As England marks 200 years of rail travel, author and train expert Tom Chesshyre has shared his favourite slow train journeys across the UK. The bicentennial celebrates the first public passenger steam train journey in 1825 from Darlington to Stockton, a 26-mile trip that birthed the modern railway.
Chesshyre, who has travelled over 40,000 miles by rail, believes train travel offers a slower, more scenic way to see the country. He highlights regional train trips that take passengers off the beaten track, providing a unique perspective on Britain's landscapes and towns.
Despite the romance of rail, Chesshyre acknowledges that cheap flights often make train travel less competitive on price. However, he notes that European rail passes like the Interrail Pass are making it more affordable for longer trips, and high-speed networks in countries like Spain are reducing the need for short-haul flights.
Chesshyre's favourite international journey remains the Trans-Siberian Railway, a nine-day trip from Moscow to Beijing. He describes the train as 'its own ecosystem', where he met colourful characters and witnessed the Ural Mountains, Siberian forests and Mongolian tundra.
For those inspired to explore Britain by rail, Chesshyre recommends slow train routes that allow passengers to stop off at hidden gems without worrying about traffic. His book, 'Slow Trains Around Britain', aims to encourage a resurgence in this eco-friendly mode of travel.
