If, having viewed from Toton Bank, you go through Long Eaton and head for Bennett Street (at the junction with Willoughby Avenue) there is a path over the canal to the back of the training compound. It's possible, currently, to ID a few of the Class 60s that are not visible from the bank.

Re parking at the end of Bessall Lane. It was reported to me today by a local enthusiast that there have been several instances recently of cars parked here being damaged. No doubt the scrap yards along the lane will willingly sell you replacement lights, wings, doors and mirrors for your car! Apparently the lane is also a private road at this point so your insurance company may not be too kindly desposed to any claim. May be better to park the far side of the A52 bridge.I know I will be in future.

Come of M1 at Junc 25.
Head towards Nottingham on the A52.
At 1st island take the 1st left onto Toton Lane.
Follow this up a hill and past a petrol station on the right.
Just as the road bends to the left turn left onto Brookhill street and follow this all the way down to the bottom of the hill.
Turn left at the bottom and after 100yrds turn left again onto Bessel lane.
Follow this minor road which passes under the A52 right to the end where there is a scrap yard on the right.

There is parking at the end of the lane for 2 or 3 cars if parked properly.

Try not to park infront of the gates as these have been used on occaisions when Ive been there and the farmer showed no respect what so ever to the car that was blocking the gate.
You have been warned!

An alternative way to get to the embankment.

Come off the motorway at junction 25 and take the A52 towards Nottingham. You will go over the canal and the railway and come to a roundabout. Take the 3rd exit on the A6003 towards Toton and Long Eaton. Travel along this road for a couple of miles and at the set of traffic lights turn right into Banks Road. Keep going along this road and you will come to a small grassed area on your left. You can park up here and walk a short distance onto the bank. From here you can see the training compound and if you walk north you get a good view of the depot.

Make sure you take your binoculars or you will get very few numbers.

There are no shops or eating facilities and if you are feeling brave you could ask at one of the houses if you want to use their toilet.

As well as the other directions Trent Barton run Bus C5 from Long Eaton Green to Banks Road, just by the start of Toton bank. Or if you fancy a walk from Long Eaton Station catch a 15 or 5 bus to Long Eason Green. Walk past the Asda supermarket ( good for sandwiches and there is also a resturant ) and you will find a old railway bridge. A pathway heads underneath this and there is a footbridge over the running lines, use the bridge and you will cross the access road to the wagon repair shops, cross over this but bear right, a further pathway will take you up the bank. A good pair of bins is needed to pick up the older stock, but the new EWS liveried stuff should prove no problem to the naked eye.

The yards at Toton are vast and the best place to see the activity is on the banking overlooking the yard. There are plenty of locos to be seen here apart from the training school scrap yard which houses around 30 stored engines. The depot itself can yield varying numbers of locos but can be annoying depending were they are parked. Passing freight includes mainly MGR services but steel and oil along with ballast from the virtual quarry at the south end of the yard. The only food/drink available is in Sandiacre and the chippys not too good, so a packed meal is in order.
To get to the banking by car leave the M1 at Junction 25
and take the exit signed Sandiacre (The exit after the A52 Derby). Follow past hotel on right to T-Junction and turn right. Follow this road until some traffic lights in Sandiacre. Go straight ahead and pass the main entrance to the depot(do not turn into depot). Take the next right just after crossing the railway and follow this road until it becomes more of a track , passing car breakers yards on the right.At the end of this track is the start of the banking.