How long would it take to cover the NR network?

[heart-of-wessex]

Hello all,

I've always wondered if it would take long to cover the entire heavy rail network, well the basic's of it. I've been toying with the idea of getting a 2 week rover and giving it a whirl, using the sleepers as a way of getting from South - North parts to speed it up a bit.

Where you'd start from is another thing, I'd probably either start in the north or do the west, then work down to the branches, end at Penzance for the Sleeper East.

Could 2 weeks be possible? I mean covering main sections and branches though, not fiddling about with junction chords at Windmill Bridge Jn, Latchmere numbers, Bromley Jn chords etc, nor bay platforms and PSUL freight chords.

Using something like this instead as a map, bar the Chunnel and Ireland:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/documents/content/Network_Rail_national_map(1).pdf

Would need to find the instert's for it too for the large areas.

Provided there wasn't a lot of farces I think it could be do-able...

 

[cuccir]

I mean covering main sections and branches though

I guess it depends how completist you want to be, how much/when you want to sleep and take breaks etc, and whether you're willing to incorporate off-rail transport (buses/taxis) to speed things up. For example, if you went to Whitby and then got a bus or taxi to Scarborough, you're basically saving a 1/2 - 3/4 of a day compared to doing the whole Esk Valley Line there and back by rail.

I'd imagine that two weeks would be really pushing it. Just look at the density of lines and branches around Cardiff and the Valleys - I reckon that'd take a day at least on its own. A quick look at timetables for lines beyond Inverness suggests that you'd need to give at least two days to that area. Then you've got slow lines like the Durham Coast that would take a surprisingly long time.... I bet you could do it in a month but I'd have thought that 2 weeks wouldn't be enough.

 

[Buttsy]

I worked out a number of years ago (c.1990) that it would be possible to go through every station on the network in about 3 weeks, but that was before the Robin Hood, Alloa, Bathgate - Airdrie, Ebbw Vale, Vale Of Glamorgan, Larkhall, Okehampton, Brighouse, Corby, Whifflet lines etc., were re-opened.

This didn't cover all the lines on the network as, for example, Leeds - Guisley wouldn't be necessary as there are no stations on this stretch and you can do the stations served by trains on this route another way. It also involved walking/taxi-ing between some stations in major cities to avoid duplicating routes.

 

[Darren R]

I looked into doing exactly the same thing a few years ago (about 2010.) Like the OP I thought a two week All Line Rover would be enough for me to cover the entire network that I hadn't already visited. However, a few days with the GBPTT soon disabused me of that! From memory I think it was going to take a week just to cover Scotland. The Far North and West Highland Lines are long routes with a lot of stations and few services each day.

With careful planning you could cover a lot of ground though. You first need to decide what your priorities are, and then just sit down with the maps and e-NRT. After all, the planning is almost as much fun as the trip itself. (Although that could just be me.)

Best to wait until the next timetable though; the current e-NRT is as reliable and accurate as a Party Political Broadcast.

 

[Temple Meads]

Maybe it would be better to try to clear England then go into Wales and/or Scotland if you have any spare days.

 

[Philip C]

Could 2 weeks be possible? I mean covering main sections and branches though, not fiddling about with junction chords at Windmill Bridge Jn, Latchmere numbers, Bromley Jn chords etc, nor bay platforms and PSUL freight chords...........

If you were to give it a go, please be sure to let those on the Forum know how it went.

Good Luck to you.

 

[Mag_seven]

I would reckon you would need 2 months minimum.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I worked out a number of years ago (c.1990) that it would be possible to go through every station on the network in about 3 weeks, but that was before the Robin Hood, Alloa, Bathgate - Airdrie, Ebbw Vale, Vale Of Glamorgan, Larkhall, Okehampton, Brighouse, Corby, Whifflet lines etc., were re-opened.

I came to about 3 -4 weeks. I used the usual cheats of a Caledonian -McBride boat to go Mallaig-Kyle of Lochalsh and bus between Thurso and Wick etc. Not easy - 2 weeks I would venture is nigh on impossible but you could do a huge chunk in that time.

 

[TheNewNo2]

Don't forget the stupid oddities you'd need to do, such as the New North Main Line, the route via Gainsborough central, the Halton Curve and that route from Stockport to Huddersfield.

