A bit late to the party (and to this forum) on this one.
I lived a fifteen minute brisk walk (or five minute bike ride) from Finsbury Park and spent many a happy hour on the Train Spotters’ Platform. I believe I may actually be in one of the photos provided:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-child ... 23125.html
It certainly looks like me, on the top level fourth from the right (next to the boy who can barely see over the barrier.
Perhaps I can fill in a few gaps. The platform was not provided by BR. It was built by the LCC, who owned Finsbury Park in which it was situated. It was built in two distinct stages. The upper platform was built first and it was a rudimentary affair made mainly of scaffolding-type poles but permanently jointed. It was so popular that not long after it was built it was extended. The lower level, which was far larger, was built of poured concrete with a cast iron balustrade. Both levels provided superb views across the tracks, although the very nearest track was invisible from the platforms as the lines ran in a cutting 20 or 30 feet below. The upper level provided a particularly fine view southwards to Finsbury Park Station. The platforms were adjacent to the park’s “cinder” football pitch and the protective netting is clearly visible in the shot of the upper platform. Attached to this fence was the BR list of departures from Kings Cross. Above this was a sign which read “Trains pass this point approximately six minutes after the departure times shown below.” I believe Azumas manage it in half that time today.
Just to the south of the platforms two tracks crossed the main lines to disappear between two buildings. This was the branch to Highgate and Alexandra Palace and can be seen among the steam in the photo of the lower platform. This was to form part of the London Underground’s “Northern Heights” scheme but BR’s service was abandoned in 1954 and the scheme dropped. Adjacent to the park to the south were some sidings which were used to stable empty suburban stock. The tracks across the bridge were used occasionally to shunt empty coaching stock from the sidings and most days a set would be seen creeping across the bridge. The sidings, together with the bridge are long gone and the siding area now occupied by tennis courts. Crossing the tracks immediately adjacent to the spotters’ platforms was a footbridge leading from the park to the Tollington Park area (this is also visible in the same photo). This bridge still exists and forms part of the “Parkland Walk” which has been constructed on the trackbed of the disused Alexandra Palace branch.
Although we didn’t realise it, we were incredibly lucky to see the trains in Finsbury Park. I was lucky enough to be around to see the Gresley Pacifics ploughing their way northwards with all the named trains of that era (“Flying Scotsman”, “The Elizabethan”, “The Heart of Midlothian”, “The Tyne-Tees Pullman”, "The Queen of Scots" and many more). We saw the shape of things to come when the prototype Deltic, in its striking blue livery, speed whiskers and headlamp put in the occasional appearance. The demise of top link steam began when the Deltics took over most long distance services from 1961.
Also to be seen from the spotters' platform were the early Type 2 diesels (latterly class 31), the “Baby Deltics” on the outer suburban services to Hatfield, Hitchin, Cambridge and Ely and the early Craven DMUs. The occasional 9F would clank its way past either light engine or pulling a few wagons (never knew where from or to).
Alas the spotters’ platforms are no more. Here’s a view from the rear looking towards the railway, taken a few year’s ago:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/albedo/18 ... otostream/
Deserted and heavily overgrown. They were demolished four or five year’s ago; there was an article in the local rag but even that seems to have disappeared.
Mickey wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 7:27 pm
...from
The Lady Killers that were filmed either from above the tunnel mouth of Copenhagen tunnel overlooking the Up & Down goods lines and also from the eastern side above Copenhagen tunnel looking down towards Belle Isle in 1955 all in Eastman colour.
The Ladykillers is a superb film. Alas every time I watch it I scream that it is geographically incorrect. The front door of Mrs Wilberforce's house faces the front of Kings Cross station (so seems to be in what is now Birkenhead Street). But her back yard overlooks the railway lines out of the terminus!