A circular rail trip around Britain

Harlesden · 27th May 2012, 03:25

Starting from King's Cross, proceeding north on the ECML and returning south by the WCML.
I assume that the Southbound leg would involve transferring from main line to local line at Watford Junction and then returning to King's Cross via Camden Junction and the NLL.
What is the northernmost point where a train can come off the ECML to join the WCML?
If, hypothetically this was a forum outing, where would brief stops - for refreshment and photographic purposes - be made.
Which would be the preferred rolling stock - something current, or something like a 55? Perhaps the unusual route would limit the options.
How many "Hertford loop" type opportunities exist on the network - with the train leaving the main line at one point and rejoining it further on with no reversing involved?

NSE · 27th May 2012, 04:19

Well, a reversal would need to be made as I believe the junction from NLL to ECML is north facing.
Also, Hertford loop, Hitchin-Cambridge-Peterborough, Peterborough-Lincoln-Doncaster, Doncaster-Leeds-York, Northallerton-Sunderland-Newcastle (I think you can use Newcastles bridges to negotiate no reversal) Preston-Bolton-Manchester-Crewe/Manchester-Stockport-Stoke, Stafford-Birmingham-Rugby and Northampton loop would all qualify I think

IanXC · 27th May 2012, 04:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCC fan

What is the northernmost point where a train can come off the ECML to join the WCML?

Depends how you define the ECML and WCML I guess. Ultimately I suppose you could take ECML, then Aberdeen, Elgin, Inverness, Glasgow and south on the WCML.

142094 · 27th May 2012, 09:13

Easiest one to do is a King's Cross - Edinburgh - Glasgow - Euston run. As IanXC has said, it depends on what lines you include in the definition of ECML and WCML.

D841 Roebuck · 27th May 2012, 09:21

I started working out an itinery for a round Britain circular trip.

Started at Blackpool Tower, then:
Tram to Fleetwood
Ferry to Knott End
Bus to Lancaster
Train to Heysham, Morecambe (lunch), Carnforth, Barrow, Carlisle (sleep).

From memory, day 2 included a bus Dumfries to Stranraer, eventually ending up at Largs.

Great fun to work out, even if I never do it in real life!

PR1Berske · 27th May 2012, 09:29

You'll find it very hard to take the ferry across Wyre now

Schnellzug · 27th May 2012, 09:33

If it was a trip right round Britain, surely you'd turn right at Crewe and head for Holyhead, then back to Llandudno jct., Blaenau Ffestionogog*, Porthmadog, down the Cambrian & then along to Shrewsbury, via the Central Wales line to Swansea, then on to Fishguard if you liked, then back to Bristol & down to Penzance, back via Exeter & Yeovil to Weymouth, then Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton, Hastings, Ashford, Dover, then back to London via KX T'Link.

* I know I have

D841 Roebuck · 27th May 2012, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR1Berske

You'll find it very hard to take the ferry across Wyre now

Just checked the website, which shows it as running. Is there something Fylde Council and/or Wyre Marine aren't saying on line??

Paul Sidorczuk · 27th May 2012, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by D841 Roebuck

Just checked the website, which shows it as running. Is there something Fylde Council and/or Wyre Marine aren't saying on line??

Wyre Marine Services (Mobile : 07793 270934) have Fleetwood to Knott-End-on-Sea monthly ferry timetables to the end of 2012 on the Wyre Council website. Their address is shown as:-
The Slipway
Esplanade
Fleetwood

PR1Berske · 27th May 2012, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by D841 Roebuck

Just checked the website, which shows it as running. Is there something Fylde Council and/or Wyre Marine aren't saying on line??

Aaah, I thought it'd been discontinued years ago!

27th May 2012, 03:25	#1
Harlesden Passenger Member Join Date: 23 Jun 2010 Posts: 597	A circular rail trip around Britain Starting from King's Cross, proceeding north on the ECML and returning south by the WCML. I assume that the Southbound leg would involve transferring from main line to local line at Watford Junction and then returning to King's Cross via Camden Junction and the NLL. What is the northernmost point where a train can come off the ECML to join the WCML? If, hypothetically this was a forum outing, where would brief stops - for refreshment and photographic purposes - be made. Which would be the preferred rolling stock - something current, or something like a 55? Perhaps the unusual route would limit the options. How many "Hertford loop" type opportunities exist on the network - with the train leaving the main line at one point and rejoining it further on with no reversing involved?

27th May 2012, 04:19	#2
NSE Member Join Date: 3 Mar 2010 Posts: 714	Well, a reversal would need to be made as I believe the junction from NLL to ECML is north facing. Also, Hertford loop, Hitchin-Cambridge-Peterborough, Peterborough-Lincoln-Doncaster, Doncaster-Leeds-York, Northallerton-Sunderland-Newcastle (I think you can use Newcastles bridges to negotiate no reversal) Preston-Bolton-Manchester-Crewe/Manchester-Stockport-Stoke, Stafford-Birmingham-Rugby and Northampton loop would all qualify I think __________________ I love the 377, there I said it

27th May 2012, 09:13	#4
142094 142 aficionado Established Member Join Date: 7 Nov 2009 Location: Newcastle Posts: 7,717	Easiest one to do is a King's Cross - Edinburgh - Glasgow - Euston run. As IanXC has said, it depends on what lines you include in the definition of ECML and WCML. __________________ Stand Clear of the Doors, Please.

27th May 2012, 09:21	#5
D841 Roebuck Dilettante iconoclast. Member Join Date: 16 Mar 2012 Location: Rochdale Posts: 311	I started working out an itinery for a round Britain circular trip. Started at Blackpool Tower, then: Tram to Fleetwood Ferry to Knott End Bus to Lancaster Train to Heysham, Morecambe (lunch), Carnforth, Barrow, Carlisle (sleep). From memory, day 2 included a bus Dumfries to Stranraer, eventually ending up at Largs. Great fun to work out, even if I never do it in real life! __________________ 2013 locos/units/trams bashed - 94.

27th May 2012, 09:29	#6
PR1Berske Established Member Join Date: 27 Jul 2010 Posts: 1,086	You'll find it very hard to take the ferry across Wyre now __________________ I thought I could organise freedom, How Scandinavian of me

27th May 2012, 09:33	#7
Schnellzug le Petit Train Jaune Established Member Join Date: 22 Aug 2011 Location: Evercreech Junction Posts: 2,926	If it was a trip right round Britain, surely you'd turn right at Crewe and head for Holyhead, then back to Llandudno jct., Blaenau Ffestionogog, Porthmadog, down the Cambrian & then along to Shrewsbury, via the Central Wales line to Swansea, then on to Fishguard if you liked, then back to Bristol & down to Penzance, back via Exeter & Yeovil to Weymouth, then Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton, Hastings, Ashford, Dover, then back to London via KX T'Link. I know I have