Spotting in London

[Breadman]

Anybody up for an afternoon of trainspotting at st pancras platform 11 at about 13:30 ish 08/01/18

 

[BluePenguin]

I would happily have joined you. Sadly I can't do tomorrow as I have an appointment. I could do another day though?

 

[Breadman]

I would happily have joined you. Sadly I can't do tomorrow as I have an appointment. I could do another day though?

I travel to London regularly but i'm not sure when i will next be at st pancras

 

[BluePenguin]

You will have to let me know next time you are down.

 

[ColinC]

Apologies for these rather basic questions, but is there a clear view of London Midland and Eurostar trains from platform 11? And are the station staff happy to allow spotters access?

 

[MG11]

Apologies for these rather basic questions, but is there a clear view of London Midland and Eurostar trains from platform 11? And are the station staff happy to allow spotters access?

Hi, sorry to disappoint, London Midland operate no services from London Saint Pancras International, they do however, operate many services from London Euston, which is just a short journey away on the London Underground.

 

[ColinC]

Hi, sorry to disappoint, London Midland operate no services from London Saint Pancras International, they do however, operate many services from London Euston, which is just a short journey away on the London Underground.

Oops, typo! I meant East Midland.

 

[BluePenguin]

No you can't see the East Midlands trains very well from platform 11 as the Eurostars are usually parked in the way. If by chance there aren't any then you will just about be able to see the Eastmidlands trains. If you walk to the very end you will be able to get a better view although they are quite far away. It is probably best to do your Southeastern spotting at platform 11 and then head over to the Eastmidlands platforms. I don't know whether the staff happily let people in or not but I can't they why they wouldn't be if you ask nicely.

As MG11 says, Euston is very near by if you wanted to see some London Midland and Virgin trains. I wouldn't bother paying £2.40 to get the underground to Euston from St Pancras as the walk between the two is only 10 minutes long. But if you have a Travelcard, met the daily cap on your Oyster card or if it raining, then you might as well get there by Underground.

 

[trainmania100]

Be aware that south eastern high speed platforms require their own ticket.
Travelcard tickets are not valid through the gateline and you will either need to seek permission to let you through, or buy a valid southeastern hs1 ticket to get through.

East Midlands Trains platforms are the best. Can get a good shot of the eurostars leaving.

 

[NSE]

I’d recommend getting a travel card if you’re doing more than one station. It’s just easier than having to worry about time limits with touching in and out with oyster. (Apologies if you already know all this)

 

[Far north 37]

If your not to bothered about the eurostars kentish town is good for all east midland trains services plus you get all the thameslink services that pass through st pancras and the odd freight as well.

 

[ColinC]

Thanks for the responses.

I'd suspected that there wasn't a good view of all services at St Pancras, so was considering separate visits to West Hampstead for EM and Thameslink (same traffic as Kentish Town presumably), and to Stratford International for the Southeastern and Eurostar services.

 

[Far north 37]

Thanks for the responses.

I'd suspected that there wasn't a good view of all services at St Pancras, so was considering separate visits to West Hampstead for EM and Thameslink (same traffic as Kentish Town presumably), and to Stratford International for the Southeastern and Eurostar services.

Kentish town better than west hampstead.
West hampstead has fencing that blocks proper views of some of the services kentish town has clear platforms for seeing everything.

 

[trainmania100]

Kentish town better than west hampstead.
West hampstead has fencing that blocks proper views of some of the services kentish town has clear platforms for seeing everything.

The HSTs usually go around the back at Kentish Town as well. Luton Airport Parkway is probably the best of all of them, but thats a bit far out. Most MML stations close the fast lines and have fences to keep people on the slow lines side.

 

[jellybaby]

Be aware that south eastern high speed platforms require their own ticket.
Travelcard tickets are not valid through the gateline and you will either need to seek permission to let you through, or buy a valid southeastern hs1 ticket to get through.

Can you buy a platform ticket?

 

[Breadman]

I would happily have joined you. Sadly I can't do tomorrow as I have an appointment. I could do another day though?

Hey
I'm in London on Monday 22nd anyone fancy an hour spotting?
maybe St Pancras or Ebbsfleet

 

[Breadman]

Hey all

Anyone up for an hour or so spotting at kings cross, St Pancras or maybe ebbsfleet?

Monday 22nd about 13:30

 

[BluePenguin]

Hey
I'm in London on Monday 22nd anyone fancy an hour spotting?
maybe St Pancras or Ebbsfleet

Hey yes I fancy doing some. I am interested in joining you for an hour or two if you are still going.

I have an appointment at 11:30 in the morning but could make it to Ebbsfleet for 13:35 if that works for you?

 

[Breadman]

Pr

Hey yes I fancy doing some. I am interested in joining you for an hour or two if you are still going.

I have an appointment at 11:30 in the morning but could make it to Ebbsfleet for 13:35 if that works for you?

Hey there

Sorry but I can't make it to ebbsfleet because I have a connection to make, I can do kings cross or st pancras though?

 

[BluePenguin]

Pr


Hey there

Sorry but I can't make it to ebbsfleet because I have a connection to make, I can do kings cross or st pancras though?

What time is your connection? Oh dear, I thought you could make it Ebbsfleet as you mentioned it as a maybe. The earliest I can get to St Pancras is 13:54. That is assuming my appointment lasts an hour. I hope that leaves us with enough time.

 

[Breadman]

What time is your connection? Oh dear, I thought you could make it Ebbsfleet as you mentioned it as a maybe. The earliest I can get to St Pancras is 13:54. That is assuming my appointment lasts an hour. I hope that leaves us with enough time.

My connection is at 3pm
I arrive at about 1:30
I could make it to ebbsfleet but I would be cutting it pretty fine.

 

[Breadman]

Hey yes I fancy doing some. I am interested in joining you for an hour or two if you are still going.

I have an appointment at 11:30 in the morning but could make it to Ebbsfleet for 13:35 if that works for you?

You still up?
If so shall I meet u here at about 2pm

 

[BluePenguin]

Good morning! Yes I am. Sure that is a good idea. I will see you next to the statue at 2pm

 

[Breadman]

Good morning! Yes I am. Sure that is a good idea. I will see you next to the statue at 2pm

Ok see u later

 

[BluePenguin]

Ok see u later

Yes you will but it might be sooner than planned! I thought I would let you that my appointment was a lot shorter than I expected, only 15 minutes it turned out. I was able to get on an earlier train so will be arriving into St Pancras at 13:21 instead. I will go and wait by the statue. If you see this message late then don't worry I will still be there at 14:00 as we agreed.

 

[Breadman]

Ok great , on my train to kings cross

 

[BluePenguin]

Travelling in First Class eh? Very nice. I hope someone comes round with a trolley and gives you a mufin and can eLooks very quiet. My train in comparison is a little more busy.

 

[Breadman]

Travelling in First Class eh? Very nice. I hope someone comes round with a trolley and gives you a mufin and can eLooks very quiet. My train in comparison is a little more busy.

View attachment 41834 View attachment 41835

Made it.

 

[Breadman]

Made it.

Im here

 

[BluePenguin]

I am sat opposite the statue. There is not many people around. I am easy to spot lol