Any advice for a beginner?

[Kentishish]

Hi all. I just recently came upon this forum. I love watching trains, but I have never dedicated much time to it. Next warm and sunny day, I hope to go to a busier station (probably Ashford) and sit and watch trains for the day.

However, I realised when I found this forum that this is a much more comprehensive hobby than I knew! Obviously I know I'm allowed to just sit and watch trains if I want, but I would be curious to know what is the common practice in the hobby. Do you take notes? Look for anything specific? Or just watch?

I'm also wondering how other people do it in practice? I was thinking of just going to Ashford and finding a grassy spot along the train tracks near the station. But is there a common conduct or normal practice for how to find a good spot? Do most people simply stay on the platform? Stay near the station? Or actually drive to a scenic spot along the line? If it's relevant, I'm most interested in watching as many trains as possible, not getting the most beautiful picture or the most interesting trains.

Thank you for any advice!

 

[30907]

If you want to spend time on a station platform, make sure staff know what you are doing - some stations have a formal sign-in process.
If not, make sure your grassy spot isn't close to a footpath crossing or similar - even though (I am sure) you would have no intention of trespassing, a passing driver might be concerned.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Ashford is a large, busy station and you'll see a variety of trains

If you just want to watch trains, you'll see domestic stopping trains, the Javelin High Speed trains that stop there and the occasional Eurostar bombing through a concreted area adjacent to the station. You will also see trains being coupled/uncoupled (split) - for example, one train might arrive from Dover; another from Canterbury and join to form 1 train which will then go on to London (and vice-versa). Trains may also arrive to go to the adjacent carriage sidings or come from the carriage sidings to work passenger services. Ashford is a busy station. You may even see some freight trains.

Public amenities are reasonable; there are at least 3 coffee shops and a toilet on each platform.

You can just mingle in with the crowds and be "transparent" but if you want to go to the end of the platform (to be out of the way); you should inform station staff as otherwise, you may pose a security risk and they'll come and ask questions.

There are no trainspotting "rules" as such; some like to just watch; others like to jot numbers down in a notebook and mark them off in a spotter's book (e.g.: Platform 5 pocket books) and delight when they "clear" a class - i.e., having seen every member of a particular train type. However, don't interfere with operations or staff working; the odd question is okay but Ashford is very busy and staff don't want to be distracted.

Stay behind the yellow line at all times and don't get in the way of platform staff dispatching trains. Platform staff need good "line of sight" along the train to confirm that it is safe for the train to close the doors and leave. Safety is a big thing on the railway.

But most of all; enjoy the experience!

 

[StripeyNick]

As above, it is a good idea to let staff know what you're doing. I'm guessing somewhere like Ashford has barriers so you will need to ask to be allowed on the platform.

In terms of what you do once you're there is totally down to you.

You could 'spot' the traditional way and try to see as many different things as possible. The more you go there, the less you'll 'cop' so you might end up travelling

You may find yourself taking photos just as something to back up your day out which , although you say you're not so interested, could lead to wanting to improve photos.

I have a friend who just likes being in the presence of the railway.....he doesn't spot, take photos etc but enjoys a day out

 

[PaulJ]

Have you thought about Tonbridge? Pretty good for seeing freight movements.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Have you thought about Tonbridge? Pretty good for seeing freight movements.

Good for freight and light engine movements to/from yard but there might be a day when not much happens. Otherwise, variety of stock is limited to Electrostars (Class 375/377). No javelins, no eurostars. You also get diesel units at Ashford working to Hastings and Eastbourne

There is a footbridge just north of the station which overlooks the yard so you might see a lot of engines there

 

[PaulJ]

Good for freight and light engine movements to/from yard but there might be a day when not much happens. Otherwise, variety of stock is limited to Electrostars (Class 375/377). No javelins, no eurostars. You also get diesel units at Ashford working to Hastings and Eastbourne

Good point! You can check activity on Realtime Trains.

 

[Tetragon213]

Railtour Info 2025 Tours

The Complete UK Railtour Pages

www.railtourinfo.co.uk

Railtour Info also gives some good information regarding, well, railtours (usually older diesels).

