All Line - Suggestions - Traction & Lines

[Oscar46016]

So, I'm embarking on an all-line later this year and was thinking about what I wanted to cover off - a few suggestions I have are below, but I was wondering if anyone has anything else they think might be worth covering....

• GWR Sleeper
• Caledonian Sleeper
• TfW 67's Marches Line
• Chiltern 68's
• GWR HST
• ScotRail HST
• East Coast 91's
• Settle & Carlisle
• West Highland Line
• Far North Line

 

[bspahh]

So, I'm embarking on an all-line later this year and was thinking about what I wanted to cover off - a few suggestions I have are below, but I was wondering if anyone has anything else they think might be worth covering....

• GWR Sleeper
• Caledonian Sleeper
• TfW 67's Marches Line
• Chiltern 68's
• GWR HST
• ScotRail HST
• East Coast 91's
• Settle & Carlisle
• West Highland Line
• Far North Line

I would try a 3 car class 755 on electric power where there is a 100mph speed limit, for the acceleration (0-100 mph in 69 seconds according to https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-regional-trains.148431/page-215#post-4737442)

A good place for that would be southbound from Stowmarket on a train from Cambridge or Peterborough to Ipswich.

 

[Oscar46016]

I would try a 3 car class 755 on electric power where there is a 100mph speed limit, for the acceleration (0-100 mph in 69 seconds according to https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-regional-trains.148431/page-215#post-4737442)

A good place for that would be southbound from Stowmarket on a train from Cambridge or Peterborough to Ipswich.

oooh, that sounds like fun!

We have ths 756's in south wales but they would not be as fast as that!

 

[Mainliner]

Perhaps include Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, and the Heart of Wales line, if you can fit them in.

Frim Kyle of Lochalsh, you can, of course, take a bus over to Skye, then another bus down to Armadale on Skye and take the short ferry trip across to Mallaig, to start on the West Highland line.

 

[Falcon1200]

While in Scotland a short but interesting trip is along the Gourock or Wemyss Bay lines, where the railway runs alongside the Clyde for some distance. It is also possible to travel out on one route and back on the other, there are buses between the termini.

 

[Oscar46016]

Perhaps include Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, and the Heart of Wales line, if you can fit them in.

Frim Kyle of Lochalsh, you can, of course, take a bus over to Skye, then another bus down to Armadale on Skye and take the short ferry trip across to Mallaig, to start on the West Highland line.

Yes, done this in the past - that's on my plan!

 

[Oscar46016]

While in Scotland a short but interesting trip is along the Gourock or Wemyss Bay lines, where the railway runs alongside the Clyde for some distance. It is also possible to travel out on one route and back on the other, there are buses between the termini.

Hi, yes that sounds and looks like a good idea - love the user name by the way! one of my faves from Ebbw Jct

 

[Bevan Price]

So, I'm embarking on an all-line later this year and was thinking about what I wanted to cover off - a few suggestions I have are below, but I was wondering if anyone has anything else they think might be worth covering....

• GWR Sleeper
• Caledonian Sleeper
• TfW 67's Marches Line
• Chiltern 68's
• GWR HST
• ScotRail HST
• East Coast 91's
• Settle & Carlisle
• West Highland Line
• Far North Line

You will probably need a 2 week rover to cover all of the above.
For the Far North Line, I would suggest getting a Bed & Breakfast or Hotel in Inverness for at least one night. That would enable you to do both Wick & Kyle. You will not get the best benefit of seeing the scenery if you try successive nights on the Caledonian Sleeper (especially if you use the "non-sleeping" coaches. )

While it will cost extra, there are bus services between Inverness & Fort William to get to/from the West Highland Line, if you want to take that option. (Currently 5 buses per day on weekdays, 3 on Sindays, journey time 125 minutes. See :
https://bustimes.org/services/919-inverness-fort-william?calendar=7274722 for details. )

Going north to Inverness, it is worth going one way via the Highland Main line, and returning via Aberdeen. If you have not done it before, the Cumbrian Coast line (Lancaster / Barrow / Carlisle) is also worth a trip.

 

[Harpo]

Oddities can be worth a look too.
2x 387s do 0712 Paddington - Cardiff & 0949 return
3x 745s regularly work to London on the diagram starting 0730 ex-Norwich.

 

[Horseman]

Stranraer