Trivia: Most impressive stretch of line on the network?

[CaptainHaddock]

Sheffield to Stockport, mainly the part between Chinley and Dore & Totley.

Being pedantic, that stretch of line includes two very long tunnels at Totley and Cowburn so perhaps it might be more accurate to say the "impressing"part is between Edale and Grindleford?

 

[Esker-pades]

Being pedantic, that stretch of line includes two very long tunnels at Totley and Cowburn so perhaps it might be more accurate to say the "impressing"part is between Edale and Grindleford?

Or that tunnels are also "impressing".

 

[Grannyjoans]

They are from the Drivers point of view, much less so for the passenger's view

 

[lord rathmore]

Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth -in parts
Lowestoft to Norwich - some lovely Broadland scenery

 

[Journeyman]

Has to be Berwick-upon-Tweed to Dunbar for me

Yeah, I like that too - the rest of the ECML is incredibly boring.

 

[Deepgreen]

On the main WHL, specifically the Horseshoe Curve, crossing Rannoch Moor and the descent/ascent by Loch Treig.

 

[yorksrob]

Or that tunnels are also "impressing".

They are from the Drivers point of view, much less so for the passenger's view

As a passenger, I'm always impressed at how long Totley goes on for !

 

[Peter Bonner]

As a passenger, I'm always impressed at how long Totley goes on for !

Is it 4 miles? Think about those building it!

 

[HS 4000]

Plymouth - Royal Albert bridge in salt ash is especially amazing.

 

[yorksrob]

Is it 4 miles? Think about those building it!

Three and a half - yes, I wouldn't fancy digging it.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The Chorley arches are impressive, but you don't have the best view of them when on board (unless you're the driver I suppose). Although there are more spectacular views around, I'm always in awe of the navvies who built the line up Salterhebble bank (if that's the correct name): the bit between Greetland and Dryclough junctions in Halifax.

 

[Skipness]

Two parts of the GWR line to tge west country.
1 Dawlish to Teignmouth (especially when high sea)
2 Brunels bridge over the Tamar
(Just experienced them both today on a very lightly loaded train)

 

[Whistler40145]

The western end of the Kyle line from Strathcarron to Kyle of Lochalsh, looking all along Loch Carron surrounded by the Wester Ross hills, past Plockton with its bonnie wee cottages and then looking out to sea, with the islands of Skye and Raasay in the distance, is nothing short of fantastic. At this time of year, with the hills all capped with snow and with frequent rainbows over the loch (the west coast weather changes every 15 minutes, especially in winter) it looks particularly impressive.

Definitely, especially on a loco hauled train with 37s providing the entertainment up front

 

[Cricketer8for9]

This has become a different version of prettiest. My version of impressive is something like the south Western Main Line with flying junctions disappearing off at regular intervals (7+ Wimbledon flyover to just past Basingstoke) or the West Cost main line with plenty of grade separation near Euston, high speed not far out, a freight yard, a separate tube line providing local service and train after train. Add in some fast freight and that’s an impressive railway.

 

[Requeststop]

To impress rather than be scenic, then Mr Brunel's Great Western Railway. No doubt about it.
Second to impress would be the Settle-Carlisle line.
Both of the above are impressive feats of engineering and construction

 

[warwickshire]

Three and a half - yes, I wouldn't fancy digging it.

3.54 miles according to the Wikipedia article.

 

[py_megapixel]

Sheffield to Stockport, mainly the part between Chinley and Dore & Totley.

I'll extend that suggestion over the Stockport viaduct, particularly coming southbound. It's pretty impressive to shoot out of a cutting onto one of the world's largest viaducts.

The effect is more dramatic during rush hour when the motorway and the A6 are crowded - it really emphasises how high up you are. Also, it's fun at speed, so I'd choose to do it on a 323 or 331 for their acceleration.

 

[VT 390]

I'll extend that suggestion over the Stockport viaduct, particularly coming southbound. It's pretty impressive to shoot out of a cutting onto one of the world's largest viaducts.

The effect is more dramatic during rush hour when the motorway and the A6 are crowded - it really emphasises how high up you are. Also, it's fun at speed, so I'd choose to do it on a 323 or 331 for their acceleration.

I agree the viaduct section is good, I didn't include it because I find the section between Stockport and Hazel Grove quite boring.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

A lot of the DLR!

 

[Pete 1981]

The Hope Valley line between Marple and Dore is underrated.

 

[raetiamann]

I know I'm cheating a little here, but the most impressive railway for me is the line between Andermatt and Disentis in Switzerland. The journey begins by entering a steep curved tunnel, from which the train emerges high in the mountains; absolutely stuning vistas, though it is important to sit on the right hand side in the direction of travel.

In the UK I like the Derwent valley line between Matlock and Helper.

 

[VT 390]

A lot of the DLR!

Agreed, I had not thought of the DLR but most of it is good, even the tunnels are enjoyable when you are sitting at the front or back.

 

[Calthrop]

In the UK I like the Derwent valley line between Matlock and Helper.

A long and difficult journey -- which can't help but impress -- between Derbyshire, and Utah in the U.S.A. ! (The town of Helper, Utah -- population 2,201 -- got its name from its being the point on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad's Grand Junction -- Salt Lake City route, where there was stationed in steam days, a bunch of "helper" [American rail parlance for "banker"] locos, to bank trains on the steep gradient up to Soldier Summit.)

Sorry -- anyone can make a typo, and I do feel that it's not kind to mock at them: but I just couldn't resist it here.

 

[raetiamann]

A long and difficult journey -- which can't help but impress -- between Derbyshire, and Utah in the U.S.A. ! (The town of Helper, Utah -- population 2,201 -- got its name from its being the point on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad's Grand Junction -- Salt Lake City route, where there was stationed in steam days, a bunch of "helper" [American rail parlance for "banker"] locos, to bank trains on the steep gradient up to Soldier Summit.)

Sorry -- anyone can make a typo, and I do feel that it's not kind to mock at them: but I just couldn't resist it here.

Well spotted, would probably make quite a journey though.

 

[Stampy]

Can I throw in Harringworth (or Welland) viaduct...

impressive from BOTH a train and driving past.

 

[Pokelet]

How about Gloucester - STJ. The stretch actions the coast and along side the Severn Bridge is quite something

 

[TheLastMinute]

The Looe branch is right up there for me with its impressive views, civil engineer and operational oddities.

Starting off by dropping down from Liskeard to Combe Junction over 200 feet on a ruling gradient of 1 in 40, while turning through a 270° with the sharpest part having an 8 chains radius. Having reversed, the train passing through the East Looe valley and you feel seemingly cut off from civilization passing through stations with mystical sounding names such as St Keyne Wishing Well Halt. Finally, as the train runs across causeways in the East Looe River, there are stunning views of a typical Cornish estuary as you drop into the harbor town of Looe.

 

[PG]

To impress rather than be scenic, then Mr Brunel's Great Western Railway. No doubt about it.
Second to impress would be the Settle-Carlisle line.
Both of the above are impressive feats of engineering and construction

Always impressed by the sight of a HST rocketing out of Box tunnel.
Also enjoy the Berks & Hants running entwined with the Kennet & Avon canal.

 

[Tonyjones126]

Birmingham International to Birmingham New St on a empty transport for wales, views of Birmingham Airport terminal 2 and then further along past Marston green you get the end of the runway with hopes of plane landing. Then I always enjoy the approach into new St with the freight terminal and the different lines all joining up

 

[1955LR]

Not exactly conventionally beautiful , the brilliant blue brickwork in the cuttings & tunnels into Birmingham New street from Worcester. Millions of bricks with just about 1/8" mortar between them.