Most underrated scenic rail lines

[anti-pacer]

In an odd kind of way, Southport-Wigan is kind of scenic.

I remember the first time I did that line. It was early evening on 4th April 1995 (it was my ex's birthday). The sun was shining and the very flat countryside looked kind of glowing, and then the wooded hills around Parbold give it a different light.

 

[J-2739]

+1 for Hope Valley, you get some good views, especially when standing...

The only bad thing about it is when they put their stupid Pacers or square boxes on the route. Mich prefer the EMT Sprinters.

Oh, and staring into people's dirty heads is not a good view, thank you very much!

 

[Howardh]

For 10 minutes the journey from Bolton to Blackburn is just gorgeous, from Bromley Cross to the tunnel. You wouldn't think just minutes ago you were in the depressing void that is Bolton, especially if you have travelled in from Salford Crescent!

 

[ld0595]

I quite enjoy the line between Aberdeen and Edinburgh - lots of nice coastal views between Aberdeen and Stonehaven, Carnoustie and the Tay Bridge, Kirkcaldy to South Queensferry etc. I particularly enjoy the Fife coast on a good day.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Darlington to Saltburn?

 

[dosxuk]

Ely - March

 

[anti-pacer]

For 10 minutes the journey from Bolton to Blackburn is just gorgeous, from Bromley Cross to the tunnel. You wouldn't think just minutes ago you were in the depressing void that is Bolton, especially if you have travelled in from Salford Crescent!

Totally agree. Back in 2000/1 I used to look after my parent's house in Darwen when they were on holiday. I lived at the time in Salford, near Blackfriars Road, and worked in Stretford. My commute to and from work was obviously a lot longer when I was in Darwen, as it normally started or ended at Victoria station for the Metrolink.

On the way back to Darwen I used to look out for where I lived in Salford, then promptly read the Manchester Evening News until Bromley Cross. From there I looked out of the window over the reservoirs and moors, and after the tunnel I made my way towards the doors.

I also love Entwistle and its lovely pub, The Strawbury Duck (yes, I have spelt that right).

 

[anti-pacer]

Ely - March

Very boring landscape to some, but I find it fascinating. The arrow straight roads running next to the dykes, villages separated by a dyke running through the middle, and big wide skies.

 

[Master29]

I always thought the Fort William to Maillag journey. On a good day every bit as good as any Canadian or Swiss journey, especially in winter, and you don`t have to spend silly prices on a steam train. A sprinter is all it takes and a bloody lot cheaper too.

 

[cf111]

I quite enjoy the line between Aberdeen and Edinburgh - lots of nice coastal views between Aberdeen and Stonehaven, Carnoustie and the Tay Bridge, Kirkcaldy to South Queensferry etc. I particularly enjoy the Fife coast on a good day.

Yes, I was going to suggest the stretch between Aberdeen and Arbroath, I particularly enjoy tearing along the cliffs near Stonehaven and some of the station platforms are also quite pretty.

The scenery between Elgin and Insch is very nice but it's rarely mentioned.

 

[Master29]

Very boring landscape to some, but I find it fascinating. The arrow straight roads running next to the dykes, villages separated by a dyke running through the middle, and big wide skies.

It is quite nice but flatter than witches boobs.

 

[gg1]

Not everyone's idea of scenic I know but I've always liked the view when travelling on the elevated sections of the DLR.

 

[PeterY]

Not everyone's idea of scenic I know but I've always liked the view when travelling on the elevated sections of the DLR.

In a strange way I also find the DLR fascinating especially from the drivers seat. Very futureistic.

Also The Metropolitain line north from Rickmansworth especially the part from Chalfont & Latimer to Chesham, despite it only taking a few minutes.

 

[Parallel]

Bath Spa to Westbury is good, if you just close your eyes whilst the train enters, stops and leaves Trowbridge. It is especially enjoyable between Bathampton Junction and Bradford Junction as the line skirts the river Avon.

Westbury to Weymouth is also good. The Maritime line (Truro to Falmouth) is also quite good and doesn't get mentioned often.

 

[Bletchleyite]

North Wales Coast Line, it doesn't get half the credit it deserves.

Particularly at sunrise/sunset.

 

[Bletchleyite]

In an odd kind of way, Southport-Wigan is kind of scenic.

I remember the first time I did that line. It was early evening on 4th April 1995 (it was my ex's birthday). The sun was shining and the very flat countryside looked kind of glowing, and then the wooded hills around Parbold give it a different light.

