"Paul Weaver" wrote in message
oups.com...
I accept that most of the routes have their less than salubrious sections
but the continuous mess of old sidings, decaying buildings, graffiti,
rubbish and concrete underpasses combined with an already boring
landscape makes this route the clear winner. Yes?

I got a Eurostar from Waterloo once, made me glad to see the back of
London after it's journey through skankland, perhaps thats why CTRL is
underground from West Kent, don't scare the tourists

Brighton Main line isn't the nicest, but Orpington - London Bridge via
Hither Green etc. isn't too bad.


I have the (mis?)fortune to both work in Hanger Lane and live in Bromley, SE
London, so I get the worst of both worlds!!! He he he!.

I will concede that there are parts of SE London where the view is less than
easy on the eye. On Eurostar parts of the route between Beckenham Junction
and Waterloo would be accurately described as minging.

Ceertainly in the Ealing/Hanger Lane area, there is a very big network of
railway lines, most of which have evolved seperately over time, and in a
rather unco-ordinated fashion. On the day of the last Tube strike I went
overground from Clapham Junction to Willesden Junction, and I have to say
that pretty much most of that journey was grim. Willesden Junction is
really minging (IMHO), but then the majority of the activity in the area is
light industrial, so this is hardly conducive to a nice middle class
area.....

However, in my limited foreign forays by rail, sea or air, it would be fair
to say that the routes into the relevant terminii are just as grim. The
route into Gare du Nord does not show Paris in it's best light, and anyone
travelling by ferry into Calais will know how industrial this area is.

Personally, I think the average tourist would judge London on the pleasantry
of the locals. So the moment one comes into contact with a member of South
Eastern Trains gateline staff (London Bridge in particular!) this may be the
really defining moment....

Just my tuppence worth, and in my very humble opinion...

Iain