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Most underrated scenic rail lines

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Doctor Fegg

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Agreed. I love that bit. Once (in Central Trains days) we were held at March for a while because there was a pretty severe thunderstorm and the train crossing the Ouse Washes would have been the highest thing for miles around...
 
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anti-pacer

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Another section I like is around Macclesfield and Congleton.

There's some fine views of the moors, the huge Sutton Common transmitter tower, and Mow Cop on one side, and the lush Cheshire Plain stretching right over to the Welsh hills on the other.

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned previously but the line between Chester and Crewe is also very nice. Lush green farmland, the canal and various locks, Beeston Castle perched on its hilltop, and fine views over to the hills of North Wales and Shropshire.
 

RichJF

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I'm a Southerner so...

Medway Valley Line (especially between Maidstone & Paddock Wood).

Ashford - Canterbury West (notable section between Wye & Chartham as it winds through the countryside).
 

NorthernSpirit

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Bath Spa to Westbury is good, if you just close your eyes whilst the train enters, stops and leaves Trowbridge. It is especially enjoyable between Bathampton Junction and Bradford Junction as the line skirts the river Avon.

The Bath Spa to Salisbury is nice, it reminds me of a combination of both the Calder Valley Line and the Huddersfield to Marsden section of the Huddersfield Line to some extent, the latter when you enter Westbury as Bratton Camp reminds me of Pule Hill.


There is the section between Birmingham New Street and Cheltenham as your belting through Gloucestershire.

I'd also include the section of line between Horsham and Chichester is quite scenic as well, especially between Pulborough and Arundel. I''d also include the Pontefract to Goole section of the Pontefact Line, shame about the limited service but that is understandable.
 
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markindurham

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That is just about the most stunning view from a train in the whole of Europe. Is it underrated though? Possibly.

It is indeed - but it doesn't get mentioned as much as the views across to Holy Island/Lindisfarne as you go further north do, so yes, it is underrated. It's definitely one of those "passed very quickly" views though, especially on trains that don't stop at Durham...
 

gnolife

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The Hadrians Wall line from Newcastle to Carlisle, especially the western half heading from Hexham.

I think that line starts getting scenic once you get past Blaydon, but have never been beyond Hexham
(Off topic entirely, but nice monkey in your profile pic)


One line that I find underrated is the Sheringham line, once you get past Roughton Road
 

L&Y Robert

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Chepstow - Gloucester. When the tide is in - all that water! When the tide is out - all that mud! Either way it's a scenic route, but get a window seat on the estuary side.
 

Parallel

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Chepstow - Gloucester. When the tide is in - all that water! When the tide is out - all that mud! Either way it's a scenic route, but get a window seat on the estuary side.

Despite living in reasonable distance of this line, I have only used it once and was impressed with the scenery!

Some of the Valley Lines have decent scenery too.

Between Pembrey and Burry Port and Carmarthen is also pleasant.
 

muddythefish

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People rave about the S & C but the feeder Blackburn-Hellifield line down the Ribble valley is very scenic.
 

maire23

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Darlington to Newcastle is scenic - especially the views across the city of Durham, with the Cathedral & Castle towering over it, as you come onto the viaduct. Then there's pleasant views in the Wear valley as you get towards Chester-le-Street, with the cricket ground and Lumley Castle visible. Then you cross Chester-le-Street viaduct before passing Tyne Yard, with the remains of the Hump still visible. On the other side is the Angel of the North, & then all too soon, you slow for the curve onto the King Edward Bridge, with fabulous views of the Tyne and its assorted bridges, before curving round again and entering Newcastle station.
I love the last part especially as to me that means I'm home.
Melton Mowbray to Peterborough has some lovely scenery although it's mainly round Oakham and Stamford.
I saw Carlisle to Newcastle mentioned as well- used to do that journey a lot when I was at uni in Carlisle and there is indeed some gorgeous scenery.
 

4141

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I love the stretch between Plymouth and Bodmin Parkway - the crossing of the Tamar, obviously, but then the creeks that keep appearing, the fields and buildings getting more and more...ummm...Cornish :) ...and then the slide down the Glyn valley, lovely in early summer when the flowers are all out!
 

Essexman

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Manningtree to Harwich is scenic with great views across the River Stour.
 

Cowley

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I love the stretch between Plymouth and Bodmin Parkway - the crossing of the Tamar, obviously, but then the creeks that keep appearing, the fields and buildings getting more and more...ummm...Cornish :) ...and then the slide down the Glyn valley, lovely in early summer when the flowers are all out!

Very pretty stretch of railway. Those creeks and inlets go a long way inland.
 

59CosG95

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The "Mule" (i.e. Salisbury-Exeter) is right up there for me. Some of the countryside, particularly between Tisbury and Gillingham, is fantastic.
 

MidnightFlyer

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My usual offerings to this sort of thread are Barnstaple, Tyne Valley, Stranraer and the Arun Valley. I'll leave you all to dissect what constitutes 'underrated'.
 

mrcheek

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So many great lines mentioned here, but I cant believe theres no mention of the Welsh Valleys.

All of these are beautiful scenic journeys, especially the line to Rhymney. Yet nobody ever says anything good about them.

Maybe its the abundance of Pacers. Or perhaps the abundance of Welsh people.
 

bearhugger

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My usual offerings to this sort of thread are Barnstaple, Tyne Valley, Stranraer and the Arun Valley. I'll leave you all to dissect what constitutes 'underrated'.

Ah yes Barnstaple - the Tarka Line! I did a little stretch of that a couple of years ago, thoroughly enjoyed the "clackety-clack" of stretches of that line too that we don't get much of now due to continuous welded rail, as well as the scenery.
 

davetheguard

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The branch from Exeter to Exmouth is very scenic beyond the intermediate station of Topsham. Sit on the right for splendid views across the River Exe to Starcross, Powderham Castle, Cockwood Harbour & Dawlish Warren on the far bank.

Topsham itself is a lovely old place, with several comfortable pubs, restaurants, & cafes. Lympstone Village station is, as the name suggests, in the heart of the attractive village, with a nice pub -the Swan Inn shown in the photo- at the foot of the station approach road (other pubs are available).

There's a well signed and level foot & cycle path which follows the line most of the from Topsham to Exmouth; it passes right by the stations at Exton and Lympstone Village. Good for pictures of passing trains and views of the river.

Trains run on the branch every half an hour during the day seven days a week. Frequency drops to hourly in the evening; and there is also a gap for one hour on Sundays. Most trains run to/from Paignton or Barnstaple.
 

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dk1

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Manningtree to Harwich is scenic with great views across the River Stour.

Funny you say that as when we worked IC boat trains I always likened the approach to Parkeston to being in South Devon. Very attractive stretch & running into Manningtree past the cricket ground too.
 
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