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/railtours

Railadvent gives more detail into ECS movements and tends to be more up-to-date, but Railtour Info has details of things like conventional loco-hauled services (a minor rarity now), and is (imo) easier to digest. Reddit has a large UK-centric rail community, as well.

As for the sarkier side of me...

Welcome to the hobby, your anorak is in the post!

 

[steamybrian]

To go on the station you will need a ticket. Ask for a platform ticket is costs 10p----- yes ten pence!

 

[Kentishish]

Ashford is a large, busy station and you'll see a variety of trains

If you just want to watch trains, you'll see domestic stopping trains, the Javelin High Speed trains that stop there and the occasional Eurostar bombing through a concreted area adjacent to the station. You will also see trains being coupled/uncoupled (split) - for example, one train might arrive from Dover; another from Canterbury and join to form 1 train which will then go on to London (and vice-versa). Trains may also arrive to go to the adjacent carriage sidings or come from the carriage sidings to work passenger services. Ashford is a busy station. You may even see some freight trains.

Public amenities are reasonable; there are at least 3 coffee shops and a toilet on each platform.

You can just mingle in with the crowds and be "transparent" but if you want to go to the end of the platform (to be out of the way); you should inform station staff as otherwise, you may pose a security risk and they'll come and ask questions.

There are no trainspotting "rules" as such; some like to just watch; others like to jot numbers down in a notebook and mark them off in a spotter's book (e.g.: Platform 5 pocket books) and delight when they "clear" a class - i.e., having seen every member of a particular train type. However, don't interfere with operations or staff working; the odd question is okay but Ashford is very busy and staff don't want to be distracted.

Stay behind the yellow line at all times and don't get in the way of platform staff dispatching trains. Platform staff need good "line of sight" along the train to confirm that it is safe for the train to close the doors and leave. Safety is a big thing on the railway.

But most of all; enjoy the experience!

Thank you for the kind advice! I will definitely take this onboard. I see you're only talking about staying on the platform. Is this the best and safest way to observe trains, as opposed to finding somewhere to settle down by the tracks near the station?

 

[Kentishish]

To go on the station you will need a ticket. Ask for a platform ticket is costs 10p----- yes ten pence!

I would be arriving by train, so is it acceptable to just stay on the platform (and make myself known to the staff there)? Or best to head out and go to the ticket counter for a platform ticket?

 

[Kentishish]

Thank you for all the kind replies and well wishes, everyone! I truly appreciate it, and I'm still grateful to receive more advice.

 

[StripeyNick]

I would be arriving by train, so is it acceptable to just stay on the platform (and make myself known to the staff there)? Or best to head out and go to the ticket counter for a platform ticket?

If you're arriving by train, it'd probably be fine to just hang around on the platform. It'd probably still be worth seeking someone out......more to protect yourself if you're hanging around.

 

[sad1e]

If you are willing to venture further Crewe has to be one of the best places in the country for trainspotting with its large heritage centre , frequent trains from a large variety of operators , and quite a few WCRC stock movements which are normally run with older more interesting stock. By all means go there if you have the time to.

 

[Joshua_Harman]

To go on the station you will need a ticket. Ask for a platform ticket is costs 10p----- yes ten pence!

If you can find someone that will sell one to you! A lot of ticket office clerks seem like they can’t be bothered :/ or can’t / won’t do one for whatever reason

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Thank you for the kind advice! I will definitely take this onboard. I see you're only talking about staying on the platform. Is this the best and safest way to observe trains, as opposed to finding somewhere to settle down by the tracks near the station?

There are no "grassy" bits near the station as it's surrounded by roads, buildings and OLE (Eurostar side). You'd be better off staying on the station. Ashford is a major junction with lines going off to Tonbridge, Maidstone, Hastings, Dover, Canterbury, St Pancras and Paris/France.

If you can find someone that will sell one to you! A lot of ticket office clerks seem like they can’t be bothered :/ or can’t / won’t do one for whatever reason

My local station (mainline) is always happy to sell me one!

 

[MattyH]

Buy a little fold up stool would be my only suggestion.