WCML vs ECML

[laseandre]

WCML straight away. Always innovating - High-speed (for the time) 86+87s, APT, and more recently, Pendolino.

 

[Phoenix]

Problem with the eastcoast is that it is bascially flat and straight.
Let's put it this way the ECML is like a drag race.
But the WCML is like a fully on rally.

 

[Andrew Tiffin]

I pick WCML.

 

[Techniquest]

Guess you haven't been much further than Northallerton that often then

Between Northallerton and Newcastle, there is quite a few big hills to go over ....

And how can the coastal route North of Newcastle not compare with the WCML? You get all the scenery with the added bonus of the rugged coast line.

Never ever noticed these big hills you refer to! Not even with a pair of loud Valentas screaming along...Beattock on the other hand...

The scenery isn't anything I haven't seen all around Cornwall and in West and South Wales (three of the most scenic areas in this half of the country) up on the ECML. The northerly half of the WCML runs through the beautiful Lake District area and through the spectacular Scottish Lowlands. In my eyes, that scenery around that part of the country is unmatchable to anything on the ECML.

As with many other things, it depends a lot on what you grew up with and where you went. For me, it's the Western Region and the GWR. Nothing matches it anywhere else in the country. I'll be a Western Region/GWR man til I die. When it comes to the Eastern Region/LNER/whatever, I don't like it. Boring as f**k, especially in Norfolk...I don't like the stuff LNER made either. As I say, it boils down to regional loyalties for me.

In the words of Ali G:

"Westside is the best!"

 

[Galvanize]

The scenery isn't anything I haven't seen all around Cornwall and in West and South Wales (three of the most scenic areas in this half of the country) up on the ECML. The northerly half of the WCML runs through the beautiful Lake District area and through the spectacular Scottish Lowlands. In my eyes, that scenery around that part of the country is unmatchable to anything on the ECML.

To you people from Gas Works Railway, it's called the Southern Uplands And you got your own soggy hills to worry about, so the section north of Newcastle on the ECML with the coastline on a wonderful day, is stunning! Then you've got the section north with even more coastline to enjoy, from viewing the Port of Leith from Burntisland, to the rugged coast of Angus, the northern section has it all!

 

[Techniquest]

Not me cup of tea I'm afraid ol' boy!

 

[33056]

Got to be the WCML......but I am biased (lived and worked on it for most of the last 20+ years)

 

[Waverley125]

definitley ECML. Nice route out of London (boring as hell between Welwyn North & Huntingdon)-listen to the change in sound between Huntingdon & Peterborough as it runs over the reads. Great view of Durham as you go through, same with Newcastle. Newcastle-Waverley is my favourite stretch of line anywhere, especially when you get an HST and a reckless driver who takes it round Penmanshiel in 3 figures.

 

[djw1981]

ECML from Newcastle - Edinburgh IMO beats WCML Carlisle-Glasgow. But WCML Carlisle-Lancaster beats them both. South of Lancaster and York, they are both high speed inter-urban railways which are boring IMO.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'd also vote for HML over ECML north of Perth

 

[rail-britain]

Newcastle-Waverley is my favourite stretch of line anywhere, especially when you get an HST and a reckless driver who takes it round Penmanshiel in 3 figures.

That's not reckless, that's the line speed
When I worked on ICEC I would quite often take a seat at the section when travelling northbound
I remember being in a TRFK and the staff thought the train was going to come off the line
There was then an almighty jolt, two of the trolleys broke free, several cans of lager split all over the floor, and an entire tray of crockery smashed resulting in the two members of staff diving to the floor!
They had to close the buffet for the remainder of the journey as their uniforms were soaked

 

[Yank 119]

Problem with the eastcoast is that it is bascially flat and straight.

That's a problem?

 

[Waverley125]

can't see the attraction in WCML Lancaster-Carlisle personally. Then again the Pendolinos do have tiny windows that make seeing out more enjoyable-maybe i'd like it more in a 91.

 

[me123]

It is a lovely line, Waverley. You'd be right in saying that the Pendolinos don't do it justice.

 

[Techniquest]

Much nicer from the sleeper (if you're on it in daylight or at the droplight), but also nice from a Voyager or anything else. I loved it from a Pendo mind!