Transport Tycoon Forums

Good day fellow TT-F'ers!

I'm planning a trip down south where I shall take with me a camera that I still need to buy, and hopefully snap up some shots of trains!

One thing, does anyone want to point me in the direction of some nifty stations to be spotting from? I've spent the past 6 month at Leeds, Wakefield Westgate, Huddersfield & Manchester Piccadilly, and apart from the occasional EWS freight through Huddersfield and Wakefield Westgate, it gets boring fast.

So anyway, sometime in summer, I intend to be down south in London, snapping up pics, but two things I currently are not so sure about;

1) I've heard Transport for London (TfL) often make a fuss over trainspotters, especially within the Underground portions, is this so, and is there anyway to ease their minds into thinking you're not about to whip out a bomb from your pants?
2) Good Stations!. I know a few I want to go to, Vauxhall, Victoria & Clapham Junction, does anyone know any others that have a wide variety of train classes? (Eurostar would be awesome!)

On a slightly different note, i was also considering heading down to Heathrow Airport one day, any one know any good spots outside Heathrow that are close enough to get nice photos of planes taking off/landing? I do doubt they let you inside to take photos from the Windows inside, although I may be wrong?

And to end with;
Can anyone recommend me a good nifty camera, not too pricey, but can snap up some pretty awesome shots! (Point and shoot is preferable, but I understand not likely )

Good stations -

• Clapham Junction
• Royal Oak (for trains out of Paddington)
• Stratford
• Watford Junction
• London Bridge
• Alexandra Palace

Or if you're in the South West, try Westbury... also, a trip along the NLL & GoBLin would be worth a bezz if you're in the London area.

Jolteon wrote:1) I've heard Transport for London (TfL) often make a fuss over trainspotters, especially within the Underground portions, is this so, and is there anyway to ease their minds into thinking you're not about to whip out a bomb from your pants?
2) Good Stations!. I know a few I want to go to, Vauxhall, Victoria & Clapham Junction, does anyone know any others that have a wide variety of train classes? (Eurostar would be awesome!)

1 - I think it's mainly London Underground. You're not allowed to video of take photography without a permit (which has to be paid for). That's as far as I remember.
2 - St. Pancreas! Best looking station I've seen in London in my own opinion You'll get the Virgin Pendolinos at Euston and such. Not sure about many other places though.

Jolteon wrote:On a slightly different note, i was also considering heading down to Heathrow Airport one day, any one know any good spots outside Heathrow that are close enough to get nice photos of planes taking off/landing? I do doubt they let you inside to take photos from the Windows inside, although I may be wrong?

I do know of a couple of places me and a friend tried out. Drop me a PM or something and I'll let you know what I have I would say now, but I'm deadly tired and need sleep for the moment

I'm not sure that trainspotting on the Underground would be much fun... You've seen one (or even both) you've seen them all...

F**k London, it's crap.

Get yourself in and around the West and East Midlands.

Dave Worley wrote:F**k London, it's crap.

Get yourself in and around the West and East Midlands.

This applies whether trainspotting or not.

Someone's obviously jealous of all the attention the city's getting. Why can't the Olympics be in Lancashire? Screw the city, it's only the main reason why Britain is still a major economic player after its manufacturing industry died. Stupid suburbia.

When you go to Clapham just make yourself known to the platform staff as they tend to get particularily grouchy.

Wasila wrote:Someone's obviously jealous of all the attention the city's getting. Why can't the Olympics be in Lancashire? Screw the city, it's only the main reason why Britain is still a major economic player after its manufacturing industry died. Stupid suburbia.

Er... What in god's name are you spouting? As an enthusiast I could tell you that London, whilst fun, isn't necessarily as good as the West and East Midlands, and since I'm actually from the Midlands and not from Lancashire, I find your remark not only inaccurate but also laughable.

Don't be a tosser.

Sorry, I get touchy about the divide .

Anyway, I wasn't talking to you, I was referring to:

This applies whether trainspotting or not.

In response to the original qs:

1. I think the main official rule is that flash photography is banned in tube stations, for the obvious reason that it could surprise a driver coming into the station. If you intend to spend any time in a tube station not travelling, however, it is extremely wise to get permission to take pics. Also, for the sake of those that have to use the network, please be considerate and don't go spotting in peak times or at a major station, as you'll just be an obstacle to them. You can make the odd good spot on the tube, I have seen the LU measurement train pass through my own station at Tooting Bec before, and LU battery locos on various occasions, but they are rare and you have to be vigilant. If the District line is closed, its worth taking the c2c train from Fenchurch Street, which runs alongside, because I've seen the First GBRF/Metronet 66s and LU battery locos out there doing maintenance/engineering. Still never caught anything like this though http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Londo ... _Train.jpg.

2. Good stations: All the ones people have mentioned, but perhaps try Willesden Junction, and the small stations up the WCML towards Watford - Pendelinos, LM desiros and others, LO and Bakerloo line trains are visible, as well as frequent freight on from the container depots near Willesden Junct, especially on weekday mornings.
Gospel Oak on LO is also probably worthwhile, and you can use your Oyster to get there - plenty of freight runs over the NLL.
East Croydon is very busy and sees a good variety of units, best to avoid it in peak-time for the same reason as the tube.
Baker Street - the original capital of the Metropolitan Line empire, and the District/Circle platforms are one of the earliest tube stations - also the Met platforms are replete with heritage features, you really could be in an Agatha Christie book there! Also worth taking an A stock train, as they are so old - and go to John Betjamin's 'MetroLand'.
Eurostar are hard to spot, but you could try standing on the Regent's Canal towpath just north of St P's and you will see Eurostars and EMT trains etc. entering and leaving the station. The canal is also worth a walk by the way.
Other good non-station locations - Wandsworth Common, near the station, plenty of ops to see trains passing away from the station.
King Charles Road bridge in Surbiton has only two wire mesh fences as parapets, a spotter's dream (it looks over the SWT mainline!)
Walthamstow Marshes - the junction between the Liverpool Street - Cambridge line and one of Lea Valley branches is here, right in the middle of a public open space - plenty of EMUs and a great view in an attractive location.

Other good London rail routes:

DLR - you have to go on the DLR, sit at the front and pretend you are driving. The Canary Wharf and Airport branches are highlights. Greenwich is nice for the pubs too.
Tramlink - go to Croydon and take some trams, its only £1 with your Oyster card! Again avoid rush hour, and school closing time.
c2c - a great view over the Thames on your way out to Shoeburyness.
East London Line - should be re-opened as LO soon, go through Brunel's original tunnel under the Thames (you can spot the pillars).
Waterloo and City - a two station line, but worth it just for the lulz!

Hope the above helps. There's probably more I've forgotten, but these are good tips. I'll post more here if anything strikes me.

Wasila wrote:Sorry, I get touchy about the divide .

Anyway, I wasn't talking to you, I was referring to:

This applies whether trainspotting or not.

Take Lankku seriously at your own risk.