Most boring journeys between 2 Stations (Tunnels don’t count!!)

[Stathern Jc]

I'm surprised the ECML between Peterborough & Doncaster has attracted numerous mentions.
A personal preference of course but I usually spot something that catches my interest in the countryside. Another thing here is to look out for Lincoln Cathedral in the distance.
It's obviously an age thing to recall the journeys up to Stoke behind a Deltic.
Though, South of Huntingdon I do find the stretch alongside the acres of solar panels truly boring.

Back to the subject.
I haven't travelled in to Birmingham from the Coventry direction much in recent years. I was never very inspired to make that journey, but someone might tell me that it's much better now.
One I particularly remember from the 70s/80s was from Sheffield to Rotherham, it always seemed that Brightside had been named by someone with a perverse sense of humour.

 

[Grecian 1998]

Warblington to Chichester would be up there. Mile after mile of featureless flat countryside / bland suburbia and nothing to break it up, with a constant diet of 377s stopping every few miles at basic stations that look remarkably similar. The rather more interesting South Downs and Chichester Harbour aren't quite near enough to break up the tedium. The West Coastway as a whole between Havant and Hove is remarkably dull - other than a brief bit of interest around Barnham / Ford with the Bognor and Littlehampton junctions, plus a distant view of the South Downs, along with the crossing of the Arun and the Adur rivers, there really isn't much to see in a journey taking well over an hour. Mind you, I'm probably grumpy because I don't like 377s and as (invariably) a single traveller on that route, it's annoying trying to plan when the time between station stops is long enough to visit the toilet. It's also irritating getting to the outskirts of Brighton and then stopping half a dozen times as there's so few limited stop services.

I also find Birmingham - Wolverhampton incredibly tedious, although I accept there are some interesting post-industrial scenes.

The Somerset and Dorset line near the town of Blandford Forum used to live up to its name. The town even got mentioned in the most boring song ever ("Slow Train" by Flanders and Swann).

Pretty harsh - I'm not old enough to remember the line, but I've walked the North Dorset trailway which largely uses the old formation either side of Blandford, and it's very picturesque ambling alongside the Stour through the valley. The railway itself would also have been full of interest with the single / double track sections around there and the weird and wonderful variety of passenger and freight using the line. Even in the town the station looked lively and there was a viaduct until 1978 which would have given an interesting view of the town.

 

[Pigeon]

I'm surprised the ECML between Peterborough & Doncaster has attracted numerous mentions.
A personal preference of course but I usually spot something that catches my interest in the countryside.

Probably the most boring train journey I have ever done was York to Cambridge. Down that stretch, with me vainly trying to spot something interesting in the countryside and failing, then via March and Ely where in addition to the general lack of anything I had done it several times before. The return journey was in the dark, which actually made it slightly less boring due to the lack of motivation to look out of the window in the first place.

(Though having said that, a journey in the dark can be interesting if it is possible to do it in the proper dark, ie. with all the carriage lights off so you can actually see out.)

One I particularly remember from the 70s/80s was from Sheffield to Rotherham, it always seemed that Brightside had been named by someone with a perverse sense of humour.

I liked that stretch - there was lots to look at, even if it wasn't very attractive. A good stretch to get held up on and have a good look round at all the trackwork and decaying industry. It's shockingly bare now.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

I don't think I've done one that I would consider boring. There's always something to see from a train window. Even if you're just going past housing estates, it's always fun looking at people's gardens, seeing what you can see through the windows of the houses, observing the different architectural styles etc. You get a snapshot of modern Britain from the train window.

I couldn't agree more. We're very lucky in the UK to have such a rich variety of different landscapes to travel through and the varied weather conditions mean no two journeys along a particular route are ever the same.

That said, I had my first journey on HS1 last month and found it a route based more on functionality than being aesthetically pleasing.

 

[yorksrob]

I think the South ECML isn't as dull as some think. There are various interesting track and station layouts for the enthusiasts, plus lots of little country churches to look out for.

