GTR employee bids to visit all 2,580 GB railway stations in 6 weeks

[Edvid]

A member of this forum, perhaps? Either way, this has definitely caught my interest.

Train fan Dave in bid to visit all 2,580 GB railway stations in just 6 weeks!

A control room train services manager for Govia Thameslink Railway hopes to set a new record - by visiting all 2,580 of Great Britain's railway stations in...

www.mynewsdesk.com

PRESS RELEASE - 27 FEBRUARY 2024 10:26

Train fan Dave in bid to visit all 2,580 GB railway stations in just 6 weeks!
​

A control room train services manager for Govia Thameslink Railway hopes to set a new record - by visiting all 2,580 of Great Britain's railway stations in just six weeks.

Dave Jones, 34 of Three Bridges, West Sussex, expects to average 62 stations a day in England, Wales and Scotland, which he’s charting on social media as his ‘Great British Rail Adventure’.

His trains have to stop at every station for them to qualify. Two workmates helped with the mammoth task of mapping his journey on a Word document. They used their railway industry train tracking system and National Rail Enquiries.

His colleagues now have a 6ft by 2ft map of the Great Britain and a small image of Dave to move around to track his progress as he updates them on his latest position via social media.

Dave said: “I'll be sleeping on board wherever I can. I'll be on my own so the thing I'm dreading most is keeping my mental health going.

“Some people call me brave. Some people call me bonkers. And some people call me other things which I can't repeat.”

Dave set off from Three Bridges station, home to the Sussex Rail Operating Centre where he works (pictured below), on 19 February.

He's been stopping at as many stations as possible when not on shift but tomorrow (28 February) he's taking just over a month's leave so he can pack in as much travel as possible.

“It's all for charity,” said Dave. “I'm splitting the money I raise between Great Ormond Street Hospital and the children's intensive care unit at the Oslo University Hospital.

“I referee Sunday park football and the Oslo hospital saved a friend's life when she was refereeing there on tour. She had a nasty freak accident on the pitch that split her spleen. If it hadn't been for the medics, this would have been more of a memorial trip.

“I also want to highlight how great the railways are and encourage people to visit fantastic destinations across the network.”

As well as the stations of suburbia and Britain's 86 counties, Dave's trip will take him to the Isle of Wight and the Island Line's eight stations, but he's most looking forward to the scenic routes of the West Highlands, Cornwall and Wales.

Only two other people are known to have visited all the stations in Great Britain. Geoff Marshall and Vicki Pipe completed their tour in 2017 and charted their trip on YouTube. They weren't racing the clock and took a 'leisurely' 14 weeks, 6 days and 22 minutes. There were also only 2,563 stations then - 17 fewer than today.

Geoff Marshall said: “I take my hat off to Dave. He must be mad to try this! Good luck to him.”

Dave's fundraising page is www.gofundme.com/f/stop-at-all-2579-railway-stations-in-the-uk - he first created the page before Brent Cross West opened its doors in December and there are now 2,580 stations! You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. His handles are Twitter (X) @railadventure89 and Instagram greatbritishrailadventure

 

[Kite159]

Good luck with his challenge of calling at all the stations in GB (from what it reads like)

Although I wish the media wouldn't lie in saying the "Only two other people are known to have visited all the stations in Great Britain. Geoff Marshall and Vicki Piper" as @185143 will probably have something to say about that

 

[185143]

Good luck with his challenge of calling at all the stations in GB (from what it reads like)

Although I wish the media wouldn't lie in saying the "Only two other people are known to have visited all the stations in Great Britain. Geoff Marshall and Vicki Piper" as @185143 will probably have something to say about that

Indeed! Particularly given they haven't actually even called at every station, never mind visited them!

I've boarded and alighted at every station in the UK & Ireland. There can't be too many others who've done that.

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

I am a proud owner of David Brewer's book, "Britain's Least Used Stations." He visited and took photos of every railway station between 2007 and 2011.

