What is your Favorite line.

[pitdiver]

Norwich to Great Yarmouth, only because I love Norfolk and the relative (compared with others) bleakness of the route.

 

[steamybrian]

Favourite National Rail lines is difficult to choose out of the following-
Settle & Carlisle
Machynlleth- Pwhelli
West Highland Line
Inverness- Kyle
Exeter- Plymouth
Central Wales Line (Llanelli- Craven Arms)
Middlesborough-Whitby

Favourite heritage railways-
North Yorkshire Moors
Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog- Caernarfon)
West Somerset Railway
Swanage Railway
Mid Hants Railway
Ffestinog Railway
+ my local Spa Valley Railway

Abroad-
Bernina Pass- St Moritz (Switzerland)- Tirano (Italy)
Zermatt- Gornegratt (Switzerland)
Wernigorode- Brocken (Germany) hauled by the 2-10-2 kettles

 

[djpontrack]

The West Highland Line as I was born in Fort William and also the Great Western out of Paddington as it was a total contrast to me and I loved being on the platform on one of the smaller stations and watching the Valenta powered HSTs rushing west.

 

[222ben]

Probably one of the two main transpennine routes. The S and C comes in close, but only the southern section across the viaducts. I don't like the WCML. Southern section is a bit drab.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

(1) Cumbrian coast line
(2) Kendal - Windermere branch
(3) Lostock Junction - Hindley
(4) East Lancashire Railway
(5) Lakeside - Haverthwaite
(6) Guildford - Southsea
(7) Amsterdam - Maastricht

 

[Spankthemonkey]

Epsom-Horsham
Conway Valley
Syston-Peterborough
Hope Valley
Caldicot-Gloucester

Urban line - Surbiton - Waterloo.

 

[mrcheek]

I was going to say the line through Dawlish, but actually, the whole of Paddington to Penzance would be a better answer. and for the full Brunel experience, try to get a service that goes via Bristol!

 

[zn1]

Bletchley - Bedford Midland, followed by the windsor branch from slough, and sad as it sounds i used to love going down to croxley green from the junction !!

 

[700007]

Most definitely the Greenford branch line in West London. Known that line quite a few years and it's amazing how scenic, yet quiet the line is in contrast to the rest of London. Am a bit annoyed about the loss of direct trains for most of the day to London Paddington (or Ealing Broadway at the very least).

Another line I do quite like is the South Western Mainline and the Lea Valley lines up out of North London.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It's too hard to pick a single winner, so I'll divide into categories:
Local to me: Has to really be the Penistone line, beautiful views up the Holme Valley from Lockwood viaduct, a good mix of rural and industrial settings... just a shame it's been a Pacer stronghold for the last few years- luckily there's light at the end of that tunnel now, albeit the lights of an oncoming 150!

Rest of the UK (main/regional lines): A few contenders here, but I'm going to go for the Cambrian main line to Aberystwyth. Beautiful rolling hills at the border end, giving way to views of Snowdonia to the North, then the windswept coastline around Ynyslas and Borth.

Rest of the UK (rural/branch lines): A bit of a cheat here as I'm going for the combined Welsh Highland/Ffestiniog route from Caernarfon to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Rest of the UK (urban/suburban lines): As it was my local for a time, I'm going for Hampton Court to Waterloo.

Rest of the world: Only a handful of routes to choose, but the Cerdagne line in French Catalonia wins hands down. Century-old electric units with open carriages, some breathtakingly stunning views, a rare railway suspension bridge, and a terminus with 3 different gauges! An honourable mention for the line between Salzburg and Linz in Austria, it may have scored higher if I'd ridden it in daylight!

 

[AJM580]

Taking 61653 HTAFC's classification as a basis these are my own favourites

Local to me: The Wherry lines - Norwich to Great Yarmouth via Berney Arms. Happy memories of summer Saturday loco-hauled

Rest of the UK (mainline/regional): Has to be the line from Exeter to Penzance. The classic seawall section, the Devon banks and the Cornish viaducts all in one go.

Rest of the UK (rural/branch lines): So many to choose from, but in the end I go for the St Ives branch - a delightful treat.

Rest of the UK (urban/suburban lines): Again a difficult choice - but in a nod to my Welsh roots, I'm going for the Cardiff - Rhymney line - nice Valleys scenery and for many years in the 1990s - 2005 it had proper loco hauled trains to boot.

Rest of the world: Like 61653 there isn't a lot to choose from, but perhaps the most enjoyable ride abroad was from San Jose to Sacramento on Amtrak. Some lovely scenery north of Oakland and the street running section through Jack London Square in Oakland

 

[james60059]

My favourite line sadly no longer sees passenger trains; Rosslare Strand - Waterford.

 

[Kendalian]

For those who need to be converted, there's an incredible picture posted today on Railscot of 2 156's heading south towards Bridge of Orchy (West Highland).

Brilliant photo, well done Sir

 

[duesselmartin]

My favourite line sadly no longer sees passenger trains; Rosslare Strand - Waterford.

Agree. Waterford Port, Snowhill tunnel, Barrow Bridge, Dunbrody Abbey and in autumn, beet operation at Wellington Bridge.

 

[Richard1960]

I like Norwich to Sheringham goes through plenty of countryside where you can get off and walk to a village.

 

[Macwomble]

Fort Bill to Mallaig has to be #1.

Far North line is pretty decent too......& much underrated & under promoted IMO

 

[Jonny]

The Kyle line has to be one of the best in the UK. Internationally, I'm not sure if anything will be as good as Greymouth>Christchurch (New Zealand), particularly the Arthur's Pass to Springfield (NZ) section.

