Viewing areas

[Waddon]

Was at the National Railway Museum recently, which of course has it's balcony at the back to watch trains go past, and it got me thinking...
Of course there are lots of locations in the UK where you can get a good view of passing trains, but how many dedicated public viewing areas are there that were specifically built just for the purposes of watching trains go past? There is several on preserved lines but what about on the national network?

 

[D1009]

Was at the National Railway Museum recently, which of course has it's balcony at the back to watch trains go past, and it got me thinking...
Of course there are lots of locations in the UK where you can get a good view of passing trains, but how many dedicated public viewing areas are there that were specifically built just for the purposes of watching trains go past? There is several on preserved lines but what about on the national network?

There's one in Crewe Heritage Centre outside the preserved Crewe North Jn signal box.

 

[Cab2Cab]

Was at the National Railway Museum recently, which of course has it's balcony at the back to watch trains go past, and it got me thinking...
Of course there are lots of locations in the UK where you can get a good view of passing trains, but how many dedicated public viewing areas are there that were specifically built just for the purposes of watching trains go past? There is several on preserved lines but what about on the national network?

Hi,

If my memory serves me right there used to be a dedicated trains spotters den south end of platform 2 at chesterfield.

I'm talking the eighties and it was like a cattle pen.

Cheers

 

[starrymarkb]

There was one just inside Laira depot, but that's now closed as the depot gates have been moved to the other side of the bridge (understandable given it was next to unfenced sidings) I think it also had issues from chavs IIRC.

 

[tel]

Peterbro station south end of platform 3.

Tel

 

[43074]

Peterbro station south end of platform 3.

Tel

That one's been shut temporarily because of the building works at Peterborough - it will re-open as part of a new platform on the Up Fast.

 

[fsmr]

Ah memories of the 1960s on the birdcage at Leicester looking down on the Midland steam shed and coaling stage now all distant images. it used to get packed withy spotters although not sure that is was intended as such when it was built although it was an ideal viewing gallery being raised above proceedings

 

[reb0118]

I've always thought the old West End Signal Box at the Waverley would make a great viewing area. Would be even better if it was licenced too.

Photo here

 

[Busterfridge]

Am I right in thinking there is a pub on the ecml that has put up a raised area in its beer garden for people to take photo's from ?

 

[starrymarkb]

Am I right in thinking there is a pub on the ecml that has put up a raised area in its beer garden for people to take photo's from ?

The Sidings Hotel IIRC - is between York and Northallerton (can't remember if it's north or south of Thirsk)

 

[ChiefPlanner]

There was one in the Park proper at Finsbury Park .....(fondly remembered too)

 

[fsmr]

Talking of Northallerton, I always used to enjoy visiting the creamary till it closed 3 years back in between the ECML and the Eaglescliffe freight line although because the car park was the other side of the LC, it made nipping out to get tools a 30 min excercise if two trains came. still not many jobs you get paid to watch trains outside of the rail industry

The best job was up on top of the now demolished spray dryer roof as you got a view of the whole of the ECML below

 

[Windcutter]

The Sidings Hotel IIRC - is between York and Northallerton (can't remember if it's north or south of Thirsk)

Its well South just North of York.

You can get a good meal there with a view from your seat in an old carriage straight onto the four tracks

 

[jopsuk]

Pretty sure Railworld in Peterborough has one, though between the viewing area and the mainline are the FCC sidings.

 

[vicbury]

You have to buy a beer/drink to be there, but the new Graze Bar adjacent to Bath Spa station has a terrace directly overlooking the railway.

http://www.bathales.com/our-pubs/pid/graze-bath/

The photo that loads initially gives you some idea of its location. They do some great ales and whiskies there, and I'm told the steak is sublime!

http://www.hospitality-interiors.ne.../02/francestaylorphotographygrazebath3111.jpg

This photo also gives some of idea of how close you are to the railway, both inside and on the terrace.

 

[Ze Random One]

In much the same way as the Graze bar at Bath Spa, the Central Hotel has a roof terrace that (when open) permits an excellent view of all mainline traffic through Gateshead

http://goo.gl/maps/FuJjI

A CAMRA favourite, if that's your thing...

 

[Mainliner]

In line with the opening reference to the NRM, Monkwearmouth Station Museum in Sunderland has a small room with a drinks machine and several tables and chairs next to the platform, where you can sit in warmth and watch Metros, Pacers and coal trains pass to your heart's content I thought there was a bench seat on the platform when I went last year, but it wasn't there the other week - perhaps a seasonal facility

 

[sarahj]

The roof of the castle keep in Newcastle. Always someone watching the trains when your up there, and I can imagine a good source of income for the keep.

