Photography at Saltash

[whole diary]

[DaveHarries]

Evening al,

Would like some advice here.

A little later this year I plan to try and photo, from the Plymouth end of Saltash station, a train crossing the Tamar Bridge. Would probably try this late morning and on a sunny day. I would also like an unobstructed view of the bridge if I can get one.

I propose to set up tripod plus camera at the location given in the attached image (or on the flat bit next thereto) which I think would give the best location. However I do not know Saltash station well enough to know if such a vantage point - my likely intended location is indicated by the arrow on the attached image - would be possible. Any members of this forum know how close to the bridge you can go? I have no wish to do anything illegal and am not thinking of going on the track before anybody asks!

Image taken from Google Earth.

Cheers,
Dave

[ChrisB]

Looks like the downslope from platform to line - not a public area is it?

[grahame]

Looks like the downslope from platform to line - not a public area is it?

I propose to set up tripod plus camera at the location given in the attached image (or on the flat bit next thereto)

Think you could set up a tripod on the flat bit at the top.  But may be blocked by trees and you may do better from the other platform.  See attached image.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/railway-enthusiasts/railway-enthusiasts-and-photography-at-stations/
http://www.btp.police.uk/safety_on_the_railway/safety_on_and_near_the_railway/rail_enthusiasts.aspx
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/info/10673_filming_of_station_staff.html

[JayMac]

Was there just over a week ago. The limit of public access is clearly marked with 'No passengers beyond this point' signs. Slightly unusually these are at the bottom of the platform slopes.

The position you propose to photo from should be fine provided your tripod is well clear of the platform edge.

Attached is a picture I took on my recent visit. You can see there is a low wall at the Plymouth end of the down platform from behind which you should get a clear unobstructed view with a fairly wide lens. Don't lean over the wall though. It's a long way down!

[grahame]

Was there just over a week ago. The limit of public access is clearly marked with 'No passengers beyond this point' signs. Slightly unusually these are at the bottom of the platform slopes.

Indeed - and I amend my comments that suggested top of the slope or opposite platform.

[DaveHarries]

Was there just over a week ago. The limit of public access is clearly marked with 'No passengers beyond this point' signs. Slightly unusually these are at the bottom of the platform slopes.

Thank you for that useful point, and for the picture. Looks like a group of people being given the chance to walk across the bridge. When was that?

Anyway I would therefore wonder whether I would get away with using the flat bit at the bottom of the platform slope if I kept camera and tripod well clear of the running line? Presumably not so the opposite platform might as you suggest be the best location. I can set up my camera to be controlled from my phone through use of an app as I have a wi-fi adapter device I can plug into it which would establish a direct connection without a router being needed.

Dave

[JayMac]

Provided you obey signage and stay on the platforms away from the edge you should be okay.

Saltash is unstaffed, but should there be any roving GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) or Network Rail staff around, then do comply with any requests they make regarding your positioning.

[grahame]

Looks like a group of people being given the chance to walk across the bridge. When was that?

July 12th, 2015 - see http://twcrp.info/t15792

[Pb_devon]

You will be OK.
The low wall mentioned by BNM above is the one Mr Portillo and I sat on when we did the piece on RAB a couple of years ago for his programme. Yes, it is a long way down!

[DaveHarries]

You will be OK.
The low wall mentioned by BNM above is the one Mr Portillo and I sat on when we did the piece on RAB a couple of years ago for his programme. Yes, it is a long way down!

Thanks for that. It is a bit confusing: it would be understandable if they didn't want people putting cameras on the flat bit at the bridge end of the Penzance-bound platform but if that was the case they should put signs in advance of the flat bit stating so.

Cheers,
Dave

[marky7890]

I have taken photos at the bridge end of both platforms. The down platform is best in the morning as the sun is in the right place to shine on the trains heading through the station and on the bridge. I have stood on the flat section to get photos of trains over the bridge.
The other platform is better for the afternoon once the sun has moved around. The road bridge is also a nice place to get photos from of trains coming through the station although the view of the Royal Albert Bridge is covered by trees from there.

Late summer evenings about 7 or 8pm onwards the Tamar bridge walkway is a nice place for shots of trains crossing the bridge too.

[DaveHarries]

Thanks Marky. I think I will aim to get to Saltash for about 10:45 but I will be coming from Bristol and doing it by road: the fuel economy on my car is such that the fuel would probably cost less than the train fare.

Would photos taken from the road bridge late in the morning (I am hoping to photo one particular train on the day in question and have been waiting for the opportunity for ages) get the sun on the road bridge side of the train? Or would that not work? I would hope to get the sun on the train for the best shot so if getting the sun on the road bridge side of the train would be unlikely late morning then I will wait for the train to return from Penzance although that would be a very long wait.

Dave

[marky7890]

The problem with the road bridge is you need to stand towards the up platform end due to a big tree over the down platform end of it, which means the sun is on the wrong side of the train. The best time for photos here is about 4pm onwards.

This is a great site for seeing where the sun will be: http://www.suncalc.net/#/50.4071,-4.2092,18/2018.04.23/09:21

Just move the time slider and the sun indicator moves around the location.

[DaveHarries]

The problem with the road bridge is you need to stand towards the up platform end due to a big tree over the down platform end of it, which means the sun is on the wrong side of the train. The best time for photos here is about 4pm onwards.

This is a great site for seeing where the sun will be: http://www.suncalc.net/#/50.4071,-4.2092,18/2018.04.23/09:21

Just move the time slider and the sun indicator moves around the location.

Cheers Marky for that useful link. Train I want should, if on time, get to Saltash at around 11:30 by which time, if SunCalc is correct, the sun should be at 5 o'clock to my right. I could try to use the tree to keep the sun out of the shot and then use the zoom on the bridge. I will see how I get on.

Dave