LIVERPOOL LIME ST to RUNCORN (LNWR London Line)
Photography on this particular line is not easy for one main reason, where ever you go there are the 25Kv wires and mast's. For some photographers that is one obstacle too far! Unfortunately, you will never get the ultimate shot on this line and "compromise's" will be the order of the day when composing your shot. Within the Liverpool area, you are restricted to the stations for decent photography and should have no difficulty accessing them with that purpose in mind. This line also gives you the option to photograph the loco hauled Virgin 'inter city' and 'cross country' services which travel the fast lines. As far as 'freight' traffic is concerned they do travel both 'fast' and 'slow' lines but as a rule, any Coal traffic travel slow lines with Scrap traffic travelling fast lines.
Starting at Edge Hill station, photography is restricted to passenger trains to and from Lime St Station on the up slow and down fast lines. Photographing 'freight' trains arriving and departing Wapping is impossible due to trees but occasionally you may be able to record a Coal train arriving near the station from Tuebrook Sidings! The next station is Mossley Hill (access from Rose Lane) were morning shots are possible on both slow lines and down fast line. During the afternoon and summer evenings, the down fast line is normally only possible. West Allerton station (Booker Ave) is next, located at the end of R/H sweeping curve, again early morning best for up fast and slow lines with the afternoon and early evening, both up lines and down fast line. Of the five stations open on this line, West Allerton station is probably the best. From West Allerton you can actually make out the next station on the line which is Liverpool South Parkway Station (previously named Allerton Station) where also find Allerton Junction signal box located at the south end of the station. This is the junction of the former CLC lines from Warrington Central and the LNWR lines. Within sight of the station you can see DB Schenker's Allerton T&RS depot, now a shadow of its former self, normally repairs wagons but mainly used these days for its Wheel Lathe capability. Early morning both up lines are possible with afternoon / early evening trains best from the down fast line and providing platform 4 is accessible, down slow line too.
Unfortunately between Allerton Junction and Halewood which includes the impressive Speke Junction signal box there are no accessible photographic locations. At this junction access for trains to Garston Freightliner Terminal but high fencing in this area precludes any photography of the departing or arriving 'Freightliners'. The remainder of the line between Halewood and Runcorn is mostly in the open but it is still very limited to obtain any decent shots not without asking permission from local land owners to access their land in the first instance. First open location is near the sidings for the Jaguar Car Factory at Higher Road, Halewood. This location is a triangular field by the A561 junction and obtaining shots at the trackside boundary is relative easy with aim of stepladder and you are able to obtain trains on all 4 lines in both directions. Also you have the opportunity to climb the A561 road embankment and gain height for shots of train travelling in the Runcorn direction. During a summer's evening, it is possible to obtain shots of southbound trains on both slow & fast lines from Lower Lane, Halebank near to the site of the old station which unfortunately there are no remains. Before the closed Ditton Station (now demolish) there are open farm fields overlooking the line namely 'Linner Farm' which is on the south side and 'Newstead Farm' fields which is on the north side. Linner Farm fields is access from Ditton Road and OK during the day from approx 9.00 to 16.00hrs with sun always highlighting the side of the trains. Newstead Farm is access via a single lane path from Lower Lane, Halebank and to gain access you must walk pass the landowners residence. There are numerous angles from his fields for shots in both directions but only ideal during a summers evening when the sun is on the north side of the line. Also possible from the nearby Industrial Estate.
Next spot was Ditton Station but this closed some years ago, and now consigned to history, along with both Ditton Junction No1 & No2 Signal Boxes. These were replaced by Ditton Power Box which overlooks the site of the station. Next location is Vickers Road which runs along side the viaduct leading to the Widnes / Runcorn rail bridge. The location is on the banks of the River Mersey, being the site of the old reclaimed Widnes Docks and now a small public park. Here during the afternoon sunshine you have the opportunity to photograph Liverpool bound trains coming off the bridge but they are wharf by the size of both road & rail bridges. Not everyone's cup of tea but you certainly get a very good shot of one the classic landmarks in the area.
Final location on this stretch of line is at Runcorn Station itself were you can obtain early morning shots of Liverpool bound trains along the platform. At the south end of the station is the brick built Runcorn Signal Box were trains arrive from the background cutting passing the box and into the station. For afternoon and early evening shot you need to go on the opposite platform to obtain trains heading south. Certainly during end of winter / early spring before the leaves are on the trees, it is possible to get a train arriving / passing through Runcorn Station with the two bridges in the background. At the Signal Box is the connection to the Folly Lane Branch were one/two shots are possible. Finally, on a personal note the ex LNWR line is I find the hardest line (bar 1/2 locations) to obtain any classic shots and really you are left with everyday records shots but at least their is plenty to photograph between the various passenger and freight trains.