Swiss train photographer visits the UK

[zettie94]

Hey

I’m a train photographer from Switzerland. You can check out my pictures here: http://www.bahnbilder.de/name/galerie/fotograf/24714/username/julian-ryf.html
In 2 weeks, I’ll visit the UK for the first time. Besides the normal tourist program, I want to do some train photography as well. I especially want to catch some HST and Class 91 and – if possible – some freight trains.
My travel route follows mainly the west coast main line from London to Liverpool, then to York (national railway museum) and along the east coast main line to Scotland. Now I’m looking for spots along the route, preferably near London, Liverpool, York and Edinburgh, that are easily accessible by train or bus (I’m travelling with interrail).

Best regards, Julian

 

[Harbornite]

Welcome to the forum, Julian. You've taken some nice pictures.

You'll see Virgin Trains East Coast Class 91s, VTEC and Crosscountry HSTs at Edinburgh Waverley station, and and a handful of freight trains in addition to the above at York Station. On the West Coast Mainline, Warrington, Tamworth, Rugby and Nuneaton are particularly good locations for seeing freight trains but whether or not you'd be able to fit any of these locations into your itinerary is another question.

 

[DarloRich]

you might be better posting this in trip planning and reports section as it will get more views

 

[ac6000cw]

On the WCML, places like Nuneaton and Stafford are good for freight (as well as passenger), as everything goes through the stations. Anywhere along the ECML will get you 91s and HSTs, and if you don't mind diverting a little off your main route, Doncaster on the ECML has a good mix of 91s, HSTs, freight, DMUs and EMUs.

 

[fowler9]

Not too far from Liverpool you can get the train to Acton Bridge from where there are some footpaths with decent views of the West Coast Main Line. Also near Warrington. A small amount of walking would be involved.

 

[cactustwirly]

Ealing Broadway in west London, is good for GWR HSTs and freight

 

[yorkie]

...Now I’m looking for spots along the route, preferably near London, Liverpool, York and Edinburgh, that are easily accessible by train or bus (I’m travelling with interrail)...

What days are you in York?

Would hiring a bike be an option? If so it would be easier to get to places like this spot near Bolton Percy (map). There are a few buses to Colton Junction (map), but not many.

 

[zettie94]

Thanks for the answers so far, there were some interesting suggestions.
Especially Acton Bridge looks very promising, but on the satellite image it also looks, like there were a lot of bushes hiding the track from view?

In York I'm on the 19th and 20th of August (and I want to visit the NRM too). The bus to Colton doesn't run on sundays, but hiring bike is a good idea (depends on the weather ). The spots both look really nice.

Does anyone know a good spot on the ECML south of Edinburgh (but not too far away)?

 

[fowler9]

Thanks for the answers so far, there were some interesting suggestions.
Especially Acton Bridge looks very promising, but on the satellite image it also looks, like there were a lot of bushes hiding the track from view?

In York I'm on the 19th and 20th of August (and I want to visit the NRM too). The bus to Colton doesn't run on sundays, but hiring bike is a good idea (depends on the weather ). The spots both look really nice.

Does anyone know a good spot on the ECML south of Edinburgh (but not too far away)?

There are some foot bridges just south of Acton Bridge where you can get decent shots tight next to the line. Near Warrington there are some good spots which take a bit more effort to get to.That said there is a footbridge that crosses the Mersey River whch is actually on the side of one of the railway bridges. It is actually a freight line it hanges off but you have a good view of the WCML. If you get a bus out of Warrington to somewhere like Walton you can walk down the canal and get some good shots of the WCML from further away. If you head north out of Warrington near the Sankey Valley park there are some goo spots near the WCML.