Need Suggestions for Trip to UK

[CN7470]

Thanks, i have a great interest in steam loco's from the 1800's, my most favorite one has got to be our 4-4-0 American type. I love the balloon stacks on them along with all the polished brass and gold leafing. Have any of you guys ever came to the U.S. for our railroads?

 

[ECML180]

In my opinion the Doctor Who experience is well worth a visit, truly fantastic, unless you haven't heard of it!

http://www.doctorwhoexperience.com/

The Harry Potter tour is very popular with people I know, never been myself though.

http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/

Not railway related but I think they're well worth a visit for someone your age! Also, if you do come to Doncaster one of the local bus companies has a Routemaster(the iconic London bus). It gets used a lot on weddings but if you fancy hiring it for a transfer from the station to your hotel or just for a general ride around I'm sure they'll be happy to oblige!

http://www.wilfreda.co.uk/coach-hire/routemaster-london-bus

 

[DarloRich]

Also, if you do come to Doncaster one of the local bus companies has a Routemaster(the iconic London bus). It gets used a lot on weddings but if you fancy hiring it for a transfer from the station to your hotel or just for a general ride around I'm sure they'll be happy to oblige!

http://www.wilfreda.co.uk/coach-hire/routemaster-london-bus

You needn't go to Doncaster for a Routemaster - Why not travel on one it its natural environment?

If you are in London i would suggest route 15 by bus ( Trafalgar Square to the Tower of London) Much as i hate buses the Routemaster that runs on that route is a fantastic historic British design.

The routemasters (http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/sets/72157632327123219/ - in case you want to see what one looks like) run on route 15 (and a few outhers in London) every 15 minutes between 10 - 5 every day. That route 15 is fantastic and shows off some historic buildings.

You can also visit the London Transport Museum ( at Covent Garden on that bus route) which has a great deal of railway related items, although mainly to do with the underground. this did, of course, start under steam power 151 years ago today I guess you will want a run on the underground to

The oldest part is the Farringdon to Paddington section of the Metropolotan line. You might want to compare that with the newest which will be the jubilee line between Westminster and Stratford. With a bit of planning you could get in the bus, tube, cable car, DLR and River in one day on an Oyster card.

Some pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/sets/72157632245374509/ and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/sets/72157629311023464/

I am sure some more ideas will pop into my head!

If you are in London i would suggest route 15 by bus ( Trafalgar Square to the Tower of London) Much as i hate buses the Routemaster that runs on that route is a fantastic historic British design.

The routemasters (http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/sets/72157632327123219/ - in case you want to see what one looks like) run on route 15 (and a few outhers in London) every 15 minutes between 10 - 5 every day. That route 15 is fantastic and shows off some historic buildings.

You can also visit the London Transport Museum ( at Covent Garden on that bus route) which has a great deal of railway related items, although mainly to do with the underground. this did, of course, start under steam power 151 years ago today I guess you will want a run on the underground to

The oldest part is the Farringdon to Paddington section of the Metropolitan line. You might want to compare that with the newest which will be the jubilee line between Westminster and Stratford.

With a bit of planning you could get in the bus, tube, cable car, DLR and River in one day on an Oyster card

Some pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/sets/72157632245374509/ and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/sets/72157629311023464/

I am sure some more ideas will pop into my head!

 

[ECML180]

You needn't go to Doncaster for a Routemaster - Why not travel on one it its natural environment?

Only because I live there! But if you do come to Doncaster to look at freight the option's available!

Whether in London or elsewhere, if you get the opportunity to take one out on a private hire I recommend it, you get to enjoy the bus more than you would packed with passengers and getting a walk round and looking under the bonnet etc is very enjoyable!

