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Best places to spot on the Thameslink core.

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Class455

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Hi guys,
I was planning to do some spotting next week at a station along the Thameslink core before the 319's are gone after the peak hour. I previously spotted at City Thameslink back in December and the video can be found here, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8l798R-OEo&t=119s), but I'd prefer to go elsewhere this time on the core. Where is a good place to spot along the core? I was recommended West Hampstead Thameslink by one of my instagram followers, which has most Thameslink trains running through it, as well as some East Midlands Trains services, and this is one station I am strongly considering. Would anyone else recommend this?

Also, should I use my Oyster to get to and from there or buy a travelcard? Ive found that if I've been travelling for more than three hours with no tap out, my oyster resets, charging me the tube fare. This has happened to me a few times, so I don't want to risk it. I will be coming and going out again on a train so getting a Platform pass would be pointless.

And lastly, who should I inform that I am spotting on the station? I don't usually inform members of staff because I usually spot at a station for a short period of time, but this time the purpose of my planned trip is to spot, so I will have to tell them, especially with security being beefed up.

Thanks in advance! :)
 
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Correct the footbridge isn't photo-friendly at West Hampstead TL.

I do recommend there for spotting, more than Kentish Town for sure. Elephant & Castle is OK but not amazing. Thinking about it, Herne Hill isn't a bad shout as you get Southeastern stuff there too. Nothing passes overly fast, especially TL stuff, so makes sense for photography.

As for ticketing, depends what else you're doing that day. Travelcard or other paper ticket is ideal as Oyster/contactless isn't designed for spotting trips!
 
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Far north 37

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west hampstead has two footbridges ones covered the other isnt, also two entrances but both have barriers.
if your looking to spend a bit of time there i would touch out on your oyster and maybe buy a single to cricklewood which is about three quid, which would give you longer access to platforms than oyster.
you could even spend some time at cricklewood also good for photos you can see trains coming of the depot there too.
 
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Class455

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Thanks all for your responses!
I'll be going to West Hampstead Thameslink. I'll be coming from Kingston (not my home station) so I'll just get a Zone 1-6 Travelcard (using oyster in the morning peak to get to Kingston as the travel cards are cheaper after 09:30)
 

Dhassell

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Thanks all for your responses!
I'll be going to West Hampstead Thameslink. I'll be coming from Kingston (not my home station) so I'll just get a Zone 1-6 Travelcard (using oyster in the morning peak to get to Kingston as the travel cards are cheaper after 09:30)

If you are getting a Z1-6 travelcard, why not shuffle along stations on the line to try different locations? I think Hendon is pretty good generally, The EMT 222's/HSTs passby at some speed as well as fast Thameslink services, local stopping services stop there.
 

Class455

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If you are getting a Z1-6 travelcard, why not shuffle along stations on the line to try different locations? I think Hendon is pretty good generally, The EMT 222's/HSTs passby at some speed as well as fast Thameslink services, local stopping services stop there.
Can do that, but the problem is that barely any Brighton/Three Bridges trains stop there and that's the train I need to get back. I am considering Cricklewood though because you can catch trains coming out of the depot,
 

NSEFAN

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Given the Sevenoaks services are also 319s, if you want to spot them then surely the best place would be Blackfriars, as that way you can spot these as well as the Thameslink core trains?
 

Class455

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Given the Sevenoaks services are also 319s, if you want to spot them then surely the best place would be Blackfriars, as that way you can spot these as well as the Thameslink core trains?
Don't Sevenoaks trains go up to West Hampstead?
 

ChiefPlanner

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To encourage you - I saw no less than 7x8 car 319's knocking around , in service , south of Cricklewood this afternoon - just after 1500 hrs.
 

Class455

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