What are the best request stops?

[TheRightTrack]

Hi all, I have become immersed in railway request stops and have visited all of the ones in East anglia (despite them not being counted as such anymore) and loved them! Especially Berney Arms. I intend to travel to Scotland, Wales, Devon and Cornwall over the coming year to get to some more and would love suggestions as to which are most worth visiting - eg. unique quirks, great setting, size. Thank you all in advance!

 

[Jan Mayen]

When you say "despite them not being counted as such anymore", can I clarify what you mean? Is it that trains stop anyway?

Wishing Well Halt is worth going to for the name.

Edit: I knew I'd got something wrong. It's St Keynes Wishing Well Halt!

 

[TheRightTrack]

When you say "despite them not being counted as such anymore", can I clarify what you mean? Is it that trains stop anyway?

Wishing Well Halt is worth going to for the name.

Certainly, I believe that either with the introduction of the new Greater Anglia 755s or covid, all request stops on the GA network (Berney Arms, Buckenham, Shippea Hill, Lakenheath, Spooner Row and Brampton) became mandatory stops albeit with only a few trains a week.

 

[RetroCrowe]

Glan Conwy on the Conwy Valley Line is delightful. Situated right next to the River Conwy, with Snowdonia looming on the horizon, and, if you go to the northern end of the platform, you can see Conwy Castle, as well as some Holyhead services passing by in the distance.

Dolau on the Heart of Wales Line (only a request stop for southbound services) is not just one of my favourite request stops, but also just one of my overall favourite stations. The platform is absolutely covered with various railway-related paraphernalia, including a plaque commemorating a time that the Queen visited the station. The waiting room has a visitor book, and every inch of the walls is covered in old railway photos. North Llanrwst on the Conwy Valley is also nicely decorated, although not to the same extent as Dolau.

The Cambrian Coast Line has loads of request stops, almost all of them have a certain charm to them, but the most interesting ones in my experience are Penhelig, Llanaber and Llandecwyn. Penhelig very much reminds me of the kind of setting you'd see in a model railway layout - a small halt sandwiched between two tunnels on either side and with the line cutting right past the houses and just a stone's throw from the beach. Llanaber and Llandecwyn are even closer to the sea, although in significantly more barren and remote settings.

I have never visited any of the Scottish request stops, so I can't speak from personal experience on them, but Duncraig is the most scenic one I've come across based on the YouTube videos I've seen of it.

 

[TheRightTrack]

Glan Conwy on the Conwy Valley Line is delightful. Situated right next to the River Conwy, with Snowdonia looming on the horizon, and, if you go to the northern end of the platform, you can see Conwy Castle, as well as some Holyhead services passing by in the distance.

Dolau on the Heart of Wales Line (only a request stop for southbound services) is not just one of my favourite request stops, but also just one of my overall favourite stations. The platform is absolutely covered with various railway-related paraphernalia, including a plaque commemorating a time that the Queen visited the station. The waiting room has a visitor book, and every inch of the walls is covered in old railway photos. North Llanrwst on the Conwy Valley is also nicely decorated, although not to the same extent as Dolau.

The Cambrian Coast Line has loads of request stops, almost all of them have a certain charm to them, but the most interesting ones in my experience are Penhelig, Llanaber and Llandecwyn. Penhelig very much reminds me of the kind of setting you'd see in a model railway layout - a small halt sandwiched between two tunnels on either side and with the line cutting right past the houses and just a stone's throw from the beach. Llanaber and Llandecwyn are even closer to the sea, although in significantly more barren and remote settings.

I have never visited any of the Scottish request stops, so I can't speak from personal experience on them, but Duncraig is the most scenic one I've come across based on the YouTube videos I've seen of it.

Thanks so much! I have heard of Dolau and certainly will pay a visit! The ones on the cambrian line also sound delightful haha.

 

[cjw714]

Exton, for it's stunning views, and it's neighbour, Lympstone Commnado, for it's quirkiness.

