Train Spotting in London

[AC47461]

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.

To be honest, it's probably a personal preference more than anything else. I find you'll be less likely to be bothered by any jobsworths wanting to know what you're up to (and yes, I appreciate and understand security but not when it's being rude...). Like I say, if you're not bothered too much about LHCS or HTS trailers then I'd go one stop or so out. At Stratford for example, you'll get LO units, all the freight that goes through (off peak) and units on Straford-Lea Valley workings. Of course you won't get anything going via Hackney Wick. At Finsbury Park you'll get units coming off Moorgate, and anything coming out of the Thameslink tunnels for Great Northern Services as well as out of Kings Cross. Ealing Broadway or Acton Mainline avoids the hassle of signing in at Paddington. It all depends on what you want, everyone is different Happy hunting whatever you do though

 

[Kite159]

Thanks!

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

Yep, although watch out for the timetable as the Thameslink services towards South London are sometimes a bit hit & miss

 

[Oscar46016]

Thanks for the info guys
Oscar

 

[noddy1878]

Yes. St P lower level to Finsbury Park. Or Kings Cross to Finsbury Park. Or Moorgate to Finsbury Park. You can choose whatever you wish in reverse.

edit: hadn't refreshed my page before answering!

 

[Kite159]

I would suggest trying out a 313 to Moorgate now they are on borrowed time, they make a good noise in the tunnels

 

[Tim R-T-C]

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

I don't think it works like that. At least when I use contactless, the default journey cost is separate to the usual cap, since it is assuming you have made the longest possible journey.

First time I used contactless and didn't know about the time limit, I got a £27 daily charge (I did get the excess refunded).

 

[Oscar46016]

Guys - looking at my next trip - is there any value in going anywhere near Willesden - seems to be laods of freight that goes that way plus you have the TMD?
Thanks
Oscar

 

[Esker-pades]

In my experience, there aren't many good locations in that area.

If it's freight you want, I would set up at South Kenton (as I have done a couple of times) or anywhere along the North London Line (especially between Kensal Rise and Gospel Oak).

 

[pieguyrob]

On a separate note. If you are planning on spending any amount of time at London bridge, you have to sign with security at the network rail office.