There's a magical romance about train travel that no other form of transport can capture. Unlike other rail-based guides, this is not a backpacker's manual on how to travel cheaply and quickly and what to do once you get there. Instead, this is a leisurely sojourn around the country, an indulgent, care-free and relaxing journey which notices - and explains - what other guides don't. What to see from the train, historical anecdotes about the development of the railways, explanations of how the rail system works, railway traditions, branch line explorations, descriptions of the most scenic routes and a whole lot more are covered in a style which makes for a perfect armchair read, whether from home or on the rails.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Rail Brittania! 1 The Glorious East Coast Main Line to Scotland King's Cross to York: record breakers York to Edinburgh: to the world's first railway Edinburgh to Aberdeen: Firth to last 2 Scotland: Rails to Romance and Beauty The basic layout Glasgow and Edinburgh termini Planning ahead in Scotland The West Highland Line: Glasgow-Crianlarich-Fort William-Mallaig and the Oban branch: the iron road to the isles The Highland Main Line: Inverness to Glasgow (and Edinburgh) Seaside excursions: two great days out from Scotland's two big cities The Great North of Scotland Railway: Inverness to Aberdeen The Skye Railway: the very strange story of 'the most beautiful line in Europe' The Far North Line: from Inverness to Wick and Thurso 3 The North of England: Chuffing 'eck, That's Grand! Midlands mentions (briefly, before heading north) The North of England: overview and recommended lines The wonderful Settle & Carlisle Railway: don't Settle for anything less! Leeds to Lancaster and Morecambe: a useful connector; brief encounters and a great comedian The Cumbrian Coast Line: right round the Lake District The Lake District by train? What are those words worth?! No missing Lincs in Lincolnshire: Nottingham to Skegness 4 Great Western: 'God's Wonderful Railway' The GWR: trunk, branches and twigs Keeping great company: the GWR's great history London to Penzance: best of the West The Berks & Hants route: Kennet Valley and Vale of Pewsey The GW strikes north: Cotswolds, Golden Valley and Banbury West Country branches: Devon and Cornwall's cream Wessex lines: undiluted Old England at her best The GWR route into South Wales: branch lines to Dai for 5 Wales Rails Fire-breathing dragons and going for a spin with the best connected Welsh rare bits and best bits A note on place names North Wales and the Marches: a fantastic circular route or splendid separate days out The Heart of Wales line: Shrewsbury to Swansea, a real rural rail survivor 6 East Anglia: A Circular Tour to See the Best of This Unique Region Bargain Anglia Hitchin to Cambridge: teetotal recall, dozy crossing keepers and snooty dons The Breckland Line: Cambridge to Norwich - islands in the Fen to blasted heath Really recommended for the ride Norwich- Lowestoft: Queen of the Lot The Wherry peculiar Wherry Lines The lovely East Suffolk Line: Lowestoft to Ipswich (for London): swinging stuff London Liverpool Street to Norwich via the Great Eastern Main Line (plus fabulous branches) 7 South Western from Waterloo: Take Me to the Sunshine Waterloo: Welcome to Britain's biggest and busiest station Waterloo to Woking: another Britain's busiest Woking to Southampton: Martians to maritime Southampton to Weymouth: the New Forest and two Hardy's Wessex The Portsmouth Direct Line: Woking to Pompey, ups and Downs Waterloo to Exeter: the West of England Main Line 8 South and Southeast: 'from Dirty Weekends to Bo Peep The Brighton Line: premier holiday route London Victoria to Brighton: what to look out for from the Thames to Channel Brighton Line Branches Brighton-Hastings-Ashford: towns, gowns and Downs Hastings Direct and the Kent Coast: catch the 1066 9 Fare Dos, and Fare Don'ts Basic stuff that could save you a packet 1. Basics 2. Types of ticket 3. How to get times and book tickets Other deals And lastly... Appendix 1 The Inside Track: Look, Learn and Enjoy the Railway World A window-gazer's guide to 'railthings': stuff to look out for on your journey Basics: a few technical rail terms explained Train trivia Appendix 2 Useful Information Books on railways: read between the lines Steamy affairs: historic and preserved railways Tourist information centres Index

About the Author

Benedict le Vay is the author of several of Bradt's Eccentric guides including Eccentric Britain. He says, 'I've asked for my ashes to be blasted from the chimney of my favourite steam locomotive at my funeral. Hasn't everybody?'

Reviews

'Whether you're a first-time visitor or time-served commuter, Benedict le Vay's book will open your eyes to the sights and history of Britain's best train journeys. And his choice of the top ten British train routes is spot on!' - Mark Smith, The Man In Seat 61 'A quite superb, indeed incomparable, combination of maps, railway trivia, engineering isights and breathtaking landscape features to look out for.' Michael Gove, The Times "We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world - sit back, relax and enjoy the ever changing landscape of Britain from the Rails!" Pete Waterman Obe, Chairman of the Waterman Railway Trust "Look out of those train windows and see another Britain. This is a richly researched and fascinating book, with a chuckle and a raised eyebrow at every page." Alastair Sawday 'This elegant guide is perfect for people who really want to know what they are seeing when they idly look out of a train window. The maps and illustrations add to the joy of reading a gorgeous guide.' Adam Trimingham, Brighton Argus Magazine "Britain from the Rails: A Window Gazer's Guide by Benedict le Vay, tells you what you should look out for from your carriage window on rail journeys from Aberdeen to Penzance and all points in between. This is a book that will gladden the hearts of all who love train travel." Frank Barrett, The Mail on Sunday 'Gloriously quirky labour-of-love' Wanderlust 'This fascinating, well-researched book is packed with facts and details on the sights that can be glimpsed from a train window. An invaluable companion for railway window-gazers everywhere.' The Mail on Sunday An excellent and unusual guide to Britain by train.' Tom Hall, The Observer