North East Buses

(17 Jul 2015, 5:31 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Just a heads up, This afternoon I took a quick photo of 8252 at Heworth after getting off the 93 from Gateshead where I was approached straight away by two security guards, would seem Nexus have taken on a lot of Security to man there property and to therefore prevent photography on there land, shame they likely wont do anything about smoking mind, was also informed by Security that this was being rolled out across "All" Bus & Metro Stations across the T&W Network, these guys are smartly dressed in White Shirts and Black Trousers and are far from intimidating, just fat and overweight in personal opinion, well at least the two which approached me were anyway.

Where were you standing? I was there last Saturday, and had no bother at all. Didn't have any bother at Eldon Square either, despite one of the Nexus blokes walking straight past me with the camera out.

(17 Jul 2015, 6:04 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Where were you standing? I was there last Saturday, and had no bother at all. Didn't have any bother at Eldon Square either, despite one of the Nexus blokes walking straight past me with the camera out.

At the 93 Stand as 8252 pulled up and dropped off where the M1 used to stop.

(17 Jul 2015, 5:31 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Just a heads up, This afternoon I took a quick photo of 8252 at Heworth after getting off the 93 from Gateshead where I was approached straight away by two security guards, would seem Nexus have taken on a lot of Security to man there property and to therefore prevent photography on there land, shame they likely wont do anything about smoking mind, was also informed by Security that this was being rolled out across "All" Bus & Metro Stations across the T&W Network, these guys are smartly dressed in White Shirts and Black Trousers and are far from intimidating, just fat and overweight in personal opinion, well at least the two which approached me were anyway.

I got told off earlier this year, I was told I was aloud to stand at the back (Where services 4, 82, 82A ect stop)

(13 Jul 2015, 10:37 pm)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]- Near  Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium in Birtley

Is there a bridge there and on the other side of the bridge at small lay-by with a wooden fence and a metal gate which there is a direct view onto the ECML. The industrial estate is visible from the place too.  If so, I was there a while ago but only got a TPE 185.

(20 Jul 2015, 3:07 pm)GX03 SVC wrote [ -> ]Is there a bridge there and on the other side of the bridge at small lay-by with a wooden fence and a metal gate which there is a direct view onto the ECML. The industrial estate is visible from the place too.  If so, I was there a while ago but only got a TPE 185.

Yes that's correct. However, it can be quite hard to get photos of HST's, 91's etc with my camera due to the speed they're doing.

First of all, I have changed my Flickr username to 'Jimmi's Transport Photos'

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Took some train photos at Thornaby Railway Station this afternoon. Not sure what to make of my results.
Northern Rail: 142065 by Jimmi's Transport Photos, on Flickr

Northern Rail: 156438 by Jimmi's Transport Photos, on Flickr

First TransPennine Express: 185110 by Jimmi's Transport Photos, on Flickr

Think the first one looks alright.
The second one is okay but sadly didn't catch much of the colour of the sides.
Think the third one is okay.

Don't think I will use Thornaby Railway Station again as I am not totally happy with them so I am going to look into more options for photos. What does everyone else think?

(01 Aug 2015, 6:10 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Think the first one looks alright.
The second one is okay but sadly didn't catch much of the colour of the sides.
Think the third one is okay.

Don't think I will use Thornaby Railway Station again as I am not totally happy with them so I am going to look into more options for photos. What does everyone else think?

All of them photo's are exellent, Jimmi. And the second one is brilliant in my opinion.

There are a couple of options for expanding your horizons and Middlesbrough is one of them as you get TPE and freight as well as Northern Rail.

One place I wouldn't recommend though is Chester-le-Street and it is just dangerous with trains going through at almost 125mph.

(01 Aug 2015, 7:25 pm)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]All of them photo's are exellent, Jimmi. And the second one is brilliant in my opinion.

There are a couple of options for expanding your horizons and Middlesbrough is one of them as you get TPE and freight as well as Northern Rail.

One place I wouldn't recommend though is Chester-le-Street and it is just dangerous with trains going through at almost 125mph.

