Long train journey
Discussion
Saleen836 said:
I'm leaving Warminster on the 07.25ish train to Mansfield via Gloucester and Nottingham, looks like they have assigned me an aisle seat so will see how I get on, if I keep twitching my head and mumbling I doubt anyone will want to sit next to me! 
I was going to suggest ways of enjoying the scenery of the Cumbrian fells or whiling away the trip using the free films that Virgin are apparently providing over the on-train WiFi, but you appear to be doing a journey that, even in my pro-train world view, is the definition of hell.Warminster to Gloucester, presumably on some clapped out Great Western heap, then Cross Country on a crappy & overcrowded 2 or 3 car Turbostar to Nottingham, then a short-ish hop on East Midland Trains. That is an endurance trial. Can you not get yourself re-routed to go Warminster-Salisbury - Waterloo - St. Pancras - Nottingham? Would actually be proper InterCity type trains for part of the journey & South West Trains usually aren't that bad.
Seriously, if this is a work trip, call in sick. There's no way to make this pleasant. At all.
Hugo a Gogo said:
boyse7en said:
condor said:
You could look out the window - I find that entertains me 
I love looking out of the window on trains (to be fair, I don't use them often). You get to see bits of cities you never see otherwise, and get to look in some peoples' back windows (including a knocking shop we stopped next to in Dusseldorf...)You know it well?
boyse7en said:
Hugo a Gogo said:
boyse7en said:
condor said:
You could look out the window - I find that entertains me
I love looking out of the window on trains (to be fair, I don't use them often). You get to see bits of cities you never see otherwise, and get to look in some peoples' back windows (including a knocking shop we stopped next to in Dusseldorf...)You know it well?
I was once on my bike behind there, this Italian bloke stopped me and asked 'Where is the street of b
hes?'alangla said:
Saleen836 said:
I'm leaving Warminster on the 07.25ish train to Mansfield via Gloucester and Nottingham, looks like they have assigned me an aisle seat so will see how I get on, if I keep twitching my head and mumbling I doubt anyone will want to sit next to me!
I was going to suggest ways of enjoying the scenery of the Cumbrian fells or whiling away the trip using the free films that Virgin are apparently providing over the on-train WiFi, but you appear to be doing a journey that, even in my pro-train world view, is the definition of hell.Seriously, if this is a work trip, call in sick. There's no way to make this pleasant. At all.
Let me see: The looking out of the window option:
1. Westbury. If you like freight trains, there should be some to look at
2. Between Bradford on Avon and Bath you run alongside the river Avon and the Kennett & Avon Canal
3. Bath – always worth a look, but only out of the right hand side in the direction of travel
4. Bath to Bristol – again running along the Avon valley. Reasonably picturesque
5. Bristol itself – Nothing to see here – move along now (not so bad west of Bristol where you can look over at the Clifton Suspension Bridge but you’re not going that way)
6. Approaching Bristol Parkway – if you’re interested in such things you can see the new traction maintenance depot being built for the GWR electrification on the left hand side on the curve before the station
7. Westerleigh Junction where the line curves off to the left – say hello to the “Old Inn” for me – Used to be my local but I haven’t been in there for years...
8. Yate – wave at PHers Spaximus and Dr Jekyll – I think they live out that way somewhere
9. Wickwar tunnel - duck...
10. Stonehouse/ Standish Junction – the line from Swindon comes in on the right
11. Gloucester. All change please. Be prepared to speak Welsh as it’s an Arriva Trains Wales service. Don’t encourage the guard by singing back. You’ll just about see the top half of Gloucester Cathedral if you’re quick.
12. Cheltenham – a pretty place generally but not the part you’ll be going through. Good time to go to the loo.
13. Bredon Hill just after Ashchurch. An almost circular outcrop from the Cotswolds, on the right in the direction of travel.
