The highest railway in the UK, which reopened in February this year after a £25million refurbishment, offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding landscape
Samantha Bartlett Assistant Editor, Social News
09:08, 31 Oct 2025Updated 11:03, 31 Oct 2025
It is the highest railway in the UK(Image: Arterra, Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
There’s nothing quite like gazing at the stunning panorama from a mountain summit, yet not everyone possesses the ability, stamina, time or inclination to climb one. If any of those circumstances describe you, then worry not as a recently launched Scottish mountain railway offers you jaw-dropping highland views, without requiring any mountaineering whatsoever.
Digital content creator Chris Paul Lawlor, who’s renowned for discovering Scotland, posted on his Facebook page to share a brief video all about the Cairngorms Mountain Railway, situated in Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands. His footage began with a first-person perspective clip from the railway, which reopened in February this year following a £25million renovation, to demonstrate to his audience what they would witness if they journeyed on it.
Additional picturesque shots of the magnificent location were then displayed, as overlay text stated: “Did you know that in Scotland there is a railway on a mountain just newly reopened taking you to a restaurant at the top with breathtaking views.”
Besides being Scotland’s sole mountain railway, it’s also the loftiest railway in the UK, ascending to a summit station at 1,097 metres (3,599 ft) above sea level.
In addition to travelling on the railway itself, Chris mentioned you could “make a day of it” by embarking on a trek to the pyramid in the Cairngorms National Park, which lies a 35-minute drive away. Officially known as Prince Albert’s Cairn, this pyramid is a monument erected by Queen Victoria in 1862 on the Balmoral Estate to honour her husband, Prince Albert.
It’s the grandest of 11 Royal cairns in the vicinity, perched atop a hill that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and national park.
To reach the cairn, visitors can embark on a hike through woodland trails, choosing between a shorter, direct walk or a longer circular route that takes in other cairns.
While there’s no fee to visit Prince Albert’s Cairn itself, parking charges apply. Expect to pay around £5 for a car and £10 for a motorhome or van for the day.
The car park is conveniently located near the A93 road at the start of the walk.
The expert also recommended a trip to the Green Loch, famed for its unusually green water. This unique hue is due to a combination of algae in the water and the reflection of the surrounding pine trees.
However, local folklore suggests that fairies washing their clothes in the loch are responsible for its colour.
Chris also suggested a visit to Loch Morlich before heading to the railway. This freshwater loch near Aviemore is renowned for its sandy beaches and awe-inspiring mountain scenery.
It’s a hotspot for watersports enthusiasts, offering activities like kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing, with a dedicated watersports centre on site. Visitors can also explore walking and mountain biking trails in the nearby Glenmore Forest Park.
Chris’s post about the railway and surrounding suggestions, captioned “An autumn day out idea in Scotland,” was a hit with fans, garnering 4,800 likes.
One follower gushed: “Oh my God this makes me want to come back even more. We visited Scotland 11 years ago for our honeymoon. Now my 8-year-old wants to go.”
Another fan lauded the “wonderful scenery”.
A third chimed in: “Glad the railway is open again, it makes the beautiful mountain summit more accessible to all people.”
While a fourth added: “Wow, what a place and view.”
A day pass for the Cairngorms Mountain Railway costs £17.00 for an adult and £9.50 for a junior (aged 6-17) if booked in advance online. On-the-day prices are £19.00 for an adult and £11.50 for a junior. Prices are also available for seniors and students.
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\",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"Besides being Scotland's sole mountain railway, it's also the loftiest railway in the UK, ascending to a summit station at 1,097 metres (3,599 ft) above sea level.\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"In addition to travelling on the railway itself, Chris mentioned you could \\\"make a day of it\\\" by embarking on a trek to the pyramid in the Cairngorms National Park, which lies a 35-minute drive away. Officially known as Prince Albert's Cairn, this pyramid is a monument erected by Queen Victoria in 1862 on the Balmoral Estate to honour her husband, Prince Albert.\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-4\",\"data-position\":5,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":4,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_non-commercial__aiWwo undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"non-commercial-1\",\"data-position\":6,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L276\",null,{\"boxType\":\"non-commercial\",\"size\":\"skinny\",\"position\":6,\"contentUnitIndex\":15,\"commercialCount\":5,\"nonCommercialCount\":1,\"recommendedCount\":2,\"injectedCount\":5,\"location\":\"article-body\",\"settings\":{\"viewports\":{\"small\":{\"width\":\"100%\",\"height\":\"240px\"},\"medium\":{\"width\":\"100%\",\"height\":\"240px\"},\"large\":{\"width\":\"100%\",\"height\":\"240px\"}}},\"testId\":\"non-commercial-1\",\"commercialInjectedCount\":9,\"contentUnitCount\":22,\"newsletterData\":\"$undefined\",\"config\":\"$205\",\"articleSettings\":\"$277\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"It's the grandest of 11 Royal cairns in the vicinity, perched atop a hill that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and national park.\"]}],[\"$\",\"$L96\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L283\",null,{\"embedType\":\"facebook_post\",\"dataTestId\":\"htmlembed\",\"html\":\"\u003cdiv id=\\\"fb-root\\\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\\n\u003cscript async defer crossorigin=\\\"anonymous\\\" src=\\\"https://connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1\u0026version=v24.0\u0026appId=APP_ID\\\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\\n\\n\u003cdiv class=\\\"fb-post\\\" data-href=\\\"https://www.facebook.com/reel/1958503138329379\\\" data-width=\\\"500\\\" data-show-text=\\\"true\\\"\u003e\u003cblockquote cite=\\\"https://www.facebook.com/reel/1958503138329379/\\\" class=\\\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\\\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn autumn day out idea in Scotland\u003c/p\u003ePosted by \u003ca href=\\\"https://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Paul-Lawlor/100081124262387/\\\"\u003eChris Paul Lawlor\u003c/a\u003e on\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\"https://www.facebook.com/reel/1958503138329379/\\\"\u003eThursday 16 October 2025\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\",\"rightHandRailEnabled\":true,\"publication\":\"mirror\",\"dataTmDataTrack\":\"content-unit\",\"dataTmdatatrackType\":\"facebook_post\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"To reach the cairn, \",[\"$\",\"a\",null,{\"className\":\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\",\"role\":\"$undefined\",\"href\":\"https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/travel-tips\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"aria-label\":\"\",\"title\":\"$undefined\",\"data-link-tracking\":\"$undefined\",\"data-tmdatatrack-name\":\"$undefined\",\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"$undefined\",\"data-tmdatatrack-articleid\":\"$undefined\",\"data-tmdatatrack-location\":\"$undefined\",\"data-tmdatatrack-source\":\"$undefined\",\"rel\":\"$undefined\",\"tabIndex\":0,\"children\":[\"visitors\"]}],\" can embark on a hike through woodland trails, choosing between a shorter, direct walk or a longer circular route that takes in other cairns.