Trainspotting at Euston discouraged?

[ColinC]

On a recent visit to the capital, I thought I'd spend some time trainspotting at Euston. There seemed to be no problem accessing the platforms, but after about 20 minutes I was approached by a member of the station staff wearing a pink bib, who politely asked me to leave the platform. I expect he mentioned something about health and safety. Feeling that non-compliance would be pointless, I decided to accede to his request.

Is trainspotting actively discouraged there, or was I just unlucky? Alternatively, is there a station on the WCML within zones 1-6 which is good for spotting, or is the mainline fenced off from the suburban platforms?

 

[Bletchleyite]

While the platforms are not closed off per-se, you are not encouraged to hang around there when a train is not being called, you'll be in the way of cleaners etc and may be seen as posing a security risk.

You'd be better spotting the same trains at one of the intermediate south WCML stations instead. Harrow and Wealdstone perhaps? The fast lines are fenced, but you can easily take a picture over it.

 

[dggar]

Try South Kenton. It has an island platform with direct viewing of the main lines.

http://www.railway-centre.com/october-2017.html

Picture posted with date 14-10-2017
http://www.railway-centre.com/uploads/7/2/2/3/7223531/pod-14-10-17_1.jpg

 

[bramling]

On a recent visit to the capital, I thought I'd spend some time trainspotting at Euston. There seemed to be no problem accessing the platforms, but after about 20 minutes I was approached by a member of the station staff wearing a pink bib, who politely asked me to leave the platform. I expect he mentioned something about health and safety. Feeling that non-compliance would be pointless, I decided to accede to his request.

Is trainspotting actively discouraged there, or was I just unlucky?

I'd be surprised if they said no if one went to the station reception. The NR stations seem to have got better in recent years -- KX went through a phase a few years ago where the Network Rail "customer service" staff were harassing even passengers just standing on a platform waiting for a train to arrive, but nowadays it's common to see photographers and spotters on the platforms being left alone. Euston may well simply be less used to spotters, as nowadays the station doesn't see much variety so likely doesn't attract many.

Whatever happens, nowhere is as awkward as Blackpool North!

 

[Darandio]

Whatever happens, nowhere is as awkward as Blackpool North!

Indeed, try to do it there at your peril. Rumour has it that they have a sniper stationed nearby just waiting.

 

[takno]

Indeed, try to do it there at your peril. Rumour has it that they have a sniper stationed nearby just waiting.

They did try that, but the barrier staff wouldn't let him through with his staff ID

 

[Lrd]

They did try that, but the barrier staff wouldn't let him through with his staff ID

Brilliant

 

[colchesterken]

For spotting at Euston I go round the side there is a public access road ramp can see everything from the top, but sight of platform closest is limited

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Whatever happens, nowhere is as awkward as Blackpool North!

Lets hope that the platform doors are removed upon the rebuilding of the platforms there.

 

[Up_Tilt_390]

I've trainspotted at Euston before, and I have a platform pass to go onto the platform to do photography. They usually ask which platform I'll be on, and I usually tell them. As long as you keep clear of the trains, not block the signals or important lineside equipment, and of course you turn off the flash, then you should be fine. I've never had problems before, so I'd say you might've just been unlucky.

 

[NSEFAN]

Whatever happens, nowhere is as awkward as Blackpool North!

It wasn't that bad when I visited last Saturday with a friend. Having arrived off of a terminating train, we spent a whole 10 minutes on the platform photographing the station and semaphore signalling, and left of our own accord. Last time I tried that, I managed about 2 minutes before a member of staff politely escorted me back to the safety of the holding pen station concourse.

 

[bramling]

It wasn't that bad when I visited last Saturday with a friend. Having arrived off of a terminating train, we spent a whole 10 minutes on the platform photographing the station and semaphore signalling, and left of our own accord. Last time I tried that, I managed about 2 minutes before a member of staff politely escorted me back to the safety of the holding pen station concourse.

A whole 10 minutes?! If they hear about that there will be an investigation into how it came to happen!

 

[Tim R-T-C]

I managed about half an hour at Blackpool North the other week. Perhaps they have been told to expect spotters photographing the signals for the final few weeks.

I often go to Euston for the sleeper on an evening and never had any problems, but I am never there for long. Might give South Kenton a try some time though.

 

[ColinC]

Thanks for the responses. South Kenton sounds particularly good because of the bonus of freight traffic.

 

[wipers]

I've always found Euston to be the most unfriendly of the big London stations - always feels that there are just so many VT staff posted around (like sentries!) that it's hard to wander freely altho' to be honest there's not much to see and it's so dark that getting a good shot is difficult anyway. I've never been inclined to 'sign in' with staff tho', so maybe that's the difference. Worst station in London to my mind is Olympia, where some of the LO staff can be very stand-offish.

 

[DarloRich]

I've always found Euston to be the most unfriendly of the big London stations - always feels that there are just so many VT staff posted around (like sentries!) that it's hard to wander freely altho' to be honest there's not much to see and it's so dark that getting a good shot is difficult anyway. I've never been inclined to 'sign in' with staff tho', so maybe that's the difference. Worst station in London to my mind is Olympia, where some of the LO staff can be very stand-offish.

Could it be that not following the rules might be part of the problem?

 

[83G/84D]

I don't recall Euston having a problem with train spotting in the 1980's or 1990's. I spent quite a bit of time there photographing the class 83's, 85's and 86's and don't recall getting any hustle.

