shouldn't either unless you do something stupid like setting up a tripod! I know the lighting is crap but instead of using a tripod I balanced it on one of the plastic seats built as a recess into the wall and this worked a treat.

I never ever see the point of a tripod, big and bulky, no real need. I have a D-SLR which is pretty fond of low-light situations but also having a pretty steady hand does help!

 

[First class]

You may find problems at Liverpool Central from certain members of staff, I've had to remind superiors at times of the rules, however, on the whole Merseyrail has a good attitute towards enthusiasts and mentions on the website:

http://www.merseyrail.org/about-us/rail-enthusiasts-corner.html

You don't need to "sign in", just buy a platform ticket for 10p every hour. These will be sold on request. You shouldn't have any problems if you do want to use a tripod so long as you do it during "off-peak times" when 6-car formations are not running and go to the far end of the platform, (Hunts Cross end).

The lady who runs Customer Services will clear any confusion up with Merseyrail staff if you get them to contact them, but I really don't think you'll have any problems!

If you want any gen on movements through the station, let me know. There are some surprising moves to be had there.

Almost surprised myself when 66250 when through on a ballast working one morning.

 

[c259]

Never had any problems taking photo's at Lime Street on the main platforms 1-5. All I usually do is just ask at the ticket barrier if it's ok to go and take photo's on the platform. They've always said it's ok. Although I don't normally stay on the platform for a long period of time. If your planning on staying on the platform for a long period of time then I would sign in instead.

On the express side, platforms 7-9, I was asked once why I was taking photo's by a member of staff. I told him I was just taking photo's of the trains for my own personal use and he had no problem with it.

 

[46100ROYALSCOT]

Thanks for that guys, I probably will sign in with Network Rail when I do go to Lime St and hopefully should have a good time there.

I ask as to the Merseyrail platforms as some of them do indeed remind me of the London Underground (which apparently can be a nightmare to photo on). I was thinking about Liverpool Central to take some train photographs, but It doesnt seem the best station for photos (busy, dark and gloomy).

But I have a Cheshire Dayranger on that day, so therefore I will probably explore some of the suburban stations the area has too.

If you want lots of Merseyrail pics try Sandhills, which is out in the open. Its the next station out of Central and its very busy really a train every few minutes.

 

[Ivo]

If you want lots of Merseyrail pics try Sandhills, which is out in the open. Its the next station out of Moorfields [on the Northern Line, heading north] and its very busy really a train every few minutes.

Barring the one slight correction I have made, I think this is a good call. I've tried waiting at Sandhills to watch the 507s and 508s go by before now (without my camera, because I was around to take pictures of Liverpool not its trains that day).

 

[First class]

I'd say Hunts Cross is a good call for spotting... Merseyrail units in the bay every 15min, 185s, 158s, 156s, 150s, 142s, might even see a pacer passing over the 3rd rail

Good bridge (and pub looking on to the rails) there too.

If you time it right, Bootle Oriel Road will let you see the limited Merseyrail freight, (DBS 60s/66s).

 

[12CSVT]

If you are after vantage points of the Merseyrail network, Stanley Street overbridge (near Bank Hall station) provides views of both the Southport and Ormskirk lines looking towards Sandhills and of Kirkdale depot. Although it is probably advisable to go in a group if you are taking expensive cameras with you.

 

[Statto]

I'll say Sandhills is a good spot for taking photos, with same level of service as Liverpool Central Northern Line platforms & it's elevated as well[although may be one to avoid if it's blowing a gale], with views for pics across the Mersey, & not as cramped as Central.

 

[Tufty]

Sandhills is very good and very busy, take a look here:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rail_scenes/sets/72157626333858120/

 

[142094]

I was in Liverpool a couple of weeks back and spent an hour and a bit at Edge Hill. Good spot for most services, plus if you have a decent telephoto lens you get get pictures of trains as they come up the bank from Lime Street.