14. Once past Norton Junction where the line from Oxford to Worcester passes over on a bridge the line runs parallel to the Worcester & Birmingham canal as far as Stoke Works
15. Bromsgrove – a very important place in steam days because the Lickey incline needs to be climbed – two and bit miles at 1 in 37 and the steepest gradient on the main UK rail network. Everything needed a banking engine back then – these days your train might slow down a little bit as you reach the summit at Blackwell
16. Kings Norton – you are now on the approach to Brum. The Worcester * Birmingham canal will be on your right hand side again. Don’t forget to look out for the clock tower on the right as you pass Selly Oak – it’s a local landmark.
17. Birmingham New Street the devil’s pit on earth, although it has recently been rebuilt from the concrete awfulness that in the 60s replaced what was essentially two stations side by side. Don’t go to the loo here though, because half the trainload will get off and another half a trainload will get on, and one of ‘em might nick your seat.
Beyond Brum you may see a “here be dragons" sign as I haven’t gone that way by train in about 30 years
But long train journey? Five and a half hours – long train journey? Pah. Here’s a long train journey, albeit from 45 years ago... https://www.flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/2863701...
rs1952 said:
I presume you are trying to put the bloke off
Let me see: The looking out of the window option:
1. Westbury. If you like freight trains, there should be some to look at
2. Between Bradford on Avon and Bath you run alongside the river Avon and the Kennett & Avon Canal
3. Bath – always worth a look, but only out of the right hand side in the direction of travel
4. Bath to Bristol – again running along the Avon valley. Reasonably picturesque
5. Bristol itself – Nothing to see here – move along now (not so bad west of Bristol where you can look over at the Clifton Suspension Bridge but you’re not going that way)
6. Approaching Bristol Parkway – if you’re interested in such things you can see the new traction maintenance depot being built for the GWR electrification on the left hand side on the curve before the station
There are Hitachi's being finished here - GWR and Virgin liveries to see if one's outside
7. Westerleigh Junction where the line curves off to the left – say hello to the “Old Inn” for me – Used to be my local but I haven’t been in there for years...
8. Yate – wave at PHers Spaximus and Dr Jekyll – I think they live out that way somewhere
9. Wickwar tunnel - duck...
10. Stonehouse/ Standish Junction – the line from Swindon comes in on the right
11. Gloucester. All change please. Be prepared to speak Welsh as it’s an Arriva Trains Wales service. Don’t encourage the guard by singing back. You’ll just about see the top half of Gloucester Cathedral if you’re quick.
12. Cheltenham – a pretty place generally but not the part you’ll be going through. Good time to go to the loo.
nice Victorian station, not that you'd see it
13. Bredon Hill just after Ashchurch. An almost circular outcrop from the Cotswolds, on the right in the direction of travel.
general scenery is lovely round there, Prescott is nestled in the hills between Cheltenham and Ashchurch
14. Once past Norton Junction where the line from Oxford to Worcester passes over on a bridge the line runs parallel to the Worcester & Birmingham canal as far as Stoke Works
Stoke works is a touch grim
15. Bromsgrove – a very important place in steam days because the Lickey incline needs to be climbed – two and bit miles at 1 in 37 and the steepest gradient on the main UK rail network. Everything needed a banking engine back then – these days your train might slow down a little bit as you reach the summit at Blackwell
Lots of fantastic art and photographs of trains pushing and pulling or doubling up and smoke and steam pouring out of them - train crawled up this morning on cold rails
16. Kings Norton – you are now on the approach to Brum. The Worcester * Birmingham canal will be on your right hand side again. Don’t forget to look out for the clock tower on the right as you pass Selly Oak – it’s a local landmark.
The centre piece of the main Campus of the University of Birmingham. Nik-named old Joe it was built in 1901 as Joseph Chamberlain - statesman and father of Neville - became the first Chancellor of the University.
