tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post2935554680379994632..comments2024-03-27T21:31:59.376+00:00Comments on Chris Townsend Outdoors: In Praise of TrainsChris Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-48544970662544207572009-10-23T16:57:59.864+01:002009-10-23T16:57:59.864+01:00Dawn, I'm sorry to hear about your work proble...Dawn, I'm sorry to hear about your work problems. Good luck for the future.<br />Fares are a big problem and part of the mess the railways are in. It can be very frustrating trying to find the cheapest fares, which sometimes involves buying singles for some parts of a journey and returns for other parts. I spend too much time doing this.<br />I could not manage a 12 hour bus journey with justChris Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-9249819552947474832009-10-23T15:53:52.521+01:002009-10-23T15:53:52.521+01:00You do Philip! Steph, Robert and I enjoyed a good...You do Philip! Steph, Robert and I enjoyed a good train journey en route for Yosemite two years ago before we set out for the John Muir Trail. The US could enjoy more superb train journeys – it's such a shame that it seems obsessed with personal vehicle ownership... SUVs RUVs etc etc.John Manninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07519877517930532027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-36419357622401292612009-10-23T15:16:53.658+01:002009-10-23T15:16:53.658+01:00ertainly I agree with what you say Chris; however,...ertainly I agree with what you say Chris; however, there is a downside and that is the cost of fares. Even with advanced booking fares are pushed beyond what I can afford. Having lost my job and with no work prospects in the immediate future getting to the hills is becoming difficult. Mostly now I have to travel on the coach services. Heading up to Aviemore involves a twelve hour run on the nightDawnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-24177231975638936252009-10-23T14:38:56.205+01:002009-10-23T14:38:56.205+01:00We need to slow down. Trains let you see the minut...We need to slow down. Trains let you see the minutia of life as you pass by...cows, sheep, a milk wagon, builders at work, the view. This is good. Wish we still had them in the US.Philip Wernerhttp://sectionhiker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-77910118712179150012009-10-22T12:35:28.787+01:002009-10-22T12:35:28.787+01:00Alan, I'm well aware that some train journeys ...Alan, I'm well aware that some train journeys are ghastly. The privatised railways are an inefficient mess. When I visit my mother in Southport I end up on a rickety, bumpy, dirty train from Wigan to Southport. Commuting on trains like this every day would be hell. Mind you, people I know who commute by car in the south-east tell me that is hell too.<br /><br />I don't believe Beeching Chris Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-86946190670580534182009-10-22T11:54:17.410+01:002009-10-22T11:54:17.410+01:00I think it depends iupon which train service you a...I think it depends iupon which train service you are using. Down here in the South East train journeys are absolutely ghastly - usually accompanied by grim, grey-faced commuters with a persoanlity by-pass.<br /><br />Trains 'up-north' are an altogether better experience.<br /><br />Down here I would travel in my car every time, without fail.<br /><br />That nice Doctor Beeching actually Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-8856542266772320122009-10-21T22:41:22.967+01:002009-10-21T22:41:22.967+01:00A fortnight ago I took the train out of Manchester...A fortnight ago I took the train out of Manchester to Edale and then hiked across the Kinder Plateau via Crowden Head to Glossop where I met up with the missus at her folks for tea then home. I actually bought TGO from WH Smiths at Manchester Picadilly and read your off the path article on the way which included a bit about wher eI was going that day! This weekend I have been away for three days Jamie Bassnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09355269195886660628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-36314370382486684022009-10-21T01:02:12.065+01:002009-10-21T01:02:12.065+01:00Just liked the comment! Havn't been on a train...Just liked the comment! Havn't been on a train in years - shame on me. Lynne fae Kyle of LochalshAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-8489692174902771392009-10-20T21:07:54.474+01:002009-10-20T21:07:54.474+01:00John, that photo of Hebden Bridge station was take...John, that photo of Hebden Bridge station was taken last Friday. We were there for the weekend. Didn't go in the cafe though I have been in before. I was surprised how many visitors were in Hebden given the time of year. Mind you, we went to Howarth on the Saturday and it was even busier.Chris Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-32642383641472687502009-10-20T20:42:04.304+01:002009-10-20T20:42:04.304+01:00Agree again Chris.
I should have spotted that the ...Agree again Chris.<br />I should have spotted that the train in the pic above was parked at Hebden Bridge station - the cafe there is pretty darned good, as you might expect in Hebden Bridge.<br /><br />Hebden's a commuter town as much as it is a tourist town, as much as it is an alternative-everything town.<br /><br />Commuters heading to Leeds in a morning have parties and more on the John Manninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07519877517930532027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-2645119551490693512009-10-20T20:28:28.669+01:002009-10-20T20:28:28.669+01:00Well, writing about trains obviously struck a chor...Well, writing about trains obviously struck a chord! I don't think comments have arrived so fast before. <br /><br />Paul, the Padjelanta Trail is certainly excellent. And so is the Kungsleden and the Troms Border Trail. And Sarek National Park. There's lots of wonderful country up there.<br /><br />John, the only trains I see regularly are steam trains! On the Strathspey Railway, which Chris Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-50585967662258913722009-10-20T20:05:34.069+01:002009-10-20T20:05:34.069+01:00Agreed that we need more trains - everyone should...Agreed that we need more trains - everyone should have one!<br /><br />Seriously, like Andy, I agree 100%. We also need more stations - the Settle/Carlisle lines runs within about 400 yards past Stainforth, yet there's no station. Okay, Settle's only two miles away but the buses aren't frequent enough to make that viable all the time, for everyone.<br /><br />So, more trains, and John Manninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07519877517930532027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-25819138288043833242009-10-20T20:04:35.325+01:002009-10-20T20:04:35.325+01:00Nice post Chris. This brings back happy memories -...Nice post Chris. This brings back happy memories -- particularly the overnight train from Stockholm up to Gällivare. Being lulled to sleep by the rocking of the train and level crossing bells, then waking up north of the arctic circle -- magic! (And the Padjelanta trail wan't half bad either!)_https://www.blogger.com/profile/06386109424171711139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-25398282935871050802009-10-20T17:05:04.073+01:002009-10-20T17:05:04.073+01:00Agreed. 100%Agreed. 100%Andy Howellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12985163646974078973noreply@blogger.com