BESIDE THE TRACKS
Spotter's Guide!
Here, you'll find a range of tips; and apps to help you get that shot. There'll be a link to the apps just below this paragraph, but for the tips, Carry on reading!!
SPOTTER'S GUIDE
Welcome to the spotter's guide! In this small webpage, you will be shown tips and tricks, on how to find the perfect train. Let's get started!!!!!
TIMING IS KEY.
When trying to see a train, you've got to get there early. As trains can be delayed; or (Rarely) Run early! It's all depending on your location.
Let's say you're out in the countryside; next to a track. You don't want to get there late and have to run there, you want to be early, so you can set up your camera, and find a location! I'd recommend getting there at least 30 minutes beforehand.
At a station, it's a little different; as the best spot is the platforms, which are only behind a ticket barrier. I'll give a demonstration on 2 different stations.
Let's take London Euston. The ticket lines are VERY long there, so you'll need to get there an hour early to buy a platform ticket. Once you get through the gates, there are a few rules you need to follow. In London, you're not allowed tripods on platforms; so be aware of that so you don't get kicked out. Once you've found the spot, that should've taken about 25 minutes. So you'll need to arrive at least an hour early.
How about a smaller station!? I'll take Portslade, Hove. There are rarely any ticket windows, so you have to use a machine; which are a pain. But often a little quicker. You can get through the gates, and you have a few options, In a smaller station, I'd recommend the footbridge if it has one. Obviously, that only takes about 1 minute and setting up 10 minutes. So if you're at a smaller station; I'd recommend getting there 30 minutes in advance. Hope this helps!!
go bold.
When I say 'Go Bold' I mean; don't just take pictures of your daily commute. Don't take pictures of the same train. Day by day by day! Go out of the norm. Travel. Go on RealTimeTrains and OTT! They'll help you to get a different train. Whether it be freight; or just a train you've never seen before! Go Bold.
Freight trains are usually in the morning/evening. They are the most photogenic. Wake up early! As Freight Trains are usually scheduled before peak time.
Hope this helped!
Getting the right angle
If you happen to be taking pictures of the train; there are loads of awesome angles you can get. From down low; to up close.
The front of the train is the best looking, especially with the front lights on. I'll be giving examples of trains, and the best angle you can get on them.
Take a class 800. Modern. Ugly. Smart. Fast. You're going to want to capture the sheer speed of it. So get to its nose. Then go 2 steps back. Then put your camera at an angle so you can see all the way down to the back of the train. That's the shot.
Now let's take a 377. There's nothing to say about this. You're just going to want the front. So go about 5 steps back; and again, capture the whole train. That's the shot ;-D
Take a 313, It's so ugly that you just don't take a picture of it. (Sorry 313 lovers) I'm joking. You're going to want to get at a 45° angle from the train. Don't capture the whole thing. Just the front. That's the shot.
The rules for any steam train. Get it while it's moving on the line. Never at a station; ensure that you can see all of the steam. Then you know that it's a perfect shot.
Think you have some awesome tips?
Beside the Tracks was introduced to bring more people into the railway world, it was also introduced for people to have their own ideas, and for us to implement their ideas on the site.
​