It does have some very interesting mixed landscapes, including the crossing of three modes of transport (canal, railway and motorway) at Appley Bridge.

You're making me miss my former home in the North West now

Mind you the Marston Vale isn't *un*scenic, and as I said the south WCML is surprisingly nice, in an olde Englishe rollinge hilles sense. Actually, the whole WCML basically tells the story of the UK, having most of the types of scenery you can have in the UK, and Shap is stunning. I even enjoyed the Edinburgh-Carlisle buses when the bridge was out.

 

[anti-pacer]

It does have some very interesting mixed landscapes, including the crossing of three modes of transport (canal, railway and motorway) at Appley Bridge.

You're making me miss my former home in the North West now

Mind you the Marston Vale isn't *un*scenic, and as I said the south WCML is surprisingly nice, in an olde Englishe rollinge hilles sense. Actually, the whole WCML basically tells the story of the UK, having most of the types of scenery you can have in the UK, and Shap is stunning. I even enjoyed the Edinburgh-Carlisle buses when the bridge was out.

I do like the section of the WCML between Tring and King's Langley, especially around Berkhamsted. Another section I like is between Rugeley and Stafford.

 

[Gathursty]

It does have some very interesting mixed landscapes, including the crossing of three modes of transport (canal, railway and motorway) at Gathurst.

The convergence you describe is only 300m from Gathurst station. I find the three layers interesting in how they tell the story of the Industrial Revolution in order from the canal, to the railway, to the roads.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

It does have some very interesting mixed landscapes, including the crossing of three modes of transport (canal, railway and motorway) at Appley Bridge.

You're making me miss my former home in the North West now

Mind you the Marston Vale isn't *un*scenic, and as I said the south WCML is surprisingly nice, in an olde Englishe rollinge hilles sense. Actually, the whole WCML basically tells the story of the UK, having most of the types of scenery you can have in the UK, and Shap is stunning. I even enjoyed the Edinburgh-Carlisle buses when the bridge was out.

Did Southport - Manchester via Wigan last Autumn - has a sort of Dutch feel about it with highly intensive farming and what looks like very fertile soil. (but unlike Holland , attractive stone built stations.

 

[anti-pacer]

The section of line around Frodsham and Helsby is scenic, if you look to the left in direction of travel westbound. That said, the Stanlow oil refinery does offer some beauty, especially at night.

Some of the Borderlands line is nice too. It certainly serves some prosperous places.... and Shotton!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Did Southport - Manchester via Wigan last Autumn - has a sort of Dutch feel about it with highly intensive farming and what looks like very fertile soil. (but unlike Holland , attractive stone built stations.

Yeah, the West Lancashire plain (once under the sea) is flat as a pancake and does as a result have a Dutch style market-garden type farming economy.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I remember going for a walk round Shotton once, having delivered my sister and her friends (when she was too young to go on her own) to the ice rink. Didn't take me long to realise that a train to Chester and back was far more sensible.

 

[anti-pacer]

I remember going for a walk round Shotton once, having delivered my sister and her friends (when she was too young to go on her own) to the ice rink. Didn't take me long to realise that a train to Chester and back was far more sensible.

I did once have a rather nice kebab there once whilst waiting for a train back to Liverpool (via Bidston).

That's my memory of Shotton.

 

[Stewart2887]

Borders railway-at least as far as Gala. Lots of wildlife to see

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Folkestone - Dover

http://www.train-photos.net/picture/show/21128/The-Warren

 

[route:oxford]

From Larbert to Perth.

Early views of Wallace Monument and the Ochils

Onward to Stirling with views of the Castle, past Stirling with further views of the Castle and Wallace Monument.

Just picking our Keir House

Start counting the number of times you cross the Allan Water

Onward to Dunblane, with a beautiful view of the Cathedral as the Allan is crossed yet again. (Longer views from the signal box onwards in autumn and winter.)

Then it's further views of the ochils from the other side, through Gleneagles and up towards Perth.

 

[gg1]

I do like the section of the WCML between Tring and King's Langley, especially around Berkhamsted.

Is that the section of the WCML where there's a ruined castle right next to line?

 

[XC90]

Fife coastal route, sharp drops and abandoned heavy industry.

Ardrossan to Largs, great views across the firth of Clyde especially sunrise and sunset.

 

[anti-pacer]

Is that the section of the WCML where there's a ruined castle right next to line?

You've got it.

 

[wls1]

The LTS beyond Benfleet is very pretty. Albeit being a seaside line with a massive fence and OHLE but other than that it is still very pretty. Also Davy Down viaduct is quite nice.