 

[PeterY]

Interesting question. Perhaps one day someone will try to set a record (similar to the tube challenge)

Next year I intend to treat myself to a 7 day ALR. I'm already on plan F in my head. :-x. I'm taking my time though because I've been reading suggestions from other forum members. I decided not to do much of Scotland but leave that for another year and buy a Scotrail pass. I aim to ride new traction and new lines and I'll even be asking advice about a short ride on a Pacer

 

[strawbrick]

Please be aware that the ALR may not be the cheapest ticket! Last year I did a "week" of rail travel using individual tickets, all 39 of them, travelling 1st Class and with seat reservations where available for a lot less than a 7 day ticket. (We actually started on a Tuesday night with the Sleeper to Cornwall and finished on a Tuesday night with a Sleeper from Aberdeen)

 

[David Goddard]

We did a two week ALR in 2012 and barely covered half of the network.
You need a day to do the Cornish branches alone, and the same in South West Wales. The Cambrian line take a good few hours, but emember that an ALR allows transfer on the Festiniog Railway between Porthmadog and Blaneau Festiniog which is most useful.
We were conveniently in Devon on one Sunday (for Okehampton) and in East Anglia on the second Sunday (for the Ely West Curve) so this all helped tick off some quirks as well.
Then you have to consider the suburban networks of Cardiff and Glasgow which would need a full day each, and West Highlands and North Highlands needing similar time.

Its a good idea to use sleepers where suitable (both of our ALRs started on the Night Riviera leaving Reading at 0037 on a Saturday morning), but remember that for the Cally ones by the time they reach their destination you could have had a few hours travelling already if you had stayed over the night before. Appreciate its a lot to do with cost as well but with good planning in advance Premier Inn £19 rooms may come up trumps!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Please be aware that the ALR may not be the cheapest ticket! Last year I did a "week" of rail travel using individual tickets, all 39 of them, travelling 1st Class and with seat reservations where available for a lot less than a 7 day ticket. (We actually started on a Tuesday night with the Sleeper to Cornwall and finished on a Tuesday night with a Sleeper from Aberdeen)

Fully agree, and the use of advance singles for lengthy trips combined with local rovers (such as in the Highlands where there is no first class) can enable good savings to be made.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Back in the 1980s there were fairly regular mentions in the newspapers of people doing this with All Line Rovers and itineraries provided by BR; it clearly was possible then.

There are, however, some fundamental differences between then and now:

1) There was a dense network of fairly frequent overnight services which could be utilised, often involving some of the parts of the network which would otherwise have been awkward to cover because of generally low service frequencies on those lines.

2) There were no time restrictions on the rover like there are now.

3) Connections were generally held; they were also planned better than today with the result that long festers because of drawing in to find the other train was timed to leave 2 minutes earlier was virtually unheard of.

I have no idea if the people in the 1980s used bus connections between relatively nearby ends of otherwise awkward lines, but I suspect not - the three big factors I have listed made a huge difference.

 

[amateur]

Please be aware that the ALR may not be the cheapest ticket! Last year I did a "week" of rail travel using individual tickets, all 39 of them, travelling 1st Class and with seat reservations where available for a lot less than a 7 day ticket. (We actually started on a Tuesday night with the Sleeper to Cornwall and finished on a Tuesday night with a Sleeper from Aberdeen)

how long did it take to book, and purchase all 39 tickets?

and how much did you save relative to an ALR?

 

[ComUtoR]

Pretty sure there was a guy who did all of SE in a day. He is well known for speed runs on a network.

Cant remember at the moment what his name was.

 

[satisnek]

Of course, if the Thatcher government had gone down the road of Serpell Option A it would be a cinch - and you'd have time to explore the towns and cities served!

 

[strawbrick]

how long did it take to book, and purchase all 39 tickets?

and how much did you save relative to an ALR?

About 1/2 day to agree the route plan (two of us involved).
About 1/2 day to sort out the "preferred" trains
A whole day to buy the tickets, using two computers, three screens and up to three web sites - mainly because the Advance fares kept changing! (We bought in January for travel in March).

From memory we saved about £200 each on the 1st Class ALR, partly because we only paid for 1st Class where it was available.

 

[Oliver]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a 2 week rover and giving it a whirl, using the sleepers as a way of getting from South - North parts to speed it up a bit.

But why try to do it? After a couple of day it'll all become a blur and you're unlikely to enjoy it. Why not look at the lines which have a special interest to you, and try to cover them in managable bites. One tip: make sure you get a good night's sleep every day of the trip.

 

[Hophead]

The other aspect to consider is Sundays - you will likely not cover as much ground on these days and missed connections will cost more when the frequency is reduced.

 

[strawbrick]

But why try to do it? After a couple of day it'll all become a blur and you're unlikely to enjoy it. Why not look at the lines which have a special interest to you, and try to cover them in managable bites. One tip: make sure you get a good night's sleep every day of the trip.

I totally agree! We were not trying to break any records and so generally we did not start much before 08.30 and we stopped by about 18.00. We stayed mainly at Premiere Inns. Sunday was spent "at rest" in Edinburgh.

 

[damo44]

But why try to do it? After a couple of day it'll all become a blur and you're unlikely to enjoy it. Why not look at the lines which have a special interest to you, and try to cover them in managable bites. One tip: make sure you get a good night's sleep every day of the trip.

+1 on this point.

