Superstitious landmark spotting from trains

[90sWereBetter]

When I travel on the Wherry Lines between Lowestoft and Norwich, I always try to look out for the remains of Haddiscoe High Level station, signalbox, and swingbridge.

On the GEML, it tends to be the Bentley level crossing and former station between Ipswich and Manningtree, plus the point where the line crosses over the M25.

 

[DasLunatic]

There's also the bit where the GEML runs parallel to the A12. It's brilliant watching the cars fall behind the window...

 

[MCR247]

Seeing Prideless Park on the way into/out of Derby for me

 

[Antman]

There's also the bit where the GEML runs parallel to the A12. It's brilliant watching the cars fall behind the window...

There's a layby on that section which is useful if you want to stop and photograph passing trains.

As a child when heading towards London Bridge I would always look to my right for the view of Tower Bridge and I have never got out the habit of doing that although inevitably the view sometimes is obscured by other passing trains

 

[N Levers]

Sainsbury's in Bexhill. Followed by Sainsbury's in Hampden Park (Eastbourne). Followed by Sainsbury's in Haywards Heath. You can also just see one before entering the tunnel between Moulsecoomb and London Road (Brighton).

 

[TheNewNo2]

I will pay attention between Rugby and Tamworth to try and see the Stargate. Not out of superstition, but because there's a ****ing stargate!

 

[yorksrob]

I do try and look out for the half demolished viaduct of the Leeds New Line in the Mirfield area. Don't always manage it though.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I do try and look out for the half demolished viaduct of the Leeds New Line in the Mirfield area. Don't always manage it though.

Ah, Battyeford viaduct... We hardly knew ye! I also look out for that one, too. Others are the level crossing between Batley and Morley tunnel, Clayton West Junction signal box (now a home I'm jealous of!), and various football grounds around the country.

Oh, and the "Police Dog Training Area" between Guide Bridge and Ardwick.

 

[pitdiver]

As a child my parents would often take me to Weymouth for our Summer Holiday. On the way there was a sign on the side of the railway saying " Welcome to the Strong Country' I would always look out for this as I knew we were on our way to the seaside. Another sign was the 'Carters Tested Seeds" at Raynes Park. Oh what memories.

 

[me123]

I've got a few things I like to keep an eye out for.

The North Clyde was my local line for many years and I commuted along it almost daily for five of them. So I've become quite intimately acquainted with parts of it that I like to keep an eye out for. The old junction for Bridgeton Central leaving just to the East of High Street can still be seen, as can the old line leaving just to the East of Shettleston (heading towards South Lanarkshire). A few non-railway related things too, like the abandoned trailer park near Carntyne - I became so familiar with the line that I could tell if someone had moved a bit out or added it in! On the way to Partick, you'd have really good views over the Clyde and occasionally you'd see something quite different as well - the waterplane landing on the river was probably the best, but you would occasionally get a new small ship. Laterally, the South Glasgow University Hospital taking shape in the distance was interesting to watch, and of course I'd have to look out for my old Uni to the right!

Going down the M74, I think the lollipop/mushroom is quite a significant landmark for lots of people in the Central Belt. I won't repeat what we called it coming home on our school trips - I'm sure you can work it out!

I quite like going past the airports at Aberdeen, and particularly Edinburgh. I'm really hoping to have a plane pass right over my HST on its final approach. Sadly, it hasn't happened yet But you can see some interesting traffic at both airports, moreso at Aberdeen during the week with a plethora of helicopters mingling amongst the turboprops.

Angel of the North is a must is a well when I'm on the ECML.

 

[prod_pep]

Growing up, I always looked out for the Formby Powerhouse on the Southport line. It got more and more decrepit over time and was demolished about a year or so back and some plush houses are being built over it.

 

[trainophile]

Growing up, I always looked out for the Formby Powerhouse on the Southport line. It got more and more decrepit over time and was demolished about a year or so back and some plush houses are being built over it.

So THAT's what it was! I've always noticed that too, and have been keeping an eye on the new housing development, which is going up at a cracking pace. Great improvement in the area, although I wonder whether the home owners who used to live on the edge of Formby, but won't in future, would agree.

I've even tried to work out how long it will take for the new residents to walk to Formby station for their commute! Depends how fit they are I suppose. 20 minutes should do it easily.

 

[Gemz91]

Elland Road on the way into/out of Leeds.

 

[martinsh]

As a child my parents would often take me to Weymouth for our Summer Holiday. On the way there was a sign on the side of the railway saying " Welcome to the Strong Country' .

Between Basingstoke & Winchester IIRC. Referred to Strongs Brewery of Romsey of course, and had a picture of a West Country pacific.

