Scenic lines that are underrated

[satisnek]

A favourite of mine is Derby - Sheffield. Leaving Derby and passing through Duffield, Belper, Ambergate etc. gives a real feeling of going 'somewhere different', as in leaving 'The Midlands' and entering 'The North'.

 

[physics34]

It was OK a little earlier this year, apart from further North around Sanderstead where the trees are almost always stupidly bad. There was quite a lot of overnight vegetation work - in fact, including around Eridge - a couple of months back but sadly it was nowhere near enough to prevent a near-instantaneous comeback. I did get a couple of photos but it's unrecognisable only a short time later.

This problem does not prevent some amazing glimpses from the saloon but I'm well aware of the view from the driving cabs seeming to be a never-ending stretch of foliage. My favourite postcard "countryside" sections are between Cowden and Ashurst, and the farms and forests around Redgate Mill Jn, but I also like the view of the River Uck (swear filter near-miss). Perhaps also the sun rising over that farm in a copse to the East of the line near Edenbridge. And in the late evenings, you can sometimes look down from embankments near both Blackham and Greenhurst Junctions and see that people have put little candle lanterns by farm gates, and it's so atmospheric. Or Eridge Station on a foggy evening, perhaps with the last train from the SVR pulling out next to a roaring Turbostar. Put it this way, it's one route that I'd never want to give up from my route card.

Your knowledge of the route is impressive, ha ha ha ha.... In snow or on a very sharp frosty morning there are also many memorable views

 

[30909]

I would say between Petersfield and Rowlands Castle on the Portsmouth direct line, where it runs through the South Downs.

Agree but the whole route from Guildford to Rowlands Castle is through scenic countryside and interestingly different when viewed from either side of the train.

 

[anti-pacer]

Leeds to Ilkley is actually quite a nice run.

Even in the suburbs of Leeds you have Kirkstall Abbey to look at, and as the line branches off before Apperley Bridge, that single track section meanders through rolling fields and then woods to Guiseley.

After Menston the moors present ever more visible and as you enter Ilkley the backdrop is of the Cow & Calf Rocks and the famous Ilkley Moor.

This has to be one the nicest journeys in a solely PTE area.

 

[THC]

Chiltern Line between Amersham and Wendover lovely Chiltern Hills and interesting houses and farms ..

As a former (albeit brief) resident of Wendover, I came onto this thread to post exactly that - beaten to it!

I'd add the parallel stretch through the Chilterns from West Wycombe, starting with Dashwood's mausoleum atop the hill, up to Haddenham. Just as good in reverse, with the oncoming Chilterns in full view as the train approaches Princes Risborough.

THC

 

[Roose]

The whole of the Furness and Cumbrian coast is quite stunning but doesn't seem to get the crowds one would expect.

Perhaps the user groups for these lines (FLAG and CRUG, covering the Furness and the Copeland part of the Cumbrian Coast lines respectively) could help promote them more widely outside their natural areas by adopting a higher profile on social media, in the railway press and elsewhere?

 

[TBY-Paul]

I quite like the run from Eaglescliffe to Northallerton. It starts off with the views from Yarm Viaduct, looking across the river and then the town of Yarm, followed by open countryside looking across to the North Yorkshire Moors, it certainly falls into the category of underrated.

 

[JohnB57]

Well worth cycling or walking Woodhead, if only to see one that we lost.

 

[anti-pacer]

Copy Pit is quite nice in some places between Hebden and Burnley.

The whole of the Furness and Cumbrian coastis quite stunning but doesn't seem to get the crowds one would expect.

Not ALL the Cumbrian Coast line is nice. The Whitehaven to Maryport stretch is horrible with a couple of exceptions. You're close enough to the sea to see just how dirty their beaches are, especially at Flimby.

Also, I can't remember what it's called, but south of St Bees where them houses (or shacks) are literally on the beach, the beach is shockingly dirty. I read somewhere that Cumbria has the dirtiest beaches in England.

They do the Lake District well but the coast? Forget it. However, Ravenglass is beautiful.

