Scenic lines that are underrated

[387star]

The arun valley line between Pulborough and Ford has some very lovely scenary

What better than to sit on a leading end of a 377 with comfy seats and cool air conditioning while looking at quintessential English countryside ... just beautiful the way the track follows the river with glimpses of arundel castle and cathedral... wildfowl etc

a much needed green oasis in the built up south

yet because it is a commuter line it seems under appreciated

any others worthy of mention that are not obviously known?

 

[anti-pacer]

The Bentham Line.

 

[cf111]

I like the line between Elgin and Dyce. Nobody mentions it alongside the West Highland or Kyle lines but I think the scenery is stunning.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Barnstaple and Gunnislake tend to be forgotten down in the West Country.

I'd also put forward Stirling-Perth and the Tyne Valley.

 

[387star]

The Bentham Line.

Where's that?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The Penistone line has some lovely scenery until you get to Barnsley (heading south).

The Huddersfield to Stalyvegas section of the Transpennine route is underrated, as are Copy Pit and Calder Valley.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Where's that?

The line between Carnforth and Hellifield.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Where's that?

Hellifield-Carnforth.

Oh, beaten to it!

 

[Richard1960]

The Bittern Line Norwich to Sheringham goes through plenty of countryside with great scenery on a nice day its very relaxing.

 

[paddy1]

Luton Airport Parkway to Harpenden (although over and done in about 4 minutes). Follows river valley, is wooded and hilly and also passes stately home with lake that is now a 5 star luxury hotel (Luton Hoo) that was also featured in 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'.

Colwich Jct through to Macclesfield (Stoke on Trent excepted). Follows canal from Colwich through to Stone and onto Kidsgrove, and Staffordshire Moorlands in distance from Kidsgrove through to Macclesfield.

 

[XDM]

I recommend Leatherhead to Horsham,first part of it along the mole valley. Then you can go on to the OP's Arun line which the OP describes beautifully.

 

[harz99]

Girvan to Stranraer takes some beating.

 

[Iskra]

Bentham Line. Not many people are even aware that it exists.
Middlesbrough-Whitby; Esk Valley Line.
Huddersfield-Stalybridge
Cumbrian Coast
Dundee-Aberdeen
Aberdeen-Inverness.
Tyne Valley Line
Even the Durham coast route is quite scenic.

 

[Envy123]

A good stretch of the Waterloo to Weymouth route. I was just so stunned with how beautiful the landscape from Hampshire and the New Forest is.

Probably would not be as underrated as the previous examples, though.

 

[telstarbox]

I like the North Kent Line between Dartford and Strood.

 

[class387]

By the standard of the London Underground, Loughton to Epping is quite nice. Certainly the nicest I've seen on LU.

 

[Blillpers]

The bits of the ECML which runs close to, and high above, the sea is rather scenic.

The WCML through the Lake District and up to Shap and Beattock.

 

[Richard1960]

Went on the Highland Line from Oban to Helensburgh Upper earlier this year that was very sceneic as the train went around hills got a excellent view of Loch Lomond.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Girvan to Stranraer takes some beating.

Good shout. Seem to recall it being very good as you head south out of Barrhill.

I will also throw another one forward - the Far North line through the Flow Country north of Helmsdale. I know the line does occasionally have its praises sung, but the aforementioned stretch is absolutely breathtaking; the solitude is incredible.

 

[Howardh]

For about 10 minutes, Bromley Cross (Bolton) to the tunnel just before Darwen is magnificent. Us locals take what we have for granted, which is a pity.

 

[Richard1960]

By the standard of the London Underground, Loughton to Epping is quite nice. Certainly the nicest I've seen on LU.

It is and before they closed it in 1994 the Epping to Ongar line was very scenic going through Epping forest for part of its journey.

Epping Ongar railway run trains over the track now but stop short of Epping station .

 

[Parallel]

The Heart Of Wessex line is another, also my local line. It's particularly scenic between Bath Spa and Trowbridge (well, as far as Bradford Junction), and also quite scenic between Yeovil Pen Mill and Dorchester West.

 

[anti-pacer]

For about 10 minutes, Bromley Cross (Bolton) to the tunnel just before Darwen is magnificent. Us locals take what we have for granted, which is a pity.

I was going to mention that. Great pub at Entwistle called the Strawbury Duck (correct spelling).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The Penistone line has some lovely scenery until you get to Barnsley (heading south).

The Huddersfield to Stalyvegas section of the Transpennine route is underrated, as are Copy Pit and Calder Valley.

Definitely agree with this.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The Heart Of Wessex line is another, also my local line. It's particularly scenic between Bath Spa and Trowbridge (well, as far as Bradford Junction), and also quite scenic between Yeovil Pen Mill and Dorchester West.

....and this.

 

[Master29]

I love the line between Swindon and Westbury. Very green especially on a nice day.

 

[Harbornite]

A good stretch of the Waterloo to Weymouth route. I was just so stunned with how beautiful the landscape from Hampshire and the New Forest is.

Probably would not be as underrated as the previous examples, though.

Coincidentally I was also going to mention this because I've just done the journey from Soton to Brockenhurst.

I would have mentioned the Cambrian but I'm not sure if it's obscure enough. Personally I think both Brum- Worcester routes are quite nice

 

[61653 HTAFC]

A good stretch of the Waterloo to Weymouth route. I was just so stunned with how beautiful the landscape from Hampshire and the New Forest is.

Probably would not be as underrated as the previous examples, though.

Like Huddersfield to Stalybridge (and the short stretch between Batley and Morley tunnel!) the scenic aspects are largely neglected because the "bread and butter" of these routes is commuters. Whereas relatively few users of the Settle-Carlisle or West Highland lines use it is purely a means of getting to and from work.

 

[anti-pacer]

Parts of the East Lancashire Line are actually quite scenic, especiallg between Cherry Tree and Bamber Bridge.

 

[The Planner]

Temple Meads to Severn Beach, purely for the variety in such a short distance. Urban, industrial and country.

 

[plastictaffy]

I quite like the stretch I see out of the office window between Leighton Buzzard and Tring cutting. The farmland strides away towards the Chiltern Hills, and apart from a few houses and farms, is pretty much desterted. Rolled into Cheddington a couple of months ago, with a glorious sunset and a cracking view over the fields. Those of us that see that every day for free don't often realise how lucky we are.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I do love the Chilterns stretch of the south WCML, though sadly I have to pay to see it


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