Scenic lines that are underrated

[cactustwirly]

Bristol to Bath, nice scenery through the Cotswolds

Same with the Cotswold line, (Oxford to Worcester)

Great Western Mainline from Reading to Oxford

Berks and Hants line

Ascot to Guildford line

 

[47271]

The Scottish ones that have come up so far in this thread are pretty well known, but the recent diversions from the north into Glasgow Central have opened my eyes to the really quite attractive combination of farmland and wooded glen between Greenhill Junction and Cumbernauld.

Okay Cumbernauld to Coatbridge and onto the WCML is pretty bleak, but that little bit to the north genuinely pleasantly surprised me.

 

[driver_m]

The Hixon branch is beautiful heading south at dusk or dawn. Especially if there is a hot air balloon about. The area around Colwich and Great Haywood seems very nice and somewhere I'd love to have an explore around.

 

[plastictaffy]

The Hixon branch

That's one of the diversionary routes into Crewe from the south, right?

 

[driver_m]

That's one of the diversionary routes into Crewe from the south, right?

Yeah, it's the main route to Stoke and Manchester and a diversionary route for the rest of the WCML services.

 

[plastictaffy]

The guys at my place that sign it use it only as a diversion. They either go direct or via Madeley apparently. I don't sign it though.

 

[iantherev]

Bathampton Junction to Bradford Junction on the Bath - Westbury line.

 

[tsr]

The Uckfield Line. Barring the tunnels, almost all of it from Woldingham Viaduct to Uckfield. The only naff bits are really the housing estates at Hurst Green and Edenbridge. An absolutely stunning line on a gently misty morning or a frosty day.

 

[AndyPJG]

The Heart Of Wessex line is another, also my local line. It's particularly scenic between Bath Spa and Trowbridge (well, as far as Bradford Junction), and also quite scenic between Yeovil Pen Mill and Dorchester West.

Also Salisbury to Exeter is my favourite, and agree with Bradford Jn - Bath

 

[Robertj21a]

The Scottish ones that have come up so far in this thread are pretty well known, but the recent diversions from the north into Glasgow Central have opened my eyes to the really quite attractive combination of farmland and wooded glen between Greenhill Junction and Cumbernauld.

Okay Cumbernauld to Coatbridge and onto the WCML is pretty bleak, but that little bit to the north genuinely pleasantly surprised me.

Probably the only time I've ever seen 'attractive' and 'Cumbernauld' in the same sentence !

 

[Roose]

The Furness Line from the rest of the world (except Cumberland) to Barrow.

 

[fairliered]

Largs to Ardrossan South Beach and Wemyss Bay to Langbank (apart from Branchton to Port Gasgow) have great views.

 

[anti-pacer]

Hope Valley Line, although I don't know if this is underated.

The line between York and Scarborough has some lovely scenery.

The North Wales Coast mainline is lovely in parts too.

 

[the sniper]

The Hixon branch is beautiful heading south at dusk or dawn. Especially if there is a hot air balloon about. The area around Colwich and Great Haywood seems very nice and somewhere I'd love to have an explore around.

Nice canal walks around there.

 

[swt class 450]

The Redhill to Guildford line has some beautiful scenery throughout almost the entire section. It is easily one of my favourite lines.

Personally i think these lines all have fantastic scenery:

Redhill - Guildford
Leatherhead - Horsham
Leatherhead - Guildford
Wivelsfield - Lewes
Romsey - Salisbury
Totton - Brockenhurst

 

[Coolzac]

York-Harrogate-Leeds is lovely. I know it has been already mentioned but I think one that never gets mentioned but is stunning is Carlisle-Newcastle.

 

[urbophile]

I can't remember ever having travelled on it, but you can see it from the motorway: the stretch of the Southport - Wigan line between Appley Bridge and Gathurst. Also the flat West Lancashire countryside further west. Maybe not very exciting but atmospheric and reminiscent of the Fens.

 

[Ianno87]

Over the Fens from Ely to Cambridge on a summer's evening as the sun sets. Perfect ☺

Also, Broadbottom to Glossop, leaping high over two major viaducts in the process.

 

[47271]

Probably the only time I've ever seen 'attractive' and 'Cumbernauld' in the same sentence !

He he, the OP asked for 'underrated', so I took them at their word. But I wasn't entirely joking. While we're about it Bathgate to Caldercruix has its scenic charms here and there, as does the Shotts route. And there's always Kirknewton to Carstairs, who can argue with the sun on Cobbinshaw Loch on a bright winters morning?

I'm still working heavily on the 'underrated' here mind...

 

[NorthernSpirit]

The Heart Of Wessex line is another, also my local line. It's particularly scenic between Bath Spa and Trowbridge (well, as far as Bradford Junction), and also quite scenic between Yeovil Pen Mill and Dorchester West.

I personally think the section of line between Bath and Sailsbury is scenic. Especially the views between Trow-vegas (Trowbridge) and Westbury with the view of the white horse coming into view and the soon-to-be demolished cement works chimney, the latter gets pulled down on the 18th September.

There's also the views towards Exmouth across the bay on the line that passes through Dawlish. As the OP has said even I enjoy the views n the Arun Valley Line.

 

[backontrack]

How about the Cumbrian Coast?

 

[RichmondCommu]

The North London Line between Willesden and Stratford.

 

[Poolie]

Comparing the Durham coast now to what it was is quite amazing. Between Hartlepool and Seaham, where there were once many collieries, NCB railways, overhead waste tipping lines (Get Carter) and associated equipment, there is now a pleasant view of the North Sea. Look inland though and there is the scar that the closure of the pits has left.

 

[Haydn1971]

Any of the central London river crossings are amazing for someone that is a stranger to London... Especially Thameslink popping up from a tunnel into the station.

 

[Starmill]

I was aware of the nice scenery between Bath and Westbury already, but I thought Westbury - Salisbury was also very lovely.

I also like Bristol Parkway - Cheltenham Spa.

 

[Zamracene749]

Aye, and Steetley is long gone now too- the line rides a high formation as far as Seaham so has nice sea views, plus the viaducts over the denes are lovely.

Comparing the Durham coast now to what it was is quite amazing. Between Hartlepool and Seaham, where there were once many collieries, NCB railways, overhead waste tipping lines (Get Carter) and associated equipment, there is now a pleasant view of the North Sea. Look inland though and there is the scar that the closure of the pits has left.

 

[anti-pacer]

The North London Line between Willesden and Stratford.

If only this forum had a LIKE button!

 

[Scouse77]

The Marches

 

[Statto]

North Wales Coast, especially when HSTs used to do Holyhead-Euston runs.

 

[wimbledonpete]

HS1 leaping across the Medway Valley then onwards to Ashford is great, especially if you sit on the left so you don't see the M20. (Although it's fun watching as the train overtakes everything.) It helps that the cuttings are maintained so they're covered in wildflowers.