Completely agree. They can be absolutely terrifying. Especially the Class 91 sets.

(01 Aug 2015, 7:26 pm)R852 PRG wrote [ -> ]Completely agree. They can be absolutely terrifying. Especially the Class 91 sets.

hahaha!

(01 Aug 2015, 7:25 pm)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]One place I wouldn't recommend though is Chester-le-Street and it is just dangerous with trains going through at almost 125mph.

I've still not quite gotten over my first (and only) experience at Chester-le-Street station...

Virgin Trains East Coast: 91114 by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

CrossCountry: 43285 by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

DB Schenker: 67012 by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

(01 Aug 2015, 7:25 pm)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]All of them photo's are exellent, Jimmi. And the second one is brilliant in my opinion.

There are a couple of options for expanding your horizons and Middlesbrough is one of them as you get TPE and freight as well as Northern Rail.

One place I wouldn't recommend though is Chester-le-Street and it is just dangerous with trains going through at almost 125mph.

Thanks Lee.

I am looking into potential places for more train photos, it's just a matter of finding places that may be good.

May try the MetroCentre for a few photos next time I'm over that way and possibly the likes of Redcar.

(01 Aug 2015, 7:25 pm)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]One place I wouldn't recommend though is Chester-le-Street and it is just dangerous with trains going through at almost 125mph.

Linespeed 115mph through Chester.

Not dangerous if you keep behind the yellow lines at all times (and a bit further after that is advisory).

I wouldn't let it put you off though. As Dan has said above, it can be a brilliant location for pictures.

I don't take many train photos though I have recently taken a few more, especially as my interest in Northern and TPE diagrams has grown considerably!

Metrocentre can be good as below...

Scotrail 156507 by Scott Cooper, on Flickr

I've always quite liked this one taken at Darlington too - very early morning taken at 0650

Northern Rail 142071 by Scott Cooper, on Flickr

Outside of our region but many of the Yorkshire stations can be great for photography, including the infamous Wakefield Kirkgate:

Northern Rail 144018 & 158907 by Scott Cooper, on Flickr

(01 Aug 2015, 7:36 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]the likes of Redcar.

Hope you bring along mace and a stab vest, you may well need it!!

(01 Aug 2015, 8:00 pm)northern156 wrote [ -> ]Hope you bring along mace and a stab vest, you may well need it!!

Yeah I tend to go to the er, 'wonderful' places around the North East.

Not had any problems when I have been in Redcar before.

(01 Aug 2015, 7:37 pm)northern156 wrote [ -> ]Linespeed 115mph through Chester.

Not dangerous if you keep behind the yellow lines at all times (and a bit further after that is advisory).

I wouldn't let it put you off though. As Dan has said above, it can be a brilliant location for pictures.

10mph difference, wow. That's just nitpicking.

I always keep behind the yellow line, as I'm not thick as pig shit, unlike some people that I've seen there.

It can be a brilliant locations for photos if you have a camera like Dan's. Unfortunately, some people (Like myself) don't.

(01 Aug 2015, 7:34 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]I've still not quite gotten over my first (and only) experience at Chester-le-Street station...

Virgin Trains East Coast: 91114 by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

CrossCountry: 43285 by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

DB Schenker: 67012 by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Like I said to northern156, it is good if you have a 'super' camera (As I like to call them) like yourself's. However, not everyone does.

(01 Aug 2015, 8:19 pm)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]Like I said to northern156, it is good if you have a 'super' camera (As I like to call them) like yourself's. However, not everyone does.

What's a DSLR camera got do with anything..?

We were talking about trains going past Chester-le-Street at speed being scary (or I was, at least!)

(01 Aug 2015, 8:20 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]What's a DSLR camera got do with anything..?

We were talking about trains going past Chester-le-Street at speed being scary (or I was, at least!)

My point being that it isn't the best for images if you have just an ordinary digital camera, or a bridge camera like mine.

The whole "scary" thing is something which goes back a long way for me. The reason why I really HATE going to Chester is because when I was only very young, a HST went past and my Dad had to grab me back otherwise I probably would have been under it.

