Greatest Travel Distances by Train

[Super Sprinter]

I do not believe that there is a thread on this particular subject, I will probably be proved wrong in due course.

I was wondering what is the greatest distance possible to travel by train without having to change in both the UK and the world. You could also apply this question to different classes, what is the maximum journey time that you could get from a 142 pacer for example.

My own personal maximum journey time is only around 2.5 hours, but I believe over 10 hours is possible on an XC or sleeper service?

I would be interested in hearing peoples views on this and also what your own maximum journey time is via one train??

 

[MidnightFlyer]

For the UK, there is a daily Voyager-operated Aberdeen-Penzance train via Kirkcaldy and Leeds run by XC.

For me, I think the longest I've done is Kings Cross-Inverness on the Chieftain, on a Sunday when EC were still good in First.

 

[Super Sprinter]

Did there use to be any longer services back in the BR days? I believe that many more sleeper services were in existence back then?

I happened to notice Berwick - Penzance on XC. Was listed as £58 one way on a rail card (over ten hours) and that was in first class. I believe that XC first class experience is not up to much though? Still a lot of train time for the money.

 

[Greenback]

Did there use to be any longer services back in the BR days? I believe that many more sleeper services were in existence back then?

I happened to notice Berwick - Penzance on XC. Was listed as £58 one way on a rail card (over ten hours) and that was in first class. I believe that XC first class experience is not up to much though? Still a lot of train time for the money.

XC's first class may not be up to much, but it is far better than standard class!

 

[DarloRich]

XC's first class may not be up to much, but it is far better than standard class!

agreed can you imagine Inverness-Penzance on a Voyager! :cry::cry:

 

[gordonthemoron]

You can do Moscow-Nice, Moscow-Vladivostock & Moscow-Peking

 

[northwichcat]

what is the maximum journey time that you could get from a 142 pacer for example.

Monday - Saturday it's Middlesbrough-Carlisle which is just under 3 hours.

Sunday it's Southport-Chester via Stockport at around 2hr40.

 

[142094]

Monday - Saturday it's Middlesbrough-Carlisle which is just under 3 hours.

Unfortunetly that hasn't run since the May timetable changes - now split into Middlesbrough - Newcastle and Newcastle - Carlisle workings. Used to be 3 hours on the dot as well.

 

[Yew]

Isn't there a pacer that goes Lincoln - Sheffield - Leeds-cleethorpes?

 

[northwichcat]

Unfortunetly that hasn't run since the May timetable changes - now split into Middlesbrough - Newcastle and Newcastle - Carlisle workings. Used to be 3 hours on the dot as well.

I don't know for certain if they are Pacer operated but there's still an afternoon working in each direction.

15:26 Carlisle-Middlesbrough
16:32 Middlesbrough-Carlisle

 

[tony_mac]

I'm pretty sure I've been on a pacer on the Cumbrian coast.

 

[schwa]

agreed can you imagine Inverness-Penzance on a Voyager! :cry::cry:

I wouldn't want to sit on a train for that long at all, regardless of type.

 

[STN commuter]

I've done Edmonton to Toronto on the ViaRail Canadian, a 3,221 km three days and nights journey - same train, no changes except seven crew changes

 

[Super Sprinter]

I've done Edmonton to Toronto on the ViaRail Canadian, a 3,221 km three days and nights journey - same train, no changes except seven crew changes

Wow!

Can you imagine doing that on a 142

How does it compare to our sleepers?

 

[tony_mac]

I did Winnipeg to Toronto in seated accommodation.

I wouldn't recommend it! Although there is a scenic 'dome' car thing, and the restaurant car did resonable meals.

 

[185]

14 hours on Trondheim-Bodø.

Ran a reindeer over somewhere I think

 

[Super Sprinter]

I did Winnipeg to Toronto in seated accommodation.

I wouldn't recommend it! Although there is a scenic 'dome' car thing, and the restaurant car did resonable meals.