 

[methethpropbut]

In the UK: Ely to Norwich has definitely got to be mine! It just has that quiet, almost nostalgic feel to it, like a serene peace while I'm getting ready for an exciting day in Norwich with a friend (plus Shippea Hill is there, if that isn't a good enough reason then I don't know what is! )

If we're including overseas, two of my shout-outs would be the New York Subway's lines up Manhattan Bridge (B/D/N/Q iirc), and the Hong Kong MTR's Tung Chung Line up Tsing Ma Bridge and Lantau Island. The former just gives a great view of downtown Manhattan as you cross into the city, while the latter provides a beautiful transition from skyscrapers and high-rise housing to countryside. Or maybe I just have a thing for bridges...

 

[jonathan01n]

I use this line quite often when I was there. The sea is nice isn't? You can see planes landing at the airport when the weather is good. Do you see the trees standing in the sea?

Sunny Bay is a nice station too.

 

[306024]

In the UK: Ely to Norwich has definitely got to be mine! It just has that quiet, almost nostalgic feel to it, like a serene peace while I'm getting ready for an exciting day in Norwich with a friend (plus Shippea Hill is there, if that isn't a good enough reason then I don't know what is! )

If we're including overseas, two of my shout-outs would be the New York Subway's lines up Manhattan Bridge (B/D/N/Q iirc), and the Hong Kong MTR's Tung Chung Line up Tsing Ma Bridge and Lantau Island. The former just gives a great view of downtown Manhattan as you cross into the city, while the latter provides a beautiful transition from skyscrapers and high-rise housing to countryside. Or maybe I just have a thing for bridges...

Shame the signal boxes closed on the Ely Norwich line though, but quite agree, and nice pot of tea at Wymondham can't be beat.

Next time you're in Hong Kong, catch a number 11 bus from the Airport to Hong Kong Island, from the top deck it is far more spectacular than the train, especially over those bridges.

As for my favourite line, for various reasons, Liverpool St to Norwich.

 

[jonathan01n]

Shame the signal boxes closed on the Ely Norwich line though, but quite agree, and nice pot of tea at Wymondham can't be beat.

Next time you're in Hong Kong, catch a number 11 bus from the Airport to Hong Kong Island, from the top deck it is far more spectacular than the train, especially over those bridges.

As for my favourite line, for various reasons, Liverpool St to Norwich.

You must mean E11 then . 11 bus runs in Hong Kong island only.

 

[306024]

You must mean E11 then . 11 bus runs in Hong Kong island only.

A11 To be precise, the Airport bus and much quicker than the E11 which seems to tour the airport.

 

[Calthrop]

Syston-Peterborough

Pleased to see this mentioned; one of my "faves" (partially, from my having lived in those parts in childhood / teens): IMO an under-rated line -- passes through plenty of quietly attractive East Midland rural scenes; and offers much of interest, re encounters with other rail routes -- variously in full use / freight-only / abandoned.

To nominate a, for me, delightful line not mentioned so far: Exeter to Barnstaple -- beautiful and impressive scenery, and many interesting small stations en route.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I like the railway linking Peterborough and Ely, that is generally run by a turbostar (GA and XC)(Greater Anglia and Crosscountry) along with Express Sprinters 158s. The trains are "new" (When in fact they don't).
The main point is, I love the big lake after the green bridge, you can see birds and seagulls there. It is beautiful. I also like the half closed railway station of March, I would like to have a visit to the historic Railway Junction. Also this line is full of signal boxes which is still in use and the historic Semaphore signal, which also is my favorites too.

Yes, that is a good line. I also like the Settle/Carlisle, the GWR around the coast in the Dawlish area, The SE Line from Hastings to Tonbridge, the SE Line between Dover and Folkestone. The Lines to Oban, Fort William, Mallaig, Kyle & Wick. The route along the North Wales coast to Holyhead and infact any lines that run along the coasts.

 

[SwindonBert]

Either the Golden Valley line or the coast line around Dawlish.

Travelled along the coast by Dawlish after dark with 30ft waves (according to the train manager) breaking - spectacular views

 

[Harbornite]

Cambrian Coast, Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury and Birmingham to Plymouth.

 

[Wookiee]

Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town.

 

[Juniper Driver]

The Kyle line has to be one of the best in the UK.

Been on that although it was in 1979.Still remember it and a Class 37 though disappointed it wasn't a Class26/27?

 

[anti-pacer]

Glasgow-Mallaig.. well, after Helensburgh.
Settle-Carlisle
Highlands Mainline
North Wales Coast
Esk Valley

....and this may surprise you...

...ECML.

 

[fowler9]

In the UK: Ely to Norwich has definitely got to be mine! It just has that quiet, almost nostalgic feel to it, like a serene peace while I'm getting ready for an exciting day in Norwich with a friend (plus Shippea Hill is there, if that isn't a good enough reason then I don't know what is! )

If we're including overseas, two of my shout-outs would be the New York Subway's lines up Manhattan Bridge (B/D/N/Q iirc), and the Hong Kong MTR's Tung Chung Line up Tsing Ma Bridge and Lantau Island. The former just gives a great view of downtown Manhattan as you cross into the city, while the latter provides a beautiful transition from skyscrapers and high-rise housing to countryside. Or maybe I just have a thing for bridges...

Yeah I've done the Tung Chung route and it is very impressive. What was achieved to build the airport there is pretty cool.