Scotland Road/Rail Trip

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SteveA30
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Scotland Road/Rail Trip

Post by SteveA30 »

Ticked off a few more mostly green A7xx roads last week plus a few more rail lines. Green A702, A70 completed east of the M74 into Ayr, A75, A76, A77, A713, A701. Glasgow- Carlisle via Kilmarnock, Carlisle to Newcastle, Newcastle to Edinburgh, across to Glasgow, all 3 Glasgow routes done before but, had to be done anyway.
Some features noted.....
1. Only seen that sign on the A1
2. A regular sight on the main routes. This was in a dip but, some were on level roads, just to allow overtaking, after a bendy stretch.
3. Also a regular sight. England seems reluctant to use the word overtaking, as if there is something wrong with it.
Attachments
A1 south of Alnwick
A1 south of Alnwick
Scot 1.jpg
Scot 3.jpg
Last edited by SteveA30 on Wed Sep 29, 2021 16:18, edited 2 times in total.
Roads and holidays in the west, before motorways.
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SteveA30
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Location: Dorset

Re: Scotland Trip

Post by SteveA30 »

All roads were pretty quiet. The overtaking sections allowed any HGV convoys to be passed safely. Scenery is fantastic, worth it for that alone.
The Maybole bypass opens Summer 2021 according to the sign. Clearly not as the tie-ins were not ready yet. Realising this was my only time in Maybole before the bypass, I took a few shots through the town, before peace descends.
Attachments
Scot 4.jpg
Scot 5.jpg
The Maybole Chippy will soon be very quiet
The Maybole Chippy will soon be very quiet
Roads and holidays in the west, before motorways.
http://trektothewest.shutterfly.com
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SteveA30
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Re: Scotland Trip

Post by SteveA30 »

Homeward bound now. 5 days earlier, up the A1 to Washington Travelodge. Next day, A1231 to A19, through the tunnel for the one and only time, completing the A19 up to A1, then the Great North Road to Edinburgh, A720 through Sherrifhall, no queues, only the other way. 8-) A702, old A74, A70 to Ayr, A77, A76 to Dumfries. 2 nights to do the rail. A75, A77, A713, A75, A701, A74(M), because I always do the old A74 and hadn't done the motorway yet. Gretna MSA needed on the MSA list. M6, A6, M6*, A6, A685, A66, A1 south.

* What an almighty mess at J40! A Q from J41, all directions solid at J40 rbt through to and at A6/A66 rbt, both signalled. Each section blocks the previous section so, it turns green and no-one moves, on both rbts, in both directions. It was a real fight to reach the sanctuary of the A6 to Shap. Just turn the !**&^"! lights off. The A6 into Penrith had an accident, with queues there, visible from the M6.
The lovely A66 had a slow queue, which turned out to be people letting others out of a minor turning from East Layton at Ravensworth. Both sides of the village, a queue of about 2 miles, then fine again, just because of courtesy. Bypass Ravensworth with more D2 and problem solved.
Attachments
The glorious A6
The glorious A6
The glorious A1
The glorious A1
The less glorious A6 at Chowns Mill rbt
The less glorious A6 at Chowns Mill rbt
Roads and holidays in the west, before motorways.
http://trektothewest.shutterfly.com
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Was92now625
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Re: Scotland Road/Rail Trip

Post by Was92now625 »

SteveA30 wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 20:32
1. Only seen that sign on the A1
Yes, somehow it seems a little odd.

It's likely that many drivers passing it have been on dual carriageways for several hours and it is part of the reminder that it's now a single carriageway and a lower speed limit but it still looks out of place !
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KeithW
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Re: Scotland Road/Rail Trip

Post by KeithW »

Was92now625 wrote: Sun Sep 26, 2021 01:09 Yes, somehow it seems a little odd.

It's likely that many drivers passing it have been on dual carriageways for several hours and it is part of the reminder that it's now a single carriageway and a lower speed limit but it still looks out of place !
The Morpeth to Alnwick S2 section has quite a lot of flat junctions and there have been some really nasty accidents at them. The road is quite good but if a vehicle pulls out of side road and you are pedal to the metal the results can be catastrophic.

This is one example in that area. Trying to join the A1 the sightline is not great and if some biker comes round that curve at 80 or 90 then all bets are off. Last time I was in that neck of the woods it was harvest time and tractors pulling loads of grain were popping up all over the place.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.25162 ... 6656?hl=en
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Mark Hewitt
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Re: Scotland Road/Rail Trip

Post by Mark Hewitt »

KeithW wrote:
Was92now625 wrote: Sun Sep 26, 2021 01:09 Yes, somehow it seems a little odd.

It's likely that many drivers passing it have been on dual carriageways for several hours and it is part of the reminder that it's now a single carriageway and a lower speed limit but it still looks out of place !
The Morpeth to Alnwick S2 section has quite a lot of flat junctions and there have been some really nasty accidents at them. The road is quite good but if a vehicle pulls out of side road and you are pedal to the metal the results can be catastrophic.

This is one example in that area. Trying to join the A1 the sightline is not great and if some biker comes round that curve at 80 or 90 then all bets are off. Last time I was in that neck of the woods it was harvest time and tractors pulling loads of grain were popping up all over the place.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.25162 ... 6656?hl=en
Yep. Came through there on Friday and was 30mph behind a tractor the entire time.
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Owain
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Re: Scotland Trip

Post by Owain »

SteveA30 wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 20:32 Ticked off a few more mostly green A7xx roads last week plus a few more rail lines. Green A702, A70 completed east of the M74 into Ayr, A75, A76, A77, A713, A701. Glasgow- Carlisle via Kilmarnock, Carlisle to Newcastle, Newcastle to Edinburgh, across to Glasgow, all 3 routes done before but, had to be done anyway.
Some features noted.....
Thanks for the account Steve, and the photos! Apart from A701, and the bit of A713 that passes through Castle Douglas, I've driven all of those. All very enjoyable.

SteveA30 wrote: Sun Sep 19, 2021 21:18 All roads were pretty quiet. The overtaking sections allowed any HGV convoys to be passed safely. Scenery is fantastic, worth it for that alone.
Agreed - that corner of Scotland is underrated, or even apparently unknown! It is a deceptively large area, sparsely populated, and very peaceful. I've mostly passed through en route to somewhere else, but it is worth a stay in its own right.

Glad you enjoyed your trip!
Former President & F99 Driver

Viva la Repubblica!
SteveA30
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Location: Dorset

Re: Scotland Road/Rail Trip

Post by SteveA30 »

Thanks Owain, yes, looking at a map in a layby on the A713, the hills to the west are mostly devoid of roads, a true wilderness. The Scotrail network is almost done , many roads to do though. Only Wick, Kyle, Oban, Wemyss Bay, Largs and Ardrossan left. Next summer, including the full Lands End to John'o'Groats, which I've never done despite having the intention. One of those things you have to commit to or, time just slides away until it is too late.......
Roads and holidays in the west, before motorways.
http://trektothewest.shutterfly.com
http://holidayroads.webs.com/
SteveA30
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Posts: 6006
Joined: Fri May 06, 2005 12:52
Location: Dorset

Re: Scotland Road/Rail Trip

Post by SteveA30 »

Album now open for viewing. Sensible offers please, generous mortgage terms available.
https://roadhog.shutterfly.com/pictures/5441
Roads and holidays in the west, before motorways.
http://trektothewest.shutterfly.com
http://holidayroads.webs.com/
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