(01 Aug 2015, 8:17 pm)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]It can be a brilliant locations for photos if you have a camera like Dan's. Unfortunately, some people (Like myself) don't.

Cramlington is 110mph, and my Nikon L330 is actually quite good. It's all about if you take the photo correctly.

(02 Aug 2015, 7:29 am)GX03 SVC wrote [ -> ]Cramlington is 110mph, and my Nikon L330 is actually quite good. It's all about if you take the photo correctly.

The problem with Chester-le-Street though is there is a massive bend about 500 yards away from the station so by the time my camera has actually turned itself on (I don't leave it switched on, just to waste battery) they are well gone. And coming the other way I hate going anywhere near the platform edge.

That second part sounds very modest, Tommy.

(02 Aug 2015, 8:20 am)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]The problem with Chester-le-Street though is there is a massive bend about 500 yards away from the station so by the time my camera has actually turned itself on (I don't leave it switched on, just to waste battery) they are well gone. And coming the other way I hate going anywhere near the platform edge.

Morpeth is good as the line speed is 50mph.

(02 Aug 2015, 8:23 am)danpick wrote [ -> ]Morpeth is good as the line speed is 50mph.

You can see if a train is coming if the level crossing has activated too.

The only indication that a train is approaching at Chester-le-Street is if you can hear the rails screeching.

(01 Aug 2015, 8:17 pm)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]10mph difference, wow. That's just nitpicking.

It's not, it's merely stating a fact.
Realtime Trains is excellent for knowing when to have a camera switched on.
On a bright day, pretty much any camera will take a decent enough photo at Chester, it's just when the lighting gets low you'll have problems.
It doesn't make the location any worse than any other!

(02 Aug 2015, 9:07 am)northern156 wrote [ -> ]It's not, it's merely stating a fact.
Realtime Trains is excellent for knowing when to have a camera switched on.
On a bright day, pretty much any camera will take a decent enough photo at Chester, it's just when the lighting gets low you'll have problems.
It doesn't make the location any worse than any other!

It's just my personal opinion, I hate Chester-le-Street for my own reason's, but then again everywhere has it's got and bad spots. I'd just rather be somewhere where I know I can take a decent photo all of the time, such as Manors.

I know I have been posting in this thread a lot recently and I am going to try and limit my posts here but... Went to Newton Aycliffe Rail Station tonight and was surprised to see a Class 156 and Class 142 operating as one!

Northern Rail: 156444 & 142023 by Jimmi's Transport Photos, on Flickr

Northern Rail: 156444 & 142023 by Jimmi's Transport Photos, on Flickr

Still need to work on my train photo taking but I thought you'd would like to see these photos.

Just on locations in the area for train photography, spots at Saltburn are good (as you can get the points and the 142's at almost right angles), Eaglescliffe (on the junction), Seaton Carew and Plawsworth (although it is a hike on shanks pony from the Red Lion bus stops).
If you can get down to Frankland/Newton Hall, there are public footpaths that run alongside the track. Ditto if you go down the path that runs down the back of Birtley Town's ground.
There is also the site of what was Birtley Station, although I am not sure what access is like these days - there is a compound on the Ouston side.

(02 Aug 2015, 8:18 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]There is also the site of what was Birtley Station, although I am not sure what access is like these days - there is a compound on the Ouston side.

How do you get to that? Do you have to go up the lane where some sort of industrial estate (well, a few units) is located on the left as you come over the bridge from Birtley?

(02 Aug 2015, 8:30 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]How do you get to that? Do you have to go up the lane where some sort of industrial estate (well, a few units) is located on the left as you come over the bridge from Birtley?

The station was directly south of the bridge, but I am not 100% sure on access at the moment.
Coming from Birtley, you have a road on the left that runs in front of the photography shop. There is a shared office space type building on the right.
Over the bridge, the compound on the left and a builders merchants on the right.
I think there may be a footpath around the old tip, just beyond the compound, although I am unsure how close it gets to the track.
The ROF is being demolished, so that may open up viewing points and of course, the marshalling yards at Lamesley.