City skylines from trains

[Zoe]

When I'm on a train I like to observe the approaching skyline of a city. The best example I can think of this is approaching Bristol from the West on the GWML. After you emerge from the cutting beyond Flax Bourton tunnel you can look out of the left hand window and see the skyscrapers in the distance.

Does anyone know of any other cities where there are good views of the skyline from a train. I have heard the Coventry skyline is visible from the Trent Valley but I've never been on that section of line so haven't seen it.

 

[mumrar]

You can see the skyline of Birmingham best when you approach from Tyseley

 

[At_traction]

Durham. ("Brilliaaaaaant!!!" to paraphrase The Fast Show)
Dundee?

 

[Greenback]

Durham is brilliant - it's Mrs G's favourite view apart from Dawlsih Warren!

I'm obviously biased, but I've always loved the view from Landore Viaduct as you look down the Swansea Valley towards the sea. The football and rugby stadium adds mor einterest these days, but the adjoining retail park has spoilt it a bit.

 

[LE Greys]

You can get some nice views of London when coming in from the south. The LC&DR route coming in from Wandsworth Road through Battersea Park to Victoria is pretty good (r/h side in up direction). As is the LSWR route through Vauxhall to Waterloo - interrupted by buildings, but l/h side gives good-ish views over the river to Westminster, etc (plus the spies' home at Vauxhall Cross). However, the best is probably the northern side of the route in from Lewisham to Charing Cross, looking over the Thames to see the Docklands, Tower Bridge, the City, St Paul's, etc, then crossing the river for the view along it (Westminster one side, City the other).

 

[Green Lane]

You can see the skyline of Birmingham best when you approach from Tyseley

Indeed. I did exactly that yesterday, you do get a good panoramic view of the city from that angle.

I like seeing the high-rise flats of Glasgow on approaching from the WCML. Makes you realise how big the city really is.

Bristol, approaching from Stapleton Road/Lawrence Hill you get to see all of the allotments on the side of the hill. I was a student there until 1994, but when I went back for the first time in 16 years, earlier this year, I realised I couldn't remember anything about the landmarks at all, it was like I'd never been there before. Didn't recognise the skyline in the slightest, which was a bit wierd.

 

[CarterUSM]

You get not a bad view of Edinburgh from after midcalder junction though i believe it is better from the other side of the Forth on the coast.

 

[Green Lane]

Not a city (sorry), but Blackpool is interesting because you see the tower on your left (Going towards Blackpool North) and you notice that you are actually going past it rather than towards it and then back round in a curve again.

As most know, this is because apparently the old direct "express" route to Blackpool Central was tarmaced over and made into a road.

But sitting there, I was thinking to myself - I bet on that older quicker route, the only person likely to see the tower would've been the driver, not the passengers!

 

[Zoe]

Bristol, approaching from Stapleton Road/Lawrence Hill you get to see all of the allotments on the side of the hill. I was a student there until 1994, but when I went back for the first time in 16 years, earlier this year, I realised I couldn't remember anything about the landmarks at all, it was like I'd never been there before. Didn't recognise the skyline in the slightest, which was a bit wierd.

I'm thinking more of seeing the skyline of the city in the distance before you are actually in the city. The only example of this I can think of as Bristol from the GWML West. Can anyone confirm if the Coventry skyline is visible from the Trent Valley?

 

[Green Lane]

I'm thinking more of seeing the skyline of the city in the distance before you are actually in the city. The only example of this I can think of as Bristol from the GWML West. Can anyone confirm if the Coventry skyline is visible from the Trent Valley?

According to Google Earth, the Trent Valley Line passes within 5.5 miles of the centre of Coventry and within 2 miles of its northeastern fringes, so it must be visible, I'd say.

I've travelled on the Trent Valley Line quite a few times this year, I guess I never noticed it because I'm not too familiar with the skyline of Coventry, and for some reason I've been sitting far more often on the side of the train which looks out eastwards.

As you say though hopefully someone can confirm it, as according to the map it looks like you couldn't really miss it, unless that stretch of line was in a cutting or something!

Certainly next time I'm on that stretch, I'll look out for it.

 

[jamesontheroad]

I like seeing the high-rise flats of Glasgow on approaching from the WCML. Makes you realise how big the city really is.

Personally it always reminds me what a ****hole it is (must be because I'm English )

I suppose Ely must be a city, because of it's cathedral status, and it has some stunning views as you approach it, although I can't recall the best direction / line to view, as it's such a busy junction.

Overseas, sadly New York City is mostly approached through tunnels, so there is precious little chance to see its skyline. Chicago has an impressive approach from the south or east; heading eastbound over the Rockies you can get a great view of Denver as you descend towards the city on the California Zephyr.