 

[bramling]

I don't recall Euston having a problem with train spotting in the 1980's or 1990's. I spent quite a bit of time there photographing the class 83's, 85's and 86's and don't recall getting any hustle.

At the end of the day it only takes one new member of staff to turn up and think it's part of their job to go round challenging people they don't like the look of.

This was happening regularly at King's Cross for a while a few years back with the Network Rail blue hi-vi staff, and I don't mean hassling spotters or photographers (though no doubt that was happening too), but ordinary passengers just standing on a platform, advertised for a departing service, waiting for the incoming rolling stock to arrive. Thankfully the ones there now seem much more friendly and competent.

Troublesome station staff are nothing new. There are plenty of stories where drivers have been hassled for one reason or another, and have had to reply along the lines of "do one or you'll be explaining why XX service is cancelled".

 

[Andrew1395]

I don't recall Euston having a problem with train spotting in the 1980's or 1990's. I spent quite a bit of time there photographing the class 83's, 85's and 86's and don't recall getting any hustle.

When I worked at Euston at that time you got to know the regular enthusiasts. Of course we had platform tickets as well then too, so it was not unusual for people to be coming and going onto the platforms. Other than once when someone ran along a departing train shouting the numbers into a dictation machine and tripping over and nearly falling under, I don't recall any problems with railway enthusiasts. Of course while we still had the IRA threats, things in terms of security did step quite a bit after 1992 and the first gulf war. With a change in attitude to safety, a different security environment and a lot fewer members of staff routinely on platforms, I am not surprised stations like Euston are more circumspect about mops on the operating side of the barrier line. Mind you there still are plenty of photos of b sidings appearing, so it is not impossible to still spend a bit of time there looking at today's railway scene.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

With a change in attitude to safety, a different security environment...

Still never really understood this. To the best of my knowledge, none of the recent terrorist attackers have ever spent a nice long few hours stood at the end of a station platform photographing the trains. Why would they?

If anything, allowing spotters and knowing where they are, means that other individuals acting strangely would be easier to spot.

Similar to Heathrow and most other UK airports - by closing the viewing galleries, they are encouraging people to walk around the boundary fencing and making it harder for security to spot actual troublemakers.

 

[bramling]

Still never really understood this. To the best of my knowledge, none of the recent terrorist attackers have ever spent a nice long few hours stood at the end of a station platform photographing the trains. Why would they?

One can't help but come to the conclusion that some people just get a pleasure from being awkward.

This is especially true at some small stations - some station staff seem to feel it's their personal little empire. This isn't just an enthusiasts v station staff issue, as there can be hostility between train and station staff too in places.

 

[Mag_seven]

I took some pictures at Euston one morning last week (see current avatar!) and absolutely no difficulties were encountered.

 

[E_Reeves]

I hang around the platforms about 30 minutes before I'm due to leave, never been bothered by anybody.

 

[DarloRich]

This wont be popular here but:

NR are not beholden to spotters and you enter their premises thanks to their goodwill. That can be withdrawn. With the on going heightened terror threat and the recent spike in suicides on WCML south is it a surprise station staff are challenging people they don't know about. Just sign in and I am sure things will be fine.

 

[jopsuk]

As a reference, here's the guidelines from national rail
Specificall

Before you enter the platform
At major stations please inform the Duty Station Manager of your presence. This will ensure that station staff are aware that you are on the station and they can go about their duties without concern as to your reasons for being there. At smaller stations you should ensure that you advise a member of the station staff of your activities. You may require a platform ticket to allow access to platforms.

 

[ColinC]

As a reference, here's the guidelines from national rail
Specificall

Okay, thanks for that, I didn't realise NR had issued advice for spotters, and with a qualified welcome! Bit of a pain having to find the Duty Station Manager though, and I would guess some might be less than happy being interrupted for what could be considered a triviality.

 

[whhistle]

They use that term loosely.
Some stations don't have duty managers at the actual station.

Just find a member of staff and ask them where you can sign in.

 

[nw1]

It isn't necessarily a new thing though; even in the 80s there was a good deal of bureaucracy at some places.

I never had difficulties at Reading, but Stafford had a very bureaucratic system. Around 1983/84 or so I attempted to access the platforms with a 10p (or something like that) platform ticket but was told, after having been on the platforms for a while, that one needed a permit which you had to apply for. Whether it was security (doubt it, not a lot an 12-year old could do) or whether they were worried about you getting on the train without a ticket, I don't know. Anyway I did later get one but that first visit was scuppered.

With Reading I always arrived there by train which helped (didn't have to get through the barriers) but also Reading was a busy station which means you'd probably blend in more than at Stafford where you'd stand out. At the time Stafford had one hourly train to Birmingham, one hourly train to either Liverpool or Manchester from Birmingham, a train every 1.5 hours or so to London, a train every 1.5 hours or so from London and the occasional local - so was a pretty quiet place people-wise when a train wasn't due. (though was still a good place to go as there were many trains passing through and many freight trains in addition to what stopped).

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Just find a member of staff and ask them where you can sign in.

At Euston the signing in place is a small office just to the right immediately outside the exit at the top of the high numbered platforms.

 

[TurboFintan]

I never had any issues taking pictures or filming at Euston, only once I was asked to sign in by staff. This was the same for Marylebone, Liverpool Street and Victoria. However staff did tell me to get lost at Charing Cross whilst I asked for permission or to sign in, may have been unlucky.