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Location notes
Tamworth is a small town around 14 miles north-east of Birmingham.
Railway type and traffic
Tamworth station is a dual level station. The upper level is served by the Derby - Birmingham line, and the lower level is situated on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) between Lichfield and Nuneaton.
Both these routes see dozens of trains every day, including many freights.
Both these routes see dozens of trains every day, including many freights.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Tamworth
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
Tamworth is no more or less safe than any other station. It is staffed whilst the virgin services are running, from the first arrival in the morning to the last at night. There are numerous CCTV cameras on the station.
The station itself is on the outskirts of the town, with fields stretching as far as the eye can see to the north. The River Anker is nearby, and there are also several walks available to the hiking fraternity. Numerous bird species can also be seen flying over the station.
The station itself is on the outskirts of the town, with fields stretching as far as the eye can see to the north. The River Anker is nearby, and there are also several walks available to the hiking fraternity. Numerous bird species can also be seen flying over the station.
Road directions
Unknown by the author, refer to the map links.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Tamworth map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Tamworth map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking costs £6.50 a pay (October 2009)
The amount of parking at Tamworth has now been increased by using a temporary steel stand on top of the existing carpark. This is part of London Midlands commitment to increase car parking at its stations.
The amount of parking at Tamworth has now been increased by using a temporary steel stand on top of the existing carpark. This is part of London Midlands commitment to increase car parking at its stations.
Public transport
Trains run regularly from both the Derby and Birmingham directions, but the service on the WCML is much less regular, even during weekdays.
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 and other amenities located on the lower level only, platform 1.
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.
Tamworth
Streetmap links
Tamworth general view map
Tamworth close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Tamworth
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Tamworth
Googly map
Tamworth general view map
Tamworth close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Tamworth
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Photographers need to have their wits about them on this station! Non-stopping trains pass through Tamworth at very high speeds from all directions.
From the landing of the stairs to platform 4 (fig 3), and also from either of the southern ends of the lower platforms, one has a clear view south along the WCML. This is probably the favoured spot for shooting trains passing by on the WCML.
From the end of platform 2 (fig 1) people equipped with zoom lenses would get a good shot of any trains coming to and from the Derby direction, but be aware that you will not get much notice.
However the station is not very large, despite having long platforms, so scouting for fresh angles should be easy enough.
Update by Carl Davis - 19-05-09:
Unfortunately the shot looking back to the station in fig 1 is no longer possible due to the platform not being there.
Platform 2 now ends by the stairs to platform 4.
The north end of platform 2 has been extended to almost by the road bridge.
This allows photography and videoing of any freight passing northbound on platform 1.
The signal box on the low level is no longer there either.
The overhead catenary through the moddle of the low level has been replaced by overhead supports that cover all 4 low level tracks allowing an unobstructed view.
From the landing of the stairs to platform 4 (fig 3), and also from either of the southern ends of the lower platforms, one has a clear view south along the WCML. This is probably the favoured spot for shooting trains passing by on the WCML.
From the end of platform 2 (fig 1) people equipped with zoom lenses would get a good shot of any trains coming to and from the Derby direction, but be aware that you will not get much notice.
However the station is not very large, despite having long platforms, so scouting for fresh angles should be easy enough.
Update by Carl Davis - 19-05-09:
Unfortunately the shot looking back to the station in fig 1 is no longer possible due to the platform not being there.
Platform 2 now ends by the stairs to platform 4.
The north end of platform 2 has been extended to almost by the road bridge.
This allows photography and videoing of any freight passing northbound on platform 1.
The signal box on the low level is no longer there either.
The overhead catenary through the moddle of the low level has been replaced by overhead supports that cover all 4 low level tracks allowing an unobstructed view.
Links to photographs at this location
UK Railpics - Tamworth
General views - All photographs © Jim Murphy unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Fig 2 - Looking north
Fig 3 - Looking east
Fig 4 - Looking west
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.
