West Highland line tops world's best rail journey poll

[dipper6]

West Highland line tops world's best rail journey poll
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The West Highland line has been voted the world's greatest rail journey for the second year running.
Readers of independent travel magazine, Wanderlust put the trip ahead of other routes including the Trans-Siberian Express and the Orient Express.
The line from Glasgow to Mallaig is 164 miles long and runs by Loch Long, Loch Lomond, Loch Etive and Loch Eil.

More:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/hig ... 500396.stm

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My wife and I have been on that train a few times and I agree, it is superb, the scenery is unbeatable,
then there's the loco struggling to get up the stiff gradients, the noise is something else.
I remember trying to talk to a conductor over the noise, he said that sometimes the loco does not make it to the top
so the driver has to reverse back down and try again.

If you ever get the chance, take a run on it, warning, book early 'cos its always full.
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I haven't a clue on programming ( I'm too old to learn), this route would be a real winner.
Its not only the same loco does the route, they change them, I've seen an LMS 2-8-4 doing it,

EDIT, another blunder, it was a 4-8-2, not a 2-8-2 as I posted. I have it
on my video in the sheds in FT William.

How it got round some of the curves I do not know, just like the gradients they are severe,so
theres no need to worry about using the same loco.
If anyone is interested I can loan Videos that I made on the train.

Sorry Folks, for some reason I didn't notice the "Glasgow" bit, even so, the best part of the route is from Ft. William to Malliag.
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[AndyUK]

.....The line from Glasgow to Mallaig is 164 miles long and runs by Loch Long, Loch Lomond, Loch Etive and Loch Eil.

More:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/hig ... 500396.stm

Did you notice the mistake, its not 164 miles, its 64 miles.

I noticed yours! Glasgow - Mallaig is 164.25 miles according to Table 227 of the National Rail Timetable. I think you're mixing up the whole journey which is what the article discusses, with the Fort William - Mallaig stretch (42 miles) which is where the steam hauled trains normally run.

.....I've seen an LMS 4-8-2 doing it...

Really? Had you been sampling the local brew? It affects my eyesight as well

Andy L

[bigvern]

Actually Glasgow to Mallaig is around 160 miles. 41 miles Mallaig to Fort William, 60 miles Fort William to Crianlarich and about another 60 to Glasgow.

I created versions of the Crianlarich to Mallaig portion for both TRS2006 and MSTS, did start a fledgling version in the RS days but ran into problems with too many holes in the DEM and no easy way to fix this in RW.

[Darpor]

I get Glasgow Central to Mallaig at 167m 30ch.

[codrivermike]

Actually Glasgow to Mallaig is around 160 miles. 41 miles Mallaig to Fort William, 60 miles Fort William to Crianlarich and about another 60 to Glasgow.

I created versions of the Crianlarich to Mallaig portion for both TRS2006 and MSTS, did start a fledgling version in the RS days but ran into problems with too many holes in the DEM and no easy way to fix this in RW.

Now that would have been good Vern. Thrashing a 37 up to Rannoch in RW. Ah well, better get my msts computer switched back on.

[petermakosch]

Not really RailWorks news though.

[bigvern]

Now that would have been good Vern. Thrashing a 37 up to Rannoch in RW. Ah well, better get my msts computer switched back on.

It was only Fort William to Mallaig, unfortunately it was very early days before the route builders understood much about the inner workings like track rules (i.e. not to use more than one in a route). The terrain was also pretty much messed up around Glenfinnan with several large zero points creating holes in the hills. Didn't affect MSTS as the terrain was hand carved and TRS because I used Transdem to smooth the DEM and fill in the holes. Long since deleted from the hard drive...

[codrivermike]

But wil you ever consider giving it another go?

Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on.

[DanW]

Ever since I went on the Caledonian Sleeper up there It has become my favourite line in the UK. I would love to see it in RailWorks!

Dan

[bigvern]

But wil you ever consider giving it another go?

Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on. Go On. Go on.

Never say never, may take a look later in the year but priority at the moment is Taieri Gorge in TRS and the northern ECML I started in RW.

[transadelaide]

I get Glasgow Central to Mallaig at 167m 30ch.

I get the 167 metres part describing a very short trip but what is a ch?

[bigvern]

Ch = chain.
1 mile = 80 chains.
1 chain = 22 yards.
Traditional method of linear measurement for railway civil engineering.

[jimmyshand]

I was lucky enough to spend my childhood growing up right next to the West Highland Line all through the 1980's when Eastfield 37's were the mainstay. I lived near the start of the West Highland Line in Helensburgh and what a time it was, it was what founded my passion for railways seeing 37's proudly displaying their 'Scottie Dogs' thundering up and down the WHL all day long.
I remember staying up late and looking out of my bedroom window at night to see the sleeper with an ETHEL in tow roaring up the steep incline towards Helensburgh Upper. Days were spent down at Craigendoran Junction hanging out with the signalman who would let us know where all the trains were on the WHL and would often let us stand on his little step platform to do the token exchange with passing 37's.

Great days!!

Would love to see the southern end of the West Highland recreated in Railworks. Most attention is normally on north of Crianlarich but for me the most atmospheric part of the line is between Helensburgh and Crianlarich where the line cuts through dense foliage and narrow cuttings.
It would be a dream come true to have that line in Railworks, especially coupled with the superb 37 we have.

I would re-mortgage my house to get my hands on that!!!

[bigvern]

I would re-mortgage my house to get my hands on that!!!

No need for that...would be done as freeware if/when it happens!

[jimmyshand]

Bigvern if you can create the southern part of the WHL I will be forever in your debt!!!

It's a beaut of a section of line, running past several Scottish Lochs including Gare Loch and Loch Lomond. It would make for some pretty scenic running as much of the line runs high above sea level along the sides of mountains and through gorges and dense forest. There are also some serious inclines to give the Railworks loco fleet a heavy workout!

With classes 20, 37 and even Black 5 steam, it would be technically accurate and a line for all users. I'm sure it would be a massive hit as the route is globally popular and famous.