TRIVIA/OPINION - Which is the dullest stretch of railway in the British Isles?

[Bletchleyite]

Leeds to Bradford Interchange. Enough to make you feel like topping yourself.

And if it doesn't, arrival will?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I'll second Chester - Birkenhead. Mind numbingly boring, should have semi fasts on it, and I feel for the Merseyrail drivers who have to work it.

I also agree that whilst Brum - Wolves is a seriously ugly section of track, it's not boring, I actually enjoy driving it through there for some daft reason, as it isn't repetitive cruising at 125 unlike the Trent Valley which I find to be the dullest stretch of track I actually drive on . The bit leaving WVH really does give a shocking impression of Wolverhampton which is very pleasant around the Penn, Whitewick and Merry Hill areas

Most of Chester-Birkenhead runs either in a low cutting, or on an embankment hemmed in by 40-odd years of silver birch growth since the fast lines were removed.
When you stop it's either next to Morrisons (Bache), the "Keep Out" signs at Urenco (Capenhurst), or the metal recyclers (Hooton)!
When you run briefly in the open after Rock Ferry it's the old railway wasteland towards Woodside, with the odd glimpse of the Liverpool cathedrals beyond Cammell Laird.
Bebington isn't bad with views of the Port Sunlight model village.

Wolverhampton used to be much better when the iron foundry under the line at Crane St Jn was working - exceptional at night with flames and real metal bashing on view.
That bit is now totally derelict and vandalised, with a grand elevated view of it from the trains.
Although I believe the site is to be redeveloped for housing: https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/01/31/wolverhampton-canalside-foundry-site-set-for-revival/

 

[duffield]

Agreed, it's one of the few journeys where I'll hardly even bother looking out the window.

On a sunny day you do get some very attractive cloudscapes on the flat/open bits of the ECML.

 

[sprunt]

There are some lovely little areas along that route- Collyhurst Miles platting and the lovely Newton heath/Clayton, Ha Ha - You really wouldn't want to live there.

Unless you lived in Radcliffe...

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Leeds to Bradford Interchange. Enough to make you feel like topping yourself.

And if it doesn't, arrival will?

In either direction... ... (is that enough winky-faces?)

It isn't heavy-rail any longer, But the Oldham loop is pretty dull between Oldham and Manchester. Gets better on the Oldham to Rochdale bit as you skirt the edge of the Pennines though.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Wolverhampton used to be much better when the iron foundry under the line at Crane St Jn was working - exceptional at night with flames and real metal bashing on view.
That bit is now totally derelict and vandalised, with a grand elevated view of it from the trains.
Although I believe the site is to be redeveloped for housing: https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/01/31/wolverhampton-canalside-foundry-site-set-for-revival/

I agree - it was a dark pleasure to see the workers lugging pots of molten iron across the filthy muck spread "yard" as you went by at 20 mph max on the up lines and looked down on this true 19thC scene. They used to adjourn to the nearby Great Western pub for "recovery" pints at lunchtime - about 30 would be poured ready on the bar for them. Epic.

I have seen other interesting sights in the yard - from the train - after closure - once - but we had better not go there.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

The worse part of the ECML is that three track section north of Huntingdon, which seems to go on forever and eternity.

I always found, especially as a child, the section between Didcot and Swindon particularly painful. Even today on the way back to London I find it pretty soul destroying when I just want to get home.

Also, the section between Rhode and Rugby seems as long as the entire WCML. Especially in Video 125’s “Royal Scott” DVD

I took a trip last year down to Southampton on the SWML and found that to be surprisingly uninspiring.

 

[faltskog36abba]

Oi! I live on the outskirts of Ashton/Waterloo. There's actually some rather posh houses

Not in the areas I mentioned there aren't.

 

[fairysdad]

I really like that section, the flyover giving great panoramic views over the rooftops... admittedly it was always more fun in a slammer than a 455 though!

Indeed - I quite like the flyover (and what is probably the most pathetic kids' play area ever). The bit between Wimbledon and Earlsfield is good, but it's the cutting between Earlsfield and Clapham Junction that's dull...

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Indeed - I quite like the flyover (and what is probably the most pathetic kids' play area ever). The bit between Wimbledon and Earlsfield is good, but it's the cutting between Earlsfield and Clapham Junction that's dull...

When I go through that cutting (which isn't often) I always take a moment to think of those who were killed or injured in the Clapham disaster in 1988.

