[Trivia] Two routes to London

[JamesRowden]

No, just following the example given by the OP...

The example was a through service but it also followed a permitted route. The second possibility was not excluded.

 

[transmanche]

The example was a through service but it also followed a permitted route. The second possibility was not excluded.

Neither were journeys which exclusively used either diesel or electric traction. I think you're just...

 

[Stewart2887]

Ok-some off-piste replies there but thanks everyone. My answer seems to be Exeter and Edinburgh, and several routes in the south.

The Paddington-Edinburgh service sounds interesting-but that's for a new thread!

 

[JamesRowden]

Neither were journeys which exclusively used either diesel or electric traction. I think you're just...

There was no mention of the words `electric' or `diesel' in the opening post. However the word `route' was included in the thread title.

People are different and interpret non-fully-defined statements differently. When I think of the passengers taking a route I think of the track rather than the train.

The train transports the passenger along the route. The passengers can use multiple trains to travel along the same route.

You would have been correct if the post had said `services to London which leave the station in opposite directions'.

 

[me123]

What's the longest possible return journey to London without doubling back anywhere (apart from where two routes share a section of track leading out of a terminus)?

Going to suggest anywhere between Aberdeen and Inverness for this one. ECML up to Aberdeen from KGX, then Scotrail over to Elgin (for example - all stations of course give the same distance). Once you're ready to leave, head East to Inverness, get a Scotrail train to Glasgow, cross the city and back down the WCML to Euston. Don't think you're going to beat that!

 

[341o2]

You're right, there's no mention of routes, they say leave in either direction which is possible at Tilbury Town.

You do say throughout this thread that direct routes are implied in the OP, in the main I agree with you, I believe both yourself and swt passenger have stated that given an unlimited amount of changes it's possible from anywhere On the network, but with invalid routing. However I feel that implicit in the OP are those stations where it's possible through a quirk of routing, with changes and On this basis Tilbury Town qualifies. You obviously have a different opinion, and that's fine.

The OP has come to check their thread a few times. I suggest we let them adjudicate.

I agree, however the OP did say, and I quote "passengers will be able to leave Oxford in either direction to go to London. Anywhere else that's possible? "

 

[johnnychips]

I really think that a lot of posters on here haven't read the original post in the thread

 

[Holly]

If changes are allowed then you could reasonably set off from Tan-y-Bwlch station on the Festiniog railway in either direction in order to travel to London without any doubling back or sharing any part of the routes.

 

[philthetube]

You cannot leave Weymouth in two different directions though...

Really wouldn't fancy departing Weymouth to the south, having seen the harbour line

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I might be clutching at straws now , but how about Heathrow terminal 4,and does it even count??

North Via the LU piccadilly line to KGX

and South-west via the Heavy rail line into Paddington

Isn't that pushing the definition of 'same station'? Whenever I've used the underground station, I've not noticed any direct link to the Heathrow Express station - from which I'd surmise that it's more like two separate stations that happen to have the same name.

And does the heavy rail line really leave SW? I've not used it so am not sure of the layout but that would appear to be almost the opposite direction to where the trains are heading?

 

[Mag_seven]

Isn't that pushing the definition of 'same station'? Whenever I've used the underground station, I've not noticed any direct link to the Heathrow Express station - from which I'd surmise that it's more like two separate stations that happen to have the same name.

And does the heavy rail line really leave SW? I've not used it so am not sure of the layout but that would appear to be almost the opposite direction to where the trains are heading?

Notwithstanding the point that Heathrow is already in London anyway!

 

[Gassy85]

You cannot leave Weymouth in two different directions though...

If you do, you get very wet!!


How about Melksham? Depart north to Chippenham and then GWR to London Padd, or depart south to Trowbridge and SWT to Waterloo.

 

[Busaholic]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Maidstone West. I commuted there for a year from London (Hither Green) either via Sidcup and Strood or Orpington and Paddock Wood. No direct trains at the time but nevertheless you got to London from either westbound or eastbound platform, and to ease the boredom I used to vary it from day to day: mind you, no nonsense in those days about having to choose which route you used.

 

[bubieyehyeh]

From Horsham you can travel to London via two different routes either via dorking or via gatwick.

 

[3141]

In the spirit though not the letter of the original question, you could leave either end of the former Trent station in Nottinghamshire on a direct train to Derby

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Ramsgate, Margate, Broadstairs and other stations on the Thanet loop.

Dover Priory?

 

[Ianno87]

Isn't that pushing the definition of 'same station'? Whenever I've used the underground station, I've not noticed any direct link to the Heathrow Express station - from which I'd surmise that it's more like two separate stations that happen to have the same name.

And does the heavy rail line really leave SW? I've not used it so am not sure of the layout but that would appear to be almost the opposite direction to where the trains are heading?

Yes, the platform tunnels line up with the orientation of the terminal (which is basically long and thin), presumably to give suitable tunnel construction sites and emergency exits (without digging up the T4 apron)

It then heads out SW to loop round to align with the CTA platform tunnels and T5 branch junction.

 

[DarloRich]

Fenny Stratford ( or any intermediate station on the Marston Vale line) has one route via Bletchley and the other via Bedford!

That requires a change as there is no direct service

 

[Andyjs247]

Not a direct service but leaving from Bury St Edmunds or Newmarket you can either go via Stowmarket and Ipswich to Liverpool Street. Or go in the opposite direction via Cambridge to Kings Cross or Liverpool Street.

 

[Tio Terry]

Not exactly the same but from where I live I can catch a train from Tattenham Corner to London, Epsom Downs to London or Epsom main to London via two routes. I have the availability of two TOC's so if there is disruption I have very good alternatives.

Actually, I wonder if there is anywhere else that has such good options for somebody wanting to commute to London?

 

[Envy123]

Not exactly the same but from where I live I can catch a train from Tattenham Corner to London, Epsom Downs to London or Epsom main to London via two routes. I have the availability of two TOC's so if there is disruption I have very good alternatives.

Actually, I wonder if there is anywhere else that has such good options for somebody wanting to commute to London?

Dorking has both Southern and South West Trains services.

Within the Greater London area, the Piccadilly Line parallels the GN line for a while.