trainspots logo


Written by Jordan Allen - 23 Feb 2005
last update by Jordan Allen - 16 Dec 2007
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
Situated in Doncaster town centre, the station is on the ECML and also on the Sheffield - Scunthorpe/Hull Line.
Railway type and traffic
A very busy station, with plenty of National Express action with both stopping and 100mph through trains which can be 91s or HSTs. There also Hull trains services from Hull to London, operated with Class 222 Pioneers, Northern Rail services from Doncaster to Leeds (Class 321s) and Sheffield - Hull / Scunthorpe (Classes 144, 142, 153, 150 156 and 158), First Transpennine express run an hourly Cleethorpes to Manchester Train, run by class 185 DMUs. Midland Mainline also run services through Doncaster, but only early morning and late at night, these are formed of HSTs. Finally there is a Central Trains Service to Lincoln via Gainsborough, usually a 153. Grand Central HSTs pass through non stop as an addition to all the above.
Lots of freight with DB Schenker, Freightliner and GBRf all passing through frequently.
Environment
In the city centre, the station is enthusiast friendly and there is invariably other enthusiasts around.
Road directions
Drive into Doncaster centre and the station is well signposted from the approach roads.

Click here to set up your location for directions to this location

Doncaster Station map co-ordinates
Parking
The car park for the station is now within the new Frenchgate centre, this is a multi story car park with plenty of security, there are also many excellent small car parks which often cost considerably less, however, these become full quickly.
Public transport
The new Frenchgate interchange is adjacent with buses to and from all areas of South Yorkshire, along with some longer distance services.

See the following TOC Websites for train information:
East Coast - From London and Scotland.
Transpennine Express
Hull Trains
Northern Rail

Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are gents and ladies toilets on platform 4, ladies on platform 3, and gents on platform 1.
The station has 2 'Pumpkin' cafes, 2 costa coffee 'booths' and 2 'Journeys Friend' outlets, the latter sell everything from Drinks and Crisps to Magazines and even travel accessories.
If you want to go further, there is a chip shop nearby along with a Greggs and some other food outlets in the Frenchgate centre - go left out of the station and go up the escalator.
Accommodation
There is plenty of accommodation in Doncaster and the surrounding area.
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.
Doncaster Station

Googly map
Streetmap links
Doncaster Station general view map
Doncaster Station close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Doncaster Station



Who likes this location on facebook



Railway Gen Group
Yorkshire Rail
Photographic notes
There are a number of locations around the station. Platform 4 is good for evening shots of trains on the mainlines, conversely Platform 3 is good for morning shots. Throughout the day, trains heading south have the favourable sun, but northbound shots are still perfectly fine!
The station is also good for videoing, either ends of platform 3 or 4 are usually fine.

Update from Doug Barrow - Jan 2008:
Photographic Note - The Multi-Storey Car Park is no longer recommended as the Frenchgate Security people use closed-circuit television and someone is quickly despatched to 'see-off' people trying to take photographs of the station area from the car park... citing the grounds of 'security' because of the nearby prison (to the west of the former Railway Works).
Links to photographs at this location

UK Railpics - Doncaster


General views - All photographs © Jordan Allen unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north

From the middle of platform 4

Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north

From middle of platform 3

Fig 3 - Looking south- Photo by Marcus Dawson


Fig 3 - Looking south- <i>Photo by Marcus Dawson</i>

From the south end of platform 4. A number of workings use the cross overs at the south end of the station. To get from the lines from Sheffield to the east cost lines

Fig 4 - Looking north- Photo by Marcus Dawson


Fig 4 - Looking north- <i>Photo by Marcus Dawson</i>

From the south end of platform 4, reverse angle of fig 3

Fig 5 - Looking north- Photo by Marcus Dawson



Fig 5 - Looking north- <i>Photo by Marcus Dawson</i>

There is a set of freight avoiding lines to the west of the station

Fig 6 - Looking north- Photo by Marcus Dawson



Fig 6 - Looking north- <i>Photo by Marcus Dawson</i>

From the south end of platform 4, a unit on the the ECML heading north

Fig 7 - Looking south- Photo by Marcus Dawson



Fig 7 - Looking south- <i>Photo by Marcus Dawson</i>

From the south end of platform 5

Fig 8 - Looking south - Photo by Marcus Dawson



Fig 8 - Looking south - <i>Photo by Marcus Dawson</i>

From the car park looking at the rear of a south bound working in platform 5

Disclaimer
Back to the top

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.