 

[birchesgreen]

Wasn't there someone (i don't think on here) who had visited every open and closed station ever (or at least got as close as possible to the former location)?

 

[Kite159]

Wasn't there someone (i don't think on here) who had visited every open and closed station ever (or at least got as close as possible to the former location)?

Visiting every closed station will be a massive challenge in itself, especially those where no evidence remains and the station area is underneath a motorway.

 

[stadler]

I do not like how the article says only two other people are known to have visited every station when in fact dozens of people have done this and i am sure a bit of research would bring up plenty of examples.

I completed visiting every station in 2019. I was in no rush but it took me about ten years as i started the project in 2009. I had quite strict rules as well. I had to both board and alight at every station. I also had to spend a minimum of fifteen minutes on the platforms or station buildings and a minimum of fifteen minutes walking around the local area outside the station. That way i could say that i had properly visited the station and the local area.

I am also aware of at least three other people who have visited every station (and actually gotten off the train like myself) but just like myself they have never publicised it. So i reckon there are probably at least ten or twenty other people who have just done this as a personal project without much publicity. Looking at this thread there are clearly a few other members of the forum who have done it too.

Geoff and Vicki did not even visit every station. They just visited all of the lines. They only actually alighted or boarded at about 10% of stations and the other 90% they were simply on a train that called at them. So it was really visiting all the lines.

From reading the article and looking at his Twitter it appears that Dave is doing the same exact thing that Geoff and Vicki did. So he is simply travelling on a train that stops at every station rather than actually visiting every station. I wish Dave the best of luck with his project but it is really just visiting all the lines rather than all the stations.

Visiting all the lines in the UK in six weeks is still rather impressive though. It is definitely possible but certainly a lot of travelling with not a lot of rest. I imagine that the cost is extortionate too. We are probably talking thousands of pounds in rail fares. But i wish him the best of luck.

 

[12LDA28C]

Visiting all the lines in the UK in six weeks is still rather impressive though. It is definitely possible but certainly a lot of travelling with not a lot of rest. I imagine that the cost is extortionate too. We are probably talking thousands of pounds in rail fares. But i wish him the best of luck.

If they are a member of rail staff then I assume they would buy three 14-day All Line Rovers at a priv rate which would cost just under £650 for the six weeks' travel in standard class.

 

[KNN]

I want a copy of that giant map

 

[stadler]

If they are a member of rail staff then I assume they would buy three 14-day All Line Rovers at a priv rate which would cost just under £650 for the six weeks' travel in standard class.

Ah yes that is a good point. PRIV certainly helps. That cuts costs by 75% so certainly not too bad.

I want a copy of that giant map

You can download that exact map here:

https://assets.nationalrail.co.uk/e8xgegruud3g/1jqOxfzPjCX3Wlhbd68xv7/0ee028bc019ea103ba47a1fcfb3c25da/All_stations_Train_Operator_Route_Map_v56c_Dec_2023.pdf

The full range of other similar maps is here:

Maps of the National Rail Network | National Rail

View and download maps of the National Rail network in Great Britain, including London and South East maps, regional maps for England, Scotland and Wales, accessibility maps and more.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

I am sure a local printing company could easily print you a map that size. I got a local printing shop near me to print one in an extra large size (i think A0 possibly) quite a few years ago. I have it on the wall in my office.

 

[185143]

I do not like how the article says only two other people are known to have visited every station when in fact dozens of people have done this and i am sure a bit of research would bring up plenty of examples.

I completed visiting every station in 2019. I was in no rush but it took me about ten years as i started the project in 2009. I had quite strict rules as well. I had to both board and alight at every station. I also had to spend a minimum of fifteen minutes on the platforms or station buildings and a minimum of fifteen minutes walking around the local area outside the station. That way i could say that i had properly visited the station and the local area.

I am also aware of at least three other people who have visited every station (and actually gotten off the train like myself) but just like myself they have never publicised it. So i reckon there are probably at least ten or twenty other people who have just done this as a personal project without much publicity. Looking at this thread there are clearly a few other members of the forum who have done it too.

