[LucaZone]

This is a heads up that both Maidenhead and Burnham stations have become hostile to Photographers!

I went out for a few hours on sunday afternoon out of bordem and approached the ticket office at Maidenhead. The staff there were quite welcoming and more than happy to let me onto the platform without a ticket. All they asked was that I pop into the station mangers office on platform 4/5 I think and let him know im around.

Well I got up there and this very grumpy large guy came out the office and basically proceeded to come up with every excuse under the sun why I shouldnt be on the platform, why I cant take pictures (of the few trains that DO run on a sunday afternoon) and that official written permission would be needed from First Group on any occasion.

He went on to claim that even if I had a ticket and was travelling, he would escort me off the premisses if I attempted to photograph anything. So I was promotely lead off the platform by the gate staff.

I suspect he was having a bad day!

I then headed down the burnham, as the sun was in the wrong place for Taplow. Read the signs that a Bus service was in operation due to engineering works, and that nothing was stopping at the station. Not a problem I thought as the best pics are of trains on the fast line anyway.

Well I didnt even make it 10ft up the platform from the station canopy before I was run down by a station manager! I didnt even know the station was manned! Ive been to Burnham more than a hundred times and all hours of the day and night and never seen a soul. Theres no ticket office, barely a waiting room, and several self operated help points if there are any isses, but this guy had an office at the far end of the building from the stair case.

Granted he wanted to know what I was upto as there were no trains, so noone should be on the platform. I explained I was just after some nice sunset train pix, but he was having none of it. Again stating things already mentioned at Maidenhead, as well as the fact that there were many un-desirables in the area that he was being cautious of. Despite the fact I asked him whether I really looked the type to be looking for trouble, he escorted me back to the stair well and requested I seek permission before attempting again!

This was all around 3pm on a Sunday afternoon!

[16CSVT2700]

Odd you should say that about Burnham (being my local station). I've never had any problems with staff there and always found the old-ish chap to be quite pleasant.

However there is a ticket office which is inside the waiting room.

Also Burnham is not very good for photos (only around midday) as in the morning the sun is in the south-east, i.e;
http://50149.fotopic.net/p29681425.html

And is therefore quite naff for pics. The only reasonable shot I've got from Burnham is this;
http://50149.fotopic.net/p29681412.html

The guy is right about "undesirables" within the area.. Burnham isn't exactly the nicest place to be honest!

Personally I'd usually go to Taplow for any one off moves (http://50149.fotopic.net/p29681426.html) as the positioning of platform 1 is good for early morning full-sun-ish shots.

Next time you go to Burnham matey give me a shout.
Theres 3 tours this saturday, FM Rail, D1015 and Pathfinder's Sandblower (which I'm booked on). Give me a buzz I'll jib you the times

[Mojo]

Burnham is the only station I've ever had trouble with (back in Thames Strains days), but that was with Revenue Protection, who I think disliked me because I managed to get onto the platform without a ticket

[16CSVT2700]

Originally Posted by Mojo

Burnham is the only station I've ever had trouble with (back in Thames Strains days), but that was with Revenue Protection, who I think disliked me because I managed to get onto the platform without a ticket

Errr.. its not that difficult mate.. there's no barriers

[Nick279]

"Well I got up there and this very grumpy large guy came out the office and basically proceeded to come up with every excuse under the sun why I shouldnt be on the platform, why I cant take pictures (of the few trains that DO run on a sunday afternoon) and that official written permission would be needed from First Group on any occasion."

This man appears to have a serious psychotic issue, he is a public servant of course and apart from the fact that he appears to be ignorant of the guidlines he is supposed to support, his action is inappropriate and I would question his ability to do the job he is being paid to do, this incident wants reporting in writing.

[David]

Nick, in future, could you please check the date of the posts made. This thread is 18 months old.

[jrhilton]

I'll add a few locations for the SWML around the Wimbledon to Surbiton area, as the info on here has been useful to me, so its only fair I give something back.

Elm Grove, just south of Wimbledon station. An old iron footbridge over all the lines, from there you can see the SWML + Thameslink plus the line to Sutton. Ususally quite by day, would not stick around after dark though. Best views are looking south.

Raynes Park station, my local, good northbound view from platform 1/2 with a zoom lens, and from platform 3/4. Excelent southbound view from the bottom of platform 3, looking south. Great side on shots of trains too from platform 2 or 3, as there are no central isle platforms, only the relief lines have platforms. They are installing ticket gates as I type, so I don't know how that will pan out, but I think you can still buy platform tickets. Station is staffed most hours, so say hi to the staff on platform 1/2 or 3/4 or the people in the ticket office and you will be fine. Station is busy most hours till about 10pm a night, and is quite safe.