 

[route101]

Manchester Piccadilly to Woodley, Reddish North and Hattersley are pretty uninspiring
Someone earlier mentioned the Cathcart Circle lines, and I'd agree, making an exception for the Neilston branch south of Whitecraigs.
The Maryhill line is uninspiring as well

Agree on the Maryhill Line . Neilston is nice out past Patterton .
Newton through Kings Park is dullish too.

 

[Taunton]

I find the first half (Reading - Westbury) quite interesting, better than Didcot - Swindon.

But the other half, Westbury - Taunton is a long drag!

You may be surprised that I agree with you. Tauntion to Reading has always been dreary. In youthful spotter days there wasn't a single loco shed to pass until you got to Reading. Also, all being 2-track, the view across is limited compared to a 4-track line. Because of both the corkscrew section between Newbury and Westbury, and the bit over the Somerset Levels gently sinking into the mud (which it's been doing as long as I've been using it, back into steam days) it's not a fast line either.

On the Underground, if that qualifies, it's the stretch between Acton Town and Hounslow West when going to/from Heathrow. Just seems an interminable jog-trot, stopping repeatedly at stations which don't seem to do a lot of business and just (in winter) lets the cold and the rain in. Where are we now ... oh, only Boston Manor.

 

[yorksrob]

I quite like the rolling, undulating hills of the Reading - Taunton line. Seemed to be thousands and thousands of cows along side that route last time I travelled it.

 

[Pigeon]

If people are saying "oh but the flat bits aren't really dull", then I'm going to say "oh but the urban/industrial decay bits aren't really dull". Close in, there's plenty of railway stuff - impressive Victorian brick structures, diverging/converging routes (alive, dead or just resting), bits and pieces of equipment; also the graffiti on stuff, although too often it's impossible to make out what it's supposed to be. Next to the line you get the wide variety of interesting shapes that people have glued on to the back of their houses, much more interesting than the uniform appearance of the street side, and the different things they have put in their back gardens. Then there are all the factories and works and things that used to be factories which now have some other industrial use, often with traces of rail connections, lots of intricate interlocking shapes, opportunities to puzzle over what it used to do, and some of it still doing stuff which is potentially useful to know about. There's all the crap people chuck over the edges of cuttings, the remains of cars on pieces of waste land, the piles of stuff that people dump in odd corners because the council tries to rip them off if they take it to the official tip, which in among all the bottles and old sofas often contains useful things worth remembering to come back for later. And there's the complicated convolutions and wriggles the railway performs to worm its way between buildings, the buildings with corners cut off to make room for it, the odd shapes of buildings constructed after the railway to make use of every available inch of the plot. Certainly it's all manky and grotty and it can be really horrible on a wet grey mucky day, but it isn't dull.

 

[B&I]

In either direction... ... (is that enough winky-faces?)

It isn't heavy-rail any longer, But the Oldham loop is pretty dull between Oldham and Manchester. Gets better on the Oldham to Rochdale bit as you skirt the edge of the Pennines though.

I quite like the Oldham line. Half-shut your eyes and you could be in a Mike Leigh-directed 'Pkay for Today'

 

[driver_m]

I very recently saw a driver cab video from Mcr Vic - Lime Street & that particular section is indeed fantastic.
The deep cuttings, tunnels & bridges are an astounding example of engineering.

If only you lot could see it when it's been raining and the sun is out. The mist effects, the rays of sunshine, and the greenery that has took hold now, give off a light and a scene you'd have to see to believe. Quite novel now also getting a green on the way into Lime St inside the tunnels. Last one before the re-sig was at Edge Hill.

 

[CMS]

Interesting thread, agree & disagree with many. My most dull would be (echoing fellow comments)...
1. Paris to Lille LGV
2. Piccadilly line Acton Town - Hatton Cross/Sudbury Town
3. Northampton Loop on WCML
4. Paris to Le Mans/Angoulême via LGV
5. Majority of GEML

 

[Calthrop]

I quite like the rolling, undulating hills of the Reading - Taunton line. Seemed to be thousands and thousands of cows along side that route last time I travelled it.

A few years ago, I deliberately took a -- functionally unnecessary -- rail journey from Reading to Taunton, just to "value" that run through "mid-west England", and its pleasures. Among other things -- at some point a bit east of Somerton, the line runs right through a nature reserve dedicated to conservation of the rare Large Blue butterfly. For me, a delightful run. A thing which it brought home to elderly me: on the modern British main-line scene, where small local stations, and signalboxes, are mostly gone: it can be surprisingly hard to tell, even with map in hand, just where you are. Especially further west on the Reading -- Taunton run, I found myself thoroughly "at sea" in that respect: couldn't even identify the wished-for "butterfly bit".

