Spotting 142's in the Machester area

[mawallace]

I have 4 hours to kill in the Machester area and have a few questions

a. Does anyone have the Class 142 diagrams for the Haton based 142's?

b. Waht routes do the HEaton based 142's run on?

c. Where would be the best place to go and photograph the 142's based at Heaton? I will not have any access to a car so guess it will have to be a station

d/ What are the stations like re photogrpahy in the Manchester areas? I have not been there for a long time

Sorry its a lot of questions!

 

[Ben]

Errrm I think your getting a bit confused... Heaton is in Northumbria?

 

[P156KWJ]

Heaton is an ex-ATN depot. Manchester was never (AFAIK) an ATN area, unless you count transpenninexpress, and all pacers will come from the ex-FNW depot.

Your nearest station to Manchester for photting at Heaton would be in the Newcastle area, so quite pricey

 

[1D53]

Although Heaton based 142's can and do end up anywhere across the Northern Network so you're just as likely to see them in Manchester as anywhere else (in theory).

 

[bluenoxid]

I have 4 hours to kill in the Machester area and have a few questions

a. Does anyone have the Class 142 diagrams for the Haton based 142's?

b. Waht routes do the HEaton based 142's run on?

c. Where would be the best place to go and photograph the 142's based at Heaton? I will not have any access to a car so guess it will have to be a station

d/ What are the stations like re photogrpahy in the Manchester areas? I have not been there for a long time

Sorry its a lot of questions!

I have seen the diagrams somewhere but I don't know where they are. Heaton based 142's usually sit around Newcastle and Yorkshire, with occasional foray into Cumbria and North Lancashire (officially). However, the HT 142 fleet is currently getting repainted at Newton Heath meaning that they are slowly moving around to get there.

However, the Northern fleet is a common user fleet resulting in 142's likely to turn up on anything.

The best place to get the 142's at Heaton would probably be Newcastle and the North East, but that doesn't particularly cover it as 142's can cover the whole Northern area.

Newton Heath's 142 fleet can get everywhere literally with them likely to be on services to Liverpool, Blackpool, Rochdale, etc.

My advice would be an hour or two an Man Picc and then pop over to Man Vic and trundle either up the Oldham loop or towards Salford Cresent.

Whilst track may not be a primary aim of yours, you may want to take the opportunity to trundle around the Oldham loop which is to close this autumn.

Manchester Picc will ask you to sign in, Man Vic is just too dark in my opinion to be of any use for photters

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

If your looking for 142's in the Manchester area then as bluenoxifd said Manchester Victoria is your best bet. Your absolutely guranteed to see 142's there usually covering services between Manchester Victoria-Bolton-Wigan-Liverpool Lime Street (or sometimes Southport.) Also 142's are common between Manchester-Rochdale-Oldham These are the two routes where you are most likely to see a 142.

As far as central Manchester is concerned then Picadilly station is your best bet as you get a bbit of everything.' A wide variety of DMU's and EMU;s as well passing freight services - plus there are a wide range of services and facilities, whilst it is quite friendly.

 

[Stonesourscotty]

I'd Say Vic is as good as Pic for 142 Spotting plus its Near the Northern depot to se the Ones at Newton Heath.

 

[mawallace]

Thank you for your answers

Seems the summing up is Victoria is best - some would be seen at Piccadility though (!)

Few more questions

What is Victoria like for photographs? Do the staff there insisi ton booking in

for Victoria and Piccailly which platforms would be best

and finally, to travel from Piccidilly to Victoria - how would you get there, train / tram / and how much does it cost?

Can you esily see Newton Heath depot and take pictures?

 

[Stonesourscotty]

Personally if you are travelling between Vic and Pic i'd go via Salford Crescent as that way you may see more trains. In Vic i'd stand on Plaform 3 as you can see everything from there. Pic I'd stand at the edge of the Curved Platforms.

 

[Benn88]

On Vic station, if you go to the far end of the platform where the station building is on (Can't remember the number I'm afraid, the first through road platform you come to from turning left from the main entrance) i.e. the end away from the Metrolink Platforms, there is a foot bridge you can walk on which allows you excellent views out of the throat of the station at the Salford Central end.

As for getting pictures at the Rochdale end, it's a bit tricky as it's dark and there's a big road bridge in the way...

 

[Ben]

On Vic station, if you go to the far end of the platform where the station building is on (Can't remember the number I'm afraid, the first through road platform you come to from turning left from the main entrance) i.e. the end away from the Metrolink Platforms, there is a foot bridge you can walk on which allows you excellent views out of the throat of the station at the Salford Central end.

As for getting pictures at the Rochdale end, it's a bit tricky as it's dark and there's a big road bridge in the way...

Platform 3.

 

[metrocammel]

I don't think there's any restrictions with photography, they are always OK if there's a railtour, or something rare in the platforms. They may find you a bit crazy if you are taking pictures of mundane 142s though- if you do if for too long, I would imagine someone will ask you what you are doing! If I saw someone taking pictures of 142s for too long, I would find it a bit suspicious, and may be tempted to call the men in white coats......


Anyway, moving on, you must also bear in mind at Man Vic, you'll need valid ticket to travel, or a platform ticket, as they have people barriers.

 

[mawallace]

I went today!

Question: - At Manchester Victoria I saw 7 142’s and at Piccadilly I saw7 I would have expected more than that! Would I have seen more if I had gone elsewhere in the Manchester area or further afield (over the same course of time i.e 5 hours) e.g. Wigan North Western

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

You won't Wigan North Western however you would definetely see a load of them at Wigan Wallgate which sees mostly 142's as well as 150's and 156's.

Suprised you did'nt catch many at Man Vic although I am not aware of what time you travelled and how long you spent there.

Also why not try Salford Crescent, there you would see trains going to both Man Vic and Man Picc (and beyond) as well as trains going towards Wigan (via Atherton or Bolton), Preston and Blackburn and probably a couple of 66 hauled freight services.

 

[Stonesourscotty]

142004 currently reeks of sick avoid this unit at all costs. it was on Kirkby's twice today Surprised it wasnt swapped in Wigan/Manchester at some point?

The only plus side is this units still in Golden Star Livery