There\u2019s a more intimate connection with the landscape as your train whisks you on high embankments, across tall viaducts and through those tunnelled feats of engineering. When there\u2019s a steam locomotive at the head of your train, that sense of effort is palpable, and the chug of the locomotive and smell of hot steam only adds to the sensory experience.<\/p>\n
With fuel prices rising and everyone trying to take more public transport, now is the perfect time to head out on a railway adventure.<\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>History of Britain\u2019s rail network<\/h2>\n
Britain\u2019s rail network expanded rapidly in the mid-19th century to spread to the far reaches of this land. The railway enabled the Industrial Revolution, introduced standardised time across Britain, and was a great social leveller, opening up affordable and practical holidays and travel for all.<\/p>\n
For a brief period in the 1960s, the railways of Britain fell out of favour as we fell in love with the car, but the early 21st century saw a rail renaissance as a greener alternative to congested roads.<\/p>\n You may also like:<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Our railways remain an important part of the national infrastructure, supporting the economy through the movement of goods and people.<\/p>\n They are also fabulous leisure activities in their own right and there are some splendid journeys to be had, from the famous Settle\u2013Carlisle line across the Pennines, to the West of England mainline along the Devon and Cornwall coasts.<\/p>\n You can still step on board a sleeper train in London and wake up the next day in Penzance, Inverness, or Fort William, a splendid way to get to the starting point of perhaps the most scenic of all rail journeys: the West Highland Line.<\/p>\n Regularly voted one of the best railway journeys in the world, the West Highland Line<\/a> connects Glasgow with Fort William \u2013 the gateway to Ben Nevis<\/a>. Perhaps the most spectacular section of an already impressive route is the extension from Fort William to the fishing port and ferry terminal at Mallaig.<\/p>\n The steam train gets underway from Fort William station and immediately runs on below towering Ben Nevis as it threads its way through Banavie and Corpach. The scenery is spectacular as the railway hugs the shore of salt-water Loch Eil.<\/p>\n The engine is working hard on the climb as it hauls the train away from the loch and across the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct<\/a>, made famous in the Harry Potter films. As the train slows across the viaduct, spectacular views open out across to the Glenfinnan monument and along the length of Glen Shiel.<\/p>\n The journey continues to impress as your train winds on through some of the best West Highland scenery on offer, a mix of Munros and lochs. Then suddenly, as you approach Beasdale, you get your first glimpse of the coast at Loch Nan Uamh.<\/p>\n Just when you think it couldn\u2019t get any better, the line continues on through the pretty village of Arisaig, and by Kinloid, where there are views across to the Isle of Skye along with the smaller isles of Eigg<\/a>, Rhum and Muck.<\/p>\n The superlatives are never exhausted as you continue above the Silver Sands of Morar for the final run into Mallaig and journey\u2019s end. The harbour makes a great place to potter, but if you\u2019re hungry, you should sample locally caught mussels and langoustines at the Cabin restaurant, or you could save it for the end of the day with a visit to the Crannog restaurant in Fort William.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re staying locally and fancy stretching your legs, there is a fabulous 8.9-mile walk from Morar station to Tarbet<\/a> on Loch Nevis, where you can catch the ferry back to Mallaig train station.<\/p>\n Route details<\/strong><\/p>\n From April to late October, The Jacobite departs daily at 10.15 from Fort William to Mallaig. In high summer, there is a second daily round trip departure at 12.50. Return fares start at \u00a352. westcoastrailways.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Words by Chris Gee<\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s no better way to relish the dreamy days of late summer than with an evocative scenic journey through the hills of the Cotswolds, hopping from one honey-stoned village to the next.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t take long for the Cotswold Line<\/a> to start showing off. Snaking north from its starting point of central Oxford, the line soon passes the wildlife-rich expanse of Port Meadow \u2013 an area of common land said to have been unploughed since the days of the Domesday Book. It then delves into the green crinkles of the Evenlode Valley, where rising fields and hawk-flown woods furl out on both sides of the track.<\/p>\n The line runs to Worcester and beyond, but its the stretch between Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh that excites the most.<\/p>\n Hanborough is the first stop. Disembark to visit the brilliant Oxford Bus Museum<\/a>, a nostalgia-heavy collection of restored charabancs and buses set in warehouses in the station\u2019s old goods yard. It\u2019s run by volunteers and could easily absorb you for a couple of hours.<\/p>\n The line then winds through a couple of little-used village stops before reaching the more substantial station at pretty Charlbury, designed by Brunel and these days frequented by well-heeled visitors to the nearby chic hotel, Soho Farmhouse.<\/p>\n From this point, the landscapes widen and the views expand, as the Cotswolds appear in all their sheepy finery. Expect vast oaks standing solo in grass meadows, hamlets glimpsed beyond farm gates, and errant Labradors sniffing happily down country lanes. More tiny stations whizz by \u2013 there goes Ascott-under-Wychwood, now Shipton \u2013 before a stop at foodie favourite Kingham.<\/p>\n As the train continues north, it then passes the site of the now-defunct Adlestrop Station, preserved in Edward Thomas\u2019 evocative 1917 poem: Yes. I remember Adlestrop \u2013 The name, because one afternoon \/ Of heat the express-train drew up there\/ Unwontedly.<\/em> It was late June.<\/p>\n For the cherry on your Cotswolds cake, journey\u2019s end is the honeyed town of Moreton-in-Marsh, where the high street is laden with large lime trees and a range of tearooms in which to refuel.<\/p>\n Route details<\/strong><\/p>\n Cotswold Line Trains depart Oxford to Moreton-inMarsh at least once an hour. Buy the Cotswolds Discoverer One-Day Pass for \u00a310.50.