Posted by Laurence Monkhouse on January 04, 2008 at 16:13:32 from 82.27.20.174 user Laurence_.
In Reply to: Re: Better to travel hopefully (was Boat-building article: LA Times) posted by Owen Roberts on January 04, 2008 at 15:21:21:
The Amazons journey from the Lakes to Pin Mill in SW would be more difficult than it was in the 1930's if they had chosen to go cross country rather than via London.
I'm not conviced that this is so.
Ransome's Railways postulates that the Amazons would have left by the 9 25 from Windermere. Today the journey would be:-
Windermere 09 28
Change Warrington Bank Quay 10 52 - transfer to Warrington Central 11 17
Norwich 16 13
Ipswich 17 07 SAME DAY
The walk at Warrington is the problem, but in the 1930s they would have had to change at Manchester and again transfer to a different station. The only difference would have been that in those days there would have been lots of porters.
However they did in fact go by London, and today it could hardly be easier (if the line wasn't being dug up!)
Windermere 0928
London Euston 14 30
London Liverpool Street 14 30
Ipswich 1541 SAME DAY
Ransome's Railways suggests that they would have reached Ipswich at 10 05 the following day. Much as I love steam railways either option - cross country or through London - is a lot faster today than in the 1930s.