 

[CN7470]

In my opinion the Doctor Who experience is well worth a visit, truly fantastic, unless you haven't heard of it!

http://www.doctorwhoexperience.com/

The Harry Potter tour is very popular with people I know, never been myself though.

http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/

Not railway related but I think they're well worth a visit for someone your age! Also, if you do come to Doncaster one of the local bus companies has a Routemaster(the iconic London bus). It gets used a lot on weddings but if you fancy hiring it for a transfer from the station to your hotel or just for a general ride around I'm sure they'll be happy to oblige!

http://www.wilfreda.co.uk/coach-hire/routemaster-london-bus

I like HP but I LOVE doctor who, just got into the show mid 2013 and now I really like it! Now this will make a friend of mine very very jealous when I show her I traveled in the tardis! I might do the Harry potter one as well but doctor who is of higher priority. I hsve heard aboUT the London transport museum, I hear they have alot of beautiful locomotives and rollingstock. Back to the subject of Harry potter, where is 'Olton Hall'? I know she still has her Hogwarts Castle nameplates on but that would be neat to see the real engine from the film and mot the fake they have at Universal Studios.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I think it's at Shildon (referenced further up the thread - it's a branch of the National Railway Museum) but I'm really not up on preservation so someone else will need to confirm / deny.

 

[CN7470]

I think it's at Shildon (referenced further up the thread - it's a branch of the National Railway Museum) but I'm really not up on preservation so someone else will need to confirm / deny.

I heard it was somewhere in the National Railway Museum but didn't know which part. Just curious, i know that in our locomotives the engineer is on the right hand side of the cab, but in the u.k. you have engines with controls on the left or the right, why is that?

 

[SeanG]

The line from Manchester Victoria to Wigan Wallgate is particularly scenic and uses antique 'Pacer' units which are an experience in themselves.

Just in case the OP didn't realise, this is definately sarcasm, or at least I hope it is

Olton Hall was not at Shildon in November, but I cannot advise about now.

The National railway Museums at York and SHildon are worth a look too. York being the bigger one and of course you get to see this beautiful city

 

[ECML180]

Although for the genuine UK rail experience, you do have to try a pacer!

 

[CN7470]

Although for the genuine UK rail experience, you do have to try a pacer!

I should! Their kind of like our RDC's. I just read that they will have to be retired/withdrawn in 2019 so now or never. I have no idea what kinds of things im going to do but i do know i will have alot of fun I might see some freight's if i'm lucky, who knows?

 

[DarloRich]

well if you head to Shildon (say) to the NRM outbase you will not only travel along the first railway line in the world (shut it Trevithivk!) visit the Head of Steam Museum in Darlington but you will, all being well, do so in style via one of Northern Rails fine Pacer units.

 

[GatwickDepress]

If you ever find yourself in the South East, HS1 from London St Pancras to Ashford International on a speedy 395, then changing onto a trundling little local train along the gorgeously rural Marshlink line until Hastings, where it becomes a limited stops service on the East Coastway to Brighton.
At Brighton, you cross the splendid London Road viaduct and sidle into Brighton's magnificent train shed. First class is declassified on the 171s along the south coast as well.

As for heritage railways in the area, the Bluebell Railway, the Spa Valley Railway, the Kent & East Sussex Railway and Volk's Electric Railway (along Brighton's seafront) are all worth a look in my opinion.

It's my neck of the woods, so I am completely biased.

 

[Donny Dave]

If the OP wants to try a pacer as well as watch the freight go by, then it sounds as though Doncaster is a winner! For the full pacer experience, arrive at Sheffield from where ever, then catch the xx24 Northern service to Scunthorpe. You get the full on pacer bounce as you rattle over various junctions, plus the added bonus of lots of flange squeal as it rounds Holmes Chord to Rotherham ....

Seriously though, if you do try this, then you can stop off at Doncaster for a while to watch the mix of services through there, then catch the xx42 TPE service to Barnetby (another freight hotspot) for a totally contrasting experience.

Looking at the dates your likely to be over here, if you do decide to go to Barnetby, then drop me a PM, and work permitting, I'll join you for a couple of hours.