Geoff and Vicki did not even visit every station. They just visited all of the lines. They only actually alighted or boarded at about 10% of stations and the other 90% they were simply on a train that called at them. So it was really visiting all the lines.

From reading the article and looking at his Twitter it appears that Dave is doing the same exact thing that Geoff and Vicki did. So he is simply travelling on a train that stops at every station rather than actually visiting every station. I wish Dave the best of luck with his project but it is really just visiting all the lines rather than all the stations.

Visiting all the lines in the UK in six weeks is still rather impressive though. It is definitely possible but certainly a lot of travelling with not a lot of rest. I imagine that the cost is extortionate too. We are probably talking thousands of pounds in rail fares. But i wish him the best of luck.

Wow. Someone with even stricter rules than me!

I just had to board and alight at each station. Admittedly the vast majority I would have spent more than 15 minutes at, but certainly in the London area, there's plenty I've bailed, got a phot of the sign and jumped on a train on the opposite platform.

 

[KNN]

Ah yes that is a good point. PRIV certainly helps. That cuts costs by 75% so certainly not too bad.


You can download that exact map here:

https://assets.nationalrail.co.uk/e8xgegruud3g/1jqOxfzPjCX3Wlhbd68xv7/0ee028bc019ea103ba47a1fcfb3c25da/All_stations_Train_Operator_Route_Map_v56c_Dec_2023.pdf

The full range of other similar maps is here:

Maps of the National Rail Network | National Rail

View and download maps of the National Rail network in Great Britain, including London and South East maps, regional maps for England, Scotland and Wales, accessibility maps and more.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

I am sure a local printing company could easily print you a map that size. I got a local printing shop near me to print one in an extra large size (i think A0 possibly) quite a few years ago. I have it on the wall in my office.

Ace, thanks for your help

 

[Gemz91]

I do not like how the article says only two other people are known to have visited every station when in fact dozens of people have done this and i am sure a bit of research would bring up plenty of examples.

I completed visiting every station in 2019. I was in no rush but it took me about ten years as i started the project in 2009. I had quite strict rules as well. I had to both board and alight at every station. I also had to spend a minimum of fifteen minutes on the platforms or station buildings and a minimum of fifteen minutes walking around the local area outside the station. That way i could say that i had properly visited the station and the local area.

I am also aware of at least three other people who have visited every station (and actually gotten off the train like myself) but just like myself they have never publicised it. So i reckon there are probably at least ten or twenty other people who have just done this as a personal project without much publicity. Looking at this thread there are clearly a few other members of the forum who have done it too.

Geoff and Vicki did not even visit every station. They just visited all of the lines. They only actually alighted or boarded at about 10% of stations and the other 90% they were simply on a train that called at them. So it was really visiting all the lines.

From reading the article and looking at his Twitter it appears that Dave is doing the same exact thing that Geoff and Vicki did. So he is simply travelling on a train that stops at every station rather than actually visiting every station. I wish Dave the best of luck with his project but it is really just visiting all the lines rather than all the stations.

Visiting all the lines in the UK in six weeks is still rather impressive though. It is definitely possible but certainly a lot of travelling with not a lot of rest. I imagine that the cost is extortionate too. We are probably talking thousands of pounds in rail fares. But i wish him the best of luck.

What on earth did you do for 15 minutes outside these stations in the middle of nowhere. 7 and half minutes walk up a country lane and back again?

Out of interest do you know how many days it took you to achieve it? That’s some achievement.

 

[stadler]

What on earth did you do for 15 minutes outside these stations in the middle of nowhere. 7 and half minutes walk up a country lane and back again?

Out of interest do you know how many days it took you to achieve it? That’s some achievement.

