Name the town...

[Capybara]

But anyone wanting to go from York or Sheffield to Pontefract or vice versa doesn't have much choice. Or who wants to go to/from Moorthorpe.

Brings back a few memories this. When I started travelling from Leeds/York to Sheffield and beyond in the early 70s, both 'express' services went via Moorthorpe. Then one day the train from Leeds took a 'detour' after Wakefield through Kirkgate and we were off on what was, to us, a strange tour through pits we had never seen before. All gone now.

 

[Ivo]

I'm going to assume that mine is too difficult...

So here it is, re-written and with a couple of extra clues thrown in.

I am part of one of the UK's twenty-five largest conurbations, as suggested by the ONS (and Wikipedia). I am one of the principal settlements of that conurbation; however, although I am in a Unitary Authority, its name is not identical to mine. Further east in the conurbation is one of Britain's busiest non-suffix stations; there are shuttles between my three-platform station and it. There is also a main-line that has a spur direct to my station, thus avoiding the major station. I am an English town south of the M62 motorway.

 

[4SRKT]

But anyone wanting to go from York or Sheffield to Pontefract or vice versa doesn't have much choice. Or who wants to go to/from Moorthorpe.

But how many such people are there? You can't provide a service for every conceivable origin/destination combination. Also, although there may be some people who want to travel from Moorthorpe, there can't be many who want to travel to that benighted place

 

[Lampshade]

I'm going to assume that mine is too difficult...

So here it is, re-written and with a couple of extra clues thrown in.

I am part of one of the UK's twenty-five largest conurbations, as suggested by the ONS (and Wikipedia). I am one of the principal settlements of that conurbation; however, although I am in a Unitary Authority, its name is not identical to mine. Further east in the conurbation is one of Britain's busiest non-suffix stations; there are shuttles between my three-platform station and it. There is also a main-line that has a spur direct to my station, thus avoiding the major station. I am an English town south of the M62 motorway.

Are you Stoke-on-Trent?

 

[Ivo]

Oh, an answer! Whoop-de-do!

...I am not. Sorry.

More clues then:

- The major station in question has at least one terminal/bay platform.
- There is at least one city in the conurbation, however the settlement in question is not it. This does not mean that it is entirely independent of the city, however.
- Besides the shuttle between this town's station and the major destination, there are other services that operate entirely within the conurbation, which start/terminate at the major station and call at this town's station.
- There is at least one tunnel or viaduct in the conurbation.

 

[142094]

For some reason I'm thinking Rochdale but don't think this is right.

 

[Capybara]

The more clues he gives, the more confusing it gets!

 

[4SRKT]

I'm getting a bit confused myself. I think it could be Hove, but I'm not sure about the 'shuttles' bit. The unitary authority clue works ('Brighton and Hove'), and if Worthing counts as being in the West Sussex coastal conurbation, then the Brighton > West Worthing services fit the bill. There's a number of tunnels and a viaduct, and an avoiding line taking trains direct to thatLondon.

One of these new pretend 'cities' like Sunderland and (LOL) Lisburn in Norn Iron, designed to make the inhabitants think they live somewhere special. Believe me, there's nothing particularly special about living in a city: I should know as I live in one which isn't excatly the most sought-after location in the country!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just when I think I might have got it right, the question setter disappears into the ether.

This post is made several hours later, but merged due to the ludicrous 'double post prevention system', as though double posts were something truly appalling to be avoided at any cost.

 

[Ivo]

I'm getting a bit confused myself. I think it could be Hove, but I'm not sure about the 'shuttles' bit. The unitary authority clue works ('Brighton and Hove'), and if Worthing counts as being in the West Sussex coastal conurbation, then the Brighton > West Worthing services fit the bill. There's a number of tunnels and a viaduct, and an avoiding line taking trains direct to thatLondon.

One of these new pretend 'cities' like Sunderland and (LOL) Lisburn in Norn Iron, designed to make the inhabitants think they live somewhere special. Believe me, there's nothing particularly special about living in a city: I should know as I live in one which isn't excatly the most sought-after location in the country!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just when I think I might have got it right, the question setter disappears into the ether.

