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Most Overrated Lines for Scenery

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SprinterMan

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The opposite of my other thread, which lines did you do after hearing good things about then were disappointed by them.
My Examples:

East Suffolk Line - Ipswich to Lowestoft
I had heard good things about it, and having done Norwich - Lowestoft and loved it I decided to do it. It was very good as far as Woodbridge then it just became dreary and boring until the swing bridge at Oulton Broad. Its not unpleasent but it just isn't interesting.

Heart Of Wales Line - Llandrindod to Swansea
I might get some flak for this one, but when I did the HoW line, I found the northern half (Llandrindod to Shrewsbury) just infinitely better and more enjoyable than it. Sugar Loaf was ok I suppose but not as good as I had hoped. Don't get me wrong, I love the Northern half, but I am less than enamoured with the southern half.

Please add your disappointments ;)
Adam :D
 
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sprinterguy

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The S&C, massively overrated IMO, certainly south of Kirkby Stephen.
I cannot so much as contemplete sharing that view. The S&C is superb in my opinion, and if anything I would say that if any section of the line is less inspiring, then it is the section north of Kirkby Stephen.
 

87015

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Whoever told you the East Suffolk was interesting, let alone scenic, should be shouted at. Loudly.
 

merlodlliw

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The opposite of my other thread, which lines did you do after hearing good things about then were disappointed by them.
My Examples:

East Suffolk Line - Ipswich to Lowestoft
I had heard good things about it, and having done Norwich - Lowestoft and loved it I decided to do it. It was very good as far as Woodbridge then it just became dreary and boring until the swing bridge at Oulton Broad. Its not unpleasent but it just isn't interesting.

Heart Of Wales Line - Llandrindod to Swansea
I might get some flak for this one, but when I did the HoW line, I found the northern half (Llandrindod to Shrewsbury) just infinitely better and more enjoyable than it. Sugar Loaf was ok I suppose but not as good as I had hoped. Don't get me wrong, I love the Northern half, but I am less than enamoured with the southern half.

Please add your disappointments ;)
Adam :D

Many of us think the Northern parts are best, but then I am a little biased.

Bob
 

4SRKT

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I cannot so much as contemplete sharing that view. The S&C is superb in my opinion, and if anything I would say that if any section of the line is less inspiring, then it is the section north of Kirkby Stephen.

TBF to Matt, he is a well known contrarian on this forum. If I said that water was wet, he would have a good go at arguing that it wasn't! ;)
 

cuccir

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Tyne Valley is a bit meh

Settle and Carlisle is a much nicer line to look at than to look from I think. But the Kirkby Stephen - Horton-in-Ribblesdale stretch is glorious!
 

sprinterguy

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Tyne Valley is a bit meh
Oh no it most certainly isn’t! When considering routes that I really do like in relation to the other “Under-rated lines” thread, the Tyne Valley line was one of the first to pop into my head. I feel very fortunate to have had it at such close quarters, and to have travelled over it so frequently, while growing up in the North East. I have fond memories of rattling into the upper reaches of the Tyne Valley dashing towards Haltwhistle on the early morning Sprinter to Glasgow, stretching out with a whole table to myself and watching the deep yellow Sun lighting up the steep valley sides.

Personally, although it is not National Rail, the Ffestiniog Railway was a pretty big disappointment for me. It’s not awful by any means, and it probably didn’t help that I chose a wet and misty day to visit, but it entirely failed to live up to the huge amounts of hype that has always surrounded the Ffestiniog, and seems to have given it an almost mythical status in the world of narrow gauge railways.

But the Kirkby Stephen - Horton-in-Ribblesdale stretch is glorious!
I can certainly agree with that :)
 

4SRKT

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Oh no it most certainly isn’t! When considering routes that I really do like in relation to the other “Under-rated lines” thread, the Tyne Valley line was one of the first to pop into my head. I feel very fortunate to have had it at such close quarters, and to have travelled over it so frequently, while growing up in the North East. I have fond memories of rattling into the upper reaches of the Tyne Valley dashing towards Haltwhistle on the early morning Sprinter to Glasgow, stretching out with a whole table to myself and watching the deep yellow Sun lighting up the steep valley sides.

