Favourite lines and why...

Thrashin · Post by **Thrashin** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:08 pm

WSR2005 wrote:To be honest, I'm not particularly keen on the P&DSR. Sure, it runs through a beautiful landscape and the rolling stock and stations are well-kept, but it feels too commercialised for my liking - naming GWR Prairie tanks and putting a PA system through the train just doesn't feel right. Of course, you can see why they have done it. Customers bring money, and you have to attract them to get it.

I can understand that entirely. I live near the Ravenglass & Eskdale, and it's definately become more commercialised over the years. I think this is partially due to the continuing Northward spread of the 'Lake District' (That is, the tourist destination and not the national park). The appearance of more extravagant souvenirs and one of those fun, if entirely pointless, machines that reshapes one of the Queen's finest English pennies into a new design in the shop shows this quite clearly.

Also worthy of note is a partnership with Northern Rail, which has seen a 156 applied with advertising vinyls for the Ratty. Talking of which, the "La'al Ratty" nickname appears more and more on promotional material these days, having seemingly turned from a local nickname into a corporate slogan.

Several things have changed on the line itself as well - the footbridge at Ravenglass was taken out a couple of years ago, apparently for fear that some cretin would manage not to see it, walk into it and knock themselves out, and a large new building has been opened at Dalegarth. The turntable at Ravenglass has had a fence built round it, and gates have appeared on the foot crossing just in front of it.

All this doesn't sit comfortably with me somehow. The old building at Dalegarth was very homely and welcoming - I can't help but fear that some of that has been lost with the new complex. Of course, I understand that all this is keeping the railway alive, and bringing tourism to my local area, but sometimes I wish it was like it used to be. All this probably sounds ridiculous, but it feels somehow like a piece of local heritage is being slowly ebbed away by the erosion of commercialisation, turning into one of those generic attractions with at least two Shearings' buses in the car park.

It's like going back to your old corner shop, only to find it's been turned into a branch of Tesco.

DeanGoods · Post by **DeanGoods** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:35 pm

there are so many lines that i like its unbelieliveable. i need to visit the NVR again especially as they have their new station at Yarwell junction

daniel533 · Post by **daniel533** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:44 pm

DeanGoods wrote:yes the RH&DR is a very good line. it always feels like your travelling at very fast speeds...

it also appeals to the vast majority of people, my friends are not really into trains but they will come with me there.

Daniel

DeanGoods · Post by **DeanGoods** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 6:17 am

now ive never heard of that happening before...
oh well first time for everything

alexnick · Post by **alexnick** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 8:53 am

Hmmm, my favourite preserved lines would be:

-Bluebell: really superb atmosphere and a vast collection of steam locomotives
-KWVR: I think it captures the atmosphere of a 1950s branch line very well, and is always very friendly
-NYMR is also a friendly line, and it does have quite a spectacular route
-SVR: I just think that the stations are wonderful, especially Bridgnorth with the pub on the platform...
-Talyllyn: they have fantastic trains and the staff are always friendly.

I must say that I'm surprised by all the support for the Nene Valley and Mid-Hants here - they didn't make the best impressions on me. Both kind of disappoint me in that a lot of their best stock is never running, or just kept awaiting overhaul.

Nick

allypally · Post by **allypally** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:53 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIqXcF6OlC0

GCR because we can do this. Also, sitting on the viaduct over the reservoir in the summer makes you think the people who say there are no spectacular views haven't visited.

In terms of diesels, the East Lancs had me drooling at their diesel gala last year almost, and Bolton Street station is fantastic.

leedavo · Post by **leedavo** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:48 pm

Mine has to be Llangollen, great scenery, great people, great locos, great carriages and wagons with superbly restored stations plus hearing locomotives climb the Berwyn Bank is always great.

trainmad · Post by **trainmad** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:58 pm

allypally wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIqXcF6OlC0

GCR because we can do this.

Only loud because its Butterley locomotive, of course.

Obviously I like Butterley myself, because I volunteer there. Ok, its not the most scenic or longest line in the country and there is a lot of junk about, but when you consider what was there before the Swanwick site was really 'created' its an amazing achievement.

allypally · Post by **allypally** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 5:14 pm

Oh aye, I completely agree re Butterley locomotive, it had many years to save it's puff up there and let it all out at once for us

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 5:30 pm

I'd like to add to my vote for Swanage (which still wins, partly because it fulfills the job of a real railway, partly because the management seems to have a great attitude, and partly because the best run I've ever had off any loco was D1015 down there at the beer festival where the driver was absolutely caning it and I was at the front droplight...).

The Severn Valley was a top outfit when I did it for their Branch Line gala this year - excellent scenery, oozing atmosphere, and quality vintage carriages, which is something that at lot of lines don't bother with. The only thing is that they don't have much in the way of a hill, but they can't help that.

And the Mid Norfolk don't have any tea making equipment, and realise that railways (and railway enthusiasts) didn't cease to exist in 1968, so deserve a special mention.

pendolinofan · Post by **pendolinofan** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:11 pm

My heart lies with the bluebell, lovely atmosphere and a wonderful collection of stock. So much so that I'm a voulenteer in the loco Dept.

Mid Hants: Lovely line, provides more of a mainline '60s feel with lots of Bullieds and standards

SVR: I love. Not too long, not too short. Can pull off mainline feel with large locos, or quaint little branch line with panniers and praries.

Didcot: Working steam shed. Always has to get a five-star rating.

Just my opinion.
Adam

trainmad · Post by **trainmad** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:10 pm

allypally wrote: it had many years to save it's puff up there and let it all out at once for us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig5XQOVSH6M

Nah...

alexnick · Post by **alexnick** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:35 am

Just thought I'd expand this and make it international:

Here are some of my favourites in other countries

-Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke in Switzerland - this line is very steep and mostly rack-worked using early preserved rack steam locomotives, and is set in a spectacular alpine pass. Go just to experience a 1910 2-6-0 climbing a 1 in 8 gradient.

-Chemin de Fer de la Baie de la Somme in France - French narrow gauge superbly preserved with loads of atmosphere. It has some truly wonderful stock with both steam and diesel traction so there is something for all enthusiasts.

Though there are many around the world I would like to go and visit but haven't yet - maybe this thread would be a good place to state recommendations.

Nick

prairie4566 · Post by **prairie4566** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:21 am

I'm with Paul's comments on the MRB - always been my favourite.

I quite like Foxfield too, though that's only worth going to on a steam gala.

TrueScotsman · Post by **TrueScotsman** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:49 pm

The West Highland Line and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway