Most Depressing Stretch of Line on the Network

[Rich McLean]

The approach into Wolves from the Stour Valley

 

[Tomos y Tanc]

The valley lines struck me as pretty grim in particular the Rhondda valley to Treherbet. The whole area was covered in Japanese Knot weed.

It just goes to show how subjective this subject is! I love the valley lines for their dramatic scenery and glimpses of the area's industrial past. Admittedly, the Rhymney line is probably the jewel in the crown but there's plenty to see on a trip up the Rhondda and Treorci, which has just won UK High Street of the year, is well worth a visit.

 

[Sprinter107]

I agree with this. I went Stourbridge Junction to Marylebone last week. The bit of line from Rowley Regis to Smethwick, particularlay around the old Rolfe Street station, just seems to be used as an open air tip, with all kinds of rubbish tipped down into the cutting, including thousands of plastic bottles. It looks like deliberate fly-tipping on a massive scale.

A train from Stourbridgr to Marylebone doesnt ho through Rolfe Street.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Perhaps surprisingly I'd suggest the Derwent Valley line between Ambergate and Matlock. As it's in such a lovely area you might expect lots of wide expansive views of the Derbyshire countryside but because the line runs through the valley bottom all you see is high-sided cuttings, slate walls and tunnels.

 

[eisenach]

A train from Stourbridgr to Marylebone doesnt ho through Rolfe Street.

Maybe it was Smethwick West, although I could have sworn it was called Rolfe Street station when I used the line in the 80s. It's long since closed and disused, and is (coming from Stourbridge) just before the junction down to the Wolves - Birmingham main line. When I lived in Stourbridge in the 80s, the station was still open, trains from Stourbridge used the junction and the Wolves line, running into New Street.
Since then, it has closed and trains now go over the Wolves line to the upper level Galton Bridge station and then on to Snow Hill. You can still see the decaying platforms and even some fittings of the old station.

 

[stantheman]

Glasgow Queen St low level toHigh Street and Bellgrove ?

 

[MotCO]

I've always wondered what it is like for a train driver to take a train from the grime of London, and end their journey at somewhere light and scenic such as Penzance. The difference must be so stark.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've always wondered what it is like for a train driver to take a train from the grime of London, and end their journey at somewhere light and scenic such as Penzance. The difference must be so stark.

Mostly a driver won't be doing a run that long, they'll be swapped over multiple times en-route. Though doing Euston to Preston, say, which is done in one go, is still very much a trip of contrasts.

But if you want the answer, and you drive, get in your car and try it

 

[MotCO]

Mostly a driver won't be doing a run that long, they'll be swapped over multiple times en-route. Though doing Euston to Preston, say, which is done in one go, is still very much a trip of contrasts.

But if you want the answer, and you drive, get in your car and try it

Yes, but I wouldn't be doing it on a daily or twice daily basis!

 

[iainbhx]

Maybe it was Smethwick West, although I could have sworn it was called Rolfe Street station when I used the line in the 80s. It's long since closed and disused, and is (coming from Stourbridge) just before the junction down to the Wolves - Birmingham main line. When I lived in Stourbridge in the 80s, the station was still open, trains from Stourbridge used the junction and the Wolves line, running into New Street.
Since then, it has closed and trains now go over the Wolves line to the upper level Galton Bridge station and then on to Snow Hill. You can still see the decaying platforms and even some fittings of the old station.

That's Smethwick West, Rolfe Street was the station after it when the Stourbridge trains ran into New Street and it's the station after Galton Bridge for the Wolvo-Brum stoppers.

 

[Sprinter107]

Maybe it was Smethwick West, although I could have sworn it was called Rolfe Street station when I used the line in the 80s. It's long since closed and disused, and is (coming from Stourbridge) just before the junction down to the Wolves - Birmingham main line. When I lived in Stourbridge in the 80s, the station was still open, trains from Stourbridge used the junction and the Wolves line, running into New Street.
Since then, it has closed and trains now go over the Wolves line to the upper level Galton Bridge station and then on to Snow Hill. You can still see the decaying platforms and even some fittings of the old station.

Rolfe Street is still very much open, the station you're thinking of is Smethwick West, formerly Smethwick Junction, closed in Sept 1996, having only had 2 trains per week for the previous 12 months before.

 

[Leigh White]

Manchester Exchange to Liverpool Lime St was an eye opener in the 60s via the Tyldesley loop. had everything from the slums of Salford, the slag heaps in between and the slums of Edge Hill.

 

[Calthrop]

This may be controversial, but I feel depressed whenever I get east of Peterborough towards Ely and Norwich. Just all flat and boring!

Whereas I love the Fenlands -- where I spent my early years -- flat, but to me not a bit boring ! And East Anglia comprises low-lying and gentle countryside; but a good deal of it quite undulating, in a modest way. As with this thread generally -- and all such things -- it's essentially De gustibus non est disputandum.