17. Birmingham New Street the devil’s pit on earth, although it has recently been rebuilt from the concrete awfulness that in the 60s replaced what was essentially two stations side by side. Don’t go to the loo here though, because half the trainload will get off and another half a trainload will get on, and one of ‘em might nick your seat.
new station is decent actually
Beyond Brum you may see a “here be dragons" sign as I haven’t gone that way by train in about 30 years
But long train journey? Five and a half hours – long train journey? Pah. Here’s a long train journey, albeit from 45 years ago... https://www.flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/2863701...
Let me see: The looking out of the window option:
1. Westbury. If you like freight trains, there should be some to look at
2. Between Bradford on Avon and Bath you run alongside the river Avon and the Kennett & Avon Canal
3. Bath – always worth a look, but only out of the right hand side in the direction of travel
4. Bath to Bristol – again running along the Avon valley. Reasonably picturesque
5. Bristol itself – Nothing to see here – move along now (not so bad west of Bristol where you can look over at the Clifton Suspension Bridge but you’re not going that way)
6. Approaching Bristol Parkway – if you’re interested in such things you can see the new traction maintenance depot being built for the GWR electrification on the left hand side on the curve before the station
There are Hitachi's being finished here - GWR and Virgin liveries to see if one's outside
7. Westerleigh Junction where the line curves off to the left – say hello to the “Old Inn” for me – Used to be my local but I haven’t been in there for years...
8. Yate – wave at PHers Spaximus and Dr Jekyll – I think they live out that way somewhere
9. Wickwar tunnel - duck...
10. Stonehouse/ Standish Junction – the line from Swindon comes in on the right
11. Gloucester. All change please. Be prepared to speak Welsh as it’s an Arriva Trains Wales service. Don’t encourage the guard by singing back. You’ll just about see the top half of Gloucester Cathedral if you’re quick.
12. Cheltenham – a pretty place generally but not the part you’ll be going through. Good time to go to the loo.
nice Victorian station, not that you'd see it
13. Bredon Hill just after Ashchurch. An almost circular outcrop from the Cotswolds, on the right in the direction of travel.
general scenery is lovely round there, Prescott is nestled in the hills between Cheltenham and Ashchurch
14. Once past Norton Junction where the line from Oxford to Worcester passes over on a bridge the line runs parallel to the Worcester & Birmingham canal as far as Stoke Works
Stoke works is a touch grim
15. Bromsgrove – a very important place in steam days because the Lickey incline needs to be climbed – two and bit miles at 1 in 37 and the steepest gradient on the main UK rail network. Everything needed a banking engine back then – these days your train might slow down a little bit as you reach the summit at Blackwell
Lots of fantastic art and photographs of trains pushing and pulling or doubling up and smoke and steam pouring out of them - train crawled up this morning on cold rails
16. Kings Norton – you are now on the approach to Brum. The Worcester * Birmingham canal will be on your right hand side again. Don’t forget to look out for the clock tower on the right as you pass Selly Oak – it’s a local landmark.
The centre piece of the main Campus of the University of Birmingham. Nik-named old Joe it was built in 1901 as Joseph Chamberlain - statesman and father of Neville - became the first Chancellor of the University.
17. Birmingham New Street the devil’s pit on earth, although it has recently been rebuilt from the concrete awfulness that in the 60s replaced what was essentially two stations side by side. Don’t go to the loo here though, because half the trainload will get off and another half a trainload will get on, and one of ‘em might nick your seat.
new station is decent actually
Beyond Brum you may see a “here be dragons" sign as I haven’t gone that way by train in about 30 years
But long train journey? Five and a half hours – long train journey? Pah. Here’s a long train journey, albeit from 45 years ago... https://www.flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/2863701...