This post is made several hours later, but merged due to the ludicrous 'double post prevention system', as though double posts were something truly appalling to be avoided at any cost.

Responses...

- Ever heard of University or food?
- As much as I agree that some of the modern cities don't really deserve the tag, I think Sunderland has a case.
- Grr... [mumble mumble] Must... Try... Harder! Hove is correct! Grr... A blighter maybe, but ultimately you can only give so many clues before it becomes easy. I take it you liked that one?

Next up...



I am a coastal settlement somewhere in the East of England. I have three stations, two of which have very similar names; the other, the only one to bear my name, is known as an extremity of the network. Although I have a direct service to London, it is often easier to take a diversion to the local city.

 

[Lampshade]

Colchester?

 

[Ivo]

Colchester?

Nope, sorry. Colchester does have three stations, but only one does not have "Colchester" in it. Also, it isn't what I would call "coastal"; nor is it a "extremity" of the network. Also, I would say that Colchester has arather efficient link to London. To get the meaning of "extremity", you may have to think in an abstract manner.

N.B.: Anyone who says Southend is, frankly, an idiot. Sorry. They just are.

 

[Lampshade]

If it's an extremity I'd say Lowestoft, but that's way off.

Sunderland?

 

[Ivo]

If it's an extremity I'd say Lowestoft, but that's way off.

Sunderland?

No, you're right. It's Lowestoft. Home of the most easterly station in Britain.

Hmm... Just a bit easier... Helensburgh and Hove get people thinking, only for this to ruin it... Hmm...

 

[Lampshade]

I have one, if you thought Ivo's were tricky, check this one out

I am north of Southampton and south of Newcastle, not having a direct link between any of them, although 12 cities are accessible from here by rail. My station has a debatable number of platforms but it's technically 8 at present, although I have had as many as 15. Also, my fourth nearest station from the main station has a very limited peak service, almost parliamentary, despite up to five trains per hour passing through it.

 

[FlyingScot]

Ok, here's one:
My name has an action and and something that is related with it.
Let your ideas 'flower'.
guessing starts........ now!

 

[Ivo]

I have one, if you thought Ivo's were tricky, check this one out

I am north of Southampton and south of Newcastle, not having a direct link between any of them, although 12 cities are accessible from here by rail. My station has a debatable number of platforms but it's technically 8 at present, although I have had as many as 15. Also, my fourth nearest station from the main station has a very limited peak service, almost parliamentary, despite up to five trains per hour passing through it.

Hey! At least mine were fair! [I know, this is. It's just so vague. And then my claim is a lie...] Preston

Ok, here's one:
My name has an action and and something that is related with it.
Let your ideas 'flower'.
guessing starts........ now!

And I said that the first one wasn't fair...! I've also noticed that you're from Dublin. I am almost useless with the Irish system. I know a few things, but it's not as though your answer is something obvious like Connolly or Tara Street, is it? [Not that I'm automatically assuming the place is Irish; I'm just saying.]

 

[Lampshade]

Hey! At least mine were fair! [I know, this is. It's just so vague. And then my claim is a lie...] Preston

hock:

 

[Ivo]

What? Did I just ruin the game? Sorry...

By the way, I am stumped by the "flower" one.

 

[Lampshade]

How on Earth did you guess from my frankly, very vague clue? hock:

Or did you just look at my last journey and assume I have no imagination?

Anyway, Letchworth Garden City?

 

[Ivo]

Firstly, before I answer, my initial reaction to the flower one was Letchworth, but I deemed it too obvious. So, if it is, that's... ooh, er, three showings of idiocy now?

How I solved Preston:

My initial thought was Bristol. But then I realised how STUPID an answer that would be. So I tried again, and came up with Milton Keynes. Certainly better, but I couldn't think of the "fourth" station; instead, I tried naming cities that link to it (if not properly). I eventually came up with Preston, when it suddenly occurred to me that Preston sometimes has more than one train on any one platform at any one time. I just went from there really, assuming [and then admittedly confirming using an atlas] that Salwick was the offending station.