 

[driver_m]

Interesting thread, agree & disagree with many. My most dull would be (echoing fellow comments)...
1. Paris to Lille LGV
2. Piccadilly line Acton Town - Hatton Cross/Sudbury Town
3. Northampton Loop on WCML
4. Paris to Le Mans/Angoulême via LGV
5. Majority of GEML

Hard to argue with Northampton getting put on. A dull route visually apart from Northampton itself and frustrating from a drivers POV .Tend to be running on single yellows with it only being 3 aspect and 75mph. Irritating for punters too as it's just put 25m on your journey if you were meant to be via Weedon instead.

 

[satisnek]

In my opinion the Chiltern line from Birmingham to London is mostly quite dull, especially when compared to the Euston route.

 

[GrimShady]

Anything around London!

 

[trash80]

In my opinion the Chiltern line from Birmingham to London is mostly quite dull, especially when compared to the Euston route.

Funny how opinions can differ so much, i'd say it was the complete opposite lol

 

[yorksrob]

A few years ago, I deliberately took a -- functionally unnecessary -- rail journey from Reading to Taunton, just to "value" that run through "mid-west England", and its pleasures. Among other things -- at some point a bit east of Somerton, the line runs right through a nature reserve dedicated to conservation of the rare Large Blue butterfly. For me, a delightful run. A thing which it brought home to elderly me: on the modern British main-line scene, where small local stations, and signalboxes, are mostly gone: it can be surprisingly hard to tell, even with map in hand, just where you are. Especially further west on the Reading -- Taunton run, I found myself thoroughly "at sea" in that respect: couldn't even identify the wished-for "butterfly bit".

Particularly if they don't even loop you through Westbury or Frome !

 

[Killingworth]

Doncaster-Cleethorpes, although weather can provide some brilliant panoramas with cloud filled sky.

Nevertheless some will find interest in steel works around Scunthorpe, canals, and the former fish docks in Grimsby.

TPE's Class 185 wi-fi is a god send for many passengers!

 

[Bletchleyite]

In my opinion the Chiltern line from Birmingham to London is mostly quite dull, especially when compared to the Euston route.

The Aylesbury line is particularly drab, come to think of it. The best view of the Chilterns (sort of) can be had from the south WCML around Tring. At sunset over the hills it's quite special.

Not a great photo, but gives you an idea...

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Nothing wrong at all with the run between Bambury and Princes Risborough, watching the Chilterns rise before you heading south toward the latter is rather impressive. Not too pretty therefater granted, but the northern stretch through North Bucks and Oxfordahire easily holds its own vs other lines in that area.

 

[class387]

London Overground from Clapham Junction to Stratford.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I quite like the Oldham line. Half-shut your eyes and you could be in a Mike Leigh-directed 'Pkay for Today'

I didn't realise Mike Leigh had directed "The Power of One"...

 

[mrcheek]

Ive been thinking about this for days, and to be honest I am stuck for an answer. I have travelled on some 90-95% of the British network, and cant really think of any stretch of line that is boring.
Settle to Carlisle is over-rated, Ill give you that, but where some people think lines are boring because there is little to see (Westbury to Reading, ECML north of York), I often enjoy the fact that you can just see open fields for miles.
I suppose I would have to say Weston-super-Mare to Bristol because its boring for me, because Ive done it a million times. But even that line has some wonderful features.

 

[Andyjs247]

Doncaster-Cleethorpes, although weather can provide some brilliant panoramas with cloud filled sky.

Nevertheless some will find interest in steel works around Scunthorpe, canals, and the former fish docks in Grimsby.

TPE's Class 185 wi-fi is a god send for many passengers!

I recently had to travel from Grimsby to Manchester on TPE. The whole journey was fascinating for its contrasts in scenery - I would not say east of Doncaster was necessarily dull though not as pretty as the Hope Valley. From the steelworks of Scunthorpe to Thorne waste, wind turbines, canals, the former Hatfield colliery, quarry at Melton Ross, views towards oil refineries at Immingham and the docks of Grimsby there’s plenty of variety of landscapes. I can think of many less interesting journeys and routes -

I’d agree the Braintree branch was particularly uninspiring. The whole GEML was fairly dull, save for the stretch by the estuary at Manningtree, the final couple of miles into Norwich and around Stratford.