Unfortunately, photographing the trains within the Port of Liverpool boundaries is no longer possible as the "Merseyside Docks and Harbour Company (MDHC)" have withdrawn their daily & annual photographic permits. This is apparently due to "security" concerns raised since the "911" tragedy in 2001 along with the "EU" regulations now in place. It is understood that the "MDHC" will consider "photographic" requests for marketing / publicity purposes and in this instance you will need to contact the company's headquarters (The Mersey Docks & Harbour Company, Maritime Centre, Port of Liverpool, L21 1LA. Tel: 0151 949 6000) at Seaforth.
However if the opportunity arises to photograph inside the docks then it is ideal early morning or mid afternoon onwards depending on the time of year. Certainly as rule, mid-day photography is difficult especially for arrivals. All trains must arrive or depart from near the Strand Road 'main gate' entrance where the "DB Schenker" shunters cabin is also located. This area up to early 1999 was outside the MDHC boundary but this has been expanded and now includes most of the former 'dock road' namely Regent & Strand Roads. The road crossing at Regent Road still survives and it makes for some interesting combinations between road and rail traffic! There are five main areas that receive and send goods by rail;
The busiest area for the arrival and departure of trains is certainly centred around the Liverpool Bulk Terminal with on certain occasions two or three trains could be in attendance. Trains to and from Seaforth CT work on the 'one train in section' rule.