Location notes
A bank along the east side of the DB Schenker Toton Yard, South of Nottingham, along a public footpath. Good views of the yard and TMD. Best vantage point for the whole yard. Note that the area is quite high up and very exposed, so it will be windy at times!
Up Yard is on the near side, Down Yard on the far end of the main lines. Toton TMD is also clearly visible. The Virtual Quarry is behind the TMD/Down Yard.
Up Yard is on the near side, Down Yard on the far end of the main lines. Toton TMD is also clearly visible. The Virtual Quarry is behind the TMD/Down Yard.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger trains are very infrequent.
DB Schenker, Freightliner and Fastline freight workings, both passing and entering the yards. Variety of shunting activity also visible. In the yard there are DB Schenker Class 66s, 67s, 60s, 08 shunters and stored there are 56s, 37s, 47s, 58s.
Trains entering the Up Yard from the South will proceed past the yard and back in. The Down Goods line is no longer in place north of Toton, so most freight departs to the south.
DB Schenker, Freightliner and Fastline freight workings, both passing and entering the yards. Variety of shunting activity also visible. In the yard there are DB Schenker Class 66s, 67s, 60s, 08 shunters and stored there are 56s, 37s, 47s, 58s.
Trains entering the Up Yard from the South will proceed past the yard and back in. The Down Goods line is no longer in place north of Toton, so most freight departs to the south.
Environment
The bank is situated above the depot next to a housing estate on a dog walking path. It can get muddy when wet so best not to come in sandals!
Very quiet area, although if filming, local estate children can be heard at times. At the bottom of the bank is an access road, and occasionally vehicles run along here and kick up dust. Safe during the day, and there will be plenty of other rail fans around. Would not be well lit at night, apart from yard floodlights.
Very quiet area, although if filming, local estate children can be heard at times. At the bottom of the bank is an access road, and occasionally vehicles run along here and kick up dust. Safe during the day, and there will be plenty of other rail fans around. Would not be well lit at night, apart from yard floodlights.
Road directions
From the M1, Junction 25:
Take the A52 toward Nottingham. You will go over the yard on a bridge before you come to a roundabout. Here, take a right onto the B6003. Continue down this road for about a mile until you come to a set of traffic lights. Here, turn right on to Banks Road. Follow the road through the housing estate until you come to a mini roundabout. Walk up to the top of the bank to look down on the yard.
Toton Bank map co-ordinates
Take the A52 toward Nottingham. You will go over the yard on a bridge before you come to a roundabout. Here, take a right onto the B6003. Continue down this road for about a mile until you come to a set of traffic lights. Here, turn right on to Banks Road. Follow the road through the housing estate until you come to a mini roundabout. Walk up to the top of the bank to look down on the yard.
Toton Bank map co-ordinates
Parking
You can leave your car some were near the mini round about.
Public transport
From Nottingham, Go to Canal Street to bus stop BB05 and board a No. 5 bus to Chilwell, West Point Shopping Centre and change for a C5 bus and get off at Bessell Lane.
The location can also be reached by walking for about half an hour from Attenborough train station.
The location can also be reached by walking for about half an hour from Attenborough train station.
Amenities
None at the location, some small shops along Woodstock Road to the East, plus a Tesco Supermarket in Toton.
Where on the map
Sun Compass
Open this Image in a new window and use as a sun compass with the links below.
Streetmap links
Toton Bank general view map
Toton Bank close up map
Multimap links
Toton Bank on new multimap
Toton Bank general view map
Toton Bank close up map
Toton Bank aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Toton Bank
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Forum Discussion Thread
Photographic notes
The sun can be a bit of a pain in the late afternoon/evening, as it heads towards the west (the direction of the yard). Lighting is generally good during the day, nothing blocking the sunlight bar clouds. Trains from the south can be seen for a long way, trains from the north are slightly blocked by the A52 bridge. The same goes for the very northern end of the Up Yard.
Shooting individual locos in the TMD would require a long lens.
The Virtual Quarry is mostly obscured by the TMD. However, shunts for this can sometimes be seen moving at the north end of the TMD.
When shooting trains to the South, note the group of trees near the main. This will obscure trains.
For videographers, the area should be quite quiet but note there is an estate nearby, so people passing may not always be quiet. However, other railfans are usually respectful. Also note that the area can be very windy, which may be a concern for sound quality.
The photos below were taken using a 100-300mm lens on a digital SLR, giving an approximate focal length of 200-450mm.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Shooting individual locos in the TMD would require a long lens.
The Virtual Quarry is mostly obscured by the TMD. However, shunts for this can sometimes be seen moving at the north end of the TMD.
When shooting trains to the South, note the group of trees near the main. This will obscure trains.
For videographers, the area should be quite quiet but note there is an estate nearby, so people passing may not always be quiet. However, other railfans are usually respectful. Also note that the area can be very windy, which may be a concern for sound quality.
The photos below were taken using a 100-300mm lens on a digital SLR, giving an approximate focal length of 200-450mm.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Offical Guidelines for Railway Enthusiasts
British Transport Police Guidelines for rail enthusiaist
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
General views - All photographs © Tom Corker unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west - Photo © James Mayl
A loco on the north end of the depot.
Fig 2 - Looking west - Photo © James Mayl
A loaded train heading north past the depot.
Fig 3 - Looking west - Photo © James Mayl
A loco in the main depot north yard.
Fig 4 - Looking west - Photo © James Mayl
Locos parked outside the depot.
Fig 5 - Looking west - Photo © James Mayl
A light loco passing infront of the depot.
Fig 6 - Looking west - Photo © James Mayl
Locos in the east yard.
Fig 7 - Looking west - Photo © Michael Proudfoot
Locos in the east yard.
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 endeavor 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. 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.
Please enjoy this 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 endeavor 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. 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.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
