Looking for a bit advice for a trip to London.

[47403]

Afternoon folks
With my jaunt to the SVR seeming like a distant memory, I've gone into a planning mode again. However nothing will be set in concrete till after my holiday in the sun at the end of this month.

I've given thought to various Rovers but after numerous looks in my Platform 5, aka the book of sights, its merely indicating what I've known for ages, I have to get to the capital. However I will need to pick your good selves brains for some sound advice, regarding digs folk have stayed in(preferably bed n breakfasts), the actual boundaries regarding All zone travelcards and other freight spots other than Stratford, Wilesden Jct and Ealing Broadway. As usual any advice, no matter how big or small will be greatfully received.

Whilst nothing's confirmed I have a window in the 2nd week of October, so I have a fair time to formulate a plan but I thought I'd get started regardless.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Greenford has freight quite often?

 

[47403]

Just seen the London spotting thread in the very same section. I will keep a beady eye on that thread too.

 

[Far north 37]

Just seen the London spotting thread in the very same section. I will keep a beady eye on that thread too.

harrow and wealdstone can be busy for freight at certain times good variety too

 

[swt class 450]

Afternoon folks
With my jaunt to the SVR seeming like a distant memory, I've gone into a planning mode again. However nothing will be set in concrete till after my holiday in the sun at the end of this month.

I've given thought to various Rovers but after numerous looks in my Platform 5, aka the book of sights, its merely indicating what I've known for ages, I have to get to the capital. However I will need to pick your good selves brains for some sound advice, regarding digs folk have stayed in(preferably bed n breakfasts), the actual boundaries regarding All zone travelcards and other freight spots other than Stratford, Wilesden Jct and Ealing Broadway. As usual any advice, no matter how big or small will be greatfully received.

Whilst nothing's confirmed I have a window in the 2nd week of October, so I have a fair time to formulate a plan but I thought I'd get started regardless.

Regarding your Travelcard question the All Zones Travelcard is fully valid on all National Rail / London Underground / Docklands Light Railway / Croydon Tram / TFL contracted bus services within Zones 1 to 6 which are shown on this map:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/London_Rail_Tube0517.pdf

As for where to see freight anywhere on the North London Line between Willesden Junction and Gospel Oak (any of the intermediate stations - Kensal Rise / Brondesbury Park / Brondesbury / West Hampstead / Finchley Road & Frongnal / Hampstead Heath / Gospel Oak - etc) sees a very large amount of freight.

Anywhere on the Great Western Mainline like - Acton Main Line / Ealing Broadway / West Ealing / Hanwell / Southall / Hayes & Harlington / West Drayton - is very good. And the Greenford branch - Drayton Green / Castle Bar Park / South Greenford - seems especially good.

Finally Clapham Junction can be good place to spot freight. As can the nearby stations of Wandsworth Road and Clapham High Street as well.

Hope this helps.

 

[rg177]

Unrelated to the actual London action but if you want some fare related advice, use Grand Central where possible. Even their 0821 York to London can be had for about £16 single, and the 19:18 return is usually about £12 if booked well in advance.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

harrow and wealdstone can be busy for freight at certain times good variety too

South Kenton a pleasant alternative to Harrow and Wealdstone. Nearby park has a footbridge often used for photographing.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Stay at Jannets B and B, myself and techniquest used it earlier this year and she is loveley.

Will PM you the address later on. Only continental breaky but free WiFi, guest microwave and fridge, clean, quiet, bus to Harrow and Wealdston in 1 direction and cannons park Jubilee line in the other.

 

[47403]

Thanks for all the advice folks. Very Much appreciated indeed.
Richard, I may use Grand Central, the haulage lines all need doing, even though they're on my doorstep, I can't muster up the enthusiasm to go for them. Dunno why. Thanks for that.
Cheers Dan. Much appreciated.

 

[Kite159]

I agree with using Grand Central, not only could you get a nice HST, compared to VTEC they are cheaper (abit with a longer journey time).

[For example, I'm travelling up to Sunderland on Friday morning on the 08:03 departure for ~ £21, when searching at VTEC tickets were roughly in the £50+ area apart from early morning or late night

 

[rg177]

Just remember that the first southbound and last northbound trains are usually 180 operated, though they're perfectly fine for a long distance journey. You get your socket and WiFi as per Virgin.

Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

 

[Dhassell]

Just remember that the first southbound and last northbound trains are usually 180 operated, though they're perfectly fine for a long distance journey. You get your socket and WiFi as per Virgin.

Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Don't let Tech see this post

 

[Blindtraveler]

Nout wrong with 180s!

 

[Techniquest]

Let's not get into the 180 discussion again. As nice as they may be to most of you, they can bugger off and I can't wait for them to leave GWR. For the second time, it must be said. Blindtraveller wants them in Scotland, he can have them as far as I'm concerned. Anywhere that doesn't bring them to my area again is welcome to the heaps of junk!

Oh, wait, we got talking about 180s again! I would rather go and sit in the pub with my norm mates from work than ride on a 180...

ANYWAY, back to LSG's request...

My favourite spots of the mid 2000s when my spotting was in full swing were:

- Country end of platform 6 at London Bridge (I think this will now be platform 8/9)
- Bethnal Green
- Stratford
- Willesden Junction
- Harrow & Wealdstone
- Clapham Junction
- East Croydon
- Tottenham Hale
- Ealing Broadway
- Finsbury Park

A newer one since then is Herne Hill, good for Thameslink and Southeastern.

Freight wise I never really chased them years back, so I'll leave someone else comment there.

Accommodation wise, Janet's B&B, Canons Park, Stanmore was definitely a nice one to go to. Reportedly a 10 minute walk from Canons Park station, reasonably well served by route 186 on the buses from Harrow & Wealdstone and from Edgware, not to mention Mill Hill Broadway. Beautiful area it's in too, I'd happily live there. I would also recommend easyHotel Croydon. OK so it's not a B&B, but if you get a reasonably priced room they're a nice budget place to stay. I've lost count of the number of nights I've stayed there, super easy to find from the station too.

While on the topic of Croydon, I can recommend La Pizzeria as well as Chick 'n Box for food. Freshly cooked to order in both takeaways, both take card before you need to ask too, and I thoroughly enjoyed my food from both outlets. Very reasonably priced, especially for the South East, too which is a bonus. Two different Sainsburys both within easy walk of the station, one easier than the other, which is handy for a supply raid as well as a budget breakfast. Spotting's easier there now that you've got a footbridge at the north end of the station at East Croydon.

There's a decent takeaway near Harrow & Wealdstone too, although I don't recall the name right now. Reasonably priced, for north London, and good food too, cash only be warned.

In terms of coffee on the move, I'll advise the same as I did for Alex on his ALR. Pret do a damn decent filter coffee for 99p, cheaper than all the other chains and it's become a firm favourite on a bash for me. Tucked away a bit at Stratford, around the corner on the outside of the station just past the ticket machines, but 99p versus £1.85 and up is quite significant. You can also get one at Euston (just outside the concourse), Victoria (by platform 1 last I checked), Waterloo (near the centre of the concourse I believe) and without a doubt other stations too.

Right now, I'm struggling to think of any other useful advice, but that should be a good start.

 

[Blindtraveler]

180s, best DMU built post privatisation, witht the 175s right behind!

I was crunching numbers for work purposes tother day and easy hotel croydon is now my 3rd most stayed at location anywhere, with Blackpool and Birmingham regular haunts close in front in that order. Creature of habbit? Quite possibly but each is worth it!