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Favourite View From A Train Window

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Llandudno

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This is a slightly different take on the ‘Most Impressive Stretch of Line’ thread.

If you could stop a train anywhere on the UK network and take a photo from through the train window, where would it be?
Remember you can no longer hang your head out of the window so that the view has to be visible from your passenger (or driver/guards) seat?

Remember it doesn’t have to be a fabulous view, it could mean something personal to you, like going home after a long time away

Here are a couple of my favourites:

1. I might be slightly biased here...
I would stop the train between Deganwy Quay and Llandudno Junction and take a photo of Conwy Castle with the estuary in the foreground and the Carneddau Mountains rising behind the Castle.

2. The River Thames in London, I would stop the Thameslink train on Blackfriars bridge to photo the London Skyline

3. I would stop an ECML train on the approach to Newcastle and photograph the River Tyne and Tyne Bridge

4. The view of the Wembley Arch lit up at night on a north bound train home escaping from a hectic day in London


I am sure forum members will have some fantastic suggestions!
 
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nlogax

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Both my favourites are water views on the SWML, both at Rockley Park as the line snakes north of Poole Harbour, and the sweeping view of the top of Southampton Water as you round the curve from Totton to Redbridge. Always liked those.
 

Huntergreed

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Some amazing views on the network.

Forth road bridge - especially when not under the girders so you can actually see out!

Tay bridge (the curve onto it from the north out the left hand window is really something!)

Ebsfleet international high level, just after departing on the up CTRL you get an amazing view down onto the low level platforms. Happily stay parked up there for a day!

West highland line basically anywhere!

S&C viaducts

Over the Stockport viaduct

Berwick viaduct on the ECML, what a view! (In fact any point on the ECML with a coastal view is pretty amazing to be fair!)
 

Llandudno

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Some amazing views on the network.

Forth road bridge - especially when not under the girders so you can actually see out!

Tay bridge (the curve onto it from the north out the left hand window is really something!)

Ebsfleet international high level, just after departing on the up CTRL you get an amazing view down onto the low level platforms. Happily stay parked up there for a day!

West highland line basically anywhere!

S&C viaducts

Over the Stockport viaduct

Berwick viaduct on the ECML, what a view! (In fact any point on the ECML with a coastal view is pretty amazing to be fair!)
Yep, I agree the view from Stockport viaduct is pretty cool!

Especially the view of the tall chimney with HAT MUSEUM written on it!
 

Bletchleyite

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There's a particular bit of the south WCML, I think just south of Tring, which is utterly spectacular at sunset.

I did attempt it once (attached) but my rubbish phone back then didn't really do it justice, and you can't see the hills in the background which are a key part of it.
 

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SteveM70

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Glenfinnan, late afternoon on a sunny day, with Glen Shiel and the Loch lit up beautifully. Even using a phone it’s hard to take a “bad” photo.
 

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NorthWestRover

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I've not done the North Wales Coast for many years, so not sure how many of those still exist....

1. Mostyn Docks signal box... The best stretch of the line for some speed on The Bangor...

2. The "ship" in the sea near Prestatyn...

3. The aforementioned Conway Castle, but as you curve towards it out of Llandudno Junction...

Memories...
 

D6130

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1. Carbisdale Castle and the Kyle of Sutherland from the viaduct between Culrain and Invershin.

2. Anywhere on the West Highland line, but particularly, for sentimental reasons, the view across the Firth of Clyde at sunset approaching Helensburgh Upper from the North.

3. Looking down Dentdale from the Settle & Carlisle.

4. Looking across the estuary between Carbis Bay and St Ives.

(Just noticed that 'Carbis' features twice!)
 

Mcr Warrior

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The "Fair Mile" section of the WCML beyond Oxenholme, between Lowgill and Borrow Beck viaduct, looking across the River Lune to the old Roman road flanking the far side of the valley, is a particular favourite of mine.
 

Bletchleyite

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The "Fair Mile" section of the WCML beyond Oxenholme, between Lowgill and Borrow Beck viaduct, looking across the River Lune to the old Roman road flanking the far side of the valley, is a particular favourite of mine.

Agreed, the Lune Gorge is utterly, utterly breathtaking, one of the best views on the railway. (The WCML has lots of good/interesting views, which is why I'll always recommend it to a tourist over the ECML which is just a bit drab apart from about the last hour towards Edinburgh).
 

Killingworth

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Royal Albert Bridge looks good. One of a sequence most of which had bad reflections. Also got some good views on the other side.

IMG_20200927_122510.jpg
 
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Ash Bridge

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In this land one is absolutely spoiled for choice and there are definitely some great shouts above. One of my great favourites though would be looking up the Mawddach Estuary whilst onboard a Cambrian Coast service atop Barmouth Bridge, absolutely stunning in my opinion!
 

Bletchleyite

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In this land one is absolutely spoiled for choice and there are definitely some great shouts above. One of my great favourites though would be looking up the Mawddach Estuary whilst onboard a Cambrian Coast service atop Barmouth Bridge, absolutely stunning in my opinion!

Oh...that reminds me...I love the similar views from the viaducts on the Cumbrian Coast - only one letter different! :D

There's also nothing like emerging from Blaenau tunnel into the moonscape of slag heaps etc.
 

