Train Spotting in London

[Oscar46016]

Years ago you could be platform tickets or on some stations just walk up platforms without barriers.

Can you still do the same at the main termini such as KX, StP, Vic, Waterloo, Liv St etc...?

I'm up in London next week and was planning on doing a whistle stop tour of a few stations.

 

[A0]

Years ago you could be platform tickets or on some stations just walk up platforms without barriers.

Can you still do the same at the main termini such as KX, StP, Vic, Waterloo, Liv St etc...?

I'm up in London next week and was planning on doing a whistle stop tour of a few stations.

Depends what you're trying to do.

If you have a Travelcard you'll get through the barriers in any case (at least for anything stopping in the TFL area).

Biggest problems with the termini is many of them are lousy for seeing what's going on nowadays in any case - stations one or two stops out are often better.

 

[Oscar46016]

Just really wanted to get onto a platform for a few photos.

Time will be limited hence I was thinking of just rolling up and spending about 20 minutes at maybe 4 or 5...

 

[richieb1971]

You'll have problems at Clapham Junction. Been twice, got removed twice. Apparently you have to talk to someone in an office if you want to photograph or film. I just caught a train and went elsewhere.

KX and STP you should be okay, but picking the right platform is key.

 

[XCTurbostar]

You'll have problems at Clapham Junction. Been twice, got removed twice. Apparently you have to talk to someone in an office if you want to photograph or film.

I've had completely the opposite experience. Been three times and never had any issues, even at rush hour.

 

[FGW_DID]

As mentioned above, a day travelcard will get you through most of the barriers. For platforms such as the High Speed South Eastern at St Pancras, I’ve always just asked the gateline staff, if I can nip in and phot the stock that’s there.

Never had a problem at Clapham Jn.

 

[Oscar46016]

thanks Chaps - is a day travel card an oyster card or the one you but for unlimited travel on the tube Clapham Jct looks good!

 

[Segedunum]

A day travelcard is on paper. It's valid on all modes in Zone 1-6 apart from HS1 between St Pancras and Stratford Intl, Heathrow Express, and the Emirates Airline.

£8.10 with a railcard and £12.30 without IIRC

 

[XCTurbostar]

The only other thing I would mention is that it is possible to use your oyster or contactless card to remain on the platforms.

In most cases, TfL allow you a certain amount of time (say an hour) between tapping in at your start station and tapping out at the end of your journey. You can exploit this a little by travelling from on station to another. e.g. From Waterloo (Zone 1) to Chapham Jct (Zone 2) - TfL will give you 110 minutes to complete a 9 minute journey time. The remaining time you can stay on the platform. As long you monitor your time and tap out before the 109th minute, this would cost you just £2.40.

 

[Kite159]

You'll have problems at Clapham Junction. Been twice, got removed twice. Apparently you have to talk to someone in an office if you want to photograph or film. I just caught a train and went elsewhere.

KX and STP you should be okay, but picking the right platform is key.

Might it have changed since management of the station transferred to Network Rail from SWR earlier in the year?

 

[Segedunum]

Might it have changed since management of the station transferred to Network Rail from SWR earlier in the year?

In all in the years (getting on for 5) I've used Clapham Junction I've never witnessed any photographer get harrassed and there's always a couple on the platform ends.

 

[Skymonster]

Exercise caution using an Oyster card or contactless pay-as-you-go for 'spotting', as there can be quite significant charges for exceeding the TfL end-to-end travel time time limits or tapping in and out at the same station (i.e. if used to go onto a platform and then exit without travelling anywhere) - or at least understand when excess charges are applied. Using a paper travelcard avoids these issues.

 

[AlexNL]

If you're planning to just go to a station (such as KX) make yourself known to the station manager upfront, they'll greatly appreciate it and it'll help you getting waved through the barriers. If you intend to travel, I suggest you buy a paper ticket instead so you won't be bothered by Oyster's maximum journey times (which are a pain).

Make sure you know the Network Rail guidelines and adhere to them (stay behind the yellow line, don't go in places where the public shouldn't go, etc.). You might encounter staff (e.g. G4S) who want to chase you away ('you need a permit'), stay polite and stand your ground.