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

I think the South ECML isn't as dull as some think. There are various interesting track and station layouts for the enthusiasts, plus lots of little country churches to look out for.

I fully agree. I actually really like the Peterborough to Doncaster section that's getting so much vitriol.
Between Peterborough and Grantham there are some lovely rolling hills with glimpses of stone villages and churches, either side of Newark there are sections where the line is on a low plateau with long distance views over the countryside.
Newark itself has the flat crossing, the beet factory and the Stagecoach outstation (just me, then ).
Between Newark and Retford there's the lovely wooded countryside of the Dukeries visible. The low level lines at Retford, a couple of signalboxes controlling level crossings...nice!

 

[RT4038]

I think the South ECML isn't as dull as some think. There are various interesting track and station layouts for the enthusiasts, plus lots of little country churches to look out for.

I think the more often you ride it, the more interesting it becomes, as you get to know what to look out for. Quite a lot of lines like that really.

 

[yorksrob]

I fully agree. I actually really like the Peterborough to Doncaster section that's getting so much vitriol.
Between Peterborough and Grantham there are some lovely rolling hills with glimpses of stone villages and churches, either side of Newark there are sections where the line is on a low plateau with long distance views over the countryside.
Newark itself has the flat crossing, the beet factory and the Stagecoach outstation (just me, then ).
Between Newark and Retford there's the lovely wooded countryside of the Dukeries visible. The low level lines at Retford, a couple of signalboxes controlling level crossings...nice!

And there's the remains of the old junction at Tuxford and the former NE curve north of Grantham to spot.

I think the more often you ride it, the more interesting it becomes, as you get to know what to look out for. Quite a lot of lines like that really.

Some lines take longer to reveal their charms.

 

[And]

Quite true: the first view of the plain as you came around the curve as Ostercappeln was wonderful, but then it all went downhill.



I most definitely disagree with the comment about ‘Slow Train’. To me it is a witty piece of observation, as were many of Flanders and Swann’s works. I don’t remember the railway at Blandford, but I think that calling it boring is overdoing it.

I was. On a similar vein, surely the line through Dullingham station, with the Pet Shop Boys' 'Being Boring' playing, would be a winner?

 

[Tetchytyke]

I think the South ECML isn't as dull as some think. There are various interesting track and station layouts for the enthusiasts, plus lots of little country churches to look out for.

And some interesting but not lovely things to look out for.

On the left as you leave Kings Cross there's a house which featured on Grand Designs about 10-15 years ago. It's interesting to see how quickly the house has degenerated into a godawful eyesore.

 

[yorksrob]

And some interesting but not lovely things to look out for.

On the left as you leave Kings Cross there's a house which featured on Grand Designs about 10-15 years ago. It's interesting to see how quickly the house has degenerated into a godawful eyesore.

Laurence Lewellyn Bowen has a lot to answer for !

 

[whoosh]

As per the title, I’m currently on the 1433 Kings Cross to Newcastle, and I’ve always thought the most boring bits are between Huntingdon and Peterborough, and then to Grantham, any other journeys between 2 station that are that boring! Worldwide suggestions welcome aswell

Northbound, I always find the bit coming out of the cutting at Woodwalton and seeing the fens stretch out pretty good actually!

I'm surprised the ECML between Peterborough & Doncaster has attracted numerous mentions.
A personal preference of course but I usually spot something that catches my interest in the countryside. Another thing here is to look out for Lincoln Cathedral in the distance.
It's obviously an age thing to recall the journeys up to Stoke behind a Deltic.
Though, South of Huntingdon I do find the stretch alongside the acres of solar panels truly boring.

Back to the subject.
I haven't travelled in to Birmingham from the Coventry direction much in recent years. I was never very inspired to make that journey, but someone might tell me that it's much better now.
One I particularly remember from the 70s/80s was from Sheffield to Rotherham, it always seemed that Brightside had been named by someone with a perverse sense of humour.

St Neots to Sandy is rather uninteresting, yes.

And some interesting but not lovely things to look out for.