Actually the stations in the middle of nowhere were my favourites. I usually spent the most amount of time at these stations. I love being in the countryside so at these stations i would normally end up walking far longer than fifteen minutes. Often it would be an hour walk exploring the nearby countryside before returning to the station. Sometimes i only planned to stop off and get the following train but i enjoyed the area so much that i would wait for the train after. Although of course in areas with infrequent service there is much less flexibility. Spending time in the rural countryside is one of my favourite things to do.

The worst stations were the ones in grotty run down urban areas. I hated these ones the most. In these i would just generally do a short fifteen minute circular walk and then end up back at the station. Maybe if there was a nearby shop or supermarket and i needed something then i would walk there and then back to the station.

It took me ten years to achieve. I started in 2009 and it was not until 2019 that i finished. However i was doing it at a very relaxed pace and just visiting stations whenever i had some time. I never calculated how much time i spent on this project so i am not really sure.

 

[Facing Back]

Wow. Someone with even stricter rules than me!

I just had to board and alight at each station. Admittedly the vast majority I would have spent more than 15 minutes at, but certainly in the London area, there's plenty I've bailed, got a phot of the sign and jumped on a train on the opposite platform.

Could you get back on the same train to the next stop or did you have to board a different one at each station?

 

[185143]

Could you get back on the same train to the next stop or did you have to board a different one at each station?

Different service, unless the train departed and returned. Such as Georgemas Junction and Hampden Park.

So at the end of the line I could reboard the same train, but nowhere else.

 

[peterblue]

If they are a member of rail staff then I assume they would buy three 14-day All Line Rovers at a priv rate which would cost just under £650 for the six weeks' travel in standard class.

Hotel costs would certainly be more expensive than that though, unless returning home to Three Bridges every night (which wouldn't be easy or inconvenient up north).

 

[ThameslinkUser]

Hotel costs would certainly be more expensive than that though, unless returning home to Three Bridges every night (which wouldn't be easy or inconvenient up north).

It's not hard to read the press release found in the first post...

Dave said: “I'll be sleeping on board wherever I can. I'll be on my own so the thing I'm dreading most is keeping my mental health going.

 

[peterblue]

It's not hard to read the press release found in the first post...

Yes, but that's not obviously possible everywhere in the country.

 

[geoffk]

Different service, unless the train departed and returned. Such as Georgemas Junction and Hampden Park.

So at the end of the line I could reboard the same train, but nowhere else.

Did you alight at Lympstone Commando?

 

[ScottGallagher]

Altnabreac might be a bit tricky, unless it's reopened!?

 

[etr221]

You can download that exact map here:

https://assets.nationalrail.co.uk/e8xgegruud3g/1jqOxfzPjCX3Wlhbd68xv7/0ee028bc019ea103ba47a1fcfb3c25da/All_stations_Train_Operator_Route_Map_v56c_Dec_2023.pdf

The full range of other similar maps is here:

Maps of the National Rail Network | National Rail

View and download maps of the National Rail network in Great Britain, including London and South East maps, regional maps for England, Scotland and Wales, accessibility maps and more.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

I am sure a local printing company could easily print you a map that size. I got a local printing shop near me to print one in an extra large size (i think A0 possibly) quite a few years ago. I have it on the wall in my office.

Looking at that map, it not only includes the 'National Rail' network (of 2593 stations, according to their website, or 2578, at last March according to ORR), but also London Underground, DLR, Tramlink, and other Metro and Tram services; and also some air- and seaport road connections (but no preserved lines).

So wondering (a) how many more stations that is (and what that brings the total to); and (b) whether 'completists' should (or have) include(d) all those - and what about preserved railways, the Isle of Man, and Northern (or all) Ireland? What does the grand total come to?

Also, I recall reading - might have been in an old Railway Magazine - of someone who, in the 1930s (? - might have been earlier or later) had completed the project of visiting all the stations in the country - something that had taken him many years. A time of course when there were many more stations...

 

[CyrusWuff]

If they are a member of rail staff then I assume they would buy three 14-day All Line Rovers at a priv rate which would cost just under £650 for the six weeks' travel in standard class.