 

[Flying Snail]

Certainly, I believe that either with the introduction of the new Greater Anglia 755s or covid, all request stops on the GA network (Berney Arms, Buckenham, Shippea Hill, Lakenheath, Spooner Row and Brampton) became mandatory stops albeit with only a few trains a week.

So then you haven't actually been to any request stops.

 

[dk1]

Certainly, I believe that either with the introduction of the new Greater Anglia 755s or covid, all request stops on the GA network (Berney Arms, Buckenham, Shippea Hill, Lakenheath, Spooner Row and Brampton) became mandatory stops albeit with only a few trains a week.

It started during the pandemic so conductors didn’t need to pass through the train. As the class 755s had just been introduced it was found to not affect running times so was made permanent and all request stops made mandatory.

 

[RailWonderer]

Try Dunrobin Castle on the Far North line. It's a request stop but only when the castle itself is open for tours.

 

[stadler]

It started during the pandemic so conductors didn’t need to pass through the train. As the class 755s had just been introduced it was found to not affect running times so was made permanent and all request stops made mandatory.

Even without covid i think request stops would have been difficult on the new 745 and 755 trains with the guards no longer doing doors. At most TOCs the guard uses buzzer codes to inform the driver of someone wishing to alight. So i suspect that probably had a part to do with no longer making them request stops in addition to covid.

 

[dk1]

Even without covid i think request stops would have been difficult on the new 745 and 755 trains with the guards no longer doing doors. At most TOCs the guard uses buzzer codes to inform the driver of someone wishing to alight. So i suspect that probably had a part to do with no longer making them request stops in addition to covid.

Although the guards can close the doors when performing degraded working that wouldn’t be possible at Berney Arms or Spooner Row (down) as we only release those on the leading vehicle. Prior to the change guards would let us know either in person or via the cab to cab if passengers required the request stops.

 

[Parallel]

I'd recommend these ones:

Llanaber - It is very close to the sea with access to the beach available nearby. You can only alight from one of the middle doors of the train.
Llandecwyn - The station was rebuilt a few years ago and is only a short walk away from Penrhyndeudraeth station and has good estuary views.
Morfa Mawddach - You can walk across Barmouth Bridge to Barmouth from this station, or along the footpath to Fairbourne.
Chetnole - If you like the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere, although the village is a short walk away and has a pub, but check opening times.
Dunrobin Castle - For the reasons that other posters have mentioned. I used this station and tied it in with a tour of the Dunrobin residence.
Portsmouth Arms - It is very rural and there is only really a pub nearby. It also has very limited services so check timetables before travelling.
Exton - For its views of the Exe.
Lelant - Again, doesn't have bad views when the tide is in, and it's easy to walk to the village for other transport back to St Erth or St Ives.

 

[cjw714]

I'd recommend these ones:

Llanaber - It is very close to the sea with access to the beach available nearby. You can only alight from one of the middle doors of the train.
Llandecwyn - The station was rebuilt a few years ago and is only a short walk away from Penrhyndeudraeth station and has good estuary views.
Morfa Mawddach - You can walk across Barmouth Bridge to Barmouth from this station, or along the footpath to Fairbourne.
Chetnole - If you like the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere, although the village is a short walk away and has a pub, but check opening times.
Dunrobin Castle - For the reasons that other posters have mentioned. I used this station and tied it in with a tour of the Dunrobin residence.
Portsmouth Arms - It is very rural and there is only really a pub nearby. It also has very limited services so check timetables before travelling.
Exton - For its views of the Exe.
Lelant - Again, doesn't have bad views when the tide is in, and it's easy to walk to the village for other transport back to St Erth or St Ives.

Last I heard the pub at Portsmouth Arms had closed. Still a decent pub close to Newton St Cyres, though. The problem with visiting the request stops on the Tarka Line is that they are infrequently served making it difficult to visit too many in one day.