 

[Whistler40145]

Whether I'm on a Virgin West Coast service or a Railtour travelling from Stafford to Crewe, I always look out for the lights in Basford Hall Yard.

 

[TAS]

Approaching Colchester from London, I always look out for Chitts Hill level crossing and then Seven Arches (as close to "home" as the railway line gets).

Outside Ely on the line to Peterborough, I've taken to looking out for the section between Black Bank, Second Drove and the Old Bedford, Delph (Thirty Foot Drain) and New Bedford (Hundred Foot Drain) rivers, for family reasons.

 

[sprinterguy]

I like to keep an eye out for the Emley Moor transmitter if I'm on a Crosscountry train that's going Leeds way.

If I'm travelling on one via Doncaster however then I always look out for the triumvirate of power stations made up of Ferrybridge, Eggborough and Drax that surround the ECML in this area.

Similar to the first, I also tend to look for the Charwelton radio tower when travelling on the Chiltern line between Leamington and Banbury.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I look for Stokesay Castle near Craven Arms and the west end of Swindon Works - although not at the same time, of course!

 

[TheKnightWho]

Alexandra Palace whenever I'm leaving/arriving into London on the ECML. The 7 Tyne bridges when arriving into Newcastle, too.

I generally try and keep an eye out for Didcot and the Oxford spires (even if they're tough to spot) when doing any Oxford-bound journey.

I suppose Selfridges in Birmingham is always recognisable, too.

 

[CharlieSpotted]

Whilst I wouldn't describe it as superstitious exactly, the three spires of Lichfield Cathedral used to let me know I was home, and later in life, the blue lights of Mander House.

Mander House doesn't light up anymore, sadly.

 

[prod_pep]

So THAT's what it was! I've always noticed that too, and have been keeping an eye on the new housing development, which is going up at a cracking pace. Great improvement in the area, although I wonder whether the home owners who used to live on the edge of Formby, but won't in future, would agree.

I understand the L&Y used the Powerhouse to supply electricity for the Southport line from when it was electrified.

It's a shame it was demolished though as there had been various plans to convert it into a hotel or luxury apartments over the years. Still, it had seen better days and was a real eyesore considering the lovely place Formby is. As you say, the new houses have flown up over the last few months.

 

[43106]

wensley's post above reminds me of the mushroom-shaped forest somewhere on the Up side of the northern WCML. I think it's somewhere near Beattock but it's been ages since I spotted it!

I used to travel frequently between Edinburgh and Whitehaven, and I very rarely failed to spot this unusual shaped forest/wood. It's been there for over 40 years.
Another sight I look out for are the spherical storage tanks (hydrospheres?) on the up side of the ECML north of Hitchin, especially when I'm heading south.

 

[12CSVT]

Seeing Prideless Park on the way into/out of Derby for me

I tend to look in the opposite direction for the cab of 37411 (next to the Alexandra 'watering hole')

 

[reb0118]

I always try to look out for Binny Craig when on any of the Edinburgh/Glasgow routes.

When on the WCM I also notice the "T" shaped wood but my favourite is Castlemilk House south of Lockerbie.

 

[FQ]

Birmingham Moor Street station when traveling from Leamington to Birmingham Moor Street

 

[fairysdad]

It's not really superstitiously done, but I always look out for a treehouse on the eastbound side of the North Devon line just before you get to Eggesford station when heading southbound (or just after when heading northbound!).

Not on a railway, but on the North Devon Link Road, when I used to get the bus to and from college in Tiverton from South Molton, going eastbound there is a bit where there's a really high bridge going over the road, then you cross over a fairly high bridge as well. I used to refer to this bit as the 'half way point', before realising that it's much closer to South Molton than Tiverton!

 

[mrben253]

I always try and spot the Huskisson monument dedicated to the first person killed by a train on the manchester - earlestown line

 

[SteveP29]

Edinburgh- Newcastle (which I do around 27 times a year)
The abandoned frame of the grandstand for the greyhound track at Musselburgh that was abandoned
East Fortune racing circuit
Clubhouse of Winterfield golf club in Dunbar (Played it many times, latest was Sunday gone)
Goldenstones/ Rossborough/ Dunmuir hotel in Dunbar
Trying to spot where the entrances to Penmanshiel tunnel were
Ayton Castle
Magdalene Fields golf club in Berwick (also played)
Shielfield Park (Berwick Rangers)
Lindisfarne
The tower of Haggerston Castle
Brunton airfield
Morpeth curve
Newcastle Racecourse
Newcastle United training ground, Darsley Park, Newcastle
The Wills building Newcastle
St James' Park
which or both GC Class 180's are in the sheds at Heaton TMD
Byker Wall
Abandoned platform of Manors station &
Up until a few years ago, Trinity Square Gateshead (Get Carter car park)