Viewing areas

[michael769]

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

Because trains don't fly away and hide when you try to photograph them?

 

[Begoing]

Would it ever be feasible to convert disused signal boxes into viewing areas, or would this be dismissed on security/health and safety/maintenance cost grounds? It seems there are many disused boxes of merit which are either decaying or being demolished as they have no viable use any more.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Would it ever be feasible to convert disused signal boxes into viewing areas, or would this be dismissed on security/health and safety/maintenance cost grounds? It seems there are many disused boxes of merit which are either decaying or being demolished as they have no viable use any more.

St.Albans South is probably about the closest you have got to that at the moment.


http://www.tlr.ltd.uk/sigbox/opendays.eb

 

[Welshman]

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.

That reminded me of the story of the tourist asking why they built Conwy Castle so close to the railway,and some wag replying it was so the King could get to London in three hours.

It does provide a good view of the trains, though.

 

[D1009]

Would it ever be feasible to convert disused signal boxes into viewing areas, or would this be dismissed on security/health and safety/maintenance cost grounds? It seems there are many disused boxes of merit which are either decaying or being demolished as they have no viable use any more.

Totnes and Bodmin Parkway stations have signal boxes which have been converted into cafes with obviously good views of the railway.

 

[snowball]

That reminded me of the story of the tourist asking why they built Conwy Castle so close to the railway,and some wag replying it was so the King could get to London in three hours.

And that reminds me of the story that at the opening of the Settle & Carlisle, the engineer who designed it was asked why he hadn't put Dent station nearer the village.

He replied, "I considered it more important that it should be near the railway."