Trip across UK by rail this summer plus best chance of riding IC125/225

[Leogilbert007]

Hi all,
My last A-level exam is on the 16th of June. I am planning a larger trip across Europe, but I’m also looking to do some smaller trips (one or two days for as little cost as possible, solo). My priorities would be spending a few hours in beautiful towns/cities across the UK, and riding as many trains as possible whilst keeping costs down -- so I’m perfectly happy with awkward journeys, Advance singles, youth hostels etc.
My interests lie in politics, Railway history, and urban planning. I also want to ride an Intercity 125 or 225 before they retire indefinitely. I appreciate that this is wide ranging, but do any of you have any suggestions to start with, or any places you’ve been to that you now wouldn’t bother with? I have already planned a combined day out to Winchester, Reading, and Dorking on the 18th of June. I live in SE London but the more trains the better

TIA

 

[Anonymous10]

Hi all,
My last A-level exam is on the 16th of June. I am planning a larger trip across Europe, but I’m also looking to do some smaller trips (one or two days for as little cost as possible, solo). My priorities would be spending a few hours in beautiful towns/cities across the UK, and riding as many trains as possible whilst keeping costs down -- so I’m perfectly happy with awkward journeys, Advance singles, youth hostels etc.
My interests lie in politics, Railway history, and urban planning. I also want to ride an Intercity 125 or 225 before they retire indefinitely. I appreciate that this is wide ranging, but do any of you have any suggestions to start with, or any places you’ve been to that you now wouldn’t bother with? I have already planned a combined day out to Winchester, Reading, and Dorking on the 18th of June. I live in SE London but the more trains the better

TIA

If you were to go to Wales a day on the marches could be pleasant with several beautiful towns and historic castles, every two hours is a mk4 diagram hauled by a class 67

 

[Leogilbert007]

If you were to go to Wales a day on the marches could be pleasant with several beautiful towns and historic castles, every two hours is a mk4 diagram hauled by a class 67

Ok thanks this is a good starting point. Is a day enough if I leave as early as possible? And what places/services do you recommend? Sorry for all the questions

 

[Magdalia]

My interests lie in politics, Railway history, and urban planning.

Cambridge is a fast growing city with lots of urban planning challenges. You have 2 different routes to use from London. On the way there and back you can take in some urban planning history with the garden cities at Welwyn and Letchworth and the new towns at Stevenage and Harlow.

 

[Anonymous10]

Ok thanks this is a good starting point. Is a day enough if I leave as early as possible? And what places/services do you recommend? Sorry for all the questions

Probably best to see the 67 and mk4 thread as I'm unsure of workings I believe it's 8:50, 10:50, 12:50 ect that work as mark 4.

A stop in any town should be 2 hours if you wish you proceed on mk4. It should be doable in a day, I've only stopped in Shrewsbury however both Ludlow and Hereford are also on the line.

 

[StarCrossing]

If you were to go to Wales a day on the marches could be pleasant with several beautiful towns and historic castles, every two hours is a mk4 diagram hauled by a class 67

As the OP is interested in politics, a visit to the Senedd might fit in with this.

 

[Leogilbert007]

As the OP is interested in politics, a visit to the Senedd might fit in with this.

Ooh great idea, thanks!

 

[30907]

As no-one has picked up on the motive power :
225s are Kings X-Leeds (giving you opportunities to visit Bradford/City of Culture 2025 including the KWVR, Leeds and the 1758 Middleton Railway, York and the NRM...)
125s are Scotland and West of Exeter/Plymouth (the GW ones will see the summer out but not much more AIUI).