Personally, although it is not National Rail, the Ffestiniog Railway was a pretty big disappointment for me. It’s not awful by any means, and it probably didn’t help that I chose a wet and misty day to visit, but it entirely failed to live up to the huge amounts of hype that has always surrounded the Ffestiniog, and seems to have given it an almost mythical status in the world of narrow gauge railways.

I always liked the Ffestiniog as a child, but my most recent visit was straight after I'd just done the Welsh Highland for the first time, and by comparison the Ffestiniog seemed like taking a 153 across the flatlands of Lincolnshire!
 

MidnightFlyer

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I quite like Fenland scenery... :(

And no 4SRKT, I am not saying that to be controversial. It makes a pleasant change from rolling hills and valleys I think.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Tyne Valley is a bit meh

I agree with that too. I've never really seen it advertised to passengers, but some reports on here I think make it out to be more than it is. I certainly wouldn't put down a book I was reading to look at most of it.
 

IrishDave

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I fear I may get shot down in flames for this one, but here goes...

I'd like to nominate the West Highland Extension between Fort William and Mallaig. Sure, it's a beautiful line, and it's more scenic and delightful than anything England or Wales has to offer. But it's been over-hyped to a level it doesn't quite deserve - by both the Jacobite steam specials and more recently the "Harry Potter viaduct" at Glenfinnan.

To my mind, the truly spectacular bit of the West Highland line is that between Crianlarich and Fort William, where the builders, short of cash to build a bridge at Ballachulish, threw caution to the wind and laid the line on top of Rannoch Moor. That is spectacular; the line west of Fort William doesn't quite rise to the same level.
 

4SRKT

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I fear I may get shot down in flames for this one, but here goes...

I'd like to nominate the West Highland Extension between Fort William and Mallaig. Sure, it's a beautiful line, and it's more scenic and delightful than anything England or Wales has to offer. But it's been over-hyped to a level it doesn't quite deserve - by both the Jacobite steam specials and more recently the "Harry Potter viaduct" at Glenfinnan.

To my mind, the truly spectacular bit of the West Highland line is that between Crianlarich and Fort William, where the builders, short of cash to build a bridge at Ballachulish, threw caution to the wind and laid the line on top of Rannoch Moor. That is spectacular; the line west of Fort William doesn't quite rise to the same level.

I would tentatively agree with this, although I would say the whole bit from Helensburgh to Fort William is spectacular. It's certainly my favourite in the country, even after I made last Thursday's Move to Oblivion.
 

tbtc

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The Far North line has to be mentioned. There are a few nice bits (like the whisky barrels at Tain!), but so much of is bleak/empty landscape with little variety that it gets quite boring.

Because of it's remote location it gets raved about though - wouldn't be on my top hundred.

Tyne Valley is a bit meh

One problem it has is that, erm, how can I put this, it's in the valley for too much of the eastern part of the journey - you've got very little in the way of scenery because you are so low down.

The good stuff happens west of Hexham where the line rises in line with the scenery

Settle and Carlisle is a much nicer line to look at than to look from I think

Agreed
 

MidnightFlyer

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I can't get in to Rochester to Chatham either...

With regard to whoever said the S&C is nicer to look at than ride, I agree. I wouldn't say it's a dull journey, it's just I tire of the moors and hills quickly, I've never really been able to fully get into the Lake District, I think places like the Cotswolds and Somerset Levels are nicer. I would put Kyle, Stranraer, Fort William, Bristol-Taunton and Horsham-Ford above the S&C in my preference.
 

Oswyntail

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I always find the Settle-Carnforth line duller than it is cracked up to be. It seems to be linked in with the other lines in that area - S&C, Lune Gorge - in the publicity, but it is truly small beer.
 

