Places to Pace Trains

[wheelnrail]

Over on the other side of the Atlantic, there are countless places to drive side by side with trains for photos or just for fun. So far I'm having trouble finding a stretch where road speed and line speed match along with an absence (or close enough) of vegetation. What are some places around the UK that have that? Thank you!

 

[class26]

Over on the other side of the Atlantic, there are countless places to drive side by side with trains for photos or just for fun. So far I'm having trouble finding a stretch where road speed and line speed match along with an absence (or close enough) of vegetation. What are some places around the UK that have that? Thank you!

Between Swineshead and Boston the road is for approx 5 miles right alongside the road. Line speed 60 mph, road speed 60 mph
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Between Swineshead and Boston the road is for approx 5 miles right alongside the road. Line speed 60 mph, road speed 60 mph

Sorry for the typo - should read the road is alongside the railway !

 

[deltic1989]

The A1121 in Lincolnshire from it's junction with the A17 at Swineshead, to the junction with the A52 on the outskirts of Boston. The road runs right next to the railway with only a fence to separate them. the speed limit on the road is 60 mph, I think the line speed is 70 to 75 mph (not accounting for acceleration and braking for the stations at Swineshead Bridge and Hubbert's Bridge). The road is for the most part straight, with only a kink near Hubbert's Bridge.
With the speed difference (if someone would be able to confirm the line speed) pacing may be a little difficult unless you don't mind a fine and points on your licence. Having said that traffic travels a bit over on that road anyway, I'm guilty of a heavy right foot on there myself.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

If you have a Bugatti Veyron or Ducati Panigale, Suzuki GSX-R 1000 or such like & you feel lucky you can always pace a Eurostar on the M20!

What do you mean osifer, I couldn't have been doing 186 mph I've only been here a few minutes.

 

[Bald Rick]

The A505 from the east end of the Baldock bypass to the west end of the Royston bypass is good. Although the train will overtake as it's 90. Watch out for the speed cameras though.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Weedon - Watford Gap on the M1, you can try and race a 390.

 

[thenorthern]

On the West Coast Mainline and M6 they run almost parallel between Preston and Lancaster although I think 9/10 times the Train would win.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

There's a stretch of the A9 north of Dunkeld where the track runs beside the road for a bit.
Again the rail traffic may well be faster than the road.

 

[Thomas6187]

The M602 around Eccles. 75mph on the train vs 70 in the car

 

[class26]

The A1121 in Lincolnshire from it's junction with the A17 at Swineshead, to the junction with the A52 on the outskirts of Boston. The road runs right next to the railway with only a fence to separate them. the speed limit on the road is 60 mph, I think the line speed is 70 to 75 mph (not accounting for acceleration and braking for the stations at Swineshead Bridge and Hubbert's Bridge). The road is for the most part straight, with only a kink near Hubbert's Bridge.
With the speed difference (if someone would be able to confirm the line speed) pacing may be a little difficult unless you don't mind a fine and points on your licence. Having said that traffic travels a bit over on that road anyway, I'm guilty of a heavy right foot on there myself.

Line speed is 60 mph, exactly the same as the road but is down to 25 mph at Hubberts bridge where the double track leads into single in the Boston direction only. The road at this point is down to 40 mph with speed cameras

 

[sprinterguy]

There's a good long stretch of the A55 that follows the North Wales Coast route through Colwyn Bay: Though, as an entertaining documentary following those chasing the remaining loco-hauled trains on that stretch in the mid nineties goes to show, you may not always manage to keep pace with the train!

 

[Abpj17]

A41 near Mill Hill

 

[Wavertreelad]

The M602 around Eccles. 75mph on the train vs 70 in the car

Except in the morning peak when the speed on the M602 can be zilch at times!

 

[59CosG95]

If you want take it slightly slower, you can try and race a CrossCountry HST on the Cross City line, using a bike. You just have to bomb it down the canal towpath until about 300m short of Five Ways. I race the trains the whole time when cycling to and from University of Birmingham's halls/campus.

 

[quarella]

M5 either side of Jct 27, Tiverton. Easier on the northbound carriageway.

 

[Statto]

North Wales Coast, the A55, Towyn to just before Llandudno Junction & Penmaenbach tunnel to just past Llanfairfechan, & on the Coast Road A548 from Ffynnongroew to Flint.

 

[krus_aragon]

I paced a Cambrian service between Caersws and Cemmaes Road on the A470 some years back. I saw it at every bridge and clearing as we snaked down the same valley.

 

[quarella]

Port Talbot - Baglan - Briton Ferry there is a stretch of M4, A48 and South Wales Main Line running parallel.

 

[Hornet]

Not neccessarily pacing but on the 29th September 1983, myself and my trusty Suzuki GS1000G photographed the Class 26 hauled 06:55 Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh at Garve, Lochluichart, Achnasheen and Attadale. On arrival at the Kyle the Driver came over to me and wanted to know what I was up to. When I told him he offered me a cab ride back to Inverness. I had to decline as I was on a schedule which included visiting Forres, Carrbridge and Roy Bridge before heading back overnight to Slough.

As for pacing a Eurostar alongside the M20, unfortunately my Mille would start to run out of puff at around 165mph. Trying to focus my vibrating eyeballs at that speed is bad enough, trying to take a photo, well only in the movies!

 

[najaB]

As for pacing a Eurostar alongside the M20, unfortunately my Mille would start to run out of puff at around 165mph. Trying to focus my vibrating eyeballs at that speed is bad enough, trying to take a photo, well only in the movies!

I'm sure you meant "Not that I've ever done it, but I imagine that trying to focus my eyeballs at that speed would be bad enough..."

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The A49 from the Shrewsbury bypass to Dinmore (south of Leominster) is often close to the Marches line, particularly the newer road sections.
You'll have to give way at Onibury though...

 

[W230]

Couple of sections on north/south of Chelmsford on the A12 (70mph) v GEML 100mph (if it's running properly )

Also, M1 (70mph) runs next to MML slows (90mph/60mph Silkstream Jct) between Mill Hill and Hendon.

 

[anti-pacer]

A650 Aire Valley Link Road between Keighley and Bingley.

A47 Acle to Great Yarmouth.

 

[Hornet]

I'm sure you meant "Not that I've ever done it, but I imagine that trying to focus my eyeballs at that speed would be bad enough..."

I have had the vibrating eyeball experience. At that speed things start to happen in slo-mo, (consequence of the brain processing all that info at high speed, I am led to believe). Wasn't in the UK though!

 

[Gathursty]

The M602 through Eccles and the Kyle of Lochalsh line in various places but most spectacularly between Attadale and Stromeferry. If you can drive completely to Altnabreac, you have a mile down the slope towards the station where you are alongside the line. The line around Swineshead and Hubberts Bridge hugs the road or vice versa.