\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-5\",\"data-position\":7,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":5,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"While there's no fee to visit Prince Albert's Cairn itself, parking charges apply. Expect to pay around £5 for a car and £10 for a motorhome or van for the day.\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"The car park is conveniently located near the A93 road at the start of the walk.\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"The expert also recommended a trip to the Green Loch, famed for its unusually green water. This unique hue is due to a combination of algae in the water and the reflection of the surrounding pine trees.\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-6\",\"data-position\":8,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":6,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"However, local folklore suggests that fairies washing their clothes in the loch are responsible for its colour.\"]}],[\"$\",\"$L96\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"data-testid\":\"image-group\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L1e9\",null,{\"dataTestId\":\"imageembed-36139074\",\"dataTmDataTrack\":\"content-unit\",\"dataTmdatatrackType\":\"image\",\"dataTmDataTrackArticleId\":\"36139074\",\"data\":{\"aspect\":2,\"crop\":\"default\",\"captionTitle\":\"Those visiting the railway are also encouraged to check out Loch Morlich which is nearby\",\"captionCredit\":\"Getty Images/imageBROKER RF\",\"alt\":\"Overview of Loch Morlich, Glenmore Forest Park, Cairngorms National Park, Highlands, Scotland, Great\",\"lazyLoading\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\",\"srcSet\":\"https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/article36139074.ece/ALTERNATES/s458b/0_Overview-of-Loch-Morlich-Glenmore-Forest-Park-Cairngorms-National-Park-Highlands-Scotland-Great.jpg 458w, https://www.occasionaldigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Highest-railway-in-the-UK-gives-you-stunning-mountain-views.jp.webp 615w, https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/article36139074.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200e/0_Overview-of-Loch-Morlich-Glenmore-Forest-Park-Cairngorms-National-Park-Highlands-Scotland-Great.jpg 1200w\",\"src\":\"https://www.occasionaldigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Highest-railway-in-the-UK-gives-you-stunning-mountain-views.jp.webp\",\"publication\":\"$26f\",\"loading\":\"lazy\",\"fetchpriority\":\"low\",\"isPoster\":false,\"imageViewerCount\":3,\"sectionColorsEnabled\":false,\"imageViewerEnabled\":true},\"imageId\":\"36139074\",\"imageViewerCount\":3,\"imageViewerEnabled\":true,\"isPoster\":false}]}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"Chris also suggested a visit to Loch Morlich before heading to the railway. This freshwater loch near Aviemore is renowned for its sandy beaches and awe-inspiring mountain scenery.\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-7\",\"data-position\":9,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":7,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"It's a hotspot for watersports enthusiasts, offering activities like kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing, with a dedicated watersports centre on site. Visitors can also explore walking and mountain biking trails in the nearby Glenmore Forest Park.\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"Chris's post about the railway and surrounding suggestions, captioned \\\"An autumn day out idea in Scotland,\\\" was a hit with fans, garnering 4,800 likes.\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"One follower gushed: \\\"Oh my God this makes me want to come back even more. We visited Scotland 11 years ago for our honeymoon. Now my 8-year-old wants to go.\\\"\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-8\",\"data-position\":10,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":8,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"Another fan lauded the \\\"wonderful scenery\\\".\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"A third chimed in: \\\"Glad the railway is open again, it makes the beautiful mountain summit more accessible to all people.\\\"\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"While a fourth added: \\\"Wow, what a place and view.\\\"\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-9\",\"data-position\":11,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":1000,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"A day pass for the Cairngorms Mountain Railway costs £17.00 for an adult and £9.50 for a junior (aged 6-17) if booked in advance online. On-the-day prices are £19.00 for an adult and £11.50 for a junior. 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The Conwy Valley Line weaves through the dramatic valleys of Blaenau Ffestiniog, skirts a wildlife-abundant estuary and traces the rolling hillsides and striking rock faces of this breathtaking corner of North West Wales
16:03, 29 Oct 2025Updated 16:04, 29 Oct 2025
Why not visit the Fairy Glen and River Conwy, near Betws y coed?(Image: chris smith / 500px via Getty Images)
One of Britain’s most picturesque railway routes has welcomed passengers back after reopening to the public.
The Conwy Valley Line weaves through the dramatic valleys of Blaenau Ffestiniog, skirts a wildlife-abundant estuary and traces the rolling hillsides and striking rock faces of this breathtaking corner of North West Wales.
Despite covering just 26 miles between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, the journey takes over an hour. This is mainly because of the line’s winding and steep character, which snakes through the spectacular mountains and wild beauty of Snowdonia National Park.
Whilst the route primarily serves local residents and daily commuters, it has become a magnet for railway enthusiasts. One visitor praised on Tripadvisor: “The line from Blaenau Ffestiniog up to Llandudno is incredibly scenic, and if you’re looking for a rail journey in Snowdonia this is right up there with the heritage narrow gauge lines.”
During a debate about Britain’s most beautiful railway routes, one rail enthusiast commented: “How has nobody mentioned the Conwy Valley? It’s utterly spectacular and crams more into an hour than the ECML does into four. One of the nicest little tours you can do in the UK is a loop of Chester-Llandudno Jn-Blaenau-Porthmadog-Machynlleth-Shrewsbury-Chester, though you’ll probably need to use a bus rather than the FfR for the middle bit at present.”, reports the Express.
The railway line welcomed passengers back on Monday, 27 October, after a month of round-the-clock engineering work by Network Rail, forming part of a £1.4 million investment to strengthen the railway against severe weather conditions.
