List the top five

I don't disagree with most of the Gwili comments, we are all working as hard as we can to improve what we offer, including a longer ride.

It would be pretty boring if all the railways offered the same experience, that's why we are lucky with the number of lines spread thought the country.

 

I am so pleased to see the NYMR mentioned so often! We all work really hard to make it a good experience for the general public and enthusiasts alike and it is good to see we must be doing something right!
My personal top 5 heritage railways are:

NYMR (of course!)
SVR loved it when we visited, very impressed and will be visiting again.
WSR, had a weeks holiday in Blue Anchor and travelled most days on this lovely line.
Strathspey, you can't beat the beautiful views, the Cairngorms with snow on the top. Lovely!
Llangollen, went for the special event, Betton Grange etc a couple of years ago. We are going to try and visit again this year.

I also really like KWVR and the KESR! It is really hard to pick a top 5!

 

OK Matt I agree with you for the NYMR absolutely a splendid line but what about one of my favourites the BB(Bluebell) railway? probrably one of the best in UK and in the World
for NG: WHR and FFestiniog of course
regards
Noel

 

For sheer organisational capability and local Tourist and financial impact I would say in no particular order of the mainline heritage railways;

Bluebell
West Somerset
North York Moors
Severn Valley
Paignton & Dartmouth

Gloucestershire and Warwickshire will be up there with my top 5 in the next 10-15 years as its clear they plan to be a big heritage railway and Great Central only just misses my list.

However, I get just as much pleasure from visiting the North Norfolk, Swanage the KWVR all of which have something different.

 

Visited one of the lines mentioned in this thread for the first time on Saturday....
Facilities(toilets etc) are good, clean and tidy stations. Cafe and staff very good.
Was not able to see inside the sheds or other locos/carriages....out of view from public apart from what you could see from the train as you passed by.
Staff were friendly and were happy to talk about their railway.

Unfortunately the railway goes from nowhere to nowhere and is basically just a train ride.
For a family day out you would have to just visit....do the ride and move on in your car to somewhere else.
So for a family day out not reccommended...which is a shame as it is a nice railway.

Now not going to mention said railway as it is not fair on them as its not their fault.

 

Welsh Highland
Severn Valley
West Somerset
Didcot
Threlkeld Quarry Railway

 

Not entirely sure why most people are saying Bluebell, in my opinion it's nothing special really, nice enough but didn't stick out to me and hence why I haven't been back since the 50th Gala.

My top four would be in n0 particular order -

P&DSR - location is brilliant, lots to do at every station, amazing scenery. As it is part of a wider scheme it makes it ideal as it doesn't have to be a full day out on it's own.
SVR - great views, interesting stock, things to do at all stations, including the peaceful Hampton Loade, three towns on it.
WSR - good scenery, lots of stops with things to do, Dunster Castle (yet to visit!), Minehead itself, Blue Anchor etc, lots of pubs and eateries.
K&WVR - surrounding area has a lot of history, the scenery is quite nice, lots to do, fantastic atmosphere, particularly like Keighley.

I struggle for a stand-out fifth though. SDR is nice, but lack of things to do really other than ride the train, even if Totnes is a short walk away. DFR I love the atmosphere but there isn't a great deal off the train other than pubs/cafes and walking. Gwili & Llangollen have brilliant scenery, but they don't really go anywhere. Maybe the NNR would make it but I'd have to go again to make sure I do enjoy visiting the RH&DR though and it has some great settlements along it with things to see/do so maybe that could make it too!

 

I think if I'd been to 50 Bluebell galas I'd be a bit blasé about it too...

 

People vote for what they like, not what others like. Simples. One man's meat and all that.

 

What I meant by it was I must have missed something about the place when I went there.

 

The thread makes for interesting reading and echoing comments from others... to summarise it seems that view, gradients (=engines working), destination(s) to visit off-site, not too long or short, well restored/presented stock (with some heritage), friendly staff and presentable/smart stations are key points...?

For that reason I cannot understand why more people haven't listed Swanage Railway? I can only think they haven't visited recently?

The views all speaks for themselves (see attached).

A few gradients (up to 1 in 75, even 1 in 65 when we go to Worgret), nice collection of locos (large and small, including the BoB, M7, 4MT, U Class and an N to come), a train every 40 mins (so families don't have to wait too long for the next train), complete with evening services throughout the summer holidays, two Bullied coaches plus Car 14 Observation Car (with more to come as funds allow) alongside well restored Mark 1's (both open and some compartments)..... passing through some picturesque rolling countryside, running from a convenient 350 space park and ride (so no hassles trying to dump the car at the start of your day out), serving Corfe Station (surely the best setting for a station?), and Swanage with its completely restored canopy and within yards of the Blue Flag winning beach walking down a busy Victorian high street with independent shops and a restored Victorian pier....

Other railways that come close (in my opinion) for an excellent visitor day out include P & Dartmouth Railway (complete with excellent boat services), NYMR, K&WVR & SVR (with the museum)...

Simon
(Thanks to David Burton for the Corfe shot, rest are my own).

 

re Llangollen not going anywhere....the trick is to board at the country end and go to Llangollen, I'm sure this applies toother lines.

 

I've been to Swanage. Each to their own but I thought it was a bit of a boring trundle, to be honest.