Vocal Minority said:
rs1952 said:
I presume you are trying to put the bloke off
Let me see: The looking out of the window option:
1. Westbury. If you like freight trains, there should be some to look at
2. Between Bradford on Avon and Bath you run alongside the river Avon and the Kennett & Avon Canal
3. Bath – always worth a look, but only out of the right hand side in the direction of travel
4. Bath to Bristol – again running along the Avon valley. Reasonably picturesque
5. Bristol itself – Nothing to see here – move along now (not so bad west of Bristol where you can look over at the Clifton Suspension Bridge but you’re not going that way)
6. Approaching Bristol Parkway – if you’re interested in such things you can see the new traction maintenance depot being built for the GWR electrification on the left hand side on the curve before the station
There are Hitachi's being finished here - GWR and Virgin liveries to see if one's outside
7. Westerleigh Junction where the line curves off to the left – say hello to the “Old Inn” for me – Used to be my local but I haven’t been in there for years...
8. Yate – wave at PHers Spaximus and Dr Jekyll – I think they live out that way somewhere
9. Wickwar tunnel - duck...
10. Stonehouse/ Standish Junction – the line from Swindon comes in on the right
11. Gloucester. All change please. Be prepared to speak Welsh as it’s an Arriva Trains Wales service. Don’t encourage the guard by singing back. You’ll just about see the top half of Gloucester Cathedral if you’re quick.
12. Cheltenham – a pretty place generally but not the part you’ll be going through. Good time to go to the loo.
nice Victorian station, not that you'd see it
13. Bredon Hill just after Ashchurch. An almost circular outcrop from the Cotswolds, on the right in the direction of travel.
general scenery is lovely round there, Prescott is nestled in the hills between Cheltenham and Ashchurch
14. Once past Norton Junction where the line from Oxford to Worcester passes over on a bridge the line runs parallel to the Worcester & Birmingham canal as far as Stoke Works
Stoke works is a touch grim
15. Bromsgrove – a very important place in steam days because the Lickey incline needs to be climbed – two and bit miles at 1 in 37 and the steepest gradient on the main UK rail network. Everything needed a banking engine back then – these days your train might slow down a little bit as you reach the summit at Blackwell
Lots of fantastic art and photographs of trains pushing and pulling or doubling up and smoke and steam pouring out of them - train crawled up this morning on cold rails
16. Kings Norton – you are now on the approach to Brum. The Worcester * Birmingham canal will be on your right hand side again. Don’t forget to look out for the clock tower on the right as you pass Selly Oak – it’s a local landmark.
The centre piece of the main Campus of the University of Birmingham. Nik-named old Joe it was built in 1901 as Joseph Chamberlain - statesman and father of Neville - became the first Chancellor of the University.
17. Birmingham New Street the devil’s pit on earth, although it has recently been rebuilt from the concrete awfulness that in the 60s replaced what was essentially two stations side by side. Don’t go to the loo here though, because half the trainload will get off and another half a trainload will get on, and one of ‘em might nick your seat.
new station is decent actually
Beyond Brum you may see a “here be dragons" sign as I haven’t gone that way by train in about 30 years
But long train journey? Five and a half hours – long train journey? Pah. Here’s a long train journey, albeit from 45 years ago... https://www.flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/2863701...
Let me see: The looking out of the window option:
1. Westbury. If you like freight trains, there should be some to look at
2. Between Bradford on Avon and Bath you run alongside the river Avon and the Kennett & Avon Canal
3. Bath – always worth a look, but only out of the right hand side in the direction of travel
4. Bath to Bristol – again running along the Avon valley. Reasonably picturesque
5. Bristol itself – Nothing to see here – move along now (not so bad west of Bristol where you can look over at the Clifton Suspension Bridge but you’re not going that way)
6. Approaching Bristol Parkway – if you’re interested in such things you can see the new traction maintenance depot being built for the GWR electrification on the left hand side on the curve before the station
There are Hitachi's being finished here - GWR and Virgin liveries to see if one's outside
7. Westerleigh Junction where the line curves off to the left – say hello to the “Old Inn” for me – Used to be my local but I haven’t been in there for years...