Some locations which I can recommend:

WCML:
- Carpenders Park platforms
- A footbridge over the WCML and Watford DC line between Kenton and South Kenton

ECML:
- Hatfield
- Hitchin
- Welwyn Garden City

 

[Kite159]

If you're planning to just go to a station (such as KX) make yourself known to the station manager upfront, they'll greatly appreciate it and it'll help you getting waved through the barriers. If you intend to travel, I suggest you buy a paper ticket instead so you won't be bothered by Oyster's maximum journey times (which are a pain).

Make sure you know the Network Rail guidelines and adhere to them (stay behind the yellow line, don't go in places where the public shouldn't go, etc.). You might encounter staff (e.g. G4S) who want to chase you away ('you need a permit'), stay polite and stand your ground.

Some locations which I can recommend:

WCML:
- Carpenders Park platforms
- A footbridge over the WCML and Watford DC line between Kenton and South Kenton

ECML:
- Hatfield
- Hitchin
- Welwyn Garden City

Neither 3 are within London and would require separate tickets from a standard travelcard/oyster

 

[AlexNL]

Neither 3 are within London and would require separate tickets from a standard travelcard/oyster

That is absolutely true.

It's worth considering though, as the ECML is quite diverse (LNER, GN, GC/HT) and lots of changes to rolling stock are coming (313's going, HST's going, Electra's going).

 

[Oscar46016]

Thanks for all the help and advice guys.
I'm thinking head straight for Clapham for half hour, then up to KX & StP and Euston for about 20 mins each, then pop into Marylebone on the way back to Paddington - 3 and a half hours well spent!

 

[NorthWestRover]

Obviously things have changed (a lot) but a trip to London used to have the advantage of being able to combine station visits with several excellent depots. These included (from memory) Cricklewood, Finsbury Park, Stratford, Hither Green, Selhurst, Old Oak Common, Willesden. So many different types of locos across that lot - late 70s/early 80s I reckon those depots would get you 03, 08, 09, 31, 33, 37, 43, 44 (if lucky) 45, 47, 50, 55, 73, 81-87. Really only missing were 20 (or were they at Stratford? I don't think so), 24, 25, 26, 27, 40, 46 (or did they do St Pancras and hence Cricklewood), 56.

 

[Oscar46016]

Yes I remember those days well!

Can someone advise the best platform at Clapham?

 

[30907]

Yes I remember those days well!

Can someone advise the best platform at Clapham?

Used to be 9/10 in my youth...

 

[AC47461]

I had to book into Paddington last year after my mate and I were asked in a sarcastic manner "are you like trainspotters innit?" by a member of platform staff. Having said that, the office were very considerate and helpful. We got an official pass and everything. On the same day we spent two hours at Kings Cross (at the end of platform 8), spoke to one member of NR staff who asked us if we were having a good day and didn't have to report in. That said, if we go again and plan on spending a long amount of time at any of the major termini we'll be booking in first, if only to avoid the sarcastic comments......
If you have the time, you're better off going one or two stops out where possible like Clapham Junc, Finsbury Park, Bethnal Green, Ealing Broadway, etc. especially if your only bothered about unit/loco numbers. For the few places with loco hauled stock or HSTs, you might have to stick to the termini.

 

[03_179]

Yes I remember those days well!

Can someone advise the best platform at Clapham?

Probably 9/10 at the London end.

Also 11/12 can be just as good but 9/10 is slightly better.

Never had a problem at CLJ in all my years in fact if you just and say morning/afternoon with a smile to the staff when they approach and they see a notebook/pen/camera combo they just carry on walking.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

I have photographed at every London Terminal and rarely had any problems, never had to sign in.

I prefer the outlying locations anyway, better for photography and particularly on the Great Western and Anglia routes, you get a good amount of freight too.

Exercise caution using an Oyster card or contactless pay-as-you-go for 'spotting', as there can be quite significant charges for exceeding the TfL end-to-end travel time time limits or tapping in and out at the same station (i.e. if used to go onto a platform and then exit without travelling anywhere) - or at least understand when excess charges are applied. Using a paper travelcard avoids these issues.

