When I first started spotting (1990's), I remember Retford as a place where passenger services used to fly through, blowing dust in my face - I used to go through with my father who's Retford days were when steam was around. Its a great childhood memory for me. After several years awat from spotting, I got back into it last October (2006) and straight away remembered why it had always been a great place to go. With two levels, you still get some variety - i.e., 66's, 153/156/142/144's on the low level and the usual stuff on the ECML. Decent place for pics too, especially since the ECML part of the station has retained lots of original achitecture.

Its always been a place where I have lots of memories from - double-heading 31's and 37's on the ECML (1990's) and more recently (December 2006), on the low level, got the unusual sight of a DVT (82149 - allocated to Toton) and class 67 with coaching stock on the low level; not sure what was going on there but great photo oppurtunity!

A two level station where ECML is bisected by the Sheffield-Gainsborough line.

East/West Lines are good for power station coal/gypsum traffic to West Burton / Cottam now usually in the hands of 66's on the low level lines, together with passenger work in the hands of single and two car units, usually 144/153/156 types.

The ECML is a mixture of Freightliner / EWS freight usually hauled by 66's and the odd 67, passenger services are in the hands of GNER HST/Class 91 sets and Hull Trains Class 222's on North/South services.

(Still known locally as the GN for the ECML and the GC for the low level lines from Sheffield)

Four platforms with reasonable vantage points for photos.

Some Sheffield trains that terminate, run to the high level GN (down) platform utilising the 'loop' connection from the ex GC lines. Rare bit of track that for some people. Better still when the odd excursion utilises this route to access the ECML from the 1960's flying junction to the west of Retford (Whisker Hill Junction) on the GC lines.

The mainline (ECML) station retains its beautiful old buildings with two heated waiting rooms, toilets, staffrooms and booking hall on the up side (where there is a coffee/snacks machine).

GNER look after the station, and whilst some character has been lost over the years in the name of modernisation, from the passenger's point of view, the revamped waiting rooms are warm and pleasant with electric doors. (Though a long way from the roaring fires regularly stoked up by a porter of 30 years ago).

Part of the building is leased by Bassetlaw Railway Society (find them there most Wednesday evenings)

On the Sheffield (ex GC) lines the modern 60's architecture is a bit spartan, as are the down ECML buildings that replaced the previous structure in 1976/7. However this latter building does have a heated waiting room and wc's.

There is a general store / newsagents (Bustens) a hundred yards or so from the station on Victoria Road.

There is a stunning display of real ale at the Market Hotel, within walking distance of the station (Right out of the station entrance, fifty yards and then down into the subway at the end of the station buildings to go under the ECML, then up the second set of steps on the right into what was the cattle market and the pub is on the right in front of you.

To find an excellent chippy, go past the Market Hotel, walk about fifty yards up the entrance driveway to West Carr Road, turn right along this road, go along for a hundred yards over the hump backed bridge and right into the chip shop car park. (Also a good spotting location for those in cars) Another general store / newsagents (Trudi's)is opposite the chippy.

Retford Town Centre is about a mile from the station, with usual small market town facilities. (Railwayana stall here in the flea market on Fridays always worth a look).

Good selection of restaurants, pubs, and food outlets around the town.

Museum on Grove Street may be of interest as Retford formerly a railway town with two engine sheds. Sometimes have railway related events here. (Two pubs opposite/adjacent)

'Bookworm' bookshop on Spa Lane (off Carolgate) often has a selection of railway related books.

Annual 'Charter Day' at the beginning of May is usually worth a look with plenty going on, sometimes the railway club rooms at the station open for this event.

Annual railway exhibition usually in the Town Hall in November has models and railwayana, usually with a swapmeet on one of the two days of the exhibition.