Which is your favourite NR branch line and why?

[The Sleeper]

Well for me it has to be the Tarka Line -why? spent half my railway career on there and not before or after have I enjoyed going to work so much (except perhaps doing Saturdays at Skeggy in the peak summer months of 1996/7)

 

[T163R]

The Valley Lines are maybe the most beautiful (scenery) branch lines on the NR network.

 

[AlterEgo]

For me, it has to be the Marston Vale line. It's my local branch line, and while it may not be stunningly beautiful, it may in the future become an important crosscountry route.

 

[ainsworth74]

Esk Valley Line for me.

 

[gnolife]

My favourite would have to be the Styal Line - because it means I can actually get to places!

In terms of scenery, I quite like the line from Manchester Vic - Huddersfield via Slaithwaite (if that counts as a branch), and also the Hope Valley

 

[Ivo]

Everyone casually chooses their local...

...and I'm in on it. For me, it has to be the Severn Beach Line. Highlighted by Thomas Cook - that well-known NR expert (!) - as one of Europe's most scenic routes, it takes in a major city, a viaduct, tunnels, industrial areas, a freight depot, views across the Severn, views of the Severn Bridges, local community stops, a passing of the Avon and more - all in less than 14 miles. And of course it has Pacers

Actually, would NIR count? If yes, can I choose Coleraine to Londonderry? Or does that not count as a branch...?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Machynlleth-Pwllheli or Sleford-Skegness

 

[YorkshireBear]

Not sure what counts as a branch line to be fair.... But im going to choose the line from exeter to exmouth.

 

[The Sleeper]

Not sure what counts as a branch line to be fair.... But im going to choose the line from exeter to exmouth.

OK for arguments sake, a branch line can be classed as a rural dead end or non inter city cross country (or if inner city -such as Severn Beach it must be a dead end).

 

[YorkshireBear]

OK for arguments sake, a branch line can be classed as a rural dead end or non inter city cross country (or if inner city -such as Severn Beach it must be a dead end).

thanks for that, i wasnt saying you hadnt made it clear i just couldnt work out what the limits were in my head.

S&C seems to fit in to me.

 

[Gathursty]

Lancaster - Heysham Port branch :P

Fort William - Mallaig if we're being serious about it!

 

[dk1]

Lancaster - Heysham Port branch :P

A work colleage of mine did that last week & commented it was a bit bleak. A bit!!

For some strange reason considering its work, i like the East Suffolk.
Elswhere i have to say Barnstaple, Looe & St Ives are just lovely. Highlands of course, but then again Matlock is good. Several Northern routes are great if you enjoy the industrial scene.

 

[ushawk]

Would the Island Line count as a branch line ? If yes then thats mine, like the old LUL units going through the scenic IOW and going along Ryde Pier, brings back memories of past holidays on the Island

 

[causton]

Chesham branch (one station is served by NR trains, so it counts right? What? No?)

I feel like choosing my local, the St Albans Abbey line, because it's the closest to my home where I can find good views, a quiet train and friendly conductors!

 

[NSE]

Again going local (or ex-local) and voting for the Caterham branch line. Quite rural for London, good memories and often enough the use of my favourite unit (don't shoot :P). The 377 xD

 

[Lrd]

my favourite unit (don't shoot :P). The 377 xD

Oh deary me!

For me it would have to be the Lymington branch, nice and local.

Stourbridge would come second. :roll:

 

[shedman]

North Berwick. I always find the part on the ECML before the branch interesting with Craigentinny, Looking at the bit where the ECML was diverted to see how it's being reclaimed by nature, that yard under the bridge (can't remember the name), then the little sprint down the branch to North Berwick where you can see the great rock coming closer. Then walking into the charming little town and a stroll along the beach. It's such an idyllic place just miles away from the hustle of the countries capital. The variety of stock over the years has added to it too!

 

[Lampshade]

Buxton line. Nice scenery.

 

[CompactDstrxion]

Simply has to be the West Highland Line to Mallaig for me. Although I'm not Scottish, I'm so glad my time up here has enabled me to experience it. Never had quite so many sharp intakes of breath on a train journey before.

 

[Daimler]

Esk Valley Line for me.

Difficult to argue with this one - it's a wonderful line.

 

[DarloRich]

Esk Valley for me if only for Whitby! , followed by the Tarka line.

 

[paul1609]

Again I have to come up with a list!
Local line: Marshlink, its different to all the other lines in the South East and has big sky views throughout.
Mountain Line: Crianlarich to Mallaig, there is no other contender
Coastal Line: Machynleth to Cricieth, Barmouth Bridge
Urban, New Addington Branch of Tramlink tunnel still owned by network rail)
Off Shore: Island Line
West Country: Looe

 

[ReverendFozz]

Cant really pick a favourite to be honest, I have enjoyed Lowestoft-Norwich-Peterborough, Grantham-Skegness, Tyne Valley, Durham Coast(Sunderland-Hartlepool) and enjoyed a ride on the S&C about 5 years ago when I was stuck in Leeds, no cash, lost my debit card, I had a complimentary ticket for all Northern Services or whatever they were called back thenand had to get back to Newcastle on Northern Only...

 

[chefchenko]

gotta be inverness to kyle for me !!! that last bit from plockton onwards is simply breathtaking !! especially when the sun is setting

 

[glenbogle]

Cardiff QS - Cardiff Bay

 

[Robinson]

No one's mentioned Llandudno-Blaenau Ffestiniog yet (or indeed the Rheiddad Ffestiniog Railway, if that counts...) Thought they were both enjoyable runs.

 

[RichmondCommu]

thanks for that, i wasnt saying you hadnt made it clear i just couldnt work out what the limits were in my head.

S&C seems to fit in to me.

James Allport and John Crossley would turn in their graves on reading this!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

A pity you can't call the Heart of Wales a branch line.

I agree about Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog, though.

 

[Tomonthetrain]

Stourbridge Town branch for me

 

[ian959]

Another vote for the West Highland Line. Never get tired of taking the trip up to Mallaig from Fort William. If I ever had the money to retire, Mallaig would be the place to retire to, simply to enjoy the lovely area and that train ride.