Llandudno

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In this land one is absolutely spoiled for choice and there are definitely some great shouts above. One of my great favourites though would be looking up the Mawddach Estuary whilst onboard a Cambrian Coast service atop Barmouth Bridge, absolutely stunning in my opinion!
Yes, that’s a cracker and so is the walk over the wooden viaduct - breathtaking!
Start at the Morfa Mawddach end though as there are a few decent pubs in Barmouth!
 

Bletchleyite

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Yes, that’s a cracker and so is the walk over the wooden viaduct - breathtaking!
Start at the Morfa Mawddach end though as there are a few decent pubs in Barmouth!

This do, though I forget which bridge it is? (Attached photo is a scenic view from a Cambrian 158; working "air conditioning" (open window) also pictured :D )
 

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Llandudno

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This do, though I forget which bridge it is? (Attached photo is a scenic view from a Cambrian 158; working "air conditioning" (open window) also pictured :D )
At least the air coming in through the open window in that location is somewhat fresher than where the train originated from - Birmingham New Street!
 

Calthrop

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I've always liked the story of W.B. Yeats, and the doctor / author / renowned wit Oliver St. John Gogarty, travelling together by train through a beautiful part of the west of Ireland. As the train went along, Yeats remarked, "I'd give a fiver to be able to stop here and do justice to this view". So Gogarty pulled the communication cord and gave him his wish.
 

Ash Bridge

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This do, though I forget which bridge it is? (Attached photo is a scenic view from a Cambrian 158; working "air conditioning" (open window) also pictured :D )

That location looks to be between Tywyn and Tofanau, Afon Dysinni? don’t think that new bridge was in place when I last travelled though on a 158 around 2004ish?
 

pnepaul

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The Cumbrian Coast anywhere from Sellafield to Silecroft.
Approaching Durham station from the north for the view of the Cathedral.
 

Big Tim

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Going northbound onto the Tay Bridge, heading to Dundee - the place I called home for ten years. Always emotional and with great views. However, going back 10 - 15 years the spectacular "light show" on a dark evening was amazing, with all the multi-storey flats illuminated. These huge blocks (the Derby Street and Maxwelltown developments, along with the majority of others in the city) went the way of the "wrecking ball" (well, controlled explosions) since then.
 

S&CLER

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The "Fair Mile" section of the WCML beyond Oxenholme, between Lowgill and Borrow Beck viaduct, looking across the River Lune to the old Roman road flanking the far side of the valley, is a particular favourite of mine.
That's a great place to walk too. A few miles further south I was once on a train approaching Oxenholme from the north in unusual atmospheric conditions. The view over Kendal and towards the fells was so spectacular in that uncanny light that there was an audible intake of breath from nearly everyone in the carriage, including many Japanese and American tourists.

When I stay with friends in Skelsmergh near Kendal, we can sit in their conservatory in the evening and watch Pendolinos etc. rounding the curve under Benson Knott, especially attractive at dusk when the train lights stand out; but I've never been able to spot their house from the train, though they insist that it can be seen. I try it every time and one day perhaps I'll succeed.

I also remember a view from a train window somewhere in Austria, a sort of gorge with a turquoise-blue river, on which a solitary swan was so perfectly positioned that the whole scene looked like a stage set for Swan Lake.
 
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Bletchleyite

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Going northbound onto the Tay Bridge, heading to Dundee - the place I called home for ten years. Always emotional and with great views. However, going back 10 - 15 years the spectacular "light show" on a dark evening was amazing, with all the multi-storey flats illuminated. These huge blocks (the Derby Street and Maxwelltown developments, along with the majority of others in the city) went the way of the "wrecking ball" (well, controlled explosions) since then.

Those old concrete flats looked exciting after dark but horrid during the day. Fortunately both of MK's examples are looking likely to be pulled down.
 

AM9

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... 2. The River Thames in London, I would stop the Thameslink train on Blackfriars bridge to photo the London Skyline ...
There's no view to be had on Blackfriars Bridge unless the train is in the station. Also there's no need to stop the train specially as every service train stops there anyway.
 

Cowley

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There’s really so many in this country, Glenfinnen, The Lune Gorge, the St Ives branch when you turn the corner and see the sands...
I’d still opt for a stormy day somewhere around Dawlish though (in a train with toughened windows).
 

NoMorePacers

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Might be a bit of a strange choice but I quite like the view facing east of Holbeck Junction - seeing the many lines converge into Leeds station is an interesting sight in my opinion.

Also a view I quite like is looking out over the North Sea at various points between Hartlepool and Seaham.
 

Cheshire Scot

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West highland line basically anywhere!
Approaching Mallaig on a bright sunny day with views out to the Rum, Eigg and Skye - and particularly if you can capture it in the late evening light as sunset approaches after said bright day.

Anywhere on the West Highland line, but particularly, for sentimental reasons, the view across the Firth of Clyde at sunset approaching Helensburgh Upper from the North.
I'd buy into that one too!
 

greatvoyager

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I used to enjoy the stretch between Exeter and Newton Abbot, where around Starcross/Dawlish Warren, the Avocet line can be seen across the water.
 

BBF3

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Another one for the estuary and coast around Carbis Bay on the St Ives branch.
 
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