Wigan NW /Warrington BQ

[03_179]

Hi all,

Quick questions:

Hoping on Sat 09/03/2019 to go to either station to have a couple hour spot (between 09:30ish and 11:15ish as meeting SWMBO off her 08:40 Glasgow Central to Euston train). Hoping to set up on the south end of the platforms.

Anyone experience problems with spotting or photographing there?

Which is better ?

Are there facilities there to get a coffee (and/or snack) as the National Rail aren't specific and it'd be good to get on the train with a drink for her.?

I know I'll get more Northern trains at Wigan NW. What would they be? Pacers? What else would be likely to pass/stop?
I know the Virgin will be all 390s.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Mostly 319s for Northern now I think.

 

[03_179]

Mostly 319s for Northern now I think.

Ahh POOO

I've seen all of them and had about 500 miles on each for haulage. I was hoping to kill off a few Pacers for sight (and photography).

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you want Pacers these days, I think Manchester Victoria (downright nasty station to go with the downright nasty Pacers ) is the place.

 

[03_179]

If you want Pacers these days, I think Manchester Victoria (downright nasty station to go with the downright nasty Pacers ) is the place.

LOL thanks ... I was there for a fleeting visit last year.

I have to meet SWMBO so ... it's either Warrington or Wigan.

Guessing that Warrington's "AW" trains will be 175s.

 

[Kite159]

Ahh POOO

I've seen all of them and had about 500 miles on each for haulage. I was hoping to kill off a few Pacers for sight (and photography).

Might I suggest Wigan Wallgate in that case? No Southern cast-off EMUs there

Wigan NW gets the half-hourly (?) terminators from the Manchester direction which could throw a pacer up

 

[03_179]

Might I suggest Wigan Wallgate in that case? No Southern cast-off EMUs there

Wigan NW gets the half-hourly (?) terminators from the Manchester direction which could throw a pacer up

Thanks .. there are a lot less trains through Wall gate according to RTT It's an idea though.

I was hoping to go Euston - Crewe - Warrington but the times are really bad. Hardly any time at Crewe and there are very few trains between Crewe and Warrington

 

[Kite159]

Thanks .. there are a lot less trains through Wall gate according to RTT It's an idea though.

I was hoping to go Euston - Crewe - Warrington but the times are really bad. Hardly any time at Crewe and there are very few trains between Crewe and Warrington

Only an hourly service from Crewe to Warrington

 

[03_179]

Crap innit LOL

I can't leave Euston until 07:00 onwards so makes things very limited. Oh well ... Looks like Warrington has a bit.

Guessing all the Northern will be 319s as well ?

 

[Bertie the bus]

You can see stuff going into Wallgate from the south end of North Western. You'll have no problems whatsoever at Wigan NW and it is only a couple of minutes walk away from a couple of cafes if you want a coffee or some food.

It's difficult to say which is better; probably better to say Wigan is the least worst of the two. Neither are particularly interesting these days.

 

[VT 390]

I know the Virgin will be all 390s.

Some of the London-Birmingham-Scotland services are 221's

 

[_toommm_]

There is however one Northern service an hour to Wigan NW that isn't a 319 - the Stalyvegas to Wigan NW service, operated by a mix of 2x 142 or 150 or 156.

 

[03_179]

Thanks all

 

[Bevan Price]

At Warrington Bank Quay, some of the Liverpool Lime St. services are worked by 323s, the others by 319s
Manchester / North Wales services are mostly 175s, but I think at least one diagram is often worked by 158s - or the occasional 150/2.
(If you were going midweek, you might also have the Class 67 diagram.)

As posted above, if you want to see Pacers, the south end of Wigan North Western is probably a better choice.

No problems about photography at either station, provided you behave sensibly and stand well behind the yellow lines.

Food / refreshment facilities on both stations, but if they are closed when you visit, Wigan probably has a better selection of external shops close to the stations.

 

[Kite159]

If in Warrington you could walk over to Warrington Central (10 minute or so) which will have a good mix of DMUs (Northern 142, 150, 156 & EMT 158s (plus the odd blue 156)

 

[03_179]

Hi all,

Thanks to all for the info and advice.

I think it'll be Warrington Bank Quay to be honest now.

I'm going to reassess the stop at Crewe when back to work Monday.

 

[pieguyrob]

Remember to stand on the right of the train before arriving at Warrington BQ, you will be able to see Arpley yards. There is normally a DB shed or 2 stabled there.

 

[03_179]

Cheers Rob

 

[Gathursty]

As others have said, Wigan NW at the bottom has a vantage point for Wigan Wallgate trains. Also if you walk out of Wigan North Western and turn right and turn right in front of Derby Wines, you will follow the pavement to the side of the virgin car park and come to the 'Iron Bridge' footbridge over the Wallgate line for an interesting vantage point if you want.

 

[03_179]

NOW a stop at Crewe:

Looking at a stop over at Crewe as that will get me a lot more sightings.

Now it's been a long time since I was last there ... What is the best platform/place to stand (not leaving the station) for photos and sightings?

 

[pieguyrob]

I normally sit on the southern most bench of platform 6. The south end of platform 12 will give a good view, with binoculars, of the old crewe diesel. Platform 1 and 2 the south end, will give a view of the carriages stored along side crewe diesel. The north end of platfirm 12 there will be a stabled DRS 57 thunderbird. Freight takes the avoiding lines. I have found that the afore mentioned bench gives a good view of everything that goes through the station. The crewe - chester shuttle is at the north end of platform 6
Depending what it is you want too see, it might be better going to Stafford.

 

[pieguyrob]

Crewe is not the place it used to be even in the late nineties let alone earlier. Prepare to be bored! Though it depends what you want too see.