Just that: what's the best route, place and time in the game just to hang out and watch trains go by?
I also like the place a few miles after Finnentropp on RSN- there was an article by DTG on hidden photogenic spots for that route a while back for RSN but I can’t find it rn
Take a walk to the top of the hill at the end of the Meißen branch of Nahverkehr Dresden - It’s a beautiful view! Starts at 1:32:00 on this video: https://www.youtube.com/live/J8rMQ1nx18c?si=Qeka6e_v0hbxC6J1
I like to start on SKA (Koln or Aachen) and just watch the diverse trains going out and in whole the time. Ofc with the extension. Hope more big stations in TSW would have that busy feel.
I like Clapham Junction in BML and Dresden station in DRA. However there are some hints about the new SEHS updates which suggest some nice trainspotting areas being opened up. Plus the new Blackpool route has signal boxes you can watch from which might be interesting too.
Made me laugh hahahaa! The Koln route seems to have a few bits going out, can't think of the station. Think it's the one after Koln.. solicitr
Redhill on BML has a nice variety of traffic: Southeastern diversions, Southern and GWR reversing moves, and of course slow line Southern trains. If you spawn on foot at 16:00 (at least in winter) and wait about 15-20 minutes, you’ll see all of these plus a Class 313 ECS move and a set of four Class 66s running light. I don’t know how the action is at other times, but it’s almost nonstop for these 20 minutes or so.
I really like Queen’s Park. Sure, you’ll only see 72 Stock, but the moves they make to populate the two platforms are stunning. There’s always something going on. I even went there when I visited London in real life a few weeks ago, same experience!
Horseshoe Curve. Spawn at the curve and there is this museum place there. Great spot to watch long trains come around the curve. Although you will find that you aren't the only trainspotter out there as NPCs have gathered to watch the trains too. Also there is a GP9 on display there so that's a cool feature of that spot as well.
The junction just outside Boston South station during peak time. In fact TSW allows trainspotting from areas where you couldn't in real life. I did one outside the bridge near Strood once.
On SEHS anywhere between Strood and Gillingham Depot (any month). Setting the route to March/April provides for nice trainspotting at Ashford as well (given the LGV).
I like WSR for the heritage train day out feel. Reminds me of my visit there too. Such a pretty place.
Pretty much most of the day from morning rush hour to end of evening rush hour. Probably around 8am or 6pm are busy. I can't remember what times I used, it's been some time since I did it.
Glasgow Central. The volume and variety of traffic all day long is stunning. There's even a little bench at the end of the platform where you can actually "sit" and watch the action.
Loughborough on Midland Mainline, HSTs blasting through or powering up after a stop, numerous freight trains and the local stoppers from Nottingham to Leicester
Preston and Carlisle are new additions. Most stations between Dresden Hbf and Radebeul Zitschewig on NVD I think Köln on the new timetable could take the crown as best place. I’m glad this is a popular feature of the game - it’s another reason why timetables and layering are so important
Spent 40 minutes wandering around Preston earlier on BPO just watching the services come and go! Genuinely was always something going on!
SEHS did indeed get an update last year that added some new accessible areas mainly around the high speed section towards Ashford I believe. Maybe someone can provide a link to an old article (might’ve been in a roadmap) or video. I’ve actually never checked these locations out myself, would love to visit them.
Queen’s Park on the WCMLS is a great one, constant movements from the Bakerloo Line, as well as LNWR and Avanti services passing through at speed
There’s a level crossing on the ECML, just before the line to Leicester and Melton diverges away - North out of Peterborough. The crossing has a house in the middle, and (I believe) two sets of barriers for the two separate routes diverging. I have in the past, when very very tired and low on battery, spent some time in between the two sets of barriers, next to the house and its path, and attempted to guess / spot the approaching train. The barriers drop every few minutes, pretty much how they are further up at Tallington IRL - having been stuck there with 5 consecutive passing trains once!
I suspect you may be on about Helpston crossing as although not the last before the lines go their separate ways it has a signal box in the middle between the Stamford (old Midland) lines and the ECML (Great Northern lines), which I suspect is the house you may be talking about. Although these days it is only one lot of barriers, I can just about remember being a child and there being the two separate crossings as, without revealing too much, I were bought up in a village just a few miles north along the ECML from Helpston.
I believe Auto Shenanigans (great channel!) did a video on the crossing you’re talking about recently. I actually visited the crossing on ECML after watching it and was delighted by how close it is to reality! I actually named Queen’s Park as my favorite spot back when I first commented in this thread in mid-2023, solely because of the constant movement of tube stock. It’s a lot cooler now on WCML with all the fast trains wheezing by (and I’m hoping for a sale on the Overground route soon as well so I can see even more action!).
I've made a spreadsheet - by all means continue on this thread because it's best for discussion, but submissions can be added here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MdH88AL7eltJTzeK0Dld3qqEp7cxHj_4rgjipYqV8_g/edit?usp=sharing
Most likely right there, as it’s always late when I visit (excuses I know)! The only downside, and I’ve checked since on TSW5, is there’s no quick way to access it. You either have to spawn a train, drive it and then delete it on arrival, or time it so you can ‘hop’ on an empty section of an intermodal and ride to Werrington, and then spawn a train again. Would be nice to have user submitted fast travel points!
Good idea. Or perhaps an option for each player to individually place a few spawn points per route for themselves.
for NY Trenton you have 3 places. Sunnyside yard, both ends of Penn station, and by Kearny Junction. The most action is At Penn Station where you can easily see 90 trains during rush hour.
Dresden Freiberger Straße on the Nahverkehr line. Just about everything on the line goes by there including lots of freight. Added it to the spreadsheet!
Does OP want to edit, and then add this link to the first post? It will make it a lot easier to find in the future. Also, has anyone suggested the Harringay ECML Overbridge on the Goblin / Suffragette line? The one with a bench conveniently placed for spotting. You can also, on the adjacent spur, spawn a unit and then seat-jump through the invisible barrier to then get ‘the other side’ and explore the main lines.
WCML Preston to Carlisle. Either spawn in at or fast travel to Bay Horse Station. Turn and head north towards the road. You'll see an underpass - use it. On the other side of the railway you'll see the former station house building and small car parking area which has a tall fence. Once you're there you'll see a stack of red crates next to the tall fence. If you hover your cursor on the crates you'll see an option to climb. Yup, it looks as if Just Trains have deliberately included a train spotters spot made from crates so you can see over the fence. 10/10 view.