Throughout the past four weeks, engineering crews have been operating across the picturesque valley – felling dangerous trees and clearing 600,000m2 of overgrown vegetation spanning 54 miles of railway track. The extensive clearance work aims to stop fallen trees from obstructing the line when storms strike in future.
An innovative, cutting-edge approach to tackling the traditional issue of leaves on the line is also being tested.
Network Rail has introduced a pioneering rail treatment to the Conwy Valley line for the first time in Wales. A specialist road-to-rail vehicle has been applying a gel formula to the tracks.
The treatment dissolves leaf debris and remains active for up to seven days before being reactivated by rainfall.
“The Conwy Valley line is one of the most picturesque in Wales, but also one of the most weather-exposed. In the past decade, storms have forced the line to close for more than 500 days – disrupting passengers and the transportation of freight goods,” Network Rail wrote in a statement.
Beyond its scenic beauty, the line offers numerous attractions at various stations along the route. Visitors can:
Experience life as a Welsh slate miner at Llechwedd, where you can join a deep mine tour, go off-road in a quarry explorer, or have a go at slate splitting. From the mine, you can take a ride on Europe’s steepest cable railway as you’re brought back to the surface.
Learn about local life at Llandudno Museum and Gallery, which is located in the heart of this seaside town. It is a great place to uncover the fascinating stories of local people and how the area has developed over hundreds of years.
Discover hidden gems as you explore the Conwy Valley line on foot with Ramblers and Transport for Wales. Travel by train and explore on foot with a series of exciting walking routes with Go Jauntly and Transport for Wales.
Request a stop at Roman Bridge. The station is an ideal starting point for walkers and cyclists looking to explore the area’s breathtaking scenery. Take in the views of the secluded cwm of Blaenau Dolwyddelan before walking to Dolwyddelan Castle, the 12th-century stronghold of Prince Llywelyn the Great.
Stop off at Deganwy. The town overlooks Snowdonia, the Conwy Estuary, Puffin Island, and Anglesey. Just behind the town is the site of Castell Deganwy, once the seat of King Maelgwn Gwynedd. This much-visited attraction (rebuilt by Henry III in 1245) dates back to the 6th century and plays an important role in the history of Wales.
Frolic in the spray of a waterfall. The Conwy Falls are located near Vetws-y-Coed and cascade down a gorge in the Fairuy Glen area.
A TINY station in Northumberland that was closed from the 1960s until last year, has been crowned ‘Britain’s most life-changing station.’
It beat 330 stations across the country for the award – known as ‘The World Cup Of Train Stations,’ and the town itself also has a rich celebrity past from sportsmen to actors.
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Ashington Station is part of the new Northumberland LineCredit: AlamyAshington originally closed in the 1960s and only opened in December 2024Credit: Alamy
‘The World Cup Of Stations’ was launched in honour of 200 years of railways in Britain, to bring attention to the stories behind the stations and how much they’ve changed and brought communities together.
It was shut due to Beeching cuts to the railway in the 1960s which resulted in the closure of thousands of stations, but Ashington has made a mighty comeback.
Ashington competed against 330 nominations, which were whittled down to 20 by a judging panel.
It stood against the likes of Liverpool Lime Street, London Paddington, London Waterloo, Vauxhall and York.
In just over five days, over 24,000 people voted, with Ashington being one of the country’s newest stations in the shortlist.
Trains started running between Newcastle and Ashington in December last year, and it’s not even finished yet as additional stations along the line are set to open next year.
Jacqueline Starr, Rail Delivery Group chief executive officer said: “As we celebrate 200 years of rail history, Ashington shows how investing in stations can transform lives linking people to opportunity, pride, and possibility.”
The Northumberland Line was one of many to be axed as part of the Beeching cuts to the railway in the 1960s but was brought back as part of a £298.5 million redevelopment project.
Ashington sits 15 miles north of Newcastle, close to the coast and was once centre of the coal mining industry.
Jack and Bobby Charleton were both born in AshfordCredit: PARobson Green, star of Grantchester, is from the Northumberland townCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
It was the birthplace of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars like Bobby and Jack Charlton, who were both part of the England national team that won the 1966 World Cup against West Germany.
Jackie Milburn, also born in Ashington and went on to be one of the most legendary players for Newcastle United.
Cricketing brothers Steve and Ben Harmison were born there, and after retiring from cricket, Steve managed his hometown football club inAshington.
The top things to do in Ashington on Tripadvisor include exploring the Woodhorn Museum which is based on the town’s mining history.
Inside is memorabilia, gallery exhibitions and trinkets from the days it operated as a mining hub.
It’s known for having lots of woodland and green spaces too which you can see by visiting the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, or taking a walk around the Wansbeck Riverside Park.
On Tuesdays, Ashington holds a market where sellers sell all sorts from food to clothing and gifts.
The town is very close to Newcastle, which is a 30 minute drive away, or along the Northumberland Line, a 48 minute train journey.
Ashington is very near to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea which has three beachesCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoDruridge Bay has a stretching seven-mile long beachCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
It’s not all towns and cities, Ashington is minutes from the coastline with some of the nearest beaches in neighbouring Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.
The small seaside town has a north, south and east beach where you’ll spot a fleet of traditional fishing boats – but the coastline is a great spot for paddling in the summer and rock pooling.
At the seaside town, you can get a bargain ice cream at Caffe Bertorelli and cheap pints at The Coble pub.
Ashington is near Cresswell Beach too, a sandy spot known for being dog-friendly and a starting point for theNorthumberland Coastal Path.
Another great beach is Druridge Bay which has rugged coastline, a seven-mile beach, sand dunes and is popular for activities like birdwatching and horse riding.
These beaches might be about to get even more popular as this year, Northumberland beaches became one of the world’s trending destinations.
The northern county of Northumberland has been getting lots of attention over the summer, with plenty of pretty beaches that are usually less busy than those in the south.
Airbnb said: “Northumberland is drawing more summer visitors, with searches up over 50 per cent this summer, thanks to its pristine North Atlantic beaches.”
These includeEmbleton Bay, Low Newton-by-the-Sea and the seaside town of Bamburgh.
When I heard that Greggs were opening a pub, my first thought was “a Greggs sausage roll and a pint in one place? Sign me up!”
But what I wasn’t expecting to find at The Golden Flake Tavern was a traditional, homely pub with an impressive menu that could take on the best of boozers.