DarloRich

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@MattE2010 - I HOPE you are saying that just to get a rise. I mean are you ACTUALLY suggesting that Ais Gill, Garsdale, Dent, Blea Moor, Ribblehead, Pen-y-gent is not that good. I mean do you have eyes?

That there is some of the finest scenery you will ever come across in England (and I would say the world). Bleak, awe inspiring, Cumbria and North Yorkshire at its very best (but it aint that good!)

That: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ribblehead_Viaduct_in_North_Yorkshire.jpg

That, THAT! aint that good?

Even the bits at the ends are nice. There is such a contrast on this route. You travel from the bucolic spender of the red sandstone based Eden Valley, through Malerstang, over the stark beauty of harsh, bleak, brutal, awe inspiring and frankly dangerous (when they turn) high moorlands, dales and fells before dropping back down through the rolling dales and down towards the regenerated city of Leeds. Frankly I cant think of anywhere better.

As for Tyne Valley - Is a vastly underrated route. Lets not forget that the river you follow is, along with the Wear and the Tees, the cradle of the industrial revolution. Wylam is the birthplace of the father of the railways. However; I always find it a peaceful amble through Northumberland. The gantry signal boxes at Wylam and Hexham are very interesting, you run close to the Tyne for the first half of the journey, only branching away form it at Haltwhistle. Here you start to climb up through peaceful scenery , crossing Hadrian’s Wall at Gilsland, and over Tynedale and down into the Eden Valley through Brampton & Wetheral and onwards to Carlisle.

Whilst is may lack the grandeur of the S&C it is a peaceful relaxing line through nice picturesque country.

We really are spoiled in the North of England for these types of lines!
 

MidnightFlyer

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@MattE2010 - I HOPE you are saying that just to get a rise. I mean are you ACTUALLY suggesting that Ais Gill, Garsdale, Dent, Blea Moor, Ribblehead, Pen-y-gent is not that good. I mean do you have eyes?

That there is some of the finest scenery you will ever come across in England (and I would say the world). Bleak, awe inspiring, Cumbria and North Yorkshire at its very best (but it aint that good!)

That: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ribblehead_Viaduct_in_North_Yorkshire.jpg

That, THAT! aint that good?

Ever stopped to contemplate that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? I'm just saying I think it is very overrated, I'm not saying it's horrendously ugly, but I wouldn't put it in my Top 10 in the UK; I can't see why people think it's the best in the UK but there you go. It's an opinion. I prefer farmland and fields to hills, is that OK?
 

Schnellzug

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Anything that's promoted as a "Great Rail journey", but which the ordinary service on is provided by a cramped DMU with predominantly "airline style" seats. They do not offer Great railway journeys, wherever they are.
 

4SRKT

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Ever stopped to contemplate that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? I'm just saying I think it is very overrated, I'm not saying it's horrendously ugly, but I wouldn't put it in my Top 10 in the UK; I can't see why people think it's the best in the UK but there you go. It's an opinion. I prefer farmland and fields to hills, is that OK?

It's true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but if someone says something so out of kilter with the established view of beauty then it does look as though they are just doing so to be contrary. You might find the line between Middlesbrough and Redcar beautiful, but if you came on here and said so, and then used the slightly facile 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' line you would be be lucky to be taken seriously by anyone. True, you have the right to say whatever you like, but you must also grant anyone else the right to laugh if you say something laughable.

By this logic you can say *anything at all* about *any subject no matter how absurd* and just defend it on the ground that it's a matter of opinion. If that's your stance it's pointless getting involved in any kind of debate about anything. There have to be some common understandings on which everyone can agree before a conversation can begin. Otherwise you might get people seriously arguing that drinking Prussic acid was sensible or that one-trick pony common-as-muck jellied-eel-guzzling 'pop star' Adele was a size 10.
 