 

[D1009]

how many dedicated public viewing areas are there that were specifically built just for the purposes of watching trains go past?

Don't think the castle keep at Newcastle falls into this category somehow

 

[ffm]

None of the posts on this page do!

 

[vicbury]

I think I can argue that Graze was built for the purposes of the view onto the railway. It's been designed with two terraces, one overlooking the railway and one overlooking the city centre. The walls are glazed throughout to provide views of the railway and centre. It could have been designed with a brick wall facing the railway! As it was only built last year I think my venue qualifies!

 

[eMeS]

Recent-ish changes to trackside fencing and over-bridges in the Milton Keynes area have quite seriously reduced the viewing potential that there was about a decade ago. Foot-bridges near the station now have raised parapets completely cutting off the view for people shorter than about 6'. (I'm 5' 5" and shrinking!)
The lane bridge at Denbigh (leading from Cheney Wold to the National Bowl) wouldn't be out of place in some gulag, with its original engineering brick structure topped by vertical stanchions carrying safety wire netting. At least the holes in the netting allow my camcorder to peep through, but not the larger lenses on my DSLR.

However, there are excellent views of tilting trains from Wolverton Station - pity that the car park fees assume that you're staying all day. (Upto 2 hours parking is free in Wolverton's Agora car park and that's about a 10 minute walk.)

 

[ffm]

Vicbury - I think you can't. The question was viewing areas specifically built for the purposes of watching trains go past. Graze bar is in the new food quarter (the name of the pub chain being based on them being food oriented) and has a large glazing element to the design. The outdoor seating area 'wall' follow the design, Simples. To suggest they didn't use brick means they built it to watch trains is ridiculous. Accept that it can be used to do so, but that it comes nowhere near meeting the point of the OP's question.
eMeS continues the lack of attention - the thread is about specifically built viewing areas - specific being a very specific requirement!

 

[eMeS]

...
eMeS continues the lack of attention - the thread is about specifically built viewing areas - specific being a very specific requirement!

So, if it's that important put "specifically" in the thread title.

 

[table38]

There is a purpose built bench and windbreak on the spotters bridge at Winwick Junction, if that counts

 

[D1009]

Vicbury - I think you can't. The question was viewing areas specifically built for the purposes of watching trains go past. Graze bar is in the new food quarter (the name of the pub chain being based on them being food oriented) and has a large glazing element to the design. The outdoor seating area 'wall' follow the design, Simples. To suggest they didn't use brick means they built it to watch trains is ridiculous. Accept that it can be used to do so, but that it comes nowhere near meeting the point of the OP's question.
eMeS continues the lack of attention - the thread is about specifically built viewing areas - specific being a very specific requirement!

I've got no problem with the discussion being broadened to a general one about vantage points, but the notion that the castle keep at Newcastle which was built ca 1175 in the anticipation that 660 years later you would be able to view trains from it amused me somewhat.

 

[ffm]

Neither have I, but the question was of viewing areas built specifically for the purpose. There are already threads about where to watch trains from beer gardens and too many threads that go on, and on, and on having totally lost their way. Whatever the title the first question does state specifically - so apart from the heritage sites already mentioned are there any? I rather doubt it.

 

[Beveridges]

BIRD Spotters have loads of specifically built areas for observing the birds.
Why don't train spotters get the same pleasure?

Now my contribution to the topic:

I know that Public Toilets are not the same as viewing points, but Warrington Bank Quay station has got Toilets at the extreme southern ends of platform 1/2 just for trainspotters.

Unfortunately they closed within the last couple of years. Virgin Trains must not have deemed the toilets worthy to maintain as they were used solely by trainspotters, many whom don't pay a penny to the Great Bearded One.

How many other stations have got Toilets that are built and maintained entirely for the benefit of Train spotters?

Could name them all on one hand.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

I think there is a bit of a picnic and watch the trains go by area at St.Albans South signal box - though watching from inside the signal box itself is better (especailly during inclement weather).

 

[Windcutter]

With out doubt the one I mentioned earlier The Sidings at Shipton York on the East Coast main line, must be the best and definitely purpose built, look it up.
Its a pity some of the demolished signal boxes couldn't have been retain for viewing, perhaps NR could have donated some !!