 

[Gathursty]

Stop at Corrour and Altnabreac. (time it correctly/bring provisions) There is something I can't describe about being there that I can only recommend, though I was there in good weather.

Has anyone mentioned that museum at North Road station in Darlington or Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry aka Liverpool Road station?

 

[CN7470]

Stop at Corrour and Altnabreac. (time it correctly/bring provisions) There is something I can't describe about being there that I can only recommend, though I was there in good weather.

Has anyone mentioned that museum at North Road station in Darlington or Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry aka Liverpool Road station?

I brought it up earlier, it would be nice to go there for a visit. The the only problem is that i will have limited time over there and my parents and my older brother will want to do non-railway things, while me and my twin would love to do as much railroad stuff as we can. I just found out that there is a planned Cathedrals Express mainline steam run on June 17th from Tottenham Hale-York and return. Sounds like something i shouldn't miss! Here in the states i have not seen a steam locomotive on the mainline so this sounds awesome.

 

[fowler9]

I brought it up earlier, it would be nice to go there for a visit. The the only problem is that i will have limited time over there and my parents and my older brother will want to do non-railway things, while me and my twin would love to do as much railroad stuff as we can. I just found out that there is a planned Cathedrals Express mainline steam run on June 17th from Tottenham Hale-York and return. Sounds like something i shouldn't miss! Here in the states i have not seen a steam locomotive on the mainline so this sounds awesome.

Take any chances you get mate, you never know when you will be back. I think you'll have a great time over in the UK. You can't move for railways. I have the four track mainline to London at the bottom of my garden, a station at the end of my road and another route in to the city centre just a 15 minute walk away. This isn't unusual in the more heavily populated parts of the country.

 

[Waldgrun]

Hi CN7470,

I feel that you are falling in to a common trait, in persons from the West side of the pond! That Britain/Europe is fairly small and a lot of travelling can be done in a short time. Please note, it doesn't always work like that!

I afraid that you will need to work around what your folk's are planning, so as the best advice can be given, I feel that more details are need.

Have a look at this site http://www.heritagerailways.com/index.php
it will give links to most steam lines in Britain, to give you an idea of what is available! As the time that you intend to be over here is about a month ahead of the main running season.

Also I will advise you that driving experiences are often booked up months in advance, also I note that you have noticed the Steam Dreams trip to York
http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/Execut...ss=1&board=BXB&alight=YOR&Adults=2&Children=0
I hope that you have noticed that the out journey is booked for diesel haulage, steam only on the return leg. Also note steam on the mainline can be replaced if the county suffers some strange condition called Summer, in an effort to prevent fires, although at this time I don't think the country will dry out in time!

 

[ECML180]

If the OP wants to try a pacer as well as watch the freight go by, then it sounds as though Doncaster is a winner! For the full pacer experience, arrive at Sheffield from where ever, then catch the xx24 Northern service to Scunthorpe. You get the full on pacer bounce as you rattle over various junctions, plus the added bonus of lots of flange squeal as it rounds Holmes Chord to Rotherham ....
[...]
Looking at the dates your likely to be over here, if you do decide to go to Barnetby, then drop me a PM, and work permitting, I'll join you for a couple of hours.

Likewise I'll join you if you visit Doncaster, I'll see if I can borrow a Bradshaws for the occasion! If you do come round here though PM me and I'll show you a few good locations for photos

 

[CN7470]

Hi CN7470,

I feel that you are falling in to a common trait, in persons from the West side of the pond! That Britain/Europe is fairly small and a lot of travelling can be done in a short time. Please note, it doesn't always work like that!

I afraid that you will need to work around what your folk's are planning, so as the best advice can be given, I feel that more details are need.

Have a look at this site http://www.heritagerailways.com/index.php
it will give links to most steam lines in Britain, to give you an idea of what is available! As the time that you intend to be over here is about a month ahead of the main running season.