If it were me I'd like to enjoy the scenery, linger, enjoy another pint and move on as and when either I (or travelling companion) wanted to. Worrying about late running trains which could miss your onward connection and throw out the whole timetable sounds a bit stressful and not like a holiday to me.

 

[ian959]

I tried to do the entire network - every line over which a passenger train ran - back in 2009 and I ended up about 10 lines short in two months. Two weeks will see you cover barely the main stuff and be prepared for some late nights/early mornings!

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Cheers guys!

Maybe an English one could be an idea, make it challenging but not too extreme, I forgot about how tricky Malliag/Oban/Kyle/Wick/Thurso is!

May not be everyone's cup of tea but I wouldn't plan it if I wasn't going to enjoy it. My cousin in Scotland gets the bus from Kinross to Edinburgh and walks back just for fun. I couldn't do that, especially when it's often too, but if that's what he wants to do then why not, he wouldn't do it otherwise just as I wouldn't consider doing it otherwise.

As for early starts/late nights, no worries about that I've trained myself on that for god knows how long. I used to do a few Freedom of Solet/South West rovers trying to cram as much mileage in as possible, same with doing a red pen bash in London on a Travelcard, very short break if any, just pressing on with mileage or red penning, usually I'm pleased with the results.

Most London bashes include a couple of round trips from London to Bedford on the overnight 319's, done a couple of overnight TPX stuff as well, so I'd try to incorporate those into the plan to get to places early in the morning

 

[Techniquest]

Crikey, trying to cover the entire country in 2 weeks?! That is just not doable, even with heavy use of sleepers and overnight TPX moves. Plus there's just the extreme exhaustion that would generate, I suffered like crazy in 2011 on a 7 day ALR doing that sort of thing. 4 nights in a row on sleepers, the next night on the 2330 Kings Cross to Leeds and corresponding TPX moves and during Day 6 I was beyond shattered and collapsing into deep sleep. By this point I was not enjoying things at all. After a night in a B&B in Darlington, during which the sleep was very heavy indeed, the final day of the trip was far easier and more enjoyable!

So on the 14 day ALR I had a mix of sleepers (no overnight trains this time!) and Travelodges. Much better, although it was still exhausting on the sleeper nights!

Point I'm making is that you WILL suffer doing a 14 day trip on just sleepers and overnight trains. The occasional night on London bashes for example is one thing but this is a whole new ball game!

Someone mentioned the planning of the trip is almost as fun as the trip itself, I have to agree. The planning is enormous fun, that's for sure!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Allow a year.

Assuming normalish working patterns/terms/conditions, you'll get 28 days off (including bank holidays/days in lieu) plus weekends/days in lieu. This adds up to 132 days, which should be enough to cover the whole network (including Psullage), plus all metro/trams/tubes and preserved/private lines of over 1/2 mile in length and gauge of 15" or over.

At least that's the theory based on my own circumstances. ..

 

[Kite159]

Took me a week to do Scotland.

And I can't wait to do a repeat, just to redo those Highland lines

 

[deltic]

Very roughly the rail network consists of 16,000 route kilometres, assuming an average rail speed of 80km/h that would equate to 200hrs to cover - based on an 18hr operating day it would take 12 days to cover the network. Given few people could cope with sitting on a train for 18 hours a day for almost two weeks I would almost certainly double that time.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

As I had a day's hols yesterday, I've just had a "play" with Real Time Trains to see what I could have done on a Lancashire Day Rover had I actually had a day out on the rails. Theoretically, I covered a fair bit of the network within the area, including one PSUL curve, but there remains chunks to do.

The route: Rochdale (0915) - Blackburn- Preston - Ormskirk - Sandhills - Southport - Wigan - Lancaster - Morecambe (for fantasy fish & chips ) - Carnforth - Lancaster - Wigan - Kirkby - Liverpool - Wigan (via St Helens) - Manchester Picc (via Chat Moss) - Manchester Vic - Rochdale (2245).

Would need a second trip to cover Bolton to Preston, Bolton to Blackburn, Colne, both Blacpools and the trams/Ribble Steam Railway. (Clitheroe and Heysham can wait for a four-in-eight NW rover - to clear Cumbria and (combined with a Lockerbie to Glasgow return and a Strathclyde jobnie) chunks of Clydeside!)

 

[causton]

I did have a plan to do the whole of Cornwall in one day, coming off the sleeper you can do every branch and end up in Paddington at midnight... think it included the Gunnislake branch as well as it was the Ride Cornwall day ranger, but didn't do that in the end as we were quite tired by the time we did Looe :P

 

[crispy1978]

I've got about 5 plans made for various areas I planned to do and even did a 7ALR plan!

But unfortunately, plans are all they are at the moment, and all they will be for the foreseeable future due to circumstances beyond my control.

As some have said though, the planning of it can be just as much fun as doing it for some people.