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
Preston station is located on the West Coast Main line between Wigan and Lancaster.
Railway type and traffic
Preston sees a large variety of traffic. These include classes 142, 150, 153, 156, 158, 175, 220 Voyagers and 390 Pendolinos.
There is also plenty of freight flows, passing through the station, from DB Schenker and Freightliner, with the odd bit of DRS Traffic.
Environment
Preston is Lancashire's main city, therefore there is some activity all the time. Avoid the south end of platforms 3 + 4 after dark, they are very 'dark and spooky' . Also do not use the lifts unless you have to. They take you down to a hideous subway, that is a bit eery, night or day.
Road directions
From the M6 junction 32:Head for the A6. Follow the A6 for a while, until you come into the centre. Turn right onto Fishergate and follow the road down until you see the Fishergate shopping centre. Turn left straight after it, and then right onto the station car park.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location Preston Station map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a shopping centre car park across the road if you are just staying for a few hours, but if you plan to stop longer, use the Virgin Trains 24 hour car park.
Public transport
There are many buses to and from Preston city centre. If you are not too far from the centre, there will be a bus. You need to ask for Fishergate shopping centre, if not, get off at the bus station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
Preston station has it's own toilets, and cafes, both which serve a good selection of food.
Accommodation
There is a Holiday Inn next to the bus station.
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.
Preston Station
Googly map
Streetmap links
Preston Station general view map
Preston Station close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Preston Station
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Preston station roof lets enough light in, but not too much. Therefore the light is just right.
General views - All photographs © Oliver Barnes unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 -
Fig 3 -
Fig 4 - Photo by Richard Tearle
A siding to the side of platform 1
Fig 5 - - Photo by Richard Tearle
Platform 3
Fig 6 - - Photo by Richard Tearle
Fig 7 - - Photo by Richard Tearle
Platform 4
Fig 8 - - Photo by Richard Tearle
The roads to the west of the station, with the former Royal Mail terminal in the background.
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.