Impressive bits of line

[Bittern]

Oh so I've already been there. XD

 

[fgwrich]

For me its the whole of the Great Western Mainline from Exeter to Penzance, though i do also love the reading to paddington stretch aswell...All the Great Scenic Railways of Devon and cornwall, just for there sheer beuty and individuality...

Basingstoke to Reading, As odd as it sounds, its actually quite a nice route especially on a sunny day - but only in a 165...really dosent look as good in a voyager:roll:

And Somewhere that no-ones mentiond...

Northern Ireland & Ireland...

NIR run in the uk, so the best branches on there is the Bangor line, The Derry lines just as interesting for scenery..And the Larne lines not to bad either...Runs alongside the river & coast for quite a distence, then heads up on the hills and into the suburbs of belfast...

Irish Rail - Rosslare to Dublin, And the Enterprise between Dublin Connolly & Belfast Central - when it runs faultlessly:roll:

 

[Drsatan]

The line along the the left bank of the Rhine has got to be a favourite even though I've only travelled on it once. I went on the EC7 service from Cologne to Chur, formed of a DB 101 and about 7-8 SBB international coaches. As the train leaves Cologne Hbf you glimpse lots of industry on either side of the coach: steel works, lignite mines, power stations etc. It's a bit like the West Midlands or Sheffield prior to the 1980s. Then the line reaches the left bank of the Rhine. If you're lucky enough to sit on the left hand side of the train, be prepared for some awsome vistas of the Rhine. You'll be able to see castles, meanders in the Rhine and so forth.

There are several lines in Switzerland I can recommend including:

Basel-Zurich. Not the most scenically interesting but the initial 5-10 minutes from Basel is unusual since the line climbs quite steeply. Believe it or not, the train even carries on accelerating such is the drawbar HP produced by the SBB loco. (Again, this was on the EC7, but the DB 101 had been replaced at Basel by a SBB Re420 due to the change in direction and different power supply)

The Bernina Express (train that runs from Chur-St Moritz-Tirano). On the Albula line the train hugs the mountainside, ascends/descends a few spiral loops and passes over the 65m high Landwasser viaduct. The Bernina Pass section, on the day I travelled over it, was quite ethereal when the train passed over a plateau without much vegetation because of the fog!

The Glacier Express: it's one of the top 10 railway journeys in the world. No further words are really necessary

Chur - Klosters: Although the line carriers on to Davos Platz I only had time to travel as far as Klosters. Although the line is less scenically interesting than the Albula line since it travels along the floor of a valley, the train picks up speed remarkably quickly which I found quite exciting. Also despite the lack of tilting ability, the train hit some reverse curves at pretty high speed.

Closer to home;

Epsom - Waterloo, especially from Motspur Park onwards. When I was a kid staying at my grandmas in Ewell, I used to do this journey a lot. Back then I loved it although I do find it a lot less exciting now. Basically, I loved the hum of the traction motors of the 455 as it left Motspur Park. Next the train would pass under the SWML at Raynes Park (If I was lucky I'd see a train on it) and ascend the 1-in-25 to the Epsom line platforms at Raynes Park. Then the driver would open up the throttle to Wimbledon, on the right hand side of the train I'd see a 421/423 or 442. Adding even more variety I might see a 319 on a Sutton loop service before the train plunged under the office block over the tracks before stopping at Wimbledon. I'd be really excited if I saw a C or D stock train in the LU platforms before the train left and hit 60 over the flyover past Wimbledon depot.

The St Ives branch line. Definitely one of the most scenic lines in the country.

 

[Waddon]

The Ffestiniog is a great line too, I love the way there is only just enough space for the train to squeeze through, and it seems to hurtle along above those narrow slate embankments... plus the upper end is still quite industrial and authentic. The Welsh Highland is also very scenic in places, but I have to admit that, although I was greatly looking forward to riding it, I came away with the feeling of having been on a fairground attraction rather than a rail journey. Maybe it will gain some more character when it has bedded in a bit?

 

[Mike Redding]

The section of the Cumbrian Coast between Whitehaven and Harrington (just outside Workington) is pretty impressive, runs right on the edge of the coast at slow speed, when i was going to Carlisle about a month ago i could see the south coast of scotland, then turn a corner and you can see the Isle of Man in the distance to the south.

Also, The section between Penrith and Oxenholme in a Pendo, twisting and turning around the mountains, crossing the M6 a few times, and the Scenery?! Well, I don't think i need to say any more.

 

[Aictos]

The Far North Line (Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh), on an FSR 158.
Great train, great route, with amazing scenery. I think I'd say I prefer it over the WHL.

Uh, the Far North line also consists of Inverness to Wick/Thurso via Georgemas Junction but yes I do see your point and yes I do agree with it 110%!!!

 

[90019]

Uh, the Far North line also consists of Inverness to Wick/Thurso via Georgemas Junction but yes I do see your point and yes I do agree with it 110%!!!

I know, I got it mixed up with the Kyle line, which is the one I meant.

 

[Moodster020]

The Cambrian Coast. Like to go on a few more railtours down that route, but not many (if any) are around now.

 

[jay jay]

For me, it has to be the WHL or the Kyle line. The WCML between Oxenholme and Carstairs is not too far behind those two.