The best in North America has to be my old home of Montréal. After a month long rail trip around the USA and Canada, it greeted me with a stunning summer's evening sunset as we rolled slowly across the St. Laurent River towards the Gare Centrale... the port, the skyscrapers and the densely wooded hilltops of the 'montagne' (capped with a neon crucifix of course!) all come together beautifully.

 

[142094]

Newcastle is good coming over the bridges. One of the best (and cheapest) is the viaduct from Byker to Manors, which has a great sweeping view. Sometimes I wish the Metro would get held at a red for a few minutes to savour it, unfortunately it is too punctual to do this normally!

 

[starrymarkb]

You get a good view of Exeter as you approach from the South

 

[Zoe]

You get a good view of Exeter as you approach from the South

You do indeed, the university physics building stands out as Exeter is quite a low rise city.

 

[matt]

I'm thinking more of seeing the skyline of the city in the distance before you are actually in the city. The only example of this I can think of as Bristol from the GWML West. Can anyone confirm if the Coventry skyline is visible from the Trent Valley?

Yes. When you pass alongside the oxford canal at Shilton (about half way between Rugby and Nuneaton) you can see Coventry.

 

[Spaceflower]

Hartlepool when approaching from the north (not a city but a good view all the same). Although it is a pretty uninspiring place.
Same on the south side of Seaham and Chester-le-street too!

Cities.....Durham and Newcastle are the onlt two I can think of.

 

[scotsman]

Arriving into Edinburgh from Fife/Glasgow is good, Murrayfield Stadium, Haymarket Depot, Haymarket, Princes St Gardens & the Castle!

Arriving into Glasgow on the E&G is just depressing though.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There are excellent views of London from the route through Peckam Rye / Nunhead and also from between Willesden Jct high level and Acton.

 

[Drsatan]

When traveling from Fareham to Portsmouth Harbour, look to your right as the train approaches Porchester station and you'll be able to see Portsmouth itself. Look out for the Spinnaker tower in particular.

 

[Welshman]

There are two lovely city landscapes on the EC main line - both from the right hand side of the train going towards Leeds. Firstly that of Wakefield as you keep on the main line to Westgate through Hare Park Junction, and secondly that of Leeds itself as you descend from Ardsley, and Elland Rd football ground, the M621 and the city of Leeds open up before you before you curve round to Holbeck.

 

[At_traction]

Overseas, sadly New York City is mostly approached through tunnels, so there is precious little chance to see its skyline.

The thread was about approach with-out the city to with-in, but as many Manhattanites wouldn't consider Queens or Brooklyn as The City itself, might the elevated subway there be eligible? Great views allover.

 

[LE Greys]

The thread was about approach with-out the city to with-in, but as many Manhattanites wouldn't consider Queens or Brooklyn as The City itself, might the elevated subway there be eligible? Great views allover.

There is quite a good view on the way into Penn Station from the east, through Queens and over Hell Gate Bridge (I think). The line is elevated, and you can see right over the river to Manhattan. I may have the names wrong, but I remember going along there and seeing the Empire State Building towering over everything else (a much better view than from the city).

 

[Nightrider]

The thread was about approach with-out the city to with-in, but as many Manhattanites wouldn't consider Queens or Brooklyn as The City itself, might the elevated subway there be eligible? Great views allover.

Coming from Boston, crossing the railway bridge from Bronx to Queens before you reach the tunnels for Penn Station is up there in the Premiership of views.

 

[starrymarkb]

Truro is a great approach from the East

 

[Zoe]

Truro is a great approach from the East

I was just about to say, excellent view from Kenwyn viaduct on the GWML.

 

[Bedpan]

You get a good distant view of St Albans Cathedral (looking ahead out of the window on the left hand side of the train) a couple of miles or so out, around the M25 bridge and as you go past the old Radlett airfield AFAICR. Its particularly good at night, when the cathedral's illuminated.
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Also Inverness isn't bad, as you come down the hill from Cullodan. I can't remember how much of the city you can see, but there's a good view of the Kessock Bridge.

 

[route101]

Has to be Glasgow coming along the WCML to Glasgow Central with all the buildings and what not
On the other hand the approach to Glasgow Queen st you hardly see anything you come in fast from Lenzie and into the tunnel.
Manchester Picc approaching from the West is special too

 

[Peter Mugridge]

A more recent one, coming in towards London on HS1, between the Thames Tunnel and diving in to the mole hole at Dagenham there is a reasonably good view of the silhouette of the skyscrapers in Docklands, but you do need to be looking in the right direction.

 

[bse35]

if bury st edmunds is a city you get as good view of the cathedral as you enter from the east.

 

[mickey]

Manchester Picc approaching from the West is special too

I'd second that - especially for the Irlam/Warrington branch. You don't see the whole city but the constant stream of lovely things make it a great journey to make.