The room was decked out with local art, a jukebox, board games and cosy booths. From branded Golden Flake coasters and napkins, to a framed painting of Geordie legends Ant and Dec.
Newcastle is the birthplace of Greggs, so it’s only fitting that the pub has opened in its city centre.
The Golden Flake Tavern’s menu is loaded with Greggs’ best-loved bakes, reimagined aspub dishes.
I opted for the Greggs pub staple: the Sausage Roll and Mash and was wowed by the dish’s posh presentation. The sausage roll had been sliced in half and carefully propped up against the mash like a Michelin star meal.
I tried the Gosforth 1939 Stottie Lager (£6.50) – abeernamed with Greggs’ history in mind – and all cocktails are priced at £11.50.
The Golden Flake Tavern is open daily from 11am – 7pm at Fenwick Newcastle. And you need to visit soon as the pub is open to visitors until February 2026.
These were the 20 train stations that made the shortlist for the ‘The World Cup Of Train Stations’…
ITALY has been battered by brutal floods after a wave of torrential rainfall swamped vast parts of the north.
Streets and railways erupted into rivers, trapping people in cars and houses, and hundreds of school children had to be rescued from flood waters.
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Rescuers work to clear a landslide along the Como-Chiasso railway lineCredit: Vigili del fuoco
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Helicopter rescue of a woman with a newborn baby in MedaCredit: Vigili Del Fuoco
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A man is rescued from inside a stranded car in TurateCredit: Vigili del Fuoco
North-western Italy swallowed the worst of the weather, with orange alerts issued for parts of Lombardy and Liguria on Sunday, but the capital Milan has also suffered with severe rainfall on Monday night.
In Meda, Lombardy, cars were picked up by the surging water and taken away down the streets.
One clip shows the powerful river depositing a car on top of another – while a railway track can be seen full to the brim with gushing brown water.
The Seveso river which runs through Milan burst its banks and completely submerged several neighbourhoods, and the Lambro is also threatening to overflow in the city.
Specialised flood vehicles had to rescue around 300 children stranded in schools in the Niguarda district of Milan.
In Cabiate, Como province, fire crews plucked residents from swamped neighbourhoods by winching them up to helicopters after the Tarò River overflowed.
They also combed the streets checking submerged vehicles for anyone trapped inside.
Landslides and flooding have brought chaos to the Bormida Valley in Lugaria, and most of the region’s schools have been forced to shut.
Water spurted up through manhole covers along the busy Via Vittorini road – where flood defences have been erected to protect homes.
Milan’s Palace of Justice has been forced to shut down after water pooled inside and the power had to be turned off.
Child dead after horror floods hit Spain holiday hotspot sparking travel chaos with flights cancelled & more rain coming
Milan’s Civil Protection Councilor, Marco Granelli, urged all residents to exercise “maximum caution”.
More than 70 emergency calls have been put into the fire service amid the watery mayhem.
The flooding was caused by heavy storms which swept across the north of the country.
A German tourist is currently reported to be missing in Piedmont after flash flooding, with a search operation underway.
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A car is deposited onto another one by flood waters in MedaCredit: X/@Top_Disaster
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Authorities had to rescue 200 stranded children from a school in MilanCredit: Vigili del Fuoco
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An entire railway track was flooded in northern ItalyCredit: X/@ViralBased
Officials said more than 650 emergency interventions were carried out across Lombardy, with over 200 firefighters mobilized.
A mother and her 10-month-old baby were rescued from the roof of their car in Monza and Brianza province after being trapped by floodwaters.
In Florence, a pine tree collapsed onto a parked van, though no injuries were reported.
Weather forecasters said unstable conditions would continue in the coming days, with thunderstorms forecast for central and northern Italy and temperatures expected to fall.
Heavy rainfall could also extend to southern regions over the weekend.
One child died as torrential floods continue to wreak havoc across a Spanish holiday hotspot.
Horror weather sparked travel chaos with flights cancelled and trains abandoned due to fallen trees on the tracks – as officials warn of more rain to come.
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Severe flooding due to heavy rainfall has destroyed homes in Blevio, LombardyCredit: X/@BelarusInside
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Whole neighbourhood of Meda, Lombardy, were underwater
This scenic railway journey through the Cambrian Mountains has been named in the top ten percent of attractions worldwide in the 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards
This stunning train journey takes travellers to one of Wales’ most iconic tourist attractions(Image: Media Wales)
A breathtaking railway journey in Wales has been hailed as one of the world’s top tourist attractions. The Vale of Rheidol Railway in Ceredigion has earned global acclaim, landing a spot in the top ten percent of attractions worldwide in the 2025 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, which are entirely based on visitor reviews and ratings over a 12-month period.
The scenic trip begins at Aberystwyth and takes passengers deep into the heart of the Cambrian Mountains, ending at the iconic Devil’s Bridge. This Welsh gem is actually three bridges built atop each other, towering over the Mynach and Rheidol streams.
The railway itself boasts a rich history, having been in operation for over 120 years since its opening in 1902. Initially built to serve local communities and transport goods like lead and timber, it now enjoys a reputation as one of the most picturesque railway journeys for all ages, reports Wales Online. Meanwhile, a warning has been issued to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.
Railway travellers rave about the impressive views of Devil’s Bridge(Image: Media Wales)
The line spans a modest 12 miles and it takes about an hour to reach Devil’s Bridge. Once there, you can enjoy a snack or a hearty meal and a pint at the Hafod Hotel, which offers stunning views of the valley below from its seating area.
Visitors can then embark on two different walks: a brief stroll beneath the bridges offering the chance to witness the cascading water up close, and a lengthier, more challenging trek deep into the Rheidol gorge where spectacular views of the 300ft Mynach waterfalls await.
The Travellers’ Choice Awards rely on authentic feedback, with only a limited number of attractions earning this prestigious recognition annually. “Being recognised by the people who travel with us is what means the most,” said Llyr ap Iolo, general manager of the Vale of Rheidol Railway.
“Whether it’s their first visit or their fiftieth, we aim to make the experience special every time. This award reflects the hard work and passion of our staff and volunteers, and we are proud to share it with them.”