 

[Deepgreen]

The Redhill to Guildford line has some beautiful scenery throughout almost the entire section. It is easily one of my favourite lines.

Personally i think these lines all have fantastic scenery:

Redhill - Guildford
Leatherhead - Horsham
Leatherhead - Guildford
Wivelsfield - Lewes
Romsey - Salisbury
Totton - Brockenhurst

It's very hard to appreciate fully in summer when the trees are in leaf but the tunnel between Leatherhead and Boxhill leads immediately onto a bridge over the River Mole at its southern end in an almost alpine configuration. Very hard indeed to get a good photo of it as there is no path along the river there, and the trees are so large and dense now that even in winter the view would be mostly obscured.
It always makes me think of a model railway where the modeller wants to fit a tunnel and a bridge in next to each other to save space!

 

[backontrack]

Not ALL the Cumbrian Coast line is nice. The Whitehaven to Maryport stretch is horrible with a couple of exceptions. You're close enough to the sea to see just how dirty their beaches are, especially at Flimby.

Also, I can't remember what it's called, but south of St Bees where them houses (or shacks) are literally on the beach, the beach is shockingly dirty. I read somewhere that Cumbria has the dirtiest beaches in England.

They do the Lake District well but the coast? Forget it.

This is pretty much, well, rubbish. Compared to many other beaches, Cumbria's are pretty good! St Bees isn't dirty at all. And those people live in homes, not shacks. The only bit you got right was Flimby beach, but the others are fine.

And, just a thought, but perhaps the beaches would be cleaner if Cumbria got enough funding to care for them them better...I'm looking at you, Govt!

 

[anti-pacer]

This is pretty much, well, rubbish. Compared to many other beaches, Cumbria's are pretty good! St Bees isn't dirty at all. And those people live in homes, not shacks. The only bit you got right was Flimby beach, but the others are fine.

And, just a thought, but perhaps the beaches would be cleaner if Cumbria got enough funding to care for them them better...I'm looking at you, Govt!

It's not rubbish at all.

I never said St Bees was dirty, I was referring to where them houses are, or shacks as I termed them, as that what they look like. Yes they are homes, but so are the slums of Mumbai to people.

It's up to local councils to keep their beaches clean, and I'm surprised the residents who live there don't get involved. I wonder how much of the rubbish blighting that beach comes from them.

As for other sections of that line. Whitehaven is very mixed, some nice some grotty. Workington looks run down and Flimby isn't much better. I once took my ex girlfriend to Whitehaven for the day and she described it as like Castleford but on the coast.

 

[Jimini]

Haven't used it in a while, but I always used to enjoy the single track section between Bourne End and Marlow as it runs alongside the Thames.

 

[380101]

Girvan to Stranraer takes some beating.

aye, you get great views of commercial forestry and the ever increasing wind farms! Apart from that it's my favourite route to drive. Night time with clear sky and no moon is fantastic.

 

[faltskog36abba]

I agree that the two trans Pennine routes you mentioned are Underrated and these are my favourite lines to travel on. I also like the area around the high peak [dinting viaduct] as has been mentioned.

 

[yorksrob]

Not ALL the Cumbrian Coast line is nice. The Whitehaven to Maryport stretch is horrible with a couple of exceptions. You're close enough to the sea to see just how dirty their beaches are, especially at Flimby.

Also, I can't remember what it's called, but south of St Bees where them houses (or shacks) are literally on the beach, the beach is shockingly dirty. I read somewhere that Cumbria has the dirtiest beaches in England.

They do the Lake District well but the coast? Forget it. However, Ravenglass is beautiful.

I think the coastal section North of Whitehaven is pretty breathtaking. I also like the little shacks south of St Bees. They have a bit of character. Even the industrial bits are quite interesting, with the old reactor at Sellafield looming out of the distance menacingly and the industrial remnants around Workington.

Lets face it, if you don't like a bit of the scenery on the route, there'll be another bit of unusual scenery along shortly.

