Just to update the review posted by McGrid, the car park at thornaby cost £2.00 for the day and there is a small snack bar at the station.But be aware if you are going for stored loco's forget it as most of the stored loco's are inside the wagon repair sheds.
The shunter in the yard is 08776.Hope this helps anybody thinking of taking a long trip to thornaby.Thanks also on this reveiw to Martyn Nevatt.

the stored class 86 has gone from thornaby. but there are some Res stock in the yard at present.

Passenger traffic consists of Northern Spirit units but the depot is about 10 mins walk away. A banking is the best place to be so leave the station by the footbridge and turn right at the top of the steps. Turn right and follow the road. After the roundabout you will see the banking on the right with a track leading to it. As you walk along the banking you will see most of the locos and get a great view of the yard and see the passing units. A pair of binoculars are a good idea. No shops are nearby so a packed lunch is a good idea too! Usual classes are 08,09,37,56,60,66 and the stored 86.