I'm toying with the idea of a Who wants to be a Millionaire? -style quiz, in which I post twelve/fifteen of increasing difficulty...

 

[Lampshade]

That sounds like a good idea

 

[Ivo]

Super Quiz 1

Five questions. Can you name 'em all? (They get progressively harder; 1 is frankly a "joke", 2, 3 and 4 are "so-so", and 5 is deliberately "evil".)

1. A new town whose name begins with "B". Has two stations, both managed by South West Trains, one of which has the same name.

2. Known in sporting circles, this town has two stations, both of which bear its name. One is occasionally served by HSTs, the other (which, unlike the larger one, has a suffix) has only a basic service unless the sporting venue is likely to be busy. Somewhere in the former NSE area.

3. A town with two stations. One is almost immeasurably busier than the other, and has an hourly HST service. It is served by two of the larger TOCs in existence, one of which has its core area a few miles to the east in a waterfront city.

4. Easily the busiest station on its branch. It has a very limited HST service, to the point that some parliamentary services are more frequent. Even though the local TOC operates HSTs, it does not run the HST in question. The branch's junction station shares its name with a sporting term.

5. Another branch station. This branch is single-track throughout, and is not electrified. It once extended long beyond its current terminus, merging with a different line a few miles from one of the more well-known University cities. One of the stations on the former route shares its name with a name. The town I require is, according to DafT, a "Primary Destination" [i.e. its name is shown in atlases in yellow with a green background].

 

[FlyingScot]

And I said that the first one wasn't fair...! I've also noticed that you're from Dublin. I am almost useless with the Irish system. I know a few things, but it's not as though your answer is something obvious like Connolly or Tara Street, is it? [Not that I'm automatically assuming the place is Irish; I'm just saying.][/QUOTE]

It's not even a station. It's an engine. A british engine.Ok?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And I said that the first one wasn't fair...! I've also noticed that you're from Dublin. I am almost useless with the Irish system. I know a few things, but it's not as though your answer is something obvious like Connolly or Tara Street, is it? [Not that I'm automatically assuming the place is Irish; I'm just saying.]

It's not even a station. It's an engine. A british engine.Ok?[/QUOTE]

It's Stepney.
Flower=bluebell
Step knee

 

[generalvegitable]

here's one, a small town with three stations on three different lines, two of these lines were recently connected to form the longest of its type of railway in the country, this town is also on the coast

It's not even a station. It's an engine. A british engine.Ok?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


It's not even a station. It's an engine. A british engine.Ok?
It's Stepney.
Flower=bluebell
Step knee

you do know that this is "name the town", not "name the engine"

 

[FlyingScot]

you do know that this is "name the town", not "name the engine"

Sorry, it was so good I had to come out with it.

 

[4SRKT]

here's one, a small town with three stations on three different lines, two of these lines were recently connected to form the longest of its type of railway in the country, this town is also on the coast

Porthmadog

 

[Mike Redding]

Super Quiz 1

2. Known in sporting circles, this town has two stations, both of which bear its name. One is occasionally served by HSTs, the other (which, unlike the larger one, has a suffix) has only a basic service unless the sporting venue is likely to be busy. Somewhere in the former NSE area.

2 is Newbury

 

[generalvegitable]

Porthmadog

correct, now to go hardcore

this town has a common product named after it, it is on a through line but most trains terminate there,it should have either a shuttle to its main line or a through service, not the one it has of the two types listed earlier.

 

[Ivo]

Are any products named after Corby? Isn't there a toy or toymaker with a similar name? Nonetheless, I say Corby. But that clue is somewhat difficult to understand...

As for mine, (2) is Newbury. But there are harder ones in that list...

 

[Mike Redding]

Are any products named after Corby? Isn't there a toy or toymaker with a similar name? Nonetheless, I say Corby. But that clue is somewhat difficult to understand...

As for mine, (2) is Newbury. But there are harder ones in that list...

Lol yeah, i only knew the Newbury one because i used to live there until last year, still visit every couple of months too. Don't know about any of the others though.