Location notes
This is a very large station almost in the centre of Watford. Watford is North West of London and has about 4 stations! Watford Junction being the largest and most interesting.
Silverlink County serve and operate the station with trains running north to destinations like Tring and Milton Keynes and most northerly Northampton, all from London Euston.
Virgin, serve a wide area however you are not allowed to get a virgin train from Watford to Euston or Euston to Watford... its not a outer suburban service!!
Watford - London Euston calling at all stations is Silverlink County.
Southern run Watford Junction - Clapham Junction and Gatwick Airport and Brighton.
Silverlink County serve and operate the station with trains running north to destinations like Tring and Milton Keynes and most northerly Northampton, all from London Euston.
Virgin, serve a wide area however you are not allowed to get a virgin train from Watford to Euston or Euston to Watford... its not a outer suburban service!!
Watford - London Euston calling at all stations is Silverlink County.
Southern run Watford Junction - Clapham Junction and Gatwick Airport and Brighton.
Railway type and traffic
Virgin services are entirely in the hands of Class 390 Pendolinos. Class 321s serve Silverlink county lines and the 'Abbey Flyer' Branch line which departs from a rather separate platform on the far side of the station.
Class 508 units are most notable because Silverlink only operate 3 of these and all can be found on the Metro lines working with class 313s from Watford to London Euston calling at all stations. Depending on the time of year the sleeper traffic can be shot at the station, this is hauled by EWS 90s. These trains take up the length of the platforms.
There is a number of freight services passing through the station, EWS and Freightliner being the predominant operators. DRS and Fastline also pass through.
Class 508 units are most notable because Silverlink only operate 3 of these and all can be found on the Metro lines working with class 313s from Watford to London Euston calling at all stations. Depending on the time of year the sleeper traffic can be shot at the station, this is hauled by EWS 90s. These trains take up the length of the platforms.
There is a number of freight services passing through the station, EWS and Freightliner being the predominant operators. DRS and Fastline also pass through.
Environment
The station is staffed 24-7 and the staff are generally friendly.
It can become quite peaceful at times however is very busy in the rush hour so if you plan to visit during the rush hour select a position at a far end of one of the virgin trains platforms.
It can become quite peaceful at times however is very busy in the rush hour so if you plan to visit during the rush hour select a position at a far end of one of the virgin trains platforms.
Road directions
From St Albans Road, follow the road down until you cross the bridge near Homebase and Staples shops. After this its the first left turning and you can see the station from the top of the road you turn into.
Watford Junction map co-ordinates
Watford Junction map co-ordinates
Parking
Car parking is available and there is a member of staff in the car park at almost all times. It is a safe location under CCTV surveillance and is near to the shops!
Public transport
London Euston - Watford Junction Silverlink County about a 20-30 minute ride. Stopping at either Harrow and Wealdstone and Bushey then Watford or No stops before primarily however some leave out Bushey or Harrow and Wealdstone.
Southern services terminate here from either Gatwick or Brighton
Southern services terminate here from either Gatwick or Brighton
Amenities
There are toilets on platform 6. Food wise, a good range is available in the lower concourse however there is a pub round the corner and a short walk would bring you to many more shops.
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
Watford Junction general view map
Watford Junction close up map
Multimap links
Watford Junction on new multimap
Watford Junction general view map
Watford Junction close up map
Watford Junction aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Watford Junction
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Photographic notes
The station runs north to south so the sun tends to be a problem in the late afternoon when facing southerly.
Trains can be 'shot' travelling in 'both' directions, however platform 11 should be 'missed' out because its a 45 minutely service and there is northing more than a platform.
Videos can be taken well however if you want good class 321 videos, being on the virgin platforms is not a good idea.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Trains can be 'shot' travelling in 'both' directions, however platform 11 should be 'missed' out because its a 45 minutely service and there is northing more than a platform.
Videos can be taken well however if you want good class 321 videos, being on the virgin platforms is not a good idea.
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 © Robert Keith unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
The Abbey line platforms.
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.
