New Rail Buff from Down Under

[Incontro]

Hi all!

Moved to the UK about one and a half years ago from Sydney, Australia. Obviously a keen rail fan, otherwise I wouldn't have joined this forum

I live in Bristol city centre, and am thinking of maybe going somewhere tomorrow to film some network rail trains... Can anybody give me a sort of quick guide on all the rules and regulations here, as well as any advice on where to go?

Must be close to where I am, and I want to get some decent traffic, mixed type if possible. Don't really want a location too busy.

Anyway, thanks for your time!

Steve.

 

[Mike C]

Hi Steve. I am not familiar with your area but my advice would be wherever you go to film or photograph just make sure you abide by the rules of the railway. Might sound obvious and I don't know what it is like where you just came from but this morning I was a passenger on a normal service surrounded by spotters trying to get a good look and photo/video of the steam loco Oliver Cromwell. Some of them walked off the platform ramp and BTP got involved getting them off the track. All very stupid. I am railway employed and have PTS and some of the behaviour of these guys (grown men, not kids) had me shaking my head and supporting BTP in their actions. Some other members here may be able to advise on which stations in your area have merits or drawbacks and I apologise if this sounds patronising but I'd rather be patronising than see more spotter stupidity. Stay safe.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Can anybody give me a sort of quick guide on all the rules and regulations here...

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/guidelines_for_rail_enthusiasts.html

There are similar advice pages from the BTP
http://www.btp.police.uk/passengers/advice_and_information/rail_enthusiasts.aspx
Network Rail
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/777.aspx
and various TOCs
eg ScotRail
http://www.scotrail.co.uk/content/scotrail-welcomes-rail-enthusiasts

Most of it is common sense. I carry a signed copy of the Scotrail version to save time at stations. Hope this helps.

 

[Incontro]

Hey guys...

Thanks for the replies.

Went filming yesterday, was an enjoyable experience. I went to Bristol Parkway station, and the barriers were open, and the station staff were friendly. The weather wasn't great the whole time, but it was acceptable.

Mike, we have our own fair share of idiots in Australia too - train-spotters who do blatantly disregard laws/regulations and put themselves in danger. There is always the minority which gives a bad name to the rest of us.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Hello there,

How much are you into freight too, as Westbury (around 28 minutes away, direct train from Bristol) is good on a weekday if you can do weekdays, and even better is the Lickey Incline, as I've found out when I went there, you haven't lived until you've been at the Lickey, superb place to see 37s on the Nuclear train thundering up and a class 60 thrashing slowly on tanks!

 

[Incontro]

Hello there,

How much are you into freight too, as Westbury (around 28 minutes away, direct train from Bristol) is good on a weekday if you can do weekdays, and even better is the Lickey Incline, as I've found out when I went there, you haven't lived until you've been at the Lickey, superb place to see 37s on the Nuclear train thundering up and a class 60 thrashing slowly on tanks!

Yeah mate I like my freight too! More than passenger stuff definitely, I would have to say...

No sorry, no chance of a weekday whatsoever, I work all week... Is Westbury still decent on Weekends or is it not worth it? Lickey incline sounds good, I like hearing a diesel loco thrashing it. How far is it from Bristol? Is it any good on weekends?

Cheers for the info mate.
Steve.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Hello Steve,

Westbury and the Lickey have *some* freight on Saturdays, although actually both locations are busier at silly O'clock AM (i.e 0001 - 0600) and whilst there are some day freight, most are 'as required' (in other words not guaranteed to run, depends if the customer wants something that day).

Weekdays or some times bank holidays are best. I took a day off just to go to the lickey and it was worth it to be honest, it made a change to hear a Class 66 make a thrash up a hill with the loud fan in overdrive. Some (although not many now) run with a banker on too.

The only long train you'll likely to see up there is 6E41, Westerleigh - Lindsey tanks with a Class 60 thrashing up on over 20 tanks, sometimes upto 500 meters long.
Not my video but see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LWJ1Dr_ZiI&feature=related for an idea, that's 60044 on 6E41 climing the Lickey, which as you can see has some brilliant views too!

Bromsgrove is the nearest station, 75 miles from Bristol TM, though is not bad fares for the distance. From Bromsgrove it's around a 2 mile walk (short of 2 I think) but isn't long to get there as it's not as steep of a walk as the railway incline itself (1 in 37).
If you ever want to go there, let me know and I'll happily show you how to get there, guided many of others up there too before, and I don't mind going again to my favourite location! I'm only 24 miles away from Bristol, and for me to get to Bromsgrove, I have to pass through Bristol TM anyway.


Cheers,

James.