Just make sure to sign up for an account on the TfL website, lets you monitor your charges. A few times I have been charged for not tapping in and out in good time, appealed the charge by e-mail and it has always been refunded. I just explained that I was spotting and offered to send photographic proof if needed!

Paper tickets are okay, but can work out a lot more expensive if you are only there for a short time.

 

[Oscar46016]

Ok - so my day went ok.
Took some photos at Paddington, then did a quick cab to Marylebone to see the 11:10 which was 68011.
Tube to Waterloo then unit to Clapham Jct - stood at the end of Platform 12 without any problems.
Unit then to Victoria, followed by tube to Liverpool St, then another to Kings Cross, swift walk to St Pancras ( couldn't work out the platforms - god that place has changed! ), over to Euston then tube back to Paddington.

All in all a good days work!

 

[sgraIRL]

The only other thing I would mention is that it is possible to use your oyster or contactless card to remain on the platforms.

In most cases, TfL allow you a certain amount of time (say an hour) between tapping in at your start station and tapping out at the end of your journey. You can exploit this a little by travelling from on station to another. e.g. From Waterloo (Zone 1) to Chapham Jct (Zone 2) - TfL will give you 110 minutes to complete a 9 minute journey time. The remaining time you can stay on the platform. As long you monitor your time and tap out before the 109th minute, this would cost you just £2.40.

And if you keep going you'll be capped anyway. When I am in London I usually try and tag in and out within the 2 hours, but its never an issue as I get to the cap anyway

So the Zone 1 Daily Anytime cap is £6.80 compared to a TravelCard at £12.70. The saving is not the same pro-rata as you go through the zones, but the capped Oyster rate is always cheaper than the equivalent Travelcard. So Oyster is both cheaper and more flexible (e.g. if you stop early or don't do as many zones as you thought)

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/adult-fares-2018.pdf

 

[sgraIRL]

Probably 9/10 at the London end.

Also 11/12 can be just as good but 9/10 is slightly better.

Never had a problem at CLJ in all my years in fact if you just and say morning/afternoon with a smile to the staff when they approach and they see a notebook/pen/camera combo they just carry on walking.

Similar experience with me. Approached a while ago, although the staff member was after the guy nearby me! He was using a 'mono-pod' and then argued the toss that the rules were against tri-pods! While not taking sides, the staff member was smiley and polite and I don't see the point of pushing the issue. I hopped on a train while they were still 'arguing'!

 

[Oscar46016]

If you have the time, you're better off going one or two stops out where possible like Clapham Junc, Finsbury Park, Bethnal Green, Ealing Broadway, etc. especially if your only bothered about unit/loco numbers. For the few places with loco hauled stock or HSTs, you might have to stick to the termini.

Could I ask what the benefit of going one stop out is - surely the trains are either going into or out of termini? I get clapham jct as you're covering more than one termini....

I'm up in london again on friday and have about two and a half hours not sure whats going to be best.

 

[03_179]

If you go to Finsbury Park then you will get trains out of Moorgate as well as Kings Cross.
Clapham Junc you'll get the London Overground trains as well as all the SW (Waterloo) and the SN (Victoria) trains

Also at the smaller stations you may not get scrutinised as much.

 

[Oscar46016]

If you go to Finsbury Park then you will get trains out of Moorgate as well as Kings Cross.
Clapham Junc you'll get the London Overground trains as well as all the SW (Waterloo) and the SN (Victoria) trains

Also at the smaller stations you may not get scrutinised as much.

Thanks - I take it I can do a train from KGX to FPK rather than a underground?

 

[Kite159]

Thanks - I take it I can do a train from KX to FP rather than a underground?

Yep, either a 313 from Moorgate, something from Kings Cross or St Pancras [depending on the day you visit]

 

[Oscar46016]

Yep, either a 313 from Moorgate, something from Kings Cross or St Pancras [depending on the day you visit]

Thanks!

So I could go out of St P and go back into Moorgate or KX?