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Trivia - Cities and large towns visible from lines which don't serve them

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Clansman

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As a regular traveller between Perth and Edinburgh, I have noticed that there is a section of line between Perth and Ladybank where you can see Dundee across the River Tay. The line doesn't go through Dundee, but never the less Dundee is still very visible in the distance.

I was wondering if there are similar instances on any other lines across the UK of which cities or large towns are visible from different lines?

The only other instance I can think of is between Stirling and Larbert where you can see Edinburgh and the Forth Bridges for around 3 seconds on a very clear day, but technically that line does go through Edinburgh if you cut off at the junction which takes you on to Falkirk; which is in fact a third instance if you're heading straight for Glasgow from Stirling (where Falkirk is visible).
 
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MidnightFlyer

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I'm pretty sure you can see the eastern reaches of Coventry from the WCML between Nuneaton and Rugby.
 

najaB

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Manchester is visible from the WCML between Warrington and Wigan, on a clear day.
 

thenorthern

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Although not a city as such its possible to see Livingston from the West Coast Main Line on the branch into Edinburgh.

Technically its possible to see Salford from several lines in the Manchester Area but given Manchester and Salford are part of the same Urban Area this doesn't really count. :D
 

adc82140

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Guildford Cathedral is visible from the SWML between Brookwood and Pirbright Junction (wintertime, when the trees aren't in leaf)

Is Guildford a City?
 

Clansman

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Be as well count large towns and cities, considering I'm counting Falkirk.
 
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notlob.divad

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From the Weaver junction to Liverpool Branch of the West Coast Mainline, you can see most of Widnes. But the town isn't served. Granted Runcorn is served and the station is as close to the 'middle' as Widnes station is.
 

edwin_m

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You can see Lichfield Cathedral for a short time from the Derby-Birmingham line, and I think you can see Gloucester Cathedral from the Gloucester avoiding line.
 

MonsooN

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It's not a city, but you can see Washington from the ECML between Durham and Chester-Le-Street. Washington must be one of the largest towns in the country that's not on the rail network.

Actually, from the same spot, you can see Penshaw Monument, which is actually in the City of Sunderland. Sunderland is on the network, but not the ECML.
 

johnr57

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On a good day you can see Grimsby across the river Humber on the approach to hull paragon once you have gone under the Humber bridge


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Bald Rick

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Guildford Cathedral is visible from the SWML between Brookwood and Pirbright Junction (wintertime, when the trees aren't in leaf)

Is Guildford a City?

I hope so, otherwise when I was a member of Guildford City swimming club 35 years ago, I was swimming on false pretences!
 

47271

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Either side of the Clyde - Dumbarton from the Gourock and Wemyss Bay routes, and Greenock on the way out to Helensburgh.

As far as the Ladybank-Perth line is concerned, I'd argue that Newburgh and Bridge of Earn are the main towns (okay, large villages) visible from the route but not served by it. :(
 

Grinner

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I'm pretty sure you can see the Blackpool Tower from the WCML north of Preston, which presumably counts as being able to see Blackpool?
 

6Gman

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From the Weaver junction to Liverpool Branch of the West Coast Mainline, you can see most of Widnes. But the town isn't served. Granted Runcorn is served and the station is as close to the 'middle' as Widnes station is.

Er, that's because it runs through Widnes!

:D
 

GrimsbyPacer

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I hope so, otherwise when I was a member of Guildford City swimming club 35 years ago, I was swimming on false pretences!
False Pretences I'm affraid.
Milton Keynes, Rochester, Welwyn Garden City, Southwell, Reading, etc all have people and oragisations claiming 'City' but they aren't.
 

thenorthern

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Guildford Cathedral is visible from the SWML between Brookwood and Pirbright Junction (wintertime, when the trees aren't in leaf)

Is Guildford a City?

I hope so, otherwise when I was a member of Guildford City swimming club 35 years ago, I was swimming on false pretences!

False Pretences I'm affraid.
Milton Keynes, Rochester, Welwyn Garden City, Southwell, Reading, etc all have people and oragisations claiming 'City' but they aren't.

Nope Guildford isn't a city as GirmsbyPacer has pointed out, it likes to pretend to be one in many ways such as Guildford City FC but no its a town.
 

43106

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Don't know if it counts, but as you travel DIRECT between Birmingham & Bristol, you can see Gloucester.
There's a 1-a-day service between Glasgow & Kirkcaldy via Linlithgow that runs along the north bank of the Forth, and you can see Edinburgh.
 

paddy1

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You can see Nottingham from the MML when crossing the bridge over the Trent just past East Mids Parkway and as you traverse Trent Jct towards Derby or the Erewash Valley line
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On a clear day you can see Lincoln Cathedral and Castle from the ECML when travellling between Newark and Retford
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You can see Northampton in the distance from the WCML on the direct line between Roade Jct and Weedon
 
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Deepgreen

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Nope Guildford isn't a city as GirmsbyPacer has pointed out, it likes to pretend to be one in many ways such as Guildford City FC but no its a town.

It's unusual in having a cathedral but not being a city.

Redhill is visible (sadly!) from the Quarry line between Redhill tunnel and the M25.
 
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DeeGee

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False Pretences I'm affraid.
Milton Keynes, Rochester, Welwyn Garden City, Southwell, Reading, etc all have people and oragisations claiming 'City' but they aren't.

Rochester being a very odd exception, as it was historically a city (since 1211), but during one of its many local government restructures someone, somewhere decided not to comply with the requirement to have charter trustees, leaving it to the incoming council, who weren't told of this requirement, so city status was lost. It was a city while I was living there.

Welwyn is a "Garden City", which is a style of town planning and confers no particular status on the town.

Rochester is, of course, visible from the Medway Valley Line which only goes as far as Strood.
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Surely if you can see Grimsby it isn't a good day? ;)

*Hides*

No, because if you're looking at Grimsby while travelling into Paragon, you're on the wrong side of the water ;)
 
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