New Malden, on the footbridge going to Alric Avenue. A good view of New Malden station to the south, and a good long view to the north. Again, quiet, nothing to give you any trouble at all. Only two things, if you are filming with sound, there is a power converter building nearby and you can hear the usual AC 50hz noise and it is quite loud!!! Plus the bridge shakes a bit when trains pass at speed, so more suited to still photography for which it is highly reccomended! Lots of parking in the streets around there.

Don't brother with New Malden station itsself, the bridge discussed above blocks the north bound view, and the view looking south from the platforms is cluttered.

Berrylands station, again no center platforms like Raynes Park, and good views looking north east and south west. Outside peek hours it is rather dead there. Be safe, dont go there after dark, as chavs from the Cambridge Estate near Norbiton station (close by) come out then, and its possible they could come as far as Berrylands, but I have never seen them. During the day it is fine.

Surbiton - King Charles Road, a bridge over the deep cutting that the line goes though there. Great views looking north east - espcially good for the odd steam charter going through in the summer time. Highly reccomended. Road is not too busy and you can set up a tripod without problems as there is plenty of space. Not much parking round there so going by train to Surbiton is the best bet.

Not sure about Surbiton station, views to the south are okish, but not great to the north. Not reccomended, goto King Charles Road instead.

[andylloyd]

Originally Posted by jrhilton

I'll add a few locations for the SWML around the Wimbledon to Surbiton area, as the info on here has been useful to me, so its only fair I give something back.

Elm Grove, just south of Wimbledon station. An old iron footbridge over all the lines, from there you can see the SWML + Thameslink plus the line to Sutton. Ususally quite by day, would not stick around after dark though. Best views are looking south.

Raynes Park station, my local, good northbound view from platform 1/2 with a zoom lens, and from platform 3/4. Excelent southbound view from the bottom of platform 3, looking south. Great side on shots of trains too from platform 2 or 3, as there are no central isle platforms, only the relief lines have platforms. They are installing ticket gates as I type, so I don't know how that will pan out, but I think you can still buy platform tickets. Station is staffed most hours, so say hi to the staff on platform 1/2 or 3/4 or the people in the ticket office and you will be fine. Station is busy most hours till about 10pm a night, and is quite safe.

New Malden, on the footbridge going to Alric Avenue. A good view of New Malden station to the south, and a good long view to the north. Again, quiet, nothing to give you any trouble at all. Only two things, if you are filming with sound, there is a power converter building nearby and you can hear the usual AC 50hz noise and it is quite loud!!! Plus the bridge shakes a bit when trains pass at speed, so more suited to still photography for which it is highly reccomended! Lots of parking in the streets around there.

Don't brother with New Malden station itsself, the bridge discussed above blocks the north bound view, and the view looking south from the platforms is cluttered.

Berrylands station, again no center platforms like Raynes Park, and good views looking north east and south west. Outside peek hours it is rather dead there. Be safe, dont go there after dark, as chavs from the Cambridge Estate near Norbiton station (close by) come out then, and its possible they could come as far as Berrylands, but I have never seen them. During the day it is fine.

Surbiton - King Charles Road, a bridge over the deep cutting that the line goes though there. Great views looking north east - espcially good for the odd steam charter going through in the summer time. Highly reccomended. Road is not too busy and you can set up a tripod without problems as there is plenty of space. Not much parking round there so going by train to Surbiton is the best bet.

Not sure about Surbiton station, views to the south are okish, but not great to the north. Not reccomended, goto King Charles Road instead.

I agree with all that info about SWT especially berrylands etc etc. Very very seedy at night time, I wouldnt want to become unstuck
Chessington is ok but come twilight becomes rather seedy

[martyn29]

Anyone know of any good locations on the Midland mainline?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Might give Raynes Park a try.

[generalvegitable]

I'm not that farmiliar with the midland mainline but one of that platforms at bedford station is a pretty good one (I think its platform 3) its by the through line, it is slightly cambered so that HSTs lean into the curve, and that as far as I know can be a good one to pull off

[CCF23]

West Hampstead Thameslink? But that could be a little too down south for you.

[martyn29]

sounds ok to me

[Trainfan344]

Anyone know where i can safely get some lineside shots around Lowestoft and Norwich? must be Publicly accessible, and easy to get to by public transport (I.e) public transport and a quick walk.