Advantages: On time, new trains, comfortable
Disadvantages: Pricy to only go a few stops, trains are infrequent on Sundays

...Introduction ~~ Well the British railways are in a bit of a state. Unsafe, late and unreliable are three words that come to mind. Well those three words don't go with all of Britain's railways. Well those three words certainly don't go with Chiltern Railways, who I use a lot. They provide services between Birmingham, the West Midlands and London. Frequency of trains ~~ Out of the many times I have used Chiltern Railways the train has never been more than 5 minutes late. And usually it is dead on time. Yes I bet your thinking if only all British rail services were like Chiltern Railways. Trains are very frequent in the week and on Saturdays but trains are very infrequent on Sundays and the service is restricted. The service is also interrupted on Sundays due to track maintenance. Value ~~ Not great. Comfort ~~ All of Chiltern... Read review

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Advantages: A must read
Disadvantages: none

...The Railway Man is an autobiographical account by Eric Lomax. It starts with his younger days developing an enthusiasm for railways, a cruel irony sees the author taken prisoner by the Japanese following the fall of Singapore being forced to work on the infamous Burma railway. The story retells of the brutality and cruelty inflicted by the Japanese and in particular focuses on the hatred and loathing which Lomax developed for a particular English Speaking translator. The scars of his experiences live for long after the war is over. By an incredible twist of fate Lomax eventually meets the very Japanese interogator whom he had grown to hate and is saved from a life of bitternes through an extraordinary will to forgive. This book is riviting!... Read review

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Advantages: nice scenery
Disadvantages: bad access to both main stations

...The historic Bolton Abbey in West Yorkshire is once again accessabile by rail after the Embsay & Bolton Abbey steam railway ( lovingly known as the Yorkshire Dales railway ) managed to reconnect the tracks to this scenic part of the world in 1999. Bolton Abbey is an historic 12 century ruin , from which the tiny village takes it's name. If anyone wishes to drive to Bolton Abbey you could leave the car there and do the journey in reverse if you prefer . The route is situated very close to the A59. I managed to ride the route on only it's second day of operation to Bolton Abbey as previously the line only went as far as Stoneacre loop. This railway is a scenic preserved mainly steam line similar to the North Yorks Moors railway and Keighley & Worth Valley railway which I've written on earlier. I had a picnic on the banks of the river... Read review

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Advantages: SAFETY
Disadvantages: LACK OF COMMUNICATION

...Whilst I have a great sympathy with the British Public with reference to the delays currently being experienced on the railway network,I must point out that SAFETY IS THE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUE!!!!!!!!! The people who experienced the dreadful tragedy at Hatfield recently would surely agree that there has at least,been some good to come from this disaster inasmuch as that the national railway system has been thoroughly examined and a rather disturbing amount of problems have been found on the tracks nationally!!!!!!! As a traveller on the railway system I find the delays incredibly frustrating,BUT,I would rather be delayed to arrive at my destination safely than experience the horror of another Hatfield crash!! The management of British Rail would much improve the current situation with a drastic review of their communication procedures... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent detail
Disadvantages: none

...This is an excellent resource for anyone who's got an interest in railways either in train spotting, transport photography (for locations), model building or those people who travel by train and wonder where does that go? For the people who are interest in model building it gives the layouts of junctions and lifted junctions and also distances between locations, and also length of bridges and tunnels and locations of other railway buildings and architecture. It also gives information not only about the national rail network but also private lines although not all information is included for them. A good feature in the newer additions is that the pages are in colour so it's much easier to read and study. Downsides of the book are that it's only the south and it would be nice to have all the volumes and the whole of the UK in one book... Read review

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Advantages: Country views preserved trams
Disadvantages: hard seats and hard ride

...Manx electrical Railway This railway appears to have started construction in 1890.At the Derby Castle end of the Promenade is Burnt Mill Hill, a rather steep climb. In fact the land on this eastern side proved too much for Steam.With the possibilities of Electric traction though, more ambitious routes could be considered. There was at one time a plan to merge all the competing transport companies, that is why you will note that the rails for this railway start to extend to the Promenade as do the rails of the Horse tramway start to extend the other way. Neither quite meets. The station at Derby Castle is not elaborate like the Steam Railway at the other end of town. What you have is a small rustic ticket office. This railway from its outset was dependant on tourist trade. The main depot for the railway is situated behind... Read review

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Advantages: A very enjoyable time out.
Disadvantages: Still under development.

...Welsh Highland Railway, Rheilffordd Eryri. This may prove to be a long report as there is so much to say and to see. However I will try to keep it to a reasonable length. First some background. The first Welsh Highland Railway was formed in 1922 from 3 previous railways. 1st. The North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway which ran from Dinas to Rhyd Ddu and was formed in 1872. 2nd The Portmadog, Beddgellert and South Snowdon Railway. This was formed in 1901 and was intended to be electrified. No track was ever laid and only some work was done. There appear to have been some financial irregularities and this soon closed. 3rd The Croesor Tramway. This was a horse drawn tramway carrying slate to Portmadog. The intention was to have a local and tourist railway running through the Snowdonia area. But the railway did not reach Caernarfon... Read review

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Advantages: Great day out, full of nostalgia, and close to the sea-side...
Disadvantages: It was a four hour drive to Swanage from the midlands!

...The Swanage Railway was one of the highlights of my recent camping holiday to Swanage in Dorset. I'm by no means a railway enthusiast, but that didn't stop me having a brilliant day out and discovering a nostalgic treasure hidden away at the centre of a wonderful sea-side town. The tooting of the whistle passing up to our camp site soon became a familar sound, so that by the end of the week I had made my mind up to find out what the railway was all about. Swanage is located on the South Coast, a four-hour drive from my home in the midlands. The area is sometimes referred to as the Isle of Purbeck, even though it's not really an island... more of a peninsula. It is a place of great natural beauty with outstanding geological features at near-by Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Then there's the sea-side attractions of Swanage itself, sandy... Read review

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Advantages: Good day out, intresting to look at all the steam trains
Disadvantages: not much else to do around the area.

...The Bluebell Railway is a very popular tourist attraction. It’s Victorian Metropolitan Railway. A great day out for all the family, especially if you like trains. They are all old steam trains. Both my children like Thomas the Tank engine and we are planning a second visit to Bluebell Railway to see Thomas and friends in the summer. Bluebell Railway is in East and West Sussex it just crosses the border between the both. Sheffield Park Station is the best place to get on the Bluebell Railway, which you will find it on the A275 East Grinstead. You can get your tickets at most central south coast train stations. I know you can get them from London Victoria, then travel down by the London to Brighton line, Just jump on the South-Central or Thameslink trains. After reaching East Grinstead you will have to get the bus to Bluebell railway... Read review

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Advantages: good toy
Disadvantages: none except price

...BRIO 33191 Wooden Railway System: Mallard Train Set By Brio Brio wooden trains are fantastic; they are a well made long lasting toy. Brio started out in the early 1900's by Invar Bentsen a basket maker who soon designed and made wooden toys. My grandson has a large collection of trains and railway tracks some brio some other makes. I anticipate that the brio trains will well outlive his play and be stored for the next generation. He does have a Brio Mallard train which can be bought on its own or as part of the BRIO 33191 Wooden Railway System: Mallard Train Set. This mallard train set is compatible with the Brio wooden railway system made from beech wood. It is a large layout having 19 pieces of track including 2 sets of points and a bridge. 1 curved track and a mechanical switching track. The engine is obviously the Mallard... Read review

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