Bet you got quite a numb bottom!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

14 hours on Trondheim-Bodø.

Ran a reindeer over somewhere I think

Suicide?

 

[Greenback]

14 hours on Trondheim-Bodø.

Ran a reindeer over somewhere I think

I'd love to do that run!

The lobgest I've emanaged is 'The Empire Builder' - leaving Chicago on a Friday afternoon to Sunday morning arriving in Seattle, which can't compare to the Canadina trips mentioned above!

 

[142094]

I don't know for certain if they are Pacer operated but there's still an afternoon working in each direction.

15:26 Carlisle-Middlesbrough
16:32 Middlesbrough-Carlisle

So there is, never noticed them. Sounds like a plan for a day off, that is if it is a 142.

Any idea if this is new (brought in through the May timetable change)?

 

[Super Sprinter]

So there is, never noticed them. Sounds like a plan for a day off, that is if it is a 142.

Any idea if this is new (brought in through the May timetable change)?

Not too sure.

Would certainly be a good little trip though, certainly one to consider.

 

[starrymarkb]

Moscow to Pyongyang is the longest direct coach in the world... (it is shunted a bit between trains) Distance is 10,214 km. (6,346 miles) and the journey takes about 8 days, all but the Border is electrified. Oh and good luck trying it, the Koreans had a fit when some Austrians did it (though they kicked off more at the Tour Agency/Embassy and left the actual tourists alone)

http://vienna-pyongyang.blogspot.com/

 

[Super Sprinter]

Moscow to Pyongyang is the longest direct coach in the world... (it is shunted a bit between trains) Distance is 10,214 km. (6,346 miles) and the journey takes about 8 days, all but the Border is electrified. Oh and good luck trying it

http://vienna-pyongyang.blogspot.com/

I don't think I will be booking North Korea as my next holiday destiantion

I wonder what there rail system is liked, I suspect it is not privatised?

 

[142094]

Not too sure.

Would certainly be a good little trip though, certainly one to consider.

Did the old 06.56 142 from Middlesbrough to Carlisle a few times when it was strill running, although normally meant an early start and a race up/down the A19 in the car.

 

[Super Sprinter]

Did the old 06.56 142 from Middlesbrough to Carlisle a few times when it was strill running, although normally meant an early start and a race up/down the A19 in the car.

Longest I have done on a 142 is only 1hr 20min. I suppose that is not too bad, but would like to do a little bit more.

 

[142094]

If thoe two in the afternoon are 142s then it will more than likely be the longest distance and/or duration you could do on a Pacer than I know of.

 

[Super Sprinter]

If thoe two in the afternoon are 142s then it will more than likely be the longest distance and/or duration you could do on a Pacer than I know of.

Did they use to run longer routes in the early days?

 

[Liam]

Longest run on a 170, 1527 SuO Inverness-Aberdeen-Glasgow? 5 hours 4 minutes.

 

[142094]

Did they use to run longer routes in the early days?

More than likely have been on a few long trips, although hard to tell if they were as long as this. Some have been reported on the York - Blackpool North train but this is about the same duration (not sure of the distance).

 

[trickyvegas]

I'd love to do that run!

The lobgest I've emanaged is 'The Empire Builder' - leaving Chicago on a Friday afternoon to Sunday morning arriving in Seattle, which can't compare to the Canadina trips mentioned above!

I've done the Minneapolis - Chicago leg of that train, fantastic wak to travel. I would say the seating was on a par with a good long haul airline, checked baggage through to my ultimate destination of Toronto (Changes at Chicago & Buffalo) and nice viewing car with bar.

 

[Spaceflower]

I don't know for certain if they are Pacer operated but there's still an afternoon working in each direction.

15:26 Carlisle-Middlesbrough
16:32 Middlesbrough-Carlisle

I'm fairly sure this service would be operated by a class 156, and many of the Middlesbrough-Carlisle trains in the past were operated by class 156's.