New Mobile Site
We have just launched a new mobile version of this site - m.trainspots. This page will use your smart device's GPS to loctate you and guide you to locations that are close to your present location.
Location notes
Fratton is in Portsmouth in the south of England.
It is built up and is in the heart of the city. The line is the Portsmouth to either London, Brighton or the West Country. There are also low fences near the track and station enabling shots of not just the platform area but other places as well.
It is built up and is in the heart of the city. The line is the Portsmouth to either London, Brighton or the West Country. There are also low fences near the track and station enabling shots of not just the platform area but other places as well.
Railway type and traffic
This is a main line run mostly by South West Train (SWT) using class 159s, 170s, 411s, 412s, 421s, 423s and 444s, 450s.
Southern also run on this line using class 421s, 423s or 377s and Wessex run class 158. There is also one of the SWT's Depots here creating extra traffic. You may see a SWT Class 73 if you are lucky.
Southern also run on this line using class 421s, 423s or 377s and Wessex run class 158. There is also one of the SWT's Depots here creating extra traffic. You may see a SWT Class 73 if you are lucky.
Environment
You are going to a bustling city full of life. It is best if you go in plain dress due to the large premiership football club and is a reasonably low crime area. Best to try to avoid and match days due to the large volume of traffic.
Road directions
To get to Fratton station, follow directions for Portsmouth east/A27 and come off the motorway to the A2030 and follow directions for Portsmouth FC. At every set off traffic lights (a total of 4) keep on the main road. You should see the Portsmouth F.C. ground. You should now be at a set of traffic lights where you can turn sharp left and right, or straight on left or right. Take the straight right. Go down the road until you see a roundabout with the sign Pompey centre on it. Take the first turn. Follow the road over all the roundabouts until you pass K.F.C. You might be able to see a T.M.D. from there. Take the second turning. Follow the road. And you will pass the station. There is a footbridge to the station and that is it.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Fratton Station Bridge map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Fratton Station Bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
The area is pay and display. The area is safe but, as always, do not leave valuables in the car.
Public transport
Trains run from London frequently. Trains from Cardiff and Brighton run once an hour.
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 station has toilets and a snack shop. There is also an ASDA store nearby.
Accommodation
There are numerous Bed and Breakfasts on the seafront.
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.
Fratton Station Bridge
Streetmap links
Fratton Station Bridge general view map
Fratton Station Bridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Fratton Station Bridge
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Fratton Station Bridge
Googly map
Fratton Station Bridge general view map
Fratton Station Bridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Fratton Station Bridge
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The light is good between the daylight angles but in the morning the sun will affect pictures of trains coming inbound. Other than that you can see and shoot in all directions you can also see into the TMD.
LS
Inbound trains can be photographed all day from Goldsmith Avenue Fratton:
Take the stairs from all platforms and turn left on to the station bridge this leads to Goldsmith Avenue. Turn right and look over the railway wall you can get good shots of trains leaving Fratton for Portsmouth Harbour and of trains arriving from the harbour. Steps will give you a height advantage here.
LS
Inbound trains can be photographed all day from Goldsmith Avenue Fratton:
Take the stairs from all platforms and turn left on to the station bridge this leads to Goldsmith Avenue. Turn right and look over the railway wall you can get good shots of trains leaving Fratton for Portsmouth Harbour and of trains arriving from the harbour. Steps will give you a height advantage here.
General views - All photographs © Liam Chalk unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west - Photo by Leslie Steenton
From the station foot bridge
Fig 2 - Looking west - Photo by Leslie Steenton
Fig 3 - Looking west - Photo by Leslie Steenton
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.
