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Location notes
Situated in part of York's National Railway Museum, overlooking the city's station on the East Coast Main Line.
Railway type and traffic
Regular East Coast (HST and Class 91), Virgin Cross Country (Voyager), Arriva (Class 142, 144 and 156, with the occasional 158) and Transpennine Express (Class 158) services pass by the location on their way to and from the station. There may be occasional freight services, but these are rare as they use the avoiding line that runs on the other side of the museum land. Privately-owned diesel or steam traction may be used on rail tours with steam specials to Scarborough in the summer.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform
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
The observation platform overlooks the ECML in the heart of York. Access is only through the NRM, which is open 10am-6pm every day except 24th, 25th, 26th December. Admission is free except for certain special events, so it might be a good idea to check on their official website. Their platform is sheltered in case it rains.
Road directions
The NRM is just 20 minutes from the A1, and the museum is well signposted on all approaches into the city.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform map co-ordinates
Parking
The museum has it's own car park, which costs £5 per day. Disabled parking is free.
Public transport
The NRM is best reached if travelling to York by rail. The footbridge within the station has recently been extended to provide easy access to the museum. A free 'road train' shuttle service runs regularly between York Minster and the museum, via Leeman Road, during opening hours.
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
The National Railway museum has toilets and two cafe areas ('Brief Encounter' and 'The Signal Box Cafe') which sell food and drink. There is also an outdoor barbecue in the summer months.
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.
York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform
Streetmap links
York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform general view map
York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform
Googly map
York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform general view map
York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
York, National Railway Museum Observation Platform
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The best time to visit is during the afternoon, when the sun will be behind you. During autumn / early spring the museum buildings will probably cast long shadows over the lines. Trains can be photographed travelling both north and south along the ECML, and on the branch to Scarborough - though you will need a good zoom lens. Overhead line masts and wires can obscure the view in certain places. The easiest trains to photograph are those using Platforms 9, 10 or 11 at York station as they will be nearest, and there is less chance of OHL getting the way. A trackside building to the north can hide the approach of oncoming trains. A loudspeaker connected to the station's Public Address system announces arrivals, and a monitor shows trains due to arrive or depart. Although there should be room to set up a tripod through consideration should be given to other visitors - the platforms can be quite popular and there is usually a one or two other people around.
General views - All photographs © Rich Mackin unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
Fig 2 - Looking north
Fig 3 - Looking east
The Scarborough line diverges to the east on the far side of the lines.
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.
