Location notes
On the East Coast Main Line approximately 14 miles South of Newcastle.
Railway type and traffic
NXEC - Roughly 1 train per hour in each direction, others will run non-stop through the station (Southbound through platform 1, Northbound through the centre line) operated by 91s and HSTs.
Virgin - 2 trains per hour in each direction operated by 220s/221s.
Northern Rail - 1 train every 2 hours to/from Newcastle and Middlesbrough Saltburn.
First Transpennine - 1 train per hour to and from Manchester
Freight - All freight services down the ECML will pass though Durham.
Network Rail - The NMT makes a jorney through Durham on Monday and Saturday each week!
Environment
Durham is situated at the top of a steep hill above the city, so it can be quite windy. During peak hours ticket checks are usually in place on the platforms. Staff Do Not Issue platform tickets yet a charge may be payed, although when this has happend to myself it has just been £1.
The GNER staff at Durham are extremely hospitable, some of the station master are a bit nervous as of todays current climate, also try to tell a member of station staff you are on the platform as alot of 'jumpers' have been using the viaduct!
A couple of obvious points worth noting:
Keep assiduously on the right side of the 'Passengers must not pass...' notices (those on the n/b platform are further in from the platform ramps than you would think -- a lack of suitable posts to stick them to is to blame.
Do not stand beyond the yellow lines to take pics of approaching trains -- it makes some drivers understandably anxious.
The station has had a revamp with a WH Smiths, Indoor and quite Comfy waiting area (on the south bound side) and a newer ticket office! GNER staff are always helpful, and usually on this station endevour to make you feel welcomed!
Road directions
Parking
There is a car park at the station.
Public transport
About 3 or 4 trains an hour stop here in each direction during the day. See railway type and traffic.
Amenities
There are toilets and a newsagent in the station plus Puccini's coffee places on both platforms, and the north bound waiting room has a rather nice 2mm display model of the station.
There are more shops at the bottom of the hill in the town.
Where on the map
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Forum Discussion Thread
Photographic notes
Freight trains may be held in the loops to the north of the station.
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 enthusiastsIf 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.
Links to photographs at this location
General views - All photographs © Craig Allan unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south

From the South end of platform 1 looking out over the viaduct.
Fig 2 - Looking north

Reverse angle of fig 1, looking back towards the station.
Fig 3 - Looking north

From the north end of platform 2
Fig 4 - Looking south

Reverse of fig 3, looking back into the station.
Fig 5 - Looking south - Photo by James Stoker
Fig 6 - Looking north - Photo by James Stoker
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.