 

[Parallel]

Last I heard the pub at Portsmouth Arms had closed. Still a decent pub close to Newton St Cyres, though. The problem with visiting the request stops on the Tarka Line is that they are infrequently served making it difficult to visit too many in one day.

The latest review online is from mid-December. I know it changed ownership a couple of years ago though.

 

[DelW]

Two of the suggestions above that I'd back from personal experience:

Penhelig very much reminds me of the kind of setting you'd see in a model railway layout - a small halt sandwiched between two tunnels on either side and with the line cutting right past the houses and just a stone's throw from the beach.

Agreed, and with the benefit of a very pleasant (though not cheap) pub/hotel just a few yards away, with views over the estuary.

Morfa Mawddach - You can walk across Barmouth Bridge to Barmouth from this station, or along the footpath to Fairbourne.

As well as those paths, there's also a well-surfaced path along the old railway line beside the estuary to Penmaenpool and Dolgellau, with great views all the way along.

 

[Farigiraf]

Nethertown and Braystones are the only two request stops remanining on the Cumbrian Coast line (the others were removed a few years ago). Both are located right on the seafront.

 

[sh24]

All of the stops on the Looe branch are worthwhile, and while technically not a request stop walking down the hill from Liskeard to Coombe Junction Halt is great fun.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Nethertown and Braystones are the only two request stops remanining on the Cumbrian Coast line (the others were removed a few years ago). Both are located right on the seafront.

About a mile and a half or so between the two stations for anyone wishing to alight at one station and then walk along to the next station, if the timetable works nicely.

 

[nwales58]

The best request stop is the one where you intend to get off.

 

[Spaceflower]

About a mile and a half or so between the two stations for anyone wishing to alight at one station and then walk along to the next station, if the timetable works nicely.

These were going to be my contributions also. I've never alighted there; nor even been on a train that stopped at either of them for that matter! But they do stand out as being somewhat 'different'. They would definitely make the play-offs for a must visit based upon the OP criteria.

 

[chrisjo]

Just to turn the question on its head for a moment. My nearest station, Clynderwen, a request stop, has absolutely nothing to recommend it whatsoever. Avoid.

 

[Western Sunset]

Dilton Marsh has got very staggered platforms, set on an embankment.

 

[Man of Kent]

Ronaldsway Halt on the Isle of Man Railway - short stroll to the airport. Where else can you make an international connection by steam train?

 

[PlatformEdgeVT]

If I remember correctly, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is a request stop, and that's famous for the unusually long sign on the Holyhead-bound platform.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

The Lakes on the North Warwick line is worth a stop (though I'm sure it not actually a request stop anymore), 1 car length platforms situated by Earlswood Lakes which is great for a stroll and with a few very decent pubs nearby (Red Lion at Earlswood in particular).

 

[Mcr Warrior]

The Lakes on the North Warwick line is worth a stop (though I'm sure it not actually a request stop anymore).

Hasn't actually been a request stop since May 2023, otherwise The Lakes is a decent enough shout.

 

[trebor79]

It started during the pandemic so conductors didn’t need to pass through the train. As the class 755s had just been introduced it was found to not affect running times so was made permanent and all request stops made mandatory.

One wonders if some of those stations could have a more regular service, if running times aren't affected?

 

[CaptainHaddock]

I'd recommend the OP reads Dixe Wills' excellent book "Tiny Stations". There's his website and photos of some of his favourite request stops on the link below;

Tiny Stations

Ah yes, some while ago I promised readers that I’d publish a load of pics of railway request stops that were meant to appear in the hardback edition of my book Tiny Stations but which got acc…

dixewills.com

 

[edgar13]

Lochluichart, Achanalt, Achnashellach, Attadale, Duncraig, and Duirinish, on the Kyle of Lochalsh line.

Personal favourite is Attadale (see image) but along with the other stops on that line they all offer great views.

Time the trains well and you could plan a short scenic walk between any 2 of them!

 

[froggy9]

The best request stop is the one where you intend to get off.

Or get on (pedancy forever!)