Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Conwy Castle can definitely be seen from the railway!
You can see both that and Dolwyddelan Castle from the Conwy Valley Line, one of its many delights.
Conwy Castle can definitely be seen from the railway!
Some time since I travelled in to Chichester by train from Havant direction however, the Cathedral can not be seen from the adjacent parallel road A259 Via Raverra too many trees and buildings obscure the view.The spire of Chichester Cathedral fell down in 1861 and there was a description of the event given by a man who had been on a train as it approached the city. He had been idly looking at it and could hardly believe his eyes when it vanished. So at least it was visible from the line at that time.
Another : Dolwyddelan Castle
In the Summer St Mawes isn't visible due to the trees lining the route through Falmouth. In the Winter you might be in with a shout - I've only ever been down there in the Summer.I'm 9,500 miles away presently and I can't remember for sure but is St Mawes Castle visible between Falmouth Town and Falmouth Docks Stations. Certainly the line is high enough to see maybe. Unfortunately, Although Pendennis Castle is within touching distance of the Docks station, it can't be seen.
I never knew that the UK had so many castles - good thread.
In Wales alone, Cadw (the Welsh Government's historic environment service) states there are 427 castles, although Visit Wales claims 641! So this is a very rich topic, potentially...I never knew that the UK had so many castles - good thread.
Back in the 1930s, the GWR published separate promotional books about castles and abbeys in their territory along with the inevitable Maps of System which pinpointed the various site described in the text. Sadly I don't think visibility from the trains was mentioned. Does anyone know if there was a companion volume about cathedrals?In Wales alone, Cadw (the Welsh Government's historic environment service) states there are 427 castles, although Visit Wales claims 641! So this is a very rich topic, potentially...
Yes there was. I have a copy. It rather cheekily includes Westminster Abbey (not a cathedral) and the two London cathedrals, as well as Liverpool (then half-completed) and Manchester as if they fell within GWR territory.Back in the 1930s, the GWR published separate promotional books about castles and abbeys in their territory along with the inevitable Maps of System which pinpointed the various site described in the text. Sadly I don't think visibility from the trains was mentioned. Does anyone know if there was a companion volume about cathedrals?
you could also think of many large railway stations as cathedrals of the 1860s (and later).I always think of the large baseload power stations as cathedrals of the 1960s.
The GWR of course named lots of engines after castles, and a few (5083 - 5092) after abbeys, but I don't think they named any after cathedrals.Back in the 1930s, the GWR published separate promotional books about castles and abbeys in their territory along with the inevitable Maps of System which pinpointed the various site described in the text. Sadly I don't think visibility from the trains was mentioned. Does anyone know if there was a companion volume about cathedrals?
The GWR Cathedral class was going to be the big 4-6-0 that became the King class instead. The name was then allocated to the pacific class that allegedly was going to be built. (although some claim it was going to be the 4-8-0 that never appeared either)The GWR of course named lots of engines after castles, and a few (5083 - 5092) after abbeys, but I don't think they named any after cathedrals.
I expect that from the Paddington perspective, Birkenhead = Liverpool!Yes there was. I have a copy. It rather cheekily includes Westminster Abbey (not a cathedral) and the two London cathedrals, as well as Liverpool (then half-completed) and Manchester as if they fell within GWR territory.
you could also think of many large railway stations as cathedrals of the 1860s (and later).
I should have said that it is also very Anglican-centred and includes no RC or other cathedrals. Maybe because the GWR was the company most patronised by landed gentry of the Establishment.Yes there was. I have a copy. It rather cheekily includes Westminster Abbey (not a cathedral) and the two London cathedrals, as well as Liverpool (then half-completed) and Manchester as if they fell within GWR territory.
But there was, of course, the Cathedral Express introduced on the Western Region in the 1950s - London to Worcester and Hereford via Oxford.The GWR of course named lots of engines after castles, and a few (5083 - 5092) after abbeys, but I don't think they named any after cathedrals.
Me too - and my memory may be deceiving me too after the years. But I'm retty sure you can see St Giles as you approach from the east.St Mary’s. I’m surprised you can see even the top of the crown of St Giles’ from Waverley (except possibly at the very East end) - I’d have thought the angles were wrong - unless there’s a very convenient gap. You’d have thought that having spent many hours on those platforms as a teenager I’d have known…
A number of the Sandringham Class were named after stately homes, including fifteen with "Hall" in the name, nine Castles, three Parks, two Houses, one Abbey, one Lodge, and one Manor, but there were also 25 football clubs (including Newcastle United, which arguably makes ten castles in total).The GWR of course named lots of engines after castles, and a few (5083 - 5092) after abbeys, but I don't think they named any after cathedrals.
The LNER also named some of their B2/B17s after castles and at least one abbey, but I can't at the moment think of any engines named after cathedrals. Of course I may be wrong on that!
I read somewhere that Southwell could not be made a city because it was technically, a village, having only a parish council within Southwell Rural District. It now has a town council, but the local football club, which until this season played in the shadow of the cathedral, still proudly call themselves Southwell City. To return to topic, I don’t think the cathedral was visible from the former Southwell station.The traditional link between Church of England Cathedrals and City status was established at the reformation but it broke down in the Victorian era. I think Southwell was the first place to be established at a Church of England Cathedral, without being awarded City status.
There has never been such a link for Roman Catholic cathedrals, Arundel being an example.
No, it can’t.The Church of England Cathedrals that definitely can't be seen from trains are Gibraltar, Wells, Peel and Ripon. Southwell may be able to be seen from trains but I am not sure.