Where to go in Cornwall?

[ing52]

Hello everyone,

I am a rail enthusiast from the Netherlands and I will have a short time available to travel by rail in Cornwall.
I will have the whole day between arriving in Plymouth at 7am until leaving for London with the Night Riviera from Penzance.

I am wondering which of the following lines have nice views or are in some other way interesting from a rail enthusiast's point of view:

Plymouth-Gunnislake
Liskeard-Looe
Par-Newquay
Truro-Falmouth
St Erth-St Ives

What would you advise?

I was thinking about doing Par-Newquay, Truro-Falmouth and possibly visiting by the St Michael's Mount as well.

I'd be very grateful for some recommendations.


Thanks a lot in advance!
ing52

 

[DVT82305]

I recommend going on the St Erth-St Ives line and if you are still in cornwall tomorrow there is a railtour going to Penzance with two steam trains and D1015.

 

[Wyvern]

Of the destinations you mention only St Ives is more less a typical Cornish seaside village although no longer a fishing one. It has been an artists commune since the thirties and gives its name to a school of painting. So it is a nice place to spend a few hours especially if you like art (There is a branch of the Tate Modern there)

St Ives is also close to Penzance and St Michael's Mount. What a pity Marazion station has closed.

 

[Zoe]

I suggest you buy a "Ride Cornwall" ticket for £10. This will cover all train lines in Cornwall and bus routes operated by First and Western Greyhound. I don't exactly know what your interests are but if I were you are at all into signalling it would be well worth taking a look at the lower quadrant semaphore signals at Liskeard, Lostwithiel, Par, Truro and St Erth.

 

[yorksrob]

I recommend going on the St Erth-St Ives line and if you are still in cornwall tomorrow there is a railtour going to Penzance with two steam trains and D1015.

I second that - and whilst you're there, you may wish to look out for the traditional Miners Pasty which is part sweet and part savoury. There are a couple of shops in St Ives which make them although when I was there last year the guy who makes them was away so I wasn't able to find one :cry:

 

[Wyvern]

I really dont fancy a Stargazy Pie

 

[Turbostar]

All the branch lines in Cornwall are scenic in their own way, & thoroughly recommended. As already stated, a Ride Cornwall ticket will be ideal for you giving you unlimited travel on all trains & most bus services in Cornwall. You can find details of this ticket here: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pra3e4df0a040002005aaf3aa9d4ac43/details.html

 

[dk1]

Hope you have better weather if doing the Falmouth branch. Every single time i use it its like a monsoon. Never get the chance to walk about the town, seaside or anything. Still a very good half-hourly frequency since they installed the interesting passing loop at Penryn http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penryn_railway_station. The Liskeard-Looe & St.Erth-St.Ives branch are always a must for me. Even the mainline is very scenic in parts & the Southwest as a whole really is a lovely part of the country.

 

[devon_metro]

The St Ives line is a must.

As for the Newquay branch, its very long and boring, however some of the views over the moors are decent.

 

[yorksrob]

I really dont fancy a Stargazy Pie

Looking at the recipe's making me feel a bit peckish

 

[ing52]

Wonderful! Thank you so much for the tips.

For sure I'll go to St Ives.