trainspots logo


Written by Dave Bramley - 20 Jan 2004
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
Chester is on the North Wales Coast line from Crewe to Holyhead.
Railway type and traffic
Trains through Chester include the Arriva Trains Wales services to and from the Coast with 158's,175's. First North Western services to Manchester via Northwich with any of their fleet of 150/153/156/158 and Merseyrail to Liverpool every 30 minutes with Class 507's or 508's. Virgin HST's run through to and from Euston, and of course from February,the FNW Blackpool train will be Class 31's hauled.
Freight through Chester includes the daily Warrington to Dee Marsh (60,66),Crewe to Penmaemawr (66) and the bi-daily Crewe to Valley flasks (20/37/66) as well as the sporadic runs of Warrington to Chirk, Penyffordd and Gobowen trains (any DB Schenker). The Alstom Class 175 depot is around the corner, and can be viewed from platform 3b.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Chester
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
Chester station is slightly outside the City centre, but a free bus runs to and from there every six minutes.
Road directions
From Junction 12 of the M53 take the A56 Hoole Road in to Chester. After crossing the railway, Station Road is on your left and the Station is at bottom.

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

Chester map co-ordinates
Parking
Car parking is available at the railway station, but is expensive in the town.
Public transport
Two trains an hour form Crewe, Liverpool & North Wales.
Hourly service from Manchester via Warrington or Stockport.
Hourly (in peak), otherwise two hourly from Shrewsbury.

Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
Wh Smiths on station, two Trekkers buffets, a pub across the road and a chip shop 5 minutes walk down station road.
Accommodation
Several Bed and Breakfasts 2 minutes away in station road. Mill Hotel good also,5 minutes walk away. Hoole Road district is lined with Bed and Breakfasts.
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.
Chester

Googly map
Streetmap links
Chester general view map
Chester close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Chester



Who likes this location on facebook



Railway Gen Group
North West Gen
Photographic notes
Chester has a through road in between platforms 3 and 4, and one between platform 7 and the yard. Both are bi-directional. These lines run north east to south west. Freight can pass through either. Platform 3b is best for getting all lines at The West end, whilst platform 4a or 6 gets the East end well. The platform lights are good in places and lend themselves to night photography well.
Northern Railways - Chester


General views - All photographs © Dave Bramley unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east


Fig 1 - Looking north east

Taken from platform 3b,showing the depot in the background - It's the blue shed behind the shed! - ed

Fig 2 - Looking north east


Fig 2 - Looking north east

The stations middle road with a train facing in the Crewe direction.

Fig 3 - Looking south west


Fig 3 - Looking south west

The yard as seen from platform 7a. This platform has only a partially roof the rest being open. So your preference for with or without pillars is available.

Fig 4 - Looking south


Fig 4 - Looking south

A notrth wales bound excursion taken from platform 4.

Fig 5 - Looking south west



Fig 5 - Looking south west

This shot shows the night lighting on the station.

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.