 

[Calthrop]

Perhaps surprisingly I'd suggest the Derwent Valley line between Ambergate and Matlock. As it's in such a lovely area you might expect lots of wide expansive views of the Derbyshire countryside but because the line runs through the valley bottom all you see is high-sided cuttings, slate walls and tunnels.

This strikes me as a quite often met-with thing: a rail line traversing beautiful scenery, but with some factor or factors blocking the traveller's view of said scenery. I recall, as a kid, hearing the couple next door talking about a holiday that they had taken in the Isle of Wight; they'd expected train travel on the Island to be full of pretty scenes, but in the event, were disappointed to find that a lot of the run was in cuttings, with nothing to see but the cutting sides. This conversation must have been in the late 1950s or very early 60s: I, as a juvenile railway enthusiast, had read in the rail magazines about the delights of the IOW lines, and feasted my eyes on the O.S. map (never actually got to the Island, till some years later) -- their words struck me as bordering on blasphemy .

(Which part of the Island's rail system had featured here was, so far as I remember, not discussed -- nor how long previously to the conversation, their holiday had been. When the convo happened, there would have been left only the Ryde -- Ventnor and Ryde -- Cowes lines. I'd hazard a guess that the culprit was the former of those two: from walking the route, made into footpaths / cycleways almost throughout, of the Newport -- Sandown line (closed early 1956), my impression is that that line did little or no diving into cuttings.)

 

[Peter Sarf]

Have you ever been to Slade Green?

I was going to say - the North Kent lines. All my childhood memories trundling from Strood to Charing Cross in EPB stock - mainly compartments. Slade Green depot was the highpoint really. I used to try and get a lift to Sole Street to zip into Victoria instead - rolling fields as far as Chislehurst Junction.

 

[R G NOW.]

I would vote for the bit of line between Barnwood junction and Horton road where a concrete lamp-post smashing up yard is and the rusty old loops that do not seem to be used anymore. It is also overgrown with weeds.

 

[joshy.fre_2003]

The northern and inland chunk of the Cumbrian Coast Line, from about Workington all the way to Carlisle is a bad one, a huge lack of scenery, and it’s so slow too! Coming in close behind that has got to be Doncaster to Lincoln via Saxilby - for the same reasons as above.

 

[Whistler40145]

Manchester Piccadilly to Stockport isn't very appealing

 

[route101]

I like the Urban sections like going through Manchester.
Cowlairs down into Queen St , hardly a grand entrance to Glasgow

 

[pinkmarie80]

Beeston to Nottingham. Although that could potentially be because that signals I’m almost at work

 

[warwickshire]

The area in question has under gone much regeneration in the last few years with the opening of a huge business park just off the Watergate junction of the M61.

The line in between Wigan & Manchester Victoria isn't best ever though. Hag Fold estate near Atherton is a complete cesspit and as you get closer to Wigan, the Ince industrial area where you have the former Morrisons site, the wastelands of the former Seaman's Way business park & of course the horrific Bakavar factory - this really does not do Wigan any favours. However, once past Wallgate station, the Southport line is one of the finest routes in the North West.

CJ

However on a good clear day its amazing with a clear view between walkden and Atherton ie on the incline there look towards walkden you can see Trafford area and Carrington power stn. And beyond to the peak district hills off new Mills and to the Atherton direction ie fiddles ferry power station and behind it both helsby hill and the runcorn bridge behind fiddles ferry as long as you know what you are looking for but that is only the good bit off the line. And weather crystals clear 3d view.Ie from walkden to Atherton can see all the areas off west Manchester to Merseyside along the ship canal. And yes hag fold can have its moments and is one to be wary off with the bit to ince a bit dire to say the least. With some classic examples going to ince and always hiding in toilets or going to the unit on a multi where guard isn't in

 

[warwickshire]

Altrincham to stockport via wythenshawe ie known as bomb alley.
Leeds to Bradford Interchange..and foster square
London liverpool st to chestnut via Severn sisters

L

 

[C J Snarzell]

However on a good clear day its amazing with a clear view between walkden and Atherton ie on the incline there look towards walkden you can see Trafford area and Carrington power stn. And beyond to the peak district hills off new Mills and to the Atherton direction ie fiddles ferry power station and behind it both helsby hill and the runcorn bridge behind fiddles ferry as long as you know what you are looking for but that is only the good bit off the line. And weather crystals clear 3d view.Ie from walkden to Atherton can see all the areas off west Manchester to Merseyside along the ship canal. And yes hag fold is horrible and not pleasant nor some off its non fare paying travellers. That go to ince

There is a road in Bolton called Plodder Lane that runs parrell with a stretch of the M61. The views along that part of the road are great on a clear day or even at night. You can see most of Manchester and the Peak District hills beyond and as you look across the other way you can see the Fiddlers Ferry power station at Widnes and beyond that the hills of North Wales. The old land fill site is now home to the largest Aldi depot in the UK and I believe Amazon are down there too.