The Vale of Rheidol Railway boasts an exceptionally impressive TripAdvisor rating of 4.6 out of five stars, based on nearly 1,400 reviews. One traveller declared he was “absolutely amazed at how good it is”, whilst another described it as a “lovely experience with incredible views”.
There is an annual POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at Vale of Rheidol Railway in Aberystwyth(Image: Angharad Bache)
A recent visitor penned: “Absolutely wonderful experience on this railway. We paid a little extra to travel first class and it was well worth it. Travelling in a 1920s cabin was so nostalgic and humbling. The station was immaculate in every way. Even the WCs were immensely clean. The pride the staff took in every aspect of the train itself was clear to see – even the chimney on the engine was gleaming.”
Another visitor gushed: “A brilliant afternoon spent on this quaint steam train. From start to finish, spectacular views. Devil’ls Bridge was excellent along with the Devil’s Punch bowl. The museum entry which comes with the train tickets was very good. A must do activity if you’re in Aberystwyth.”
Despite once being a thriving network link, this tiny railway station has almost been completely abandoned – except for the two trains that stop here once a week, both heading in the same direction
The tiny station had just 210 passengers in 2021(Image: James Beck/BristolLive)
A tiny railway station that ‘refuses to die’ has been around for 160 years – but is hardly used at all.
Situated near Gloucestershire, on the South Wales mainline between Cardiff and Bristol, lies the forgotten station of Pilning. With no staff and just one platform, the hub has become ‘criminally neglected’ and ‘rendered virtually unusable’ due to years of poor maintenance and lack of investment.
It hasn’t been completely abandoned, and remains on official rail maps, but has become ghostly vacant. In fact, only two trains now actually stop at the station per week, both heading in the same direction – making it one of the country’s least-used railway stations.
Pilning station has been described as the ‘loneliest’ train station in the UK(Image: James Beck/BristolLive)
The station did see a boom in passenger numbers during the pandemic – which climbed to 710 in 2019-2020. However, the year after this number fell down to 210, the worst record since 2015/2016.
But back in its heyday, Pilning station was thriving, boasting its own stationmaster, fourteen signalmen, six signalmen/porters, six porters, two ‘lad’ porters and a tunnel inspector. It was commonly used by Brits as a means of getting to the Severn Tunnel Junction, providing an alternative to the Aust Ferry or a long detour through Gloucester.
The hub now only sees two stopping trains per week(Image: James Beck/BristolLive)
However, when the Severn Road Bridge opened in 1966, the station’s popularity plummeted. By 1990, its service had been slashed to just one train each way daily, during daylight hours. In 2006, this was reduced to just one train each per week, on a Saturday.
“In 2016, a real body blow – our footbridge was demolished and not replaced, leaving us with just two trains a week in one direction and none at all in the other,” Pilning Station Group, which is campaigning for the station to be brought back to life, said. “Was that the final kiss of death? No way – since then, the station’s official usage figures have shot up by a staggering 900 per cent, and our campaign for a better service and a reinstated footbridge has been steadily gathering support and momentum.”
Campaigners argue even ‘minor improvements’ to the station could make it more attractive to potential users, such as a later Saturday afternoon train that would allow passengers more time in Bristol. “A Saturday lunchtime train would enable visitors and rail enthusiasts to visit Pilning for a drink and a pub lunch at the nearby Plough Inn and catch the later train back,” they said.
“An early-morning Monday-Friday train to Bristol would give people a fast route to work or college, as an alternative to the slow and circuitous Severn Beach branch which is very crowded in the mornings. Restoration of platform lighting (removed about 30 years ago as it was allegedly life-expired) would enable trains to call again after dark.”
Pilning station has been around for more than 150 years, and campaigners want to bring it back to life(Image: James Beck/BristolLive)
The eerie station has recently gone viral on social media, where it has been branded the ‘loneliest station’ in the UK. “I live next to this station,” one TikToker said. “The locals have been campaigning for years to have it reopened as we have next to no public transport links.”
Many Brits said they were interested about the forgotten hub, with one user stating: “I’m curious to visit it now.” Another agreed, commenting: “I would still go there,” while a third added: “Sounds like it needs a garden village built there as it has transport links.”
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It was as strange a sight as you could stumble upon in the English countryside. As a muggy summer’s day began outside Shildon, County Durham – rain threatening, bees drowsy in the hedgerows – I found myself standing on an embankment, surveying two rows of colossal stone teeth jutting through the earth. It looked as if someone had buried a sleeping giant.
“You wouldn’t believe it by looking at it, but this is one of railway history’s most amazing feats,” my companion, rail expert Richie Starrs, said as we gazed down at the molars beneath our feet. A closer look revealed they were abandoned rail sleepers, laid out between the hawthorns and along which coal wagons were once pulled uphill by steam traction locomotives. “This is the Brusselton Incline, a section of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway. Nationally, it’s a story that’s not well known, but it’s one we’re rightly proud of.”
For those interested in such rail history, this is a year like no other. Two hundred years ago, on 27 September 1825, the 26-mile Stockton and Darlington Railway opened as the world’s first public railway, making Shildon the world’s first railway town. And the lessons learned there helped the north-east, then Britain, Europe and the world grasp the importance of rail travel, first for transporting coal and lime, then, decisively, for passengers. It is “the railway that got the world on track”.
A focal point of this year’s bicentennial celebrations throughout Britain (see Railway 200 for details on hundreds of events) is County Durham’s new multi-use S&DR Trail of Discovery. Launching this month as part of the multi-arts S&DR200 festival, the meandering greenway follows the original 26-mile route from Witton Park Colliery near Bishop Auckland to Stockton Riverside and will, its founders hope, stimulate interest in the region’s rail history – and give a shot in the arm to the “left behind” pit communities along the way. There is a buoyant mood around the anniversary, but that doesn’t dispel the melancholy that has lingered over much of the rail line since the coalfields were exhausted and the Shildon Wagon Works, once described as “the jewel in British Rail’s crown”, was closed.
A replica of Locomotion No 1, the first steam-powered train to run on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Photograph: Lonely Town Film & Media
There would be some who find this all too trainspotterish, but not Starrs, S&DR200’s project manager, or Niall Hammond, volunteer chair of the Friends of the S&DR, both of whom joined me on the first completed section of the trail, a five-mile ramble from the Brusselton Incline to Heighington station, the world’s first train station, at Newton Aycliffe.
