Trainspotting at Doncaster

[deltic]

Why is Doncaster the last stronghold of trainspotters?

While you will see the occasional spotter/photographer at most main line stations, Doncaster seems to always have around 20 people on its platform ends. There were also at least three on Bently station today spotting which given Doncaster is only a few minutes away seems a bit odd.

So why many trainspotters at Donny compared to the likes of York, Crewe etc?

 

[matt]

Doncaster still has a reasonable amount of freight plus a variety of other operators.

 

[DanNCL]

There always seems to be a good number of trainspotters at Carlisle whenever I'm there. I don't know of anywhere other than Doncaster and Carlisle with so many trainspotters though.

 

[Mag_seven]

There always seems to be a good number of trainspotters at Carlisle whenever I'm there. I don't know of anywhere other than Doncaster and Carlisle with so many trainspotters though.

Didcot Parkway (and to a lesser extent Reading) normally have a fair few.

 

[Condor7]

Obviously the amount of variety at any station is important, but I think the facilities at major stations helps, i.e. toilets, cafes, vendors, etc, plus shelter with good views if it rains. Also the atmosphere, the hustle and bustle, the announcements, the guards whistle, etc.

 

[sprinterguy]

There always seems to be a good number of trainspotters at Carlisle whenever I'm there. I don't know of anywhere other than Doncaster and Carlisle with so many trainspotters though.

Stafford retains a substantial population of resident spotters, seemingly at all times of the day throughout the year, for the same reasons as other such hubs as you have mentioned: Primarily the variety and frequency of the remaining freight traffic.

 

[nat67]

There's always one at Rugby, especially if 86259 is there.

 

[Alex Smith]

Doncaster, Peterborough, Stafford, Nuneaton. There use to be around 10 at Leicester station each evening during the week.

 

[ac6000cw]

Ipswich too - especially as the FL loco depot is right alongside the platforms.

 

[James Wake]

Clapham Junction usually has a few around each morning at the end of platform 11/12. Commuting through there means I stop there for longer than normal sometimes so can do a bit of spotting.