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Location notes
This is in the tourist centre of Cologne, accessed from the top of the steps leading from the cathedral (or 'Dom') down to the river. A small grassed area is separated by a fence from the railway between the station throat and the famous bridge ('Hohenzollernbrücke') over the Rhine.
Railway type and traffic
The line is extremely busy with all types of passenger traffic, from modern suburban DMUs and electrically-hauled commuter trains to Thalys and ICE units.
There is no freight as this takes alternative routes to avoid the busy Hauptbahnhof.
There is no freight as this takes alternative routes to avoid the busy Hauptbahnhof.
Environment
The location is busy with tourists visiting the cathedral ('Dom') and commuters walking and cycling across the Hohenzollernbrücke. As such the area is safe, even at night.
Road directions
The station is located just off route 51. This road takes a tunnel under the line.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Heinrich-Boll-Platz, Koln map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Heinrich-Boll-Platz, Koln map co-ordinates
Parking
There is unlikely to be parking available in the immediate vicinity.
Public transport
The location is 10 minutes' walk from Cologne main station (Hauptbahnhof).
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are toilets near the entrance to the cathedral, a few minutes walk away. There are plenty of cafes and excellent brauhaus restaurants nearby serving the usual German fare, also pizza restaurants, burger bars, etc.
Accommodation
There is a Marriott hotel near by. It is 'pricey' but very good.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Heinrich-Boll-Platz, Koln
Streetmap links
Heinrich-Boll-Platz, Koln general view map
Heinrich-Boll-Platz, Koln close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Heinrich-Boll-Platz, Koln
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Heinrich-Boll-Platz, Koln
Googly map
Heinrich-Boll-Platz, Koln general view map
Heinrich-Boll-Platz, Koln close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Heinrich-Boll-Platz, Koln
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Photographic notes
The line runs east-west here and the location is on the south side of the tracks, with the station to your left (west) and the bridge to you right (east). When it's sunny, the location is therefore best for trains heading out of the main station towards the bridge in the morning, and for trains arriving at the station from the east in the evening, so it's ideal for both morning and evening rush hours. However, Cologne is known for being rather cloudy, in which case one need be less concerned with the sun position! The only frustration is when an intended shot is blocked by another train passing on a nearer track!
Incidentally, photos are also possible from the top of the cathedral if you can manage the 533 steps! There is a small charge (€3 in 2014).
Incidentally, photos are also possible from the top of the cathedral if you can manage the 533 steps! There is a small charge (€3 in 2014).
General views - All photographs © Glen Batten unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east
Fig 2- Looking north west
Fig 3 - Looking north
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
