Watching trains from my car

[mikeyp]

Not Sure if this is the correct place to post this
But I was wondering if any one could advise of the best places to watch freight train movements from my car
I am disabled and avoiding contact (as on stations ect), because of the virus
I am looking for places in the north of England
Thanks in anticipation

 

[A0]

Not Sure if this is the correct place to post this
But I was wondering if any one could advise of the best places to watch freight train movements from my car
I am disabled and avoiding contact (as on stations ect), because of the virus
I am looking for places in the north of England
Thanks in anticipation

Think you may need to be a bit more specific than 'north of England' - after all Sheffield, Newcastle, Manchester and Carlisle are all considered 'north of England' and there's quite a distance separating them......

 

[Bertie the bus]

Old Alder Lane, Winwick (Warrington)
Colton Lane, Nr Colton (York)
Casey Lane, Shavington (Crewe) - sort of. You can sit in your car and depending on whether others are there might just about be able to see them from your car but if you want the loco numbers you'll have to get out.

 

[mikeyp]

sorry about that
within 60 miles of Rochdale would be ideal
thank you Bertie for your reply

 

[Iskra]

Hest Bank, on the WCML was a childhood favourite of mine. Also comes with good coastal and mountain views and amenities nearby; cafe, chippy, toilet.

 

[Ianno87]

Hest Bank, on the WCML was a childhood favourite of mine. Also comes with good coastal and mountain views and amenities nearby; cafe, chippy, toilet.

Seconded.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Hest Bank, on the WCML was a childhood favourite of mine. Also comes with good coastal and mountain views and amenities nearby; cafe, chippy, toilet.

Lovely spot, virtually no freight.

 

[Iskra]

Lovely spot, virtually no freight.

Realtime Trains | Departures from Carnforth North Jn all day on 16/11/2020

Train information at Carnforth North Jn all day on 16/11/2020. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

There's quite a bit in the evenings and at night. Obviously that's easier to view in the summer.

 

[Bertie the bus]

There isn't a lot in the evening. There are dribs and drabs with gaps during the day of about 4 or 5 hours. It starts to pick up about 10PM. So really not a good location for sitting in your car watching freight.

 

[py_megapixel]

As others have said already, Hest Bank is a very good bet.

 

[faltskog36abba]

Collyhurst one mile from Man Victoria, Whitley road-Excellent views of Miles platting bank Whilst sat in your car.

 

[kermit]

Collyhurst one mile from Man Victoria, Whitley road-Excellent views of Miles platting bank Whilst sat in your car.

I just looked at that on Street View - the bare bones and ghosts of a demolished community are still in evidence!

Google Maps

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www.google.co.uk

 

[faltskog36abba]

I just looked at that on Street View - the bare bones and ghosts of a demolished community are still in evidence!

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.co.uk

My sister and myself would play on the swings in the 70s watching the trains pass by.
Its a good vantage point though-Despite the surroundings. There are plans of many millions though in future Redevelopment for the area.

 

[TheSel]

Calder Valley. Mix of units, and a degree of freight: Liverpool - Drax 'Biomass'; Kirkby 'Binliner'; Preston - Lindsey 'Tanks'. A few locations between Todmorden & Hebden Bridge where you can get quite close and remain safely in your car.