I don't dislike Atherton - there are a couple of Mills left in the area which add character to the place - Ena Mill is like a large department store inside where there is a decent cafe. Hag Fold is sadly another story - I honestly cannot understand why Northern use this station or stop here. I remember being on a train once as a kid and and the local thugs from the estate got on and started creating havock on board. The estate made the national news in 2013 when a young girl was savaged to death by a couple of dogs that were a banned breed. All the services I use between Wigan Wallgate & Manchester Victoria very rarely stop at Hag Fold anyway which I'm not complaining about.

CJ

 

[tom73]

Most depressing stretch for me relates to how it is now compated to how it was when I was a youngster.
Grimsby Town to Cleethorpes.
Pre-1990 - standard double track with full sizr trains (locomotive and coaches) operating daily Cleethorpes-London
Now - single track between the old Garden Street signal box to the approach into Cleethorpes, services only local and operated by DMU

 

[warwickshire]

There is a road in Bolton called Plodder Lane that runs parrell with a stretch of the M61. The views along that part of the road are great on a clear day or even at night. You can see most of Manchester and the Peak District hills beyond and as you look across the other way you can see the Fiddlers Ferry power station at Widnes and beyond that the hills of North Wales. The old land fill site is now home to the largest Aldi depot in the UK and I believe Amazon are down there too.

I don't dislike Atherton - there are a couple of Mills left in the area which add character to the place - Ena Mill is like a large department store inside where there is a decent cafe. Hag Fold is sadly another story - I honestly cannot understand why Northern use this station or stop here. I remember being on a train once as a kid and and the local thugs from the estate got on and started creating havock on board. The estate made the national news in 2013 when a young girl was savaged to death by a couple of dogs that were a banned breed. All the services I use between Wigan Wallgate & Manchester Victoria very rarely stop at Hag Fold anyway which I'm not complaining about.

CJ

Yeah I did it recently to do a farewell few trips on a 142. And to get kirkby in. Yes southport l
Line is superb in its self. Kirkby does come good but only after rainford. But has a old token exchange signalled to driver at the box.
However yes you can see the Mills alongside the line and vice versa on the chat moss line you can see the Mills prior to crow nest Junction. As well. But chat moss line doesn't offer the all views like the Atherton to walkden bit. And only for a split second or so does the clc offer it at Irlam viaduct. But yes back to Atherton line prior to Atherton you do get helsby Hill right in distance and beyond that just a clear space which opens up to ellesmere port and Stanlow . Because also you can see the smoke from the flame etc and the flame but that is as far as can be seen. And Al'so off course Wigan. But However iff you want to see a little more beyond helsby and the ellesmere estuary than do the road. Interesting. Cheers for that will do one Sunday when free.

 

[306024]

Whereas I love the Fenlands -- where I spent my early years -- flat, but to me not a bit boring ! And East Anglia comprises low-lying and gentle countryside; but a good deal of it quite undulating, in a modest way. As with this thread generally -- and all such things -- it's essentially De gustibus non est disputandum.

Quite. Saw plenty of wildlife from the train today including a couple of deer, swans and geese in flight, pheasants and so on. Then there is all the different crops to identify and wonderful skies. Never dull.

......London liverpool st to chestnut via Severn sisters

That is the exhilarating route. Via Brimsdown trumps it particularly on the lower Lea Valley.

But nowhere is depressing. Some route are ugly (Tilbury loop?) but fascinating none the less.

 

[KC1]

Dagenham Dock to Rainham.

 

[Llama]

Yeah I did it recently to do a farewell few trips on a 142. And to get kirkby in. Yes southport l
Line is superb in its self. Kirkby does come good but only after rainford. But has a old token exchange signalled to driver at the box.
However yes you can see the Mills alongside the line and vice versa on the chat moss line you can see the Mills prior to crow nest Junction. As well. But chat moss line doesn't offer the all views like the Atherton to walkden bit. And only for a split second or so does the clc offer it at Irlam viaduct. But yes back to Atherton line prior to Atherton you do get helsby Hill right in distance and beyond that just a clear space which opens up to ellesmere port and Stanlow . Because also you can see the smoke from the flame etc and the flame but that is as far as can be seen. And Al'so off course Wigan. But However iff you want to see a little more beyond helsby and the ellesmere estuary than do the road. Interesting. Cheers for that will do one Sunday when free.

There's a little bit between Walkden and Atherton where if things are favourable and the trees are pretty bare these days, you can look across and see the peaks in Snowdonia.

Blackpool tower can be seen very briefly from the Southport line between Bescar Lane and Pool Hey L/C, and from further afield can just be seen from the Clitheroe line between Langho and Wilpshire tunnel.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

One stretch of line which I've always found somewhat depressing is the Chessington branch - well, the stations at least. All four stations look bleak and decrepit, and the atrocious state of Chessington South station is by no means a pleasant end to a journey.

 

[Kite159]

Camp Hill lines from Kings Norton towards New Street.

Mainly because the sides of the line are used as a rubbish tip by the locals