8. Yate – wave at PHers Spaximus and Dr Jekyll – I think they live out that way somewhere
9. Wickwar tunnel - duck...
10. Stonehouse/ Standish Junction – the line from Swindon comes in on the right
11. Gloucester. All change please. Be prepared to speak Welsh as it’s an Arriva Trains Wales service. Don’t encourage the guard by singing back. You’ll just about see the top half of Gloucester Cathedral if you’re quick.
12. Cheltenham – a pretty place generally but not the part you’ll be going through. Good time to go to the loo.
nice Victorian station, not that you'd see it
13. Bredon Hill just after Ashchurch. An almost circular outcrop from the Cotswolds, on the right in the direction of travel.
general scenery is lovely round there, Prescott is nestled in the hills between Cheltenham and Ashchurch
14. Once past Norton Junction where the line from Oxford to Worcester passes over on a bridge the line runs parallel to the Worcester & Birmingham canal as far as Stoke Works
Stoke works is a touch grim
15. Bromsgrove – a very important place in steam days because the Lickey incline needs to be climbed – two and bit miles at 1 in 37 and the steepest gradient on the main UK rail network. Everything needed a banking engine back then – these days your train might slow down a little bit as you reach the summit at Blackwell
Lots of fantastic art and photographs of trains pushing and pulling or doubling up and smoke and steam pouring out of them - train crawled up this morning on cold rails
16. Kings Norton – you are now on the approach to Brum. The Worcester * Birmingham canal will be on your right hand side again. Don’t forget to look out for the clock tower on the right as you pass Selly Oak – it’s a local landmark.
The centre piece of the main Campus of the University of Birmingham. Nik-named old Joe it was built in 1901 as Joseph Chamberlain - statesman and father of Neville - became the first Chancellor of the University.
17. Birmingham New Street the devil’s pit on earth, although it has recently been rebuilt from the concrete awfulness that in the 60s replaced what was essentially two stations side by side. Don’t go to the loo here though, because half the trainload will get off and another half a trainload will get on, and one of ‘em might nick your seat.
new station is decent actually
Beyond Brum you may see a “here be dragons" sign as I haven’t gone that way by train in about 30 years
But long train journey? Five and a half hours – long train journey? Pah. Here’s a long train journey, albeit from 45 years ago... https://www.flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/2863701...
Ashchurch and Bredon hill, you can see the MOD and GCHQ satellite dishes, domes and antenna on the hill at Defford, they will be on the left hand side
blueg33 said:
After Yate you missed Charfield, site of a fatal steam train crash.
Ashchurch and Bredon hill, you can see the MOD and GCHQ satellite dishes, domes and antenna on the hill at Defford, they will be on the left hand side
I expect that I missed a lot, but I was just trying to give the OP a bit of hope rather than the pessimism and purgatory that another poster suggested would be the outcome of the journey Ashchurch and Bredon hill, you can see the MOD and GCHQ satellite dishes, domes and antenna on the hill at Defford, they will be on the left hand side
By the way, the comment about not encouraging the guard by singing back was of a course a joke - perhaps...
It's origin came from a line in The Navy Lark many years ago when Sub Lieutenant Phillips said to Leading Seaman Goldsteam - "I've known many Welshmen who couldn't sing. But never one who didn't
I'm home!
the journey up passed alot faster than I expected, no problem getting a seat and had the company of a lovely chatty young lady sitting next to me from Trowbridge to Bristol Temple Meads, from Gloucester for approx 15minutes the carriage had to endure the whole loud conversation (or one half) between a female and someone named 'babe', other than that the journey was uneventfull, the drive home was also uneventfull.
the journey up passed alot faster than I expected, no problem getting a seat and had the company of a lovely chatty young lady sitting next to me from Trowbridge to Bristol Temple Meads, from Gloucester for approx 15minutes the carriage had to endure the whole loud conversation (or one half) between a female and someone named 'babe', other than that the journey was uneventfull, the drive home was also uneventfull.
Edited by Saleen836 on Tuesday 24th January 12:03
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