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Written by James Underwood - 22 Oct 2004
last update by Marc Fuller - 06 Jan 2005
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Location notes
A First Great Western /English Welsh and Scottish depot located in West London on the GWML, not as busy as it used to be but has stored rolling stock and locos, and with the Great Western depot in view, you can see the HSTs rolling out! The depot is doing some work for EWS for locos for export to the continent.
Also across the tracks is the North Pole depot for the Eurostars.
Railway type and traffic
Can see all the HSTs screaming out of Paddington and rolling in, also the First Great Western 165/166s along with the Heathrow Express 332s. At the North Locos stored or visiting are 08, 33, 37, 47, 50, 52, 58. A number of charter operators sotr their coaches there so movements the day before charters can often happen. Class 60s come in to 'park over', and with a view of First Great Western depot pleanty of 43s and 180s can be seen coming and going as well as the daily Cornwall sleepers.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Old Oak Common Depot
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
An inner city location, not advisable in the hours of darkness. Keep your equipment discreetly hidden.
Road directions
At Gypsy Corner on the A40 head north up Victoria Road in North Acton or right (from A40 east) into the same road, then follow'"A4000 - Harlesden and Willesden' round the one way system. Cross over the bridge over the Central Line station and continue under next railway bridge. When you reach the Old Oak Lane traffic lights turn right and this road passes the enterance to Old Oak Depot and will carry on to a viewing position on the lane.

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Old Oak Common Depot map co-ordinates
Parking
During the week the area is permit controlled and at the weekend is it very difficult to park, public transport would be better.
But at the weekends it should be possible to park on Old Oak Lane, overlooking the depot, for long enough to identify things on the depot.
Public transport
Get a Bakerloo or Siverlink service from Euston or Kensington Olympia (or Clapham Junction) to Willesden Junction, head to the exit, walk down the entrance road until you see a T-junction at the end. Turn left over the railway bridge until you see a path that leads to the Canal. Take the U-turn down this path and at the canal turn right. then walk along until you can to a brick wall on the right, just before the wall starts there is a green patch where you can stand away from the path with a clear view on the yard and mainline, before that there is a small ground path marked out that leads right by the stored locos. This IS a long walk, 10 minutes plus, to the depot from the station!

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Amenities
On the way there before the canal bridge is a convenient shop on the left had side pavement, quite cheap stuff in there.
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.
Old Oak Common Depot

Googly map
Streetmap links
Old Oak Common Depot general view map
Old Oak Common Depot close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Old Oak Common Depot



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Photographic notes
The depot offers many vantage points and gaps in the fence with which to 'poke a lens through' to get shots of the stored locos. Along the northern edge is a tow path which has a wall along the depot side. The other side of this is a wall from which various angles can found to shoot locos and stock. Steps are preferable to gain height over the wall although there are a few boxes and seats on which you could stand.


General views - All photographs © James Underwood unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - From the north side path - Photo by Marc Fuller


Fig 1 - From the north side path - <b><i>Photo by Marc Fuller</b></i>


Fig 2 - From the north side path - Photo by Marc Fuller


Fig 2 - From the north side path - <b><i>Photo by Marc Fuller</b></i>


Fig 2 - From the tow path - Photo by Marc Fuller


Fig 2 - From the tow path - <b><i>Photo by Marc Fuller</b></i>


Fig 4 - From the tow path - Photo by Marc Fuller


Fig 4 - From the tow path - <b><i>Photo by Marc Fuller</b></i>


Fig 5 - From the tow path - Photo by Marc Fuller



Fig 5 - From the tow path - <b><i>Photo by Marc Fuller</b></i>


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