On the left as you leave Kings Cross there's a house which featured on Grand Designs about 10-15 years ago. It's interesting to see how quickly the house has degenerated into a godawful eyesore.

I hate to say this, because it may make you feel old. But try (very nearly) 27 years ago!


Personally, Market Harborough to Wigston Junction I find boring.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I hate to say this, because it may make you feel old. But try (very nearly) 27 years ago!

I can go off people

Really? I suppose that’s why it looks as bad as it does…

 

[Harpo]

Anywhere at the east end of the District line. The speed of passing LTS services probably accounts for a lot of the feeling of boredom.

 

[rmHawk765]

I think the South ECML isn't as dull as some think. There are various interesting track and station layouts for the enthusiasts, plus lots of little country churches to look out for.

South of Sandy it does get considerably less boring. I do think that the area around Peterborough is interesting though for having such a ridiculous number of level crossings, even if there isn't much else there.

Some of the stretches between Watford and Milton Keynes can be incredibly boring on a stopper I find.

 

[yorksrob]

South of Sandy it does get considerably less boring. I do think that the area around Peterborough is interesting though for having such a ridiculous number of level crossings, even if there isn't much else there.

Some of the stretches between Watford and Milton Keynes can be incredibly boring on a stopper I find.

I enjoy the West Coast Mainline, but my regular jaunts were many years ago.

I remember that the stretch north of Wllesden used to have some big yards, accompanied with impressive signal boxes. I think they've gone sadly.

 

[ecmlthrash15]

I'm surprised the ECML between Peterborough & Doncaster has attracted numerous mentions.
A personal preference of course but I usually spot something that catches my interest in the countryside. Another thing here is to look out for Lincoln Cathedral in the distance.
It's obviously an age thing to recall the journeys up to Stoke behind a Deltic.
Though, South of Huntingdon I do find the stretch alongside the acres of solar panels truly boring.

Back to the subject.
I haven't travelled in to Birmingham from the Coventry direction much in recent years. I was never very inspired to make that journey, but someone might tell me that it's much better now.
One I particularly remember from the 70s/80s was from Sheffield to Rotherham, it always seemed that Brightside had been named by someone with a perverse sense of humour.

Do you know the location when it’s possible to see Lincoln cathedral in the distance?

 

[Stathern Jc]

Do you know the location when it’s possible to see Lincoln cathedral in the distance?

You can see it between Newark & Retford.
Can't offer the precise extent of its visibility but from 2-3 miles North of Newark to around Tuxford is the best prospect.

Also, to the Soutwest between Newark and Grantham (Claypole and Barkston) you can see Belvoir Castle, and Stathern Hill at the other end of the ridge.
My original part of the world so I'm probably in the minority who look over there.
In the winter when the snow was blowing sideways the locals would remind everyone in the pub that if you head directly East from Belvoir Castle, the next ground you'll find at the same level would be in the Ural Mountains. There's trivia for you.

The variety of villages near the line has been mentioned, as is the case anywhere.
Several of those in this part of Lincolnshire, Nottingham and some in the north East corner of Leicestershire that can be seen from this part of the ECML, and numerous other places, have been covered in the very informative and extremely well researched village tours in the YouTube channel of "The Village Idiot".
https://www.youtube.com/@TheVillageIdiot/videos
It's well worth having a look.
Even making a random selection will give something extra to have a look out for and add something to a journey you might have thought was going to have less interest.

 

[Bayum]

Burton-on-Trent to Tamworth

 

[ecmlthrash15]

You can see it between Newark & Retford.
Can't offer the precise extent of its visibility but from 2-3 miles North of Newark to around Tuxford is the best prospect.

Also, to the Soutwest between Newark and Grantham (Claypole and Barkston) you can see Belvoir Castle, and Stathern Hill at the other end of the ridge.
My original part of the world so I'm probably in the minority who look over there.
In the winter when the snow was blowing sideways the locals would remind everyone in the pub that if you head directly East from Belvoir Castle, the next ground you'll find at the same level would be in the Ural Mountains. There's trivia for you.

