Questions about tube spotting

Firstly welcome to the forum...

I don't think you'll find any spotting books similar to that published by IanAllen/ABC for the mainline. The nearest you probably get are Underground Rolling Stock books by Brian Hardy:
www.amazon.co.uk/London-Underground-Rolling-Stock-Brian/dp/1854142631

This data is now considerably out of date as S stocks have/are replacing A, C & D Stock units and the 09ts replaced 67ts on the Victoria Line - I'm not sure if another is planned for publishing in the short-term.

General numbering structures/sequences can be found on this Wikipidia page:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground_rolling_stock_numbering_and_classification

As for stations... terminus or major interchange stations are probably best (e.g. Stratford), however if you intend to linger, its best you consult with staff first (you may be asked to sign in), otherwise you'll attract attention to yourself. Also be aware if you do use Oyster and linger, you may well fall foul of the rules and be charged the maximum daily fare as the system assumes that you've failed to touch out...

I hope that's of assistance.

ChrisW

Thanks for the replies guys very helpful.
I guess to overcome the oyster card problem of spending a length of time at one station is to use the old fashion paper ticket.

Malc

Thanks gregsargent that's very helpful.

Hi, this is the thread that made me sign up, there is information here that is of use to me and I hope in turn that my experiences may be able to help others.

The book I use is the Andrew Emmerson book though I didn't know about the ICRS publication. I kind of wish Platform 5 would publish details in their pocket books!

I go tubespotting maybe once every other month, on a Saturday, so the first thing I would suggest woul be to check for engineering works and plan a suitable route.

So far, (touch wood) I haven't been approached by any staff or police asking what I'm up to.

Bakerloo Line - Queens Park - a lot of the services turn back here and you could catch mainline stock on the WCML
29 trainsets in use is the most I've seen.

Jubilee / Metropolitan - Finchley Road - I spent my time at the north end of northbound platforms, saw 40 Jubilee trainsets. Sadly the Met had works but I'll be back!

Victoria - Kind of tricky as this is underground, but I regularly saw between 26 and 32 trainsets at Euston, you can also head to the north end of the northbound platform where a link corridor will enable you to see southbound Northern Line trains.

Piccadilly / District - Barons Court, eastbound platform, west end, two yellow grit bins to sit on and it's past the rear car stop for the Piccadilly. My best here is 70 trainsets. District line is good but Earls Court would be better as trains down the Wimbledon branch are missed.

Central - Stratford's "Epping bound" platform has some seats just past the rear car stop at the Liv St end, out of the way of CCTV but you will miss a few units when an Anglia service is in platform 5.

Circle / H & C - very much in agreement with Farringdon and Barking, also chances for mainline stock.

Northern - I'd ask for some help here off other users as this line looks complicated for spotters! I've tried Kennington on the northbound using a link tunnel to spot between the two branches, but just didn't feel comfortable. My next plan is to head north out of the tunnels and try sessions at both Golders Green and East Finchley.

Good luck!