Atomic Systems

this is an idea of mine where we all talk about our favourite preserved lines and explain why we like the line so much...

The ones that are in my location thingy. Bluebell is just a fantastic line, additionally made better with visiting loco's, it sticks to it's period

The Mid hants has such a brilliant collection to be honest and the Line itself is very nice

I would place the Bluebell Railway above all others, simply because it is the line I belong to and the first one that I ever visited.

But, I can say hand on heart that I have never been to a really duff railway, apart from the East Kent but that was in its very early days. The Severn Valley Railway has lots of lovely branchline stations and a fantastic collection of locomotives and rolling stock. Similarly the North Yorkshire Moors Railway has a beautiful scenic route and a great selection of stock. The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway offers something unique on the south coast and holds a lot of cherished memories for me of early family holidays.

The North Norfolk Railway, despite being a short line, has wonderful scenery going along the coast and through the heath. The Swanage Railway actually fulfills a purpose on the Isle of Purbeck with the Park & Ride facility at Norden providing visitors with a different way to get to Swanage.

Didcot, whilst not being a railway in the true sense of the word, just oozes atmosphere with the old GWR shed and coaling stage. The Mid-Hants Railway provides a real Southern Region experience and is now branching out with the Black 5 and Bittern.

It can never be about just one railway.

Regards,

Dan

we are so lucky here in Britain to have such a wide variety of railways to choose from my favourite railway would have to be the Ffestiniog railway with the ever-changing amazing scenery and the locos and rolling stock, I also look forward to the Welsh highland railway (C) being completed all the way to Porthamdog

I remember the east lancs railway being very good. there all so good for different reasons

Very fond of the East Lancs, largely for its collection of diesels. Was also very impressed with the Paignton and Dartmouth line when I travelled on it back in 2000.

Have to say the ESL (Edinburgh Surburban Line) - shame its not open to normal trains - freight use it but why cant they open it up to normal passanger EMU's? its fully electrified aswell and the only ones that run up it are the shed's and the 37's

as for herritige - bo'ness

I go to the Mid Hants every weekend.

So my favourite can only be Swanage. Don't get out of the south much, though.

well my favourite lines are the Spa Valley and the K&ESR. small lines but brilliant running. moving away from the south, my other fave lines are the West Somerset Railway, only if ive only visited it three times, and the NYMR. both wonderful lines, and really show what the preservation movement can achieve...

Well, i just love the Keighley and Worth Valley railway in West Yorkshire. A nice branch in quite an urban environment.

Matt C

My favourite railway is the RHDR mainly because of the size of the locos and the fact that i used to go every month with my dad and i have to say it gets better when you get older.

Daniel

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

WSR every time for me (as might be a bit obvious). My only real experience of railways since I was young - my grandfather worked as PWay supervisor until he retired last year, meaning I am able to go up there often.

I actually live nearer the South Devon Railway and the Paignton & Dartmouth - I really must visit them more. 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.

Tim

Well they need the publicity, as you've highlighted it is quite near the WSR and can find it hard to compete with probably one of the best lines in the country

Love the West Somerset - in the nicest possible way, all the staff seem as preserved as the railway itself, so you get a strong impression that you've stepped back in time 50-60 years, in terms of rolling stock, people's attitudes and the general way of life, and that everybody really cares!. There's some wonderfully enlightening conversations to be had with the WSR volunteer staff - particularly the identical twins who look after Dunster Station. I've always found it quite idyllic and retreat there whenever I feel the need to unwind or remind myself how England used to be.

Ashley

I've only visited NVR as it's my local line and the Caldervale line in joint second with the Great Northern line.