Over the coming months, the trail – rich in history – will be transformed with 17 information boards and newly commissioned art murals, plus a podcast and augmented reality game, devised to add colour. Fittingly, you can also hop on a train between many of the milestones along the route.
The idea, Niall told me, is to encourage travellers to walk, eat and stay on the trail for two to three days, but also spark wider regeneration for the area. According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, County Durham remains one of the most deprived areas in England. “This is more than history for people who like rail tracks and iron,” he told me. “The whole point is to make it count for locals. We’re doing up buildings, cleaning up areas and showing why the world was changed from here. It’s urban regeneration in action.”
Skerne Bridge, the world’s oldest railway bridge in continuous use. Photograph: Mike MacEacheran
Once my eyes had learned to read the signs of rail history in the landscape, despite the absence of so much of it, it became easier to imagine how this tiny corner of County Durham changed the world. Along a stretch of the reclaimed rail line through Shildon, impressions of former goods sheds, an iron warehouse, loading bays and an engine house appeared next to tired houses and an empty pub.
We passed a coaling drop, admiring the handsome brickwork arches and columns that once saw wooden chutes rapidly unload coal into hoppers and a row of railway workers’ cottages, now memorials to those who dedicated their lives to the tracks. There was no whiff of engine oil, only bluebells and primrose.
The newest part of Shildon’s compelling train story is at Locomotion, a museum that opened its £8m New Hall last year. It holds Europe’s largest indoor collection of historic locomotives (a mightily impressive 99 engines) and is the temporary home of a 150-year-old bronze statue of the great north-east rail engineer Robert Stephenson, after its removal from London Euston during construction works for HS2, Britain’s controversial high-speed railway. Alongside his influential father, George, who designed the first locomotive for the Stockton and Darlington Railway, Robert shaped rail history, and taking pride of place inside is his world-renowned locomotive Rocket, built in 1829 and on loan from York’s National Railway Museum.
Amid all this, another highlight: Locomotion has a buzzy cafe with Eurostar seating and cakes, including a syrupy ginger loaf right from the Stephenson family cookbook. The book, also part of the National Railway Museum’s collection, lists more peculiar novelties from the 1840s, including recipes for birch wine, English champagne, mince “pyes” and calf foot gilly, a pudding made by boiling a calf’s foot. Thankfully, that was not on the menu.
Another good place to step through the looking-glass is Hopetown Darlington, an eight-minute train journey from Heighington to North Road station, which unloads passengers beside another superlative: the Skerne Bridge, the world’s oldest railway bridge that has remained in continuous use. The open-air rail museum, with 3 hectares (7.5 acres) and an exhibition in a Victorian-era station, is an arsenal of detail, with a dust-free archive of 30,000 heritage artefacts.
The trivia is half the fun. When a message was to be delivered from a moving train to a station, I learned, the note was tucked inside a slit potato and simply flung from the window. Amazingly, the story of the Stockton and Darlington Railway is on the Japanese school curriculum, but not in England.
The Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, 1825 by John Dobbin. Photograph: Hopetown, Darlington
In its great engineering hall, I was reminded of the UK’s contribution to railways the world over. Robert Stephenson went on to help create the Grand Trunk Railway in Canada, as well as the first railroad in Egypt. His work directly influenced the Norwegian Trunk Railway and the first railway in Argentina.
Rightly, all of this and more will be celebrated across the UK this summer – from Inspiration, Railway 200’s unique exhibition train, which is touring 60 stations (from 27 June), to the largest ever assembly of rolling stock at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, the country’s largest train factory (The Greatest Gathering, 1 to 3 August). Essentially, it is an education in the benefits of rail travel and the art of slowing down at home. Or, perhaps, it’s better to think of this as a story about people, communities and the tracks that help bring them together.
S&DR 200 runs to November 2025 across County Durham and the Tees Valley. Railway 200 runs to the end of the year, with events nationwide. The trip was provided by This is Durham and Visit England
Suspended in the air, dangling up to 29ft in certain parts of the journey, this upside down railway truly is an incredible feat of engineering – and has been running for more than a century
This floating train is just a couple of hours from the UK(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
This spectacular upside-down railway may look like a fairground ride – but has actually been transporting commuters and tourists for more than 100 years.
Suspended in the air, dangling up to 29ft above the ground at certain parts of the journey, the Wuppertal Schwebebahn is an incredible feat of engineering. Construction of the upside-down railway began in the summer of 1898 and the first test drive took place in the winter, but it wasn’t until 1901 that a section of the track was opened to the public.
Classed as the world’s oldest suspended railway, this enchanting train, located in the hip town of Wuppertal in Germany, cost a whopping 16 million German marks, which would have converted to around £7.79 million. Factoring in inflation, this would have cost a staggering £82.5 million today.
The railway is still going strong some 125 years later(Image: Getty Images)
“My fascination with the Schwebebahn lies in the way it was constructed over 100 years ago,” Cologne-based architect Christian Busch told CNN Travel back in 2022. “To realise such a project without computer-aided systems would be unthinkable today. A ride in the Schwebebahn allows the passenger an extraordinary insight into the life of the local residents and really looks like a fairground attraction from days gone by.”
Over the past century, the railway has undergone several major refurbs – with sleek new carriages replacing the original ones. However, you can still privately hire the first 1901 carriage, named Kaiserwagan after Kaiser Wilhelm II took a test ride on it.
A circus elephant once rode on the train – but it didn’t end well(Image: Getty Images)
In 1950, the Schwebebahn transported Tuffi the circus elephant above the ground. However, the racket from fellow passengers and journalists was too much for the animal, who ended up trampling a row of seats before jumping through a window into the river below.
Luckily, Tuffi wasn’t badly injured by the incident – and now the train is reserved exclusively for humans. A small statue of the elephant was however constructed on the river where Tuffi landed, which has become a popular tourist sight for holidaymakers.
The Wuppertal Schwebebahn attracts 80,000 people every single day(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Now, the Wuppertal Schwebebahn (which is technically classed as a suspension monorail) consists of 20 stops and attracts more than 80,000 people every day. “It is therefore an everyday means of transport for the inhabitants of the city, but also a popular tourist attraction,” the train’s official website states.
“Many sights can easily be reached on foot from the 20 suspension railway stations. Since August 1, 2019, only the new ‘Generation 15’ railcars have been in service.”
Guided by huge iron arches, the railway track whizzes over cars, shops, and pedestrians, before offering stunning aerial views of the serpentine river. 24-hour tickets cost €8.80 per person, or €4.40 for any additional passengers. Children under six go free, while elephants are asked to find alternative methods of transport.
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It’s easy to be seduced by the romance of train travel. Think of sleeper trains, boat trains, vintage steam railways, elegant dining cars. But it’s rare that an urban transport system can capture the imagination quite as much as the Wuppertal Schwebebahn in Germany caught mine, and that of anyone else who’s clapped eyes on the world’s oldest suspended railway.
In October it will be 125 years since Kaiser Wilhelm II took a test ride in the Schwebebahn, just a few months before the hanging railway officially opened for business in March 1901. It was an incredible feat of engineering then, and remains so today. Even with sleek modern carriages having long replaced the original ones, it looks like something imagined by Jules Verne, with carriages smoothly gliding under the overhead track. They have even preserved the first 1901 carriage, nicknamed Kaiserwagen, which can be hired for private occasions.
A childlike feeling of glee filled me as I sat in the rear of the long carriage and watched the city reveal itself as I floated anything from 8 to 9 metres (26ft to 29ft) above it. At the railway’s westernmost end, Vohwinkel is the first of only four stations whose carriages run above the street, between iron arches. The rest of the railway, which in total runs for just over eight miles, follows the route of the river Wupper. As the hanging train curves and sways above the serpentine river, it turns this commuter service into something like a fairground ride for its 80,000 daily passengers. My hitherto unknown train geek had been unleashed and was utterly delighted.
The Schwebebahn railway follows the route of the River Wupper. Photograph: Hackenberg-Photo-Cologne/Alamy
The Schwebebahn came about almost by accident. The Wupper valley, about 15 miles east of Düsseldorf, was a major textile production base when Germany was undergoing its own Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. As workers flooded to the growing cities of Barmen and Elberfeld – which merged in 1929 and were renamed Wuppertal in 1930 – the authorities realised a public transport system was needed. Other cities were going underground, but Wuppertal’s rocky soil and narrow, steep valley made any sort of U-Bahn impossible, forcing the Schwebebahn’s inventor, Eugen Langen, to look up instead.
At Schwebodrom, the railway museum that opened in late 2023 near Werther Brücke station at the line’s eastern end, the rich history of the Schwebebahn is laid out in three galleries, revealing one fascinating detail after another. One gallery tells the story of Tuffi, a young circus elephant loaded into the Schwebebahn for a publicity stunt in 1950. Poor Tuffi was so spooked by jostling journalists that she bolted through a window and tumbled into the river. Luckily she was only lightly bruised and lived for another 49 years, her landing spot in the Wupper now marked by an elephant statue between Alter Markt and Adler Brücke stations. You can’t move in Wuppertal without seeing Tuffi on some souvenir or another – even on milk cartons.
Among the museum’s films and displays, the highlight for me was the reproduction of an original carriage, where I sat glued to my VR headset and found myself in 1920s Wuppertal. After riding the rails in real life, I was able to go back in time to see what had changed. Much of Wuppertal had to be rebuilt after heavy allied bombing in the second world war, and the railway itself has been completely reconstructed – including its art nouveau stations – while keeping the original steampunk-style design in the iron girders.
But there is a Wuppertal beyond the Schwebebahn, and this city of about 350,000 people was as full of pleasant surprises as its railway. Local guide Heike Fragemann took me to the tree-lined streets around Laurentiusplatz, a square dominated by the austere-looking 19th-century basilica of St Lawrence, dedicated to Wuppertal’s patron saint. Popular with many of the 23,000 students at the University of Wuppertal as well as people of all ages, the cosmopolitan streets hummed with cafes, delis, boutiques, bars and restaurants run by some of the many nationalities that have settled here over the decades – Italian, Turkish, Greek, Indian, Vietnamese and Spanish among them. In fact, the range of restaurants throughout the city was huge, and also included Lebanese, Chinese, Croatian and traditional German fare.
Pointing out an example of Wuppertal’s distinctive style of architecture – slate cladding, green shutters and white window frames – Heike led me along the narrow streets behind Laurentiusplatz as we steadily walked uphill. Not only was Wuppertal Germany’s Manchester because of its industry, Heike told me, but it was also compared to San Francisco thanks to its steepness. “We are the city of steps,” she said as we came to yet another one. “We have 500 staircases, more than 12,000 steps within the city. This is the most famous one.” She pointed to a sign with the captivating name of Tippen-Tappen-Tönchen, in honour of those 19th-century workmen clopping in their wooden clogs towards the riverside factories – hence the tipping-tapping sound. One to add to my list of adorable street names.
The Botanical Garden, one of many public gardens in Wuppertal, a city shaped by wealthy 19th-century industrialists. Photograph: Zoonar GmbH/Alamy
It was the wealthy 19th-century industrialists who shaped the city, not just with their comfortable hillside villas, but also with Wuppertal’s cultural institutions. The Von der Heydt Museum, named after an art-collecting banking family, houses its impressive collection of 19th- and early 20th-century art in what had been the neoclassical town hall. The entrance is flanked by two large sculptures by the Liverpool-born Turner prize-winner Tony Cragg, who made Wuppertal his home in 1977. The Historische Stadthalle concert hall, marking its 125th anniversary this year, had Richard Strauss as one of its first conductors and Sir Simon Rattle rated its acoustics among the best in the world. Public gardens fill many of the gaps in the city, including the vast hilly Botanical Garden.
As I sat in the warm, bookish surroundings of Café Engel in Laurentiusplatz, I was reminded of Friedrich Engels, the son of a wealthy Wuppertal textile manufacturer, who turned his back on his bourgeois background to co-author The Communist Manifesto with Karl Marx after seeing the appalling working conditions in mid-19th-century Manchester. Engels died in London six years before the Schwebebahn opened, and it was many years earlier that the city’s industrialists had already implemented social reforms for working-class residents that were ahead of their time. The Schwebebahn, too, looks like something from the future, but its story is purely of Wuppertal’s unique past. Here, in Germany’s old industrial heartland, the high life is yours from €3.60 a ticket.
The rail link will connect the Kashmir Valley to the vast Indian plains by train for the first time.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened one of the country’s most ambitious railway projects, which will connect the Kashmir Valley to the vast Indian plains by train for the first time.
Dubbed by the government-operated Indian Railways as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, the 272-kilometre (169-mile) line begins in the garrison city of Udhampur in the Jammu region and runs through Indian-administered Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar. The line ends in Baramulla, a town near the highly militarised Line of Control dividing the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan.
The Indian government has pegged the total project cost at about $5bn.
The railway line travels through 36 tunnels and over 943 bridges and will facilitate the movement of people and goods, as well as troops, that was previously possible only via treacherous mountain roads and by air.
Schoolchildren gesture as they sit inside a coach of the Vande Bharat passenger train at the Srinagar railway station in Srinagar ahead of the inauguration of the Kashmir rail link by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi [Tauseef Mustafa/AFP]
One of the project’s highlights is a 1,315-metre-long (4,314-foot) steel and concrete bridge above the Chenab River connecting two mountains with an arch 359 metres (1,177 feet) above the water. Indian Railways has compared its height with the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which stands 330 metres (1,082 feet), and said the bridge is built to last 120 years and endure extreme weather, including wind speeds up to 260 km/h (161mph).
Modi visited the Chenab bridge on Friday with tight security, waving an Indian tri-colour flag before boarding a test train that passed through picturesque mountains and tunnels to reach an inauguration ceremony for another high-elevation bridge named Anji.
The railway “ensures all weather connectivity” and will “boost spiritual tourism and create livelihood opportunities”, Modi said.
The prime minister also helped launch a pair of new trains called “Vande Bharat” that will halve the travel time between Srinagar and the town of Katra in the Jammu region to about three hours from the usual six to seven hours by road.
An Indian security officer keeps watch outside the Srinagar railway station ahead of the inauguration of the Kashmir rail link by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Srinagar [Tauseef Mustafa/AFP]
Modi’s visit to Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday is his first since a military conflict between India and Pakistan brought the nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of war last month when the countries fired missiles and drones at each other.
The conflict was triggered after a shooting attack in late April that left 26 men, mostly Hindu tourists, dead in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the attackers, a charge Islamabad denied.
India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.
Armed groups in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels’ goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.
India insists the Kashmir armed groups are backed by Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denies.
South Western Railway (SWR) has been renationalised, making it the first train company to transfer to public ownership under Labour.
The first nationalised service will leave at 05:36 from Woking to Surbiton though it will be partially covered by a rail replacement bus service.
The government has hailed the move as a“new dawn for rail” but it held back from promising lower fares, focusing more on plans to improve services and use profits to reinvest in infrastructure.
Unions have expressed concerns over outsourcing to private companies, while the opposition Conservatives said Labour must “deliver on their promises”.
SWR trains are now the responsibility of DfT (Department for Transport) Operator and will be integrated into Great British Railways (GBR), which will oversee all railway infrastructure.
GBR will not officially exist until MPs vote to create it, which looks set to be in the autumn.
On a visit to a train depot in Bournemouth earlier, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the nationalisation of SWR as a “real watershed moment”.
Asked whether prices would go down for passengers, she told the BBC she could not promise lower fares, but assured passengers they would get “great value for money”.
Alexander is expected to travel on the first fully rail-operated route from London Waterloo to Shepperton in Surrey at 06:14.
It will be the first service with the new GBR livery. The words “Great British Railways” and “coming soon” are painted in white against a royal blue background decorated with part of a union flag.
Two more rail firms, C2C and Greater Anglia, will be brought into public ownership later this year.
Four major operators have already been brought under public ownership under previous Conservative governments – East Coast Mainline, TransPennine, Northern and South Eastern (LNER).
Seven more companies will be renationalised by 2027 as each of their contracts end – or sooner if their performance is judged to be unacceptable.
These are:
West Midlands Trains
East Midlands Railway
Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry
Chiltern Railways
Govia Thameslink Railway
Great Western
Current government plans are to renationalise nearly all passenger rail services across England, Wales and Scotland by 2030, proposals which have been attacked the Conservatives.
Shadow Transport Secretary Gareth Bacon said: “Labour have talked up the benefits of renationalisation for years and they will now have to deliver on their promises of lower ticket prices, an end to all disruption and strikes and better onboard services. The alternative is that, as usual, British taxpayers have to foot the bill for Labour.”
The RMT Union welcomed SWR’s nationalisation but said it was concerned about outsourcing to private firms.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Public ownership of South Western Railway is a major step forward and is a clear rejection of the failed privatisation model.
“But the job is incomplete when our contracted-out members remain outsourced and not reaping the benefits of nationalisation.”
The government said it could not promise fares would be cheaper despite significant cost savings through renationalisation but any additional money would be invested in making services better.
Whitehall sources have told the BBC ministers hope to find ways to cut the cost of rail travel but it is impossible to make promises before GBR is formally established and services renationalised.
Twelve people have been injured in a knife attack at the main railway station in the German city of Hamburg, local media is reporting.
Three of the victims are reportedly in critical condition, with three others seriously injured.
Police say they have arrested a suspect and a major operation is under way.
The attack is understood to have happened at Hamburg’s Central Station at around 18:00 local time (17:00 BST) on Friday.
A spokesman for the Hamburg fire department told AFP news agency that 12 people had been injured and that some of the injuries were life-threatening.
In a post on X, Hamburg Police said: “According to initial findings, a person allegedly injured several people with a knife in the main station.
“The suspect was arrested by police.”
Local media has reported that the attack happened near platforms 13 and 14 – which are accessible via a busy main road – while a train was on one of the platforms.
Some of the victims were treated inside trains, local media has reported.
Pictures from the scene show a number of emergency service personnel and vehicles on the ground, and barriers that seem to be hiding the injured from public view.
One photograph used on local media sites shows a man being taken away by paramedics on a stretcher.
Hamburg Central Station is one of Germany’s busiest transport hubs, with more than 550,000 travellers per day according to its website. It is often crowded during Friday rush hour.
This is the latest violent attack in Germany in recent months.