 

[PhilipF]

The Marches

Ah yes, a really lovely route that I thought was one of the most scenic rail rail trips I'd been on, fact better than the "heart of Wales" line that I'd travelled up to Shrewsbury from Swansea on. Shrewsbury down to Newport passes through some lovely rural scenery, but then so does the "mid Wales Line" though it was many years ago I travelled that.

Really lovely to find a thread on which so many show appreciation of the British countryside

I shall never forget traveling down to Dorchester on the "heart of wessex" line and watching a couple on the opposite seats who spent the entire time doing the Crosswords of the paper they had with them. Fact I find it remarkable that so very few rail passengers appear to show absolutely nil appreciation of the scenery they are riding through. Must be a 'family thing' my head is constantly looking out of the window, my wife, and my sister are the same
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scouse77 View Post
The Marches
Ah yes, a really lovely route that I thought was one of the most scenic rail rail trips I'd been on, fact better than the "heart of Wales" line that I'd travelled up to Shrewsbury from Swansea on. Shrewsbury down to Newport passes through some lovely rural scenery, but then so does the "mid Wales Line" though it was many years ago I travelled that.

Really lovely to find a thread on which so many show appreciation of the British countryside

I shall never forget traveling down to Dorchester on the "heart of wessex" line and watching a couple on the opposite seats who spent the entire time doing the Crosswords of the paper they had with them. Fact I find it remarkable that so very few rail passengers appear to show absolutely nil appreciation of the scenery they are riding through. Must be a 'family thing' my head is constantly looking out of the window, my wife, and my sister are the same

 

[anti-pacer]

I think the coastal section North of Whitehaven is pretty breathtaking. I also like the little shacks south of St Bees. They have a bit of character. Even the industrial bits are quite interesting, with the old reactor at Sellafield looming out of the distance menacingly and the industrial remnants around Workington.

Lets face it, if you don't like a bit of the scenery on the route, there'll be another bit of unusual scenery along shortly.

This is true, there are gems along the line, mixed in with the grot.

 

[Roose]

I once took my ex girlfriend to Whitehaven for the day and she described it as like Castleford but on the coast.

So an honest, down-to-earth place with pleasant, normal people who don't sneer at others?

I'm sure she enjoyed it.

 

[Jonny]

Happy to see people appreciating Stalybridge-Hud - it's a lovely place (except the tunnels).

Agreed, it is part of the Pennines. Unfortunately the local topography makes the tunnels necessary.

The ECML north of York (right through to Edinburgh) has a lot of decent scenery as well, although it is a case of "blink and you miss it".

The Newcastle-Carlisle line is also under-rated, the scenery is nice west of Blaydon and there are a few nice features if you know where to look. The downside is a few deep cuttings and the run through Gateshead Borough after leaving the ECML is rather dank (but better than it used to be).

 

[Mutant Lemming]

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

You haven't rolled down from Chalfont to Chesham then ?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

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'.

.

best viewed with the windows closed and eyes fixed towards the distant stately home - unless sewerage plants are your thing.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

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

..not forgetting the stunning Accrington Viaduct
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That would be Stockport Viaduct, said by some to be the largest brick built structure in Europe.

Is it bigger than Harringworth Viaduct ? (82 arches as opposed to Stockport's 27)

The stretch of line North of Corby that takes in the Harringworth Viaduct (or Welland Viaduct) is probably under rated due to the few passenger services that use it.

 

[anti-pacer]

So an honest, down-to-earth place with pleasant, normal people who don't sneer at others?

I'm sure she enjoyed it.

To be honest she doesn't like many places but loves Wakefield.

The mind boggles!

 

[387star]

Originally Posted by paddy1 View Post
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'.

best viewed with the windows closed and eyes fixed towards the distant stately home - unless sewerage plants are your thing.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Stockport viaduct is a fair bit higher than Harringworth, and is 4 tracks wide...