The variety of villages near the line has been mentioned, as is the case anywhere.
Several of those in this part of Lincolnshire, Nottingham and some in the north East corner of Leicestershire that can be seen from this part of the ECML, and numerous other places, have been covered in the very informative and extremely well researched village tours in the YouTube channel of "The Village Idiot".
https://www.youtube.com/@TheVillageIdiot/videos
It's well worth having a look.
Even making a random selection will give something extra to have a look out for and add something to a journey you might have thought was going to have less interest.

Thanks for sharing that. I’ve been trying to spot Lincoln cathedral for years, but never been lucky. The weather has obviously played a part, and the speed doesn’t help. I will keep trying.

 

[EYFanatic]

Chester to Crewe or vice versa...

Its one of the few journeys I seriously hate because its just boring

 

[D6130]

Kilwinning to Barassie....unless you're into sand dunes and golf courses - not to mention brutalist 1960s architecture in Irvine new town.

 

[D6130]

Chester to Crewe or vice versa...

Its one of the few journeys I seriously hate because its just boring

It's quite interesting around the halfway point near Tarporley. There's the marina on the Shropshire Union Canal - which parallels the line for some distance - plus the ruins of Beeston Castle above on its sandstone rock....and a little further away to the South West, the Victorian grandeur of Peckforton Castle, which I believe is now a popular venue for weddings, medieval banquets, etc.

 

[D6130]

Burton-on-Trent to Tamworth

Central Rivers Depot, the National Memorial Arboretum and the three spires of Lichfield Cathedral all visible from this stretch of line.

 

[whoosh]

I can go off people

Really? I suppose that’s why it looks as bad as it does…

To be fair, whilst it was shown in the very first series of Grand Designs (episode 7 which first aired in June 1999), there have been a couple of 'revisits' in other series apparently - mentioned in this article: https://www.theguardian.com/artandd...esworth-straw-bale-house-stock-orchard-street

Perhaps it was one of these you were thinking of?!

 

[Sheridan]

For me the most dull in Britain has to be the North Wales Coast between Flint and Colwyn Bay. It is a special achievement to be by the sea and still be very dull.

Flint to Abergele I understand. But the 6 miles from Abergele to Colwyn Bay are definitely not boring, especially with Gwrych Castle inland, the crossings of the A55, the briefest of glimpses of Raynes Jetty and the views near Colwyn Bay.

 

[Russel]

For me the most dull in Britain has to be the North Wales Coast between Flint and Colwyn Bay. It is a special achievement to be by the sea and still be very dull.

Whoa, that's one of my favourite routes!

To me, it's better than the Dawlish sea wall because it's more varied.

Chester to Crewe or vice versa...

Its one of the few journeys I seriously hate because its just boring

Agreed, I've already mentioned the Wolverhampton - Shrewsbury part of the Cambrian journeys being dull and tedious, but now you've said it, the Crewe - Chester part of a North Wales Coast journey is the same!

 

[Russel]

Flint to Abergele I understand. But the 6 miles from Abergele to Colwyn Bay are definitely not boring, especially with Gwrych Castle inland, the crossings of the A55, the briefest of glimpses of Raynes Jetty and the views near Colwyn Bay.

Don't forget the glimpse of the ever deteriorating former BR Sealink Duke Of Lancaster!

 

[Sheridan]

Don't forget the glimpse of the ever deteriorating former BR Sealink Duke Of Lancaster!

Well yes, I was willing to let that go to make a broader point, but I don’t really think Flint to Abergele is boring either, even as a regular traveller. The views of the Wirral, the three islands of Hilbre, the docks as Mostyn - there’s always plenty to see as you say!

 

[BeijingDave]

Liverpool to Manchester via the CLC, maybe because i've done it so many times that it feels like a chore to do

I agree, but for someone not from the area it would be really interesting IMO.

From the grim Edge Hill tunnels emerging through the old station, through Widnes and Warrington and Irlam's post-industrial hellscape, Humphrey Park's rickety old platforms, past Old Trafford etc...