Best bits of First Great Western

[Simon11]

I'm abit bored, so thinking of spending the day on First Great Western network tomorrow and since I work for First Group, it won't cost anything.

I will be starting from Paddington and wanting to travel on the most scenic lines/ stop off in interesting towns arriving back at Paddington.

My initial idea is to travel to the South West like Plymouth (Rather than Bristol/ Cotsworld area) however I don't really have a clue Thinking it would be nice to see the Dawlish Sea Wall. However is this too far? 3-4hr train ride


What would your plan be? It would be nice to have a few interesting things to see, then catch the next train to wherever it is going I'd be looking for the round trip to be around 8-10 hours

To make best use, it means getting up early to make best use of the daylight.

Thanks

 

[wintonian]

Is the sleeper running tomorrow? If so you could go down to Penzance and work you way back up visiting the Tarka Line on the way.

Sent from my HTC Desire S

 

[wintonian]

Or looking at the time now do it the other way round.

Sent from my HTC Desire S

 

[Aictos]

With some careful planning, it is possible to travel Paddington to Exeter St David's then visit the local branch lines such as Exemouth, Barnstaple and Paignton - the Dawlish Seawall has to be seen to be believed to appreciate the engineering on that part of the route.

 

[Flamingo]

Kemble line to Gloucester, then catch a XC to Newport (£11.70) down the Lydney line, a Portsmouth Harbour to Westbury (through Bristol and down Trowbridge), then HST back to PAD.

 

[route:oxford]

All depends on what you really want to do.

You could take a ocal service to Marlow via Maidenhead & Bourne End.

Take a good festive walk along the Thames from Marlow to Henley on Thames, train from Henley to Twyford then local service to Reading...

Then take whichever down fast train that arrives first, then head back up when you've seen enough.

 

[tsr]

The North Downs Line between Guildford and Reigate is quite nice on a sunny day, but sadly it's very grey/dull/overcast in the area at the moment. Sunset round here can be wonderful with mist on the fields under the downs, little rural villages basking in the light and deer wandering about. A round trip would take a chunk out of your day once you've got there, though, and you might need to use SWT to/from Guildford if you, like me, find the section between Guildford and Reading a bit dreary in places.

 

[starrymarkb]

The Exmouth Line is great for views too! Plus you could do it in about an hour for a round trip (with trains every 30 mins - Exmouth town is grim though)

 

[Mojo]

The Severn Beach Line was rated as one of the most interesting rail routes in Europe by Thomas Cook. It is a very interesting line through the beautiful city of Bristol, travelling through urban areas, alongside the Avon then up alongside the Severn with bridge views.

http://www.severnbeachline.org

 

[anthony263]

The Severn Beach Line was rated as one of the most interesting rail routes in Europe by Thomas Cook. It is a very interesting line through the beautiful city of Bristol, travelling through urban areas, alongside the Avon then up alongside the Severn with bridge views.

http://www.severnbeachline.org

I certainly reconmend a trip on the Severn beahc line as the line from Gloucester to Severn Tunel Jct is good to.

 

[Essexman]

Personally I'd get train to Exeter, do Exmouth branch, then on to Cornwall to do Looe & St Ives, then get the sleeper back.

To answer your question though - Best bit of First Great Western - The Travelling Chef.

 

[richw]

best bit of FGW to me is the friendly staff. always seem to be in a happy cheerful mood, or at least between Falmouth and Truro they do!

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Paddington - Penzance. 1st part Views of Kennet & Avon Canal
Sit on left hand side. (Return rhs) After Exeter the line follows the Exe river, then the spectacular coastal line past Dawlish. After Teignmouth the line follows river the Teign inland to Newton Abbot. After plymouth you have the spectacular Royal Albert bridge. The line then follows the Tamar river. The old course of the railway continued at a lower level which parts can be seen. The 'new' line gains height and then thro' Shillingham tunnel.
After Liskeard park your bum on the right for a while. From the Moorwater viaduct you can see the Looe line meandering all over the place and Coombe junction under the viaduct. Shortly after two huge Viaducts at Largin (Single track) Trago Mills below the first. Bodmin Road - Lostwithiel follow river Fowey Sit LHS. Par - St Austell glimpse of the sea on Golf course. Long Rock - Penzance follow the sea - St Michaels Mount.
St Erth - St Ives branch . Great sea views.
Enjoy!

 

[tsr]

After Liskeard park your bum on the right for a while. From the Moorwater viaduct you can see the Looe line meandering all over the place and Coombe junction under the viaduct.
Enjoy!

Bonus marks if you actually manage to change onto a train that calls at Coombe Junction Halt (or Coombe Valley Junction or whatever it's called now). You can always walk back to Liskeard after the fun and games are over.

 

[Oliver]

Bonus marks if you actually manage to change onto a train that calls at Coombe Junction Halt (or Coombe Valley Junction or whatever it's called now). You can always walk back to Liskeard after the fun and games are over.

A couple of years ago I got off a train at Coombe Jcn and walked up to Liskeard station (about a mile). The guard told me I was the first person she'd ever seen get off there!

 

[tsr]

A couple of years ago I got off a train at Coombe Jcn and walked up to Liskeard station (about a mile). The guard told me I was the first person she'd ever seen get off there!

My point entirely.

 

[thehstman]

Exeter-Paignton line