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Location notes
Northampton is a well served station on the 'Northampton loop' of the West Coast Main Line.
Railway type and traffic
The station sees mainly multiple units running between London Euston and Birmingham New Street on a regular basis. Some Virgin services also pass through.
Most WCML freight traffic uses the loop, including DB Schenker and Freightliner workings.
Most WCML freight traffic uses the loop, including DB Schenker and Freightliner workings.
Environment
The station is often quite busy, and it is probably best to avoid wearing Peterborough United football tops here!
Road directions
Northampton is off the M1, junctions 15 or 16 depending on your direction of travel.
From the M1, Junction 16:
Head towards Northampton on the dual carriageway. You will come to a large roundabout where you`ll see a cinema complex to the right. Carry straight on into 'Jimmy`s end' and basically keep going. You will pass Beacon Bingo, and the 'Saints' rugby stadium on the right. Keep going, the station is not much further. You`ll come to some traffic lights where the 'Thomas a Becket' is to the right, and you should see a BP garage just ahead. The railway station is just the other side of the bridge on the left hand side.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Northampton 'Castle' Station map co-ordinates
From the M1, Junction 16:
Head towards Northampton on the dual carriageway. You will come to a large roundabout where you`ll see a cinema complex to the right. Carry straight on into 'Jimmy`s end' and basically keep going. You will pass Beacon Bingo, and the 'Saints' rugby stadium on the right. Keep going, the station is not much further. You`ll come to some traffic lights where the 'Thomas a Becket' is to the right, and you should see a BP garage just ahead. The railway station is just the other side of the bridge on the left hand side.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Northampton 'Castle' Station map co-ordinates
Parking
There are a few bays that allow free parking for a short while, but if you plan to stay for a while, it`s best to pay and display! There is room for many, many cars...
Public transport
Amenities
The station has recently refurbished toilets, and also has a small shop to purchase snacks, and also a small cafe. For those with larger appetites, the nearby 'Super Sausage cafeteria' is ideal.
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.
Northampton 'Castle' Station
Streetmap links
Northampton 'Castle' Station general view map
Northampton 'Castle' Station close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Northampton 'Castle' Station
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Northampton 'Castle' Station
Googly map
Northampton 'Castle' Station general view map
Northampton 'Castle' Station close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Northampton 'Castle' Station
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Note: To gain access to the platforms you now need to be in possesion of a valid ticket, as barriers are in operation at the station.
The station offers a number of photographic opportunities. As well as the units which usually use three of the platforms, freight also passes through the station. The station also has bays which can often be home for a loco or wagons overnight. Units also stable at the far side of the station.
Other shots include the yard, although this is not as busy as it once used to be.
If you leave the station, you will notice an overflow car park under the road bridge. If you pass under the bridge, good shots can be taken over the fence.
Another alternative shot can be had if you cross the bridge, and head into the park. From here you can get shots of trains crossing over the canal.
The station offers a number of photographic opportunities. As well as the units which usually use three of the platforms, freight also passes through the station. The station also has bays which can often be home for a loco or wagons overnight. Units also stable at the far side of the station.
Other shots include the yard, although this is not as busy as it once used to be.
If you leave the station, you will notice an overflow car park under the road bridge. If you pass under the bridge, good shots can be taken over the fence.
Another alternative shot can be had if you cross the bridge, and head into the park. From here you can get shots of trains crossing over the canal.
General views - All photographs © Jason Rodhouse unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
This shot is taken from under the bridge, in the car park. It is not necessary to be on the station for this shot.
Fig 2 - Looking south - Image © Jason Rodhouse
Fig 3 - Looking north - Image © Jason Rodhouse
Fig 4 - Looking south
Fig 5 - Looking north - Image © Jason Rodhouse
Fig 6 - Station bays
Fig 7 - Looking north - Image © Jason Rodhouse
Fig 8 - Park Shot
To get to this shot in the park, there are steps leading up to the bridge (signposted 'To Northampton Saints'). Turn right here, and look for the 'Castle' pub. From the pub, and facing the railway, turn right and follow the footpath to the location.
Another way to get to the location is from St.James retail park. At the end of the car park, there is a well known fast food outlet. Beyond here you will see a bridge over the stream. Cross the bridge, and follow the footpath to the left. You will pass underneath two low bridges, mind your head, and then choose your spot!
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.
