Trivia: most inefficient direct train (time:distance)

[Malton Seadog]

Catching the Lincoln-Scunthorpe service this morning made me wonder if there are any similar journeys which in a straight line or by road are fairly short, but by direct train take an absolute age?

Lincoln to Scunthorpe is 29 miles by road. The direct service via Sheffield takes 2h45m!

We’ve already done a longest rail journey to two close stations including changes, so this one is restricted to direct services please.

 

[DavidGrain]

Wolverhampton to Walsall. Unless you catch the early morning 'ghost train' (no return) this service will go via Birmingham New Street. I am old enough to remember doing that journey by Trolley Bus which would have been quicker. Unfortunately somebody built the M6 motorway which severed the trolley bus wires.

 

[DuncanS]

Alloa to Dunfermline.

Around 2hours 10 minutes by train (changing twice in most instances), 20 miles by road.

 

[iantherev]

Rhymney to Merthyr Tydfil.

 

[The Lad]

Scarborough to Whitby (Northern only ticket)

 

[iantherev]

Ebbw Vale to Abergavenny.

 

[OxtedL]

Alloa to Dunfermline.

Around 2hours 10 minutes by train (changing twice in most instances), 20 miles by road.

That's not a direct train though?

 

[CardiffKid]

Opening post did specify direct services.

Bridgend to Aberdare takes 48 minutes driving and 2hours 4minutes by direct train (or 1hour 39 if you change trains in Cardiff)

 

[yoyothehobo]

Could you have Bayswater to Royal Oak on the circle line?

Half a mile walk, a long way round the circle line if you dont change trains at Paddington and go the other way round?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Probably not even in the top 10, but the detour to Barnsley adds a fair bit to the Huddersfield to Sheffield services. Likewise the Huddersfield to Bradford Interchange run isn't helped by either zig-zagging to Brighouse then Halifax, nor the extended dwell at Halifax due to Elland station not being opened as planned. The X63 bus usually beats the train.

 

[DavidGrain]

Worcester to Stratford upon Avon via Birmingham Snow Hill. I knew the route was feasible and have checked that there are direct trains.

 

[DuncanS]

That's not a direct train though?

Ah, I was thinking that the line between Alloa and Dunfermline is straight through and would be a direct train between the two.

Apologies.

 

[FenMan]

Starcross to Exmouth - 2.5 miles in a straight line, 52 minutes by train.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Exmouth to Starcross (via reversal at Exeter St David's) is so slow that if you miss a train at Exmouth it can be quicker to get the (seasonal) ferry to catch it up. I have actually done this on an Exmouth to Dawlish journey.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Starcross to Exmouth - 2.5 miles in a straight line, 52 minutes by train.

Is there a ferry at this time of year? I imagine it'd be quite... bracing!

Ah, answered above while I was typing!

 

[Westcombe]

Westcombe Park to Blackheath. 2 miles, less than 10 minutes on a 108 bus, but close to an hour on the direct train. In fact on reflection, Greenwich to Lewisham is probably even more inefficient.

 

[DavidGrain]

Westcombe Park to Blackheath. 2 miles, less than 10 minutes on a 108 bus, but close to an hour on the direct train. In fact on reflection, Greenwich to Lewisham is probably even more inefficient.

Which route would the direct train from Westcombe Park to Blackheath take? I can find only routes which involve changing trains. Greenwich to Lewisham on the other hand is a direct route on the DLR and takes only a few minutes.

 

[telstarbox]

Trains which go east on the Woolwich Line then west on the Sidcup line or vice versa.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/W07153/2018/03/06

 

[DavidGrain]

Trains which go east on the Woolwich Line then west on the Sidcup line or vice versa.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/W07153/2018/03/06

Many thanks but the train you mention comes back into London via Hither Green not Blackheath

 

[Bertie the bus]

16:50 Preston – Blackburn via Rochdale. It takes 2 hours 22 minutes between two towns 12 miles apart where the normal fast, direct service only takes 17 minutes.

RTT shows it as 2 trains but the PIS and announcements at the station say it as a Blackburn service, not Manchester Victoria.

 

[higthomas]

Either Mortlake-Barnes Bridge or Earlsfield-Wandsworth Town on the SWR circulars:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/W93418/2018/03/06/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/W94244/2018/03/06/advanced

 

[tbtc]

Dronfield to Dore is a walk of under three and a half miles (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/D...1!1s0x4879837927ebcd8b:0xb25fdef1551ca4df!3e2) but takes over twenty minutes by direct train(http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C62481/2018/03/06/advanced).

I guess Rosyth to Dalgety Bay would have been a good example a few years ago, but the trains now technically terminate at Glenrothes, rather than being through workings.

 

[lejog]

16:50 Preston – Blackburn via Rochdale. It takes 2 hours 22 minutes between two towns 12 miles apart where the normal fast, direct service only takes 17 minutes.

RTT shows it as 2 trains but the PIS and announcements at the station say it as a Blackburn service, not Manchester Victoria.

The 1520 Blackburn to Clitheroe and 1720 Blackburn to Blackburn take 2hrs 4mins to travel from Blackburn to erm Blackburn. The 15.20 even departs and arrives at the same platform.

 

[PeterC]

Not a through train in passenger service but this reminded me of travelling from Laon top Boulogne Hoverport via Paris over 35 years ago. We got off at Gare du Nord, stood around for 90 minutes or so and were then allowed back on the same train.

 

[xotGD]

Haymarket to Monument via the Coast.
South Shields to North Shields.

 

[yorkie]

Rhymney to Merthyr Tydfil.

Is there a direct service doing that? I can't find any (on the normal weekday timetable at least).

So I'll nominate Coryton to Radyr. I've walked between the two, it's not far.

 

[mlambeuk]

Scarborough to Doncaster

 

[Mag_seven]

Pollokshields East to Pollokshields West. 20 mins on the train, 2 mins by car, 10 mins on foot.

 

[Kite159]

Trains which go east on the Woolwich Line then west on the Sidcup line or vice versa.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/W07153/2018/03/06

Although the "rounder" services which come back via Kidbrooke are separate entries on RTT as they "terminate" at Barnehurst going clockwise and at Slade Green going anti-clockwise [before starting the return leg into Cannon Street]

 

[ys123]

Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Piccadilly (distance 0miles, journey time 1hr 16mins).
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y51155/2018/03/06/advanced