If you're after a pint DO NOT MISS the Garden Gate which is about 5 minute walk. It's one of the best Victorian pubs in the country. Bit tricky to find as it is tucked away a little. http://www.gardengateleeds.co.uk for more info.

As I am a regular visiter to Leeds Midland Road,I thought I would review the location.Firstly from the bridge on Pepper Road you can see to one side the Freightliner container terminal where you can usually find a couple of 66`s.Under the bridge is 4 railway lines,one on the left(facing the depot)is a slow line for freight trains only with access to a fiddle yard from that line.The 2nd line is the up main running to Leeds etc,3rd is the down main which has access to the Freightliner depot,down the line you can find Crewe BH,Woodlesford railway station etc.The 4th line is a siding running to a rundown engine shed which can be seen from Queen street bridge (container terminal),this line is sometimes used for shunting.So to one side of the bridge the container terminal can be seen whilst on the other is the Freightliner depot and fiddle yard.From the yard (Midland Road) you can stand up near the billboard and see right across the depot and usually get half a dozen numbers.From the yard you can also see the fuel shed (5/6) and repair sheds (1/2.)There is a fish and chip shop 2 minutes from the yard,Morrisons,Natwest/Yorkshire/Loyds TSB banks,newsagentspost office,bingo,Lidl,2 pubs (Railway/Punch Clock.)Another useful thing is a Macdonalds ideal for kids,yourself,others,and snacks.A number of cheap petrol stations are also nearly located.

To view from the overbridge on Balm Road (west end of the depot) a pair of short steps is best. The bridge in Pepper Road at the east end is lower (but further away) and just about OK with binos. To get the stuff in the yard to the north peep through the various gaps in the buildings/yards in Midland Road

With a bit of time, effort, moving about, and the depot doors open, you can get a lot of the weekend stabled stuff but some might still have to 'get away'!

To get to midland road. come out of the station turn right head for the corn exchange about 2 to 3 mins walk get a bus no 12a and get off outside Morrisons. then turn left and you will see the mecca bingo hall over the road. carry on left and come to a bridge you will be able to see many freightliners.
If you cant get them all go past the factorys and you should get the ones at the back. Sundays are best days and if you need anything to eat or the toilet just head for Morrisons.
Bus shelter to get back is just up the road where you get off first.

The depot lies on the Leeds - Woodlesford line just outside Leeds and before the F/Liner terminal at Stourton. The best time to pass by is at weekends when between 10 and 20 locos are usualy present (all F/Liner heavyhaul 66s).The depot is located in Hunslet but access to the site is not allowed and security is present at all times and vantage points are few and far between due to surrounding industrial estates which all have security gatehouses fitted. GO PAST ON THE TRAIN .
LATEST UPDATE :
The outside two lines of the depot nearest to the passing passenger trains are now been used for the stableing of rakes of Heavey Haul coal wagons at weekends which makes seeing the locos almost impossible. GREAT !!!
With many locos here the temptation may be to try to get in to the site - DONT. Security is high and dogs are loose!