RDG could potentially help out too, as they did with Geoff and Vicki.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I have thought in the past about what is the quickest time to 'visit' all the stations (using Geoff/Vicki's rules). I wonder how close these 6 weeks will be to the optimal time (and how achievable that is, there are plenty of rarely served stations that can cause issues).

 

[Kite159]

Visiting all the lines in the UK in six weeks is still rather impressive though. It is definitely possible but certainly a lot of travelling with not a lot of rest. I imagine that the cost is extortionate too. We are probably talking thousands of pounds in rail fares. But i wish him the best of luck.

I presume he might be getting assistance from the rail industry in providing a free all line travel ticket for the duration of the challenge, as it is for charity (similar to what happened with "All the Stations"). Or at the very least he will be using his PRIV discount to use All Line rovers.

The most expensive part will likely be accommodation, especially in Scotland. 6 weeks is probably doable, but will involve some long days, especially when it involves London/Merseyside as those stations do start merging into one, with the risk of cancellations on some of the Northern zombie trains [i.e. Goole - Knottingley, Helsby - Ellesmere Port] which are normally the first to get the axe if resources are short (unless he is going to count visiting the stations if they are served by a rail replacement taxi)

Also, the medium-big risk that there will be strikes or an overtime ban during the 6-week challenge, causing a planning headache, as well as any unforeseen issues (i.e. a landslip closing 'line X' or late notice engineering works)

 

[Cowley]

I presume he might be getting assistance from the rail industry in providing a free all line travel ticket for the duration of the challenge, as it is for charity (similar to what happened with "All the Stations"). Or at the very least he will be using his PRIV discount to use All Line rovers.

The most expensive part will likely be accommodation, especially in Scotland. 6 weeks is probably doable, but will involve some long days, especially when it involves London/Merseyside as those stations do start merging into one, with the risk of cancellations on some of the Northern zombie trains [i.e. Goole - Knottingley, Helsby - Ellesmere Port] which are normally the first to get the axe if resources are short (unless he is going to count visiting the stations if they are served by a rail replacement taxi)

Also, the medium-big risk that there will be strikes or an overtime ban during the 6-week challenge, causing a planning headache, as well as any unforeseen issues (i.e. a landslip closing 'line X' or late notice engineering works)

I thought you got pretty close to achieving this didn’t you Kite?

 

[Kite159]

I thought you got pretty close to achieving this didn’t you Kite?

Completed it back in October 2019 (Duncraig was the last to alight & board a train from), although unlike Jamie, I haven't touched Northern Ireland. It's on my wish-list, but I can never find the time to research it, especially as I'm more an explorer of old railway line paths & canals these days. I've kept up-to date with the new stations opening, but unlike a couple of people I know, I don't make it a big target to visit on the 1st day (Brent Cross West excluded as I didn't have anything else booked that weekend).

 

[Cowley]

Completed it back in October 2019 (Duncraig was the last to alight & board a train from), although unlike Jamie, I haven't touched Northern Ireland. It's on my wish-list, but I can never find the time to research it, especially as I'm more an explorer of old railway line paths & canals these days. I've kept up-to date with the new stations opening, but unlike a couple of people I know, I don't make it a big target to visit on the 1st day (Brent Cross West excluded as I didn't have anything else booked that weekend).

Still pretty impressive though. I enjoyed reading it when you were doing it.

 

[RJH]

I completed visiting every station in 2019. I was in no rush but it took me about ten years as i started the project in 2009. I had quite strict rules as well. I had to both board and alight at every station. I also had to spend a minimum of fifteen minutes on the platforms or station buildings and a minimum of fifteen minutes walking around the local area outside the station. That way i could say that i had properly visited the station and the local area.

I started around the same time, and I've still not finished! I have 39 to go, but if I followed your rules, it would be a lot more. I don't have to have a minimum time at the station, nor do I have to actually leave the