<\/p>\n Words by Ben Lerwill<\/em><\/p>\n Steam, wood, iron. The tangibility is thrilling. Leather straps open windows that admit the reek of sulphur, whistle-blast and steam, and as the train pulls away from Tywyn, noises too, that are rumbly and rich.<\/p>\n The Talyllyn Railway<\/a> is special. It is alleged to be the first narrow-gauge railway authorised to carry passengers \u2013 one year after being founded in 1865 to export slate from Abergynolwyn \u2013 and the first to be preserved by volunteers. The railway was rescued so promptly after the quarries\u2019 closure in 1948 that the original rolling stock was retained. Furthermore, it now boasts UNESCO status, being integral to the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n It is also special in spirit. Volunteers still maintain the stations, trains, tracks and the museum, which includes a reconstruction of the study where Reverend Awdry, inspired by Talyllyn, wrote the Thomas the Tank Engine books. There are special events too, (like Fish-and-Chip Frydays and Sunset Specials) alongside regular timetables. August is always busy, but there are quieter months.<\/p>\n Route details<\/strong><\/p>\n Find the Talyllyn Railway \u2013 which includes the booking office, shop, museum and King\u2019s Caf\u00e9 \u2013 at Tywyn Wharf Station. An Explorer Ticket (ride all day) costs \u00a322. talyllyn.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Words by Julie Brominicks<\/em><\/p>\n Explore Lancashire\u2019s rugged limestone coast on a car-free eco escape on board the Furness Line.\u00a0For many, Lancashire\u2019s coastline conjures up images of candyfloss, \u2018kiss me quick\u2019 hats and Blackpool Tower, but the Red Rose county is also home to some outstandingly beautiful rural scenery and unique landscapes.<\/p>\n Tucked away in a secluded corner of Morecambe Bay \u2013 where the foothills of the Lakeland Fells<\/a> meet the rugged limestone coastline of North Lancashire \u2013 lies Arnside and Silverdale AONB<\/a>. This undiscovered enclave is home to dense native woodland, wildflower meadows and extensive nature-rich wetlands.<\/p>\n The Forest of Bowland and Arnside and Silverdale AONBs have joined forces with Lancashire County Council to promote sustainable tourism across the county. Their Eco Escapes<\/a> campaign encourages visitors to arrive by train and explore the two AONBs on foot, by bike or on e-bike. The pretty little station of Silverdale sits at the sylvan heart of the AONB and is the perfect starting point for coast and countryside walks, as well as visiting one of England\u2019s best-loved nature reserves: RSPB Leighton Moss<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re on foot (after arriving by train), entry to this expanse of lagoons, wetlands and reedbeds is half price.<\/p>\n Route details<\/strong><\/p>\n Silverdale lies on the Furness Line, which hugs the Lancastrian and Cumbrian coastline from Lancaster, on the West Coast mainline, to Barrow in Furness. Trains run hourly from Lancaster to Silverdale and the journey takes 14 minutes; from \u00a34.40 per adult. northernrailway.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Words by Mark Sutcliffe<\/em><\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Travel back in time on a historic rail ride through some of the finest countryside in Essex, streaming through ancient Epping Forest<\/a> before returning on foot<\/p>\n The Epping Ongar Railway<\/a> was opened in 1865 as a singletrack extension between Loughton and Ongar in west Essex, adding to the existing Eastern Counties Railway between Stratford and Loughton. Declining passenger numbers in the mid- to late-20th century led to the closure of the line onwards from Epping, with the Central Line taking on the remaining section.<\/p>\n The turn of the century saw the formation of the Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer Society, which began to restore the line and stations, retaining the character of bygone years.<\/p>\n Vintage buses take you from Epping station to the restored North Weald Station, with an original signal box dating from 1888. Pause for lunch in the Anglia Buffet restaurant before boarding one of the steam- or diesel-hauled trains that run between Ongar and Epping Forest. Find out more about bike riding in the Epping Forest here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Route details:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you buy a Railway Rambler ticket (adult \u00a38, child \u00a34), you can return to Epping along the Essex Way footpath.<\/p>\n Words by Abigail Hamilton-Thompson<\/em><\/p>\n Hop aboard a heritage train and journey along the bucolic banks of the River Forth before discovering one of the finest railway museums in the country<\/p>\n Volunteers of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society began development on the Bo\u2019ness and Kinneil Railway<\/a> in 1979. Today, the nostalgic steam and heritage diesel trains delight visitors as they chug for 10 miles beside the estuarine River Forth.<\/p>\n With several stops along the way, this journey through open countryside and woods of oak, ash, hazel and wild cherry evokes feelings of yesteryear. After Birkhill, there is a lofty sensation as the train crosses the Avon Viaduct, with views the character of bygone years.<\/p>\n Back at the start point in the riverside village of Bo\u2019ness, visit the Museum of Scottish Railways<\/a> and learn more about the restored line. Filled with interactive displays and old rolling stock, you can get a discounted entry when you buy a train ticket (adult, \u00a313).<\/p>\n Words by Fergal MacErlean<\/em><\/p>\n For both children and adults, a ride on the Why travel by train?<\/h2>\n
The best train journeys in the UK<\/h2>\n
West Highland Line\u00a0\u2013 Fort William to Mallaig, Highland<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Cotswold Line \u2013 Oxford to Moreton-inMarsh,\u00a0Oxfordshire\/Gloucestershire<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Talyllyn Railway \u2013 Tywyn to Nant Gwernol, Gwynedd<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Furness Line \u2013 Lancaster to Silverdale, Lancashire<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Epping Ongar Railway \u2013 Ongar and Epping Fores, Essex<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Bo\u2019ness and Kinneil Railway, West Lothian<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Watercress Line \u2013 Alton and Alresford, Hampshire<\/h3>\n
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