Most Scenic Closed railway

[Tilehog]

I regularly travel down to Carmarthen following the route of the old Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway and wonder at the wonderful scenic views as it follows the steeply sided river valley. Its sad that later generations never had the chance to experience this beautiful railway although the Gwili railway group are doing a fantastic job in trying to recover some of it. There are some great scenic railways still open like the Central Wales Line but was wondering what closed lines would now be seen as a terrific asset to the booming UK leisure industry.

 

[Gwenllian2001]

Brecon and Merthyr; Talyllyn Jc - Moat Lane Jc. Both routes were stunning.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Penrith - Keswick - Cockermouth. Lake and mountain scenery.

Aberdeen to Elgin via the coast looks good from photos.

Scarborough to Whitby?

 

[thelongestroad]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Railway_of_Vancouver_Island

 

[DXMachina]

I often walk the section of railway from Whitby to Sandsend Ness. that runs northwards along the coast from the West Cliff area of Whitby. That must have been a stunning ride.

 

[fsmr]

The GNR and LNWR joint line from John o Gaunt to Halaton via Tilton http://www.meltonmowbray.steamrailways.com/J O'Gaunt,Marefield,Tilton.htm

was an impressive line running through the rolling hills and valleys of High East Leicestershire. Impressive viaduct, Rail supplied Milk depot and steam worked narrow gauge Ironstone quarry as well as classic busy village stations Real shame it never got preserved but closed in 64
Still a great walk or drive now as I live local
I can close my eyes and still imagine the LNWR 0-8-0 http://www.railalbum.co.uk/steam-locomotives/lnwr-080-1.htm
barking up the bank to Tilton although being born in late 62, i dont remember the line other than the Belgrave road termini on the leicester branch that was kept open till the late 60s for goods off the Midland spur

Of course a close second must be the now converted cycle path trail of the old Millers Dale line , lets hope that Peak rail get their dream and trains run again over Monsal Head viaduct

 

[route:oxford]

Line from Dunblane to Crianlarich?

 

[lancastrian]

I often walk the section of railway from Whitby to Sandsend Ness. that runs northwards along the coast from the West Cliff area of Whitby. That must have been a stunning ride.

Have to agree. My wife and I have walked the Cleveland Way many times and the views are stunning. Only ever have seen the viaducts at Sandsend in pictures but would have loved to travel over them. Then the route southward from Whitby to Scarborough is also beautiful. Starting with the Larpool Viaduct and the views over Robin Hoods Bay are also good. The route all the way down through Cloughton, with its lovely cafe in the old station is also well worth the walk, again would have loved to travel it.

 

[Mr Sam]

The GNR and LNWR joint line from John o Gaunt to Halaton via Tilton http://www.meltonmowbray.steamrailways.com/J O'Gaunt,Marefield,Tilton.htm

was an impressive line running through the rolling hills and valleys of High East Leicestershire. Impressive viaduct, Rail supplied Milk depot and steam worked narrow gauge Ironstone quarry as well as classic busy village stations Real shame it never got preserved but closed in 64
Still a great walk or drive now as I live local
I can close my eyes and still imagine the LNWR 0-8-0 http://www.railalbum.co.uk/steam-locomotives/lnwr-080-1.htm
barking up the bank to Tilton although being born in late 62, i dont remember the line other than the Belgrave road termini on the leicester branch that was kept open till the late 60s for goods off the Midland spur

Of course a close second must be the now converted cycle path trail of the old Millers Dale line , lets hope that Peak rail get their dream and trains run again over Monsal Head viaduct

very local to me, been along the line countless times at the junction near tilton

 

[sprinterguy]

Line from Dunblane to Crianlarich?

I was going to say the same thing: The Callander to Chrianlarich section of the old Callander & Oban line runs through some stunning scenery, particularly across the Glen Ogle viaduct, although of course, as is the case with viaducts everywhere, the best vista of it is from the road!

 

[flymo]

I too would have liked to travel along the line from Dunblane to Crianlarich. I've driven the roads around there and found it amazingly scenic. Born a few years too late (1966) to do that one though....

 

[Liam]

The Waverley Line went through some stunning scenery, especially South of Hawick.

 

[fsmr]

very local to me, been along the line countless times at the junction near tilton

the ironstone quarry at Tilton is fascinating although little is documented about it especially the steam worked narrow gauge. I suppose at the time, it was all taken for granted. The long gone Salisbury Arms Pub at the foot of Halstead hill was the wormens pub
I remember also the dairy depot at John O Gaunt which was run by the Coop into the mid 70s after the railway closed being brought up in Knossington

 

[scarby]

Scarborough to Whitby?

Yes, I too have walked this route and actually did it in its entirity one day last year.

It's all good, but the section from Robin Hood's Bay to Ravenscar is especially special.

Quite literally I don't think a week goes by without me feeling sadness and anger over its closure.

 

[D1009]

Blaenau Ffestiniog to Bala, part of the trackbed of which was flooded by the building of Llyn Celyn reservoir. Another section of the trackbed was taken by improvements to the A4212 road, a very scenic drive, but how much better to have done it by train!

 

[yorksrob]

The Trans-Pennine route (no, not that one) that ran between Darlington and Kirby Stephen via Barnard Castle must have been quite scenic in its time.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

I vote for Neath to Brecon and Merthyr to Brecon , ......though to be fair , the services were a bit on the thin side on N&B !

( I can recall the lines to Brecon being there on a visit in 1962 at a very tender age - having made a fuss and being taken to the station , I was advised there were no trains until after our planned departure back by bus to Ammanford) - obviously there were periods of activity - followed by long tranquil sessions of calm.At the age of 4 - this logic did not apply ....

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Rhyl to Corwen...
First part was the Vale Of Clwyd Railway (Rhyl to Corwen)
Second part was the Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen Railway (Corwen to Bala Junction)

 

[sheff'd victoria]

Part of the " Woodhead " route must be in with a shout

 

[simon.exd]

I would have to say the Exe Valley line up through Bickleigh (Cadeleigh) and Tiverton.. So much of the trackbed is still there, such a beautiful route, what a perfect location for a heritage line..

 

[Requeststop]

One route I have walked many times is Wadebridge to Padstow. Along the River Camel it is truely the equal of my own St. Ives Branch.

I wonder about Chacewater to Newquay via St Agnes and Perranporth too. There must have been amazing views along that line.

In Devon I'd have thought that Brent to Kingsbridge alond the River Avon must have been a great ride.

Further up country from Hereford to Ross-on-Wye and down to Monmouth and Chepstow along the River Wye past Tintern Abbey must have been a tremdous journey for views.