Best Train spotting stations (updated)

[Ken H]

Yeah it depends on what you prefer, I like seeing trains speed through stations at fast speeds (125mph if possible) and there are plenty of options for that

Carnforth...

 

[jfollows]

It's been a while since I went (November 2022 if I remember it correctly) but I didn't encounter anyone like that.

From 2019: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...local-strange-neighbours.185016/#post-4093854

 

[Bevan Price]

Leamington Spa, Preston, Carlisle.

(Stay clear of platform edges !!.)

 

[Trains_At_2023]

Agreed

 

[TheSmiths82]

York would one place that comes to mind, I am not a train spotter but there is always something interesting that pulls in York and gets me a bit excited and start taking pictures of it.

 

[paul1609]

If speeds your thing Westenhanger footbridge or the down platform behind the bus shelter is the place to rattle the fillings as a 374 accelerates to line speeds feet away. https://www.google.com/maps/place/W...13!4d1.0378972!10e5!16zL20vMDV0bWhu?entry=ttu
Or for Eurotunnel Ops The North Downs Way (need own transport or a fair walk from the Bus Stop on the Canterbury Rd) https://www.google.com/maps/@51.101...FVFWfLwTucuoqP9Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

 

[Taunton]

Taunton, 1962 (or before), summer Saturdays ...

 

[deltic]

Stratford

 

[Sun Chariot]

Taunton, 1962 (or before), summer Saturdays ...

Aller Junction too?

 

[Revilo]

Has the obnoxious home owner moved or given up his aggression? I gather he didn’t like people using the station other than for (quietly) catching trains.

I think he’s moved to Altnabreac!

 

[Chorley Cake]

Overseas:

Olten (CH)
Koblenz (DE)
Villeneuve-St-Georges (FR)
Salzburg (AT)

Fulda in central Germany, an hour north east of Frankfurt.

 

[Babybirdrobin]

My list (These may've been mentioned):

Liverpool Street (Walk through, move on)
Bethnal Green (Good for spotting trains on the hill out of Liverpool Street)
South Kenton (Bowling is an issue but can be great if you get lucky)
Harrow and Wealdstone (I used to used use this more but I have more switched to South Kenton, more hospitable though for long periods (like needing food))
Crewe (Variety, Great shots from the end of the long platform with passing trains)
Doncaster (A lot of interesting things)
Liverpool (Lime St and Central/Moorfield/James Steet) - Nice stations to spot Merseyrail (All but Lime St) and NR.
King's Cross/St. Pancras (Better for walking through)
Brent Cross West (My main Spotting Location for the MML, although slightlly annoying pinning unit numbers down with RTT as BCZ is not listed on EMR services)
Stratford (Good freight, great spots from county end of 10a)
Clapham Junction (I feel like this is obvious )
York (A lot to spot)
Queenstown road (Good for spotting SWR at Speed
Rugby (Nice for spotting High Speed services)
Glasgow Central/Queen St (See STP/KGX)
Partick (Great for spotting ex-BR OLE electrics)
New Street (Good diesel variety)
Man Pic. (All the stock)
Cardiff central (Good for a lot of welsh stock)

There is definately a lot more than that, I'm still looking for more, feel free to add to my list and I'll update it with suggestions

 

[1D54]

Hamburg Harburg is great for passenger and freight.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I second Preston.

 

[47403]

Theres a few. That havent been mentioned or more likely I've missed on here, Water Orton in the Midlands, Wandsworth Road and Stratford in London. Lacking a few facilities at Water Orton and Wandsworth Road.

 

[ac6000cw]

In East Anglia, Peterborough, Ely and Ipswich are all busy places frequented by enthusiasts, with a good mix of passenger and freight workings, plus decent refreshments either on the station or very nearby. Ely is also very good for a walk along the riverside while still keeping the trains in view (although you might need binoculars to read the numbers in some places along the way).

 

[Snapper37]

Didcot? Always lots going on, and possibility of Steam on the GWS demo line.

 

[Trains_At_2023]

My list (These may've been mentioned):

Liverpool Street (Walk through, move on)
Bethnal Green (Good for spotting trains on the hill out of Liverpool Street)
South Kenton (Bowling is an issue but can be great if you get lucky)
Harrow and Wealdstone (I used to used use this more but I have more switched to South Kenton, more hospitable though for long periods (like needing food))
Crewe (Variety, Great shots from the end of the long platform with passing trains)
Doncaster (A lot of interesting things)
Liverpool (Lime St and Central/Moorfield/James Steet) - Nice stations to spot Merseyrail (All but Lime St) and NR.
King's Cross/St. Pancras (Better for walking through)
Brent Cross West (My main Spotting Location for the MML, although slightlly annoying pinning unit numbers down with RTT as BCZ is not listed on EMR services)
Stratford (Good freight, great spots from county end of 10a)
Clapham Junction (I feel like this is obvious )
York (A lot to spot)
Queenstown road (Good for spotting SWR at Speed
Rugby (Nice for spotting High Speed services)
Glasgow Central/Queen St (See STP/KGX)
Partick (Great for spotting ex-BR OLE electrics)
New Street (Good diesel variety)
Man Pic. (All the stock)
Cardiff central (Good for a lot of welsh stock)

There is definately a lot more than that, I'm still looking for more, feel free to add to my list and I'll update it with suggestions

1:how long did that take to send?!
2:i agree!

 

[Trains_At_2023]

Stratford

International or just Stratford?
Or both.

 

[Mat17]

Keighley, you get modern and heritage, take your pick.

 

[deltic]

International or just Stratford?
Or both.

just Stratford

 

[Ken H]

Keighley, you get modern and heritage, take your pick.

Or shipley. But lots of running between platforms to keep you fit!
Norcliffe minature railway or Shipley Glen tramway near by

 

[Babybirdrobin]

1:how long did that take to send?!
2:i agree

1. 10-20 mins, I’m making a list of spotting places, so this thread is going to come in handy

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I think the top of Platform 2/3 at Euston is worth mentioning here.
Further up than all the other platforms (except platform 1) and great views of trains as they enter/leave (can get a bit loud).

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I think the top of Platform 2/3 at Euston is worth mentioning here.
Further up than all the other platforms (except platform 1) and great views of trains as they enter/leave (can get a bit loud).

View attachment 155897

If you're doing photos, though, platform 15? The other long one in the far side of your picture; from that one the sun will be behind you instead of in front of you.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

If you're doing photos, though, platform 15? The other long one in the far side of your picture; from that one the sun will be behind you instead of in front of you.

Most of the times I've been there it's been too cloudy to notice.

I usually just go to whatever platform my train is due to be out of and watch from the top of it, turns out a decent amount of the fast (first stop Warrington) trains leave from 2/3.

 

[1D54]

Bethnal Green isn't quite as good as it was as the 345's no longer pass by but still worth a couple of hours before heading to Stratford.

 

[Trains_At_2023]

I think the top of Platform 2/3 at Euston is worth mentioning here.
Further up than all the other platforms (except platform 1) and great views of trains as they enter/leave (can get a bit loud).

View attachment 155897

Dont the staff not like trainsporters alot?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Dont the staff not like trainsporters alot?

I've never had any problems trying to train spot at Euston, although I do admit the number of times is about 5, spread over 3 years.

I just get to the platform very early, either walk straight on or pass through the open barriers and walk up to the top of the platform.
Whenever I've passed staff they've just been talking amongst themselves and not given me any trouble.