Have to agree with the Marches line, and I'd add that coupled with the route via Chirk it knocks going via Birmingham into a cocked hat! There's the 2 aqueducts viewed from Chirk viaduct, the nice views through Shrewsbury (if you're an enthusiast!) and the view of Lord Hereford's Knob (giggle!) as you head south... easily worth the longer journey and even the change at Newport... plus, no Voyagers!

 

[class387]

You haven't rolled down from Chalfont to Chesham then ?

Unfortunately not.

*Makes note to do it*

 

[cambsy]

Some of my favourite scenic lines are rated and underrated, I like Reading to Penzance because you have the rural run of the Berks and Hants, the Vale of the White Horse, The Dawlish coast stretch, the South Devon hills from Newton Abbott to Plymouth, the climb above the Tamar out of Plymouth, the run onto Penzance which helped by slow line speed so can enjoy it.

Perth to Inverness which lovely into Sunset, with lots of Deer around, add in mist makes quite stunning, and in first class on Highland Chieftain, can't be bettered.

Not done for While but doing end of September on Pathfinder 4 day rail cruise, the West Highland Line, know it very highly rated but can't be beat for views, add in eating good food, mk 1 first class comfort and hopefully pair of 37's growling away, should make pretty untoppable.

West Coast mainline has some lovely parts all the way along, from Industry to rolling hills, Climbing Shap and Beattock,following the Clyde from Beattock to Glasgow, The Chilterns etc.

East Coast Mainline has the coast around Berwick Upon Tweed, the Royal Border Bridge, Vale of York, durham, run through Fife, The Fens around Peterborough.

The Cumbrian Coast is scenic in parts, nice coastal run with small villages and hamlets, some nice countryside.

The Hope Valley line is good, especially with a splattering of snow, some lovely mountain views and lovely villages, nice twisting run, lots of interest.

The Standedge route, with its mill towns, industrial heritage,and Penine scenery is very scenic and interesting, lots to look at out of window.

and too many others to mention.

 

[Calthrop]

I shall never forget traveling down to Dorchester on the "heart of wessex" line and watching a couple on the opposite seats who spent the entire time doing the Crosswords of the paper they had with them. Fact I find it remarkable that so very few rail passengers appear to show absolutely nil appreciation of the scenery they are riding through. Must be a 'family thing' my head is constantly looking out of the window, my wife, and my sister are the same

I suppose -- humanity is extremely varied, and there are people for whom scenery is just "not their bag". H. A. Vallance in his Railway Holiday in Northern Norway and Sweden, in the course of describing the beauties of his journey on the rail route between Ostersund (Sweden) and Trondheim (Norway), mentions a couple of British ladies in seats nearby, who seemed bored to tears with the magnificent scenery being traversed: one was reading a book, the other doing a crossword.

To some extent, I could have wished Mr. Vallance to be a bit less of a lover of landscape: he seems to have been a railway enthusiast of the most un-technical kind, focused overwhelmingly on travelling on agreeable rail routes and their scenic beauties; and on "the human comedy" as encountered on these travels. His Railway Holiday...book is -- even for a very-much-non-technocrat such as me -- frustratingly short on details of motive power, rolling stock, and most other railway equipment.

 

[frodshamfella]

I don't really know this line, but had always thought Grove Park to Bromley North, might be a pleasant "branch line" run ?

 

[yorksrob]

I don't really know this line, but had always thought Grove Park to Bromley North, might be a pleasant "branch line" run ?

Pleasant, though not spectacular. Best sampled from an EPB.

 

[les.]

Agreed, it is part of the Pennines. Unfortunately the local topography makes the tunnels necessary.

The ECML north of York (right through to Edinburgh) has a lot of decent scenery as well, although it is a case of "blink and you miss it".

The Newcastle-Carlisle line is also under-rated, the scenery is nice west of Blaydon and there are a few nice features if you know where to look. The downside is a few deep cuttings and the run through Gateshead Borough after leaving the ECML is rather dank (but better than it used to be).

Will be travelling that line (well Carlisle to Newcastle anyway) when I come back from Scotland next month as there are major engineering works planned near Berwick and all VTECs are being diverted - Edinburgh - Carlisle - Newcastle.