Better Transport

When he won a prize draw after filling in our survey about problem stations, Jeff Roberts chose to fulfill a childhood dream...

"A phone call confirmed that my run of never winning anything was over and I now had the problem of deciding where to go with my prize ticket, an onerous task for a railway enthusiast! I decided to fulfill a boyhood dream, to travel first class from Paddington to Penzance.

I pitched up at Paddington early to sample the rarified atmosphere of the First Class Lounge and found it most impressive, spoilt only by 'mobile man' having the most intimate conversation in thespian tones that echoed around the room. Perhaps First Great Western can provide a sound-proofed talking zone for such as these? Mind you, this annoyance was countered by the excellent free cappuccino and croissants.
 
The journey began with a spirited run through the suburbs. From Reading onwards the scenery changed and the sun was full giving marvellous views over countryside redolent of John Betjeman and a lost world. It wouldn't have surprised me to see a horse-drawn harvester disappearing over the hill but the only horse I saw was the one etched into the hillside at Westbury, a remarkable sight for all that.
 
The highlight of the whole journey was now imminent; the stretch between Dawlish Warren and Newton Abbot where the train passes along the foot of and through spectacular sandstone cliffs giving seascapes equal to anywhere in the world. You can only wonder at Brunel's bravado in routing his track here, but it’s fortunate for the traveller that he did.

I had little time to get over the sheer majesty of the coastal views before being swept into the seaside quaintness of Teignmouth and the footpath adjacent to the railway, the territory of many a trainspotter. 

More lush countryside became almost commonplace on the run into Plymouth where I eagerly anticipated the run over The Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash [pictured]. If there’s a memorial to art, architecture and engineering, then surely this must be it.

Already I felt the journey had been brilliant but still another 80 miles to go, could anything surpass all I had seen so far?

Simple answer - yes. The low sun behind St Michael's Mount gave it an Arthurian, magical quality that raised the spirit in what is fast becoming a drab world.

I don't understand why First Great Western doesn’t market this whole journey as one of the great lines of Britain: at just over 10 pence a mile First Class it is a snip.

We arrived into Penzance on time at 17:10 after a journey of five hours and five minutes. After a sunset stroll around the harbour and an excellent meal, I checked into my guesthouse for a good sleep, ready to do it all again tomorrow on the return journey.

Thank you Campaign for Better Transport - please send me as many surveys as you wish!" - Jeff Roberts.