NSE

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Ever stopped to contemplate that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? I'm just saying I think it is very overrated, I'm not saying it's horrendously ugly, but I wouldn't put it in my Top 10 in the UK; I can't see why people think it's the best in the UK but there you go. It's an opinion. I prefer farmland and fields to hills, is that OK?

I completely agree, to the point where I find continuous hills boring. I like things such as the WCML past Willesden/Wembley, Rugby junction, arriving at Wolverhampton or Clapham Junction, passing depots, coming into London at night and being able to see Canary Wharf and the city, and especially arriving at busy stations such as London Termini or BHM/Man Picc.

I do like a little bit of countryside, recently, the water levels rose quite close to the bottom of a bridge between Peterborough and Ely. Travelling over that with the sun sparkling off the water, and seeing trees just poking out the top of the water and being really close to the water was actually really cool.

Also, after going pony trekking through the Drakensburg mountains, nothing is quite ever as good in England.
 

MidnightFlyer

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It's true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but if someone says something so out of kilter with the established view of beauty then it does look as though they are just doing so to be contrary. You might find the line between Middlesbrough and Redcar beautiful, but if you came on here and said so, and then used the slightly facile 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' line you would be be lucky to be taken seriously by anyone. True, you have the right to say whatever you like, but you must also grant anyone else the right to laugh if you say something laughable.

By this logic you can say *anything at all* about *any subject no matter how absurd* and just defend it on the ground that it's a matter of opinion. If that's your stance it's pointless getting involved in any kind of debate about anything. There have to be some common understandings on which everyone can agree before a conversation can begin. Otherwise you might get people seriously arguing that drinking Prussic acid was sensible or that one-trick pony common-as-muck jellied-eel-guzzling 'pop star' Adele was a size 10.

I am not saying it to be contrary, what on earth would be the point in that? Do you think I enjoy getting torn new ones over matters for the sake of it? I don't. Do you think this is flaming? Believe me, it is not. There's a million and one things I follow general consensus on among enthusiasts, a love of HSTs, a soft spot for Pacers, thinking McNulty needs to go away, the belief that the West Highland line is probably the best around, however I just cannot see the rave and belief that the S&C is the best around. North of KSW is really nice, however I tire of seeing just valleys and hills after a while, I prefer other types of scenery. Others AFAIAC can think it's the best around, ride it all day long, do whatever they like, however from a personal point of view I wouldn't, and I think a lot of claims that it is the best in England are questionable, as it is all a matter of taste.

You hate all sport don't you? Isn't that 'so out of kilter with the established view'. I think it is, however I can live with it and get over it, because you and I and every other person in the world will have a different point of view on everything. Is that so hard to accept?
 

embers25

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I can't get in to Rochester to Chatham either...

With regard to whoever said the S&C is nicer to look at than ride, I agree. I wouldn't say it's a dull journey, it's just I tire of the moors and hills quickly, I've never really been able to fully get into the Lake District, I think places like the Cotswolds and Somerset Levels are nicer. I would put Kyle, Stranraer, Fort William, Bristol-Taunton and Horsham-Ford above the S&C in my preference.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder BUT Bristol-Taunton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

tbtc

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Anything that's promoted as a "Great Rail journey", but which the ordinary service on is provided by a cramped DMU with predominantly "airline style" seats. They do not offer Great railway journeys, wherever they are.

I dunno - you'd get a better view out of the large windows of a Pacer than from any intercity stock :lol:
 

ng1980

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I know I might have some opposition on this one, but please bear with me. I love mountain scenery, moorland scenery, coastal scenery and forest scenery and I have spent a lot of time hiking, climbing, abseiling and canoeing around the UK and abroad, but there is also something to be said about iconic city scenery. I am not from London, but lived in London for seven years (it seemed much more than that - but I will do again one day!), and it is in this spirit that I submit the very humble (and at one time for me humdrum):

London Charing Cross to London Cannon Street - a view recognised the world over and which millions around the world would love to be lucky enough to see one day.
 
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