Chiltern Railways

[railfan99]

For the penultimate day in a forthcoming visit I'm deciding (when based at Crewe) either to do the GWSR at Cheltenham Spa, or Crewe-London Euston on Avanti WC, then from London Marylebone catching Chiltern Railways to Aylesbury, lunching, then to Princes Risborough and on to Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon, and then to Birmingham Moor St, walk to New St and back to Crewe, the last bit also on Avanti.

I can't recall ever having travelled ex Marylebone: what do you think of this itinerary? (My focus is on covering trackage). Aylesbury looks an attractive, historic station.

It's a weekday so the preserved short railway at Princes Ris is not operating.

I also don't believe I've ever been to Birmingham Moor Street, another historic station.

One can always leave the G & W preserved railway for another visit.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

For the penultimate day in a forthcoming visit I'm deciding (when based at Crewe) either to do the GWSR at Cheltenham Spa, or Crewe-London Euston on Avanti WC, then from London Marylebone catching Chiltern Railways to Aylesbury, lunching, then to Princes Risborough and on to Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon, and then to Birmingham Moor St, walk to New St and back to Crewe, the last bit also on Avanti.

I can't recall ever having travelled ex Marylebone: what do you think of this itinerary? (My focus is on covering trackage). Aylesbury looks an attractive, historic station.

It's a weekday so the preserved short railway at Princes Ris is not operating.

I also don't believe I've ever been to Birmingham Moor Street, another historic station.

One can always leave the G & W preserved railway for another visit.

Bit of a slow trek to Aylesbury - the station is not that impressive frankly , neither is the town - quite a nice short ride via Little Kimble to PR. (but not worth going out of the way for !) n

A better experience I think to go Marylebone - Oxford (newish track !) - but you then have the risk of a crap XC experiece - so maybe better to go Leamington Spa which has a superb art-deco station and lovingly looked after for a lunch there and maybe get to Moor St via Stratford on Avon ...

 

[railfan99]

Bit of a slow trek to Aylesbury - the station is not that impressive frankly , neither is the town - quite a nice short ride via Little Kimble to PR. (but not worth going out of the way for !) n

Helpful, though looking at Aylesbury, it has attractive canopies on platforms and what is to my eyes a beautiful station building and forecourt, plus nearby pubs such as The King's Head screaming 'English heritage'.

'Short rides' are worth going out of my way for if it means more line coverage. (I'm even going to Barton-on-Humber and Cleethorpes, or so I hope).

However I may well take your advice, as Leamington Spa (pronounced as per popular Australian 'Lamingtons', a cakey dessert) looks also good, and has pubs and restaurants nearby. Thanks.

 

[birchesgreen]

When are you coming? The line between PRR and AYS is closed until late october.

 

[railfan99]

When are you coming? The line between PRR and AYS is closed until late october.

Thank you for the advice. I didn't even think of looking up 'engineering works'. Handy to know.

September 2023. It's only a short section, and CR advises there's replacement buses. But I'll reassess and perhaps delete Aylesbury.