Also I will advise you that driving experiences are often booked up months in advance, also I note that you have noticed the Steam Dreams trip to York
http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/Execut...ss=1&board=BXB&alight=YOR&Adults=2&Children=0
I hope that you have noticed that the out journey is booked for diesel haulage, steam only on the return leg. Also note steam on the mainline can be replaced if the county suffers some strange condition called Summer, in an effort to prevent fires, although at this time I don't think the country will dry out in time!

I knew your country wasn't that small, but i was kinda thinking that, lol. I hope i can see steam on the mainline but we will be moving around alot, trying to see as much as we can. ECML180, if i do go to doncaster, i wont be there long. I sadly cant fit an entire day trainspotting at one place because my family wants to see as much as we can. Would be a pleasure to meet you guys in person. One place we have decided that is a must would be the National Railway museum in York, so that could be possible place to meet. Im still consulting with family and researching more possible ideas

 

[fowler9]

I knew your country wasn't that small, but i was kinda thinking that, lol. I hope i can see steam on the mainline but we will be moving around alot, trying to see as much as we can. ECML180, if i do go to doncaster, i wont be there long. I sadly cant fit an entire day trainspotting at one place because my family wants to see as much as we can. Would be a pleasure to meet you guys in person. One place we have decided that is a must would be the National Railway museum in York, so that could be possible place to meet. Im still consulting with family and researching more possible ideas

Ah mate the National Railway Museum is absolutely brilliant, I think people who aren't really in to railways find it interesting as well, my girlfriend certainly did. Make sure you check out their website to see whats on when you are there. York as a whole is a beautiful place to visit as well. I'd say it is a must see but it depends what you are interested in.

It is a shame you only have a short amount of time for your visit. I would love to plug my city of Liverpool for a visit. The thing is you could easily spend a week just visiting Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and York and the countryside around them on the one train route. Ha ha.

Keep us posted on what you choose to do on the rest of our visit, I'm sure everyone on here will be able to give advice even if it isn't railway related.

 

[CN7470]

Ah mate the National Railway Museum is absolutely brilliant, I think people who aren't really in to railways find it interesting as well, my girlfriend certainly did. Make sure you check out their website to see whats on when you are there. York as a whole is a beautiful place to visit as well. I'd say it is a must see but it depends what you are interested in.

It is a shame you only have a short amount of time for your visit. I would love to plug my city of Liverpool for a visit. The thing is you could easily spend a week just visiting Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and York and the countryside around them on the one train route. Ha ha.

Keep us posted on what you choose to do on the rest of our visit, I'm sure everyone on here will be able to give advice even if it isn't railway related.

I would love to be there longer, but the fact that i'll be able to visit in the first place is awesome. I'll be sure to post what we are planning on doing, its only a matter of time.

 

[Waldgrun]

Good, I am glad that you are happy to be coming over here CN7470!
I take it that you will not drive over here, so that may put some limits on what you can do! If you are thinking of preserved lines look for the ones that have connections to the National Rail network. If you are staying in the London area, you have the Bluebell Railway, Mid-Hants (Watercress) Line, Spa Valley that can be reached by mainline services. There's also the Epping & Ongar Railway which is at the Eastern end of the Central Line Tube,although with this line part of the fun is the vintage bus that connects.
Also it may help if you can give some of your family's interests. Because, quite often there are places of interest nearby! Take the Watercress Line, Jane Austin's house is about 3 miles from Alton Station! The Spa Valley Line starts in Royal Tunbridge Wells, from very near the Pantiles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantiles Who Know they might even like to partake of the waters
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalybeate
Just thought the Isle of Wight steam Railway has to be reached Via Portsmouth (Mainline from London's Waterloo & Victoria Stations) At Portsmouth you have HMS Victory, The Mary Rose, HMS Warrior, Charles Dickens birth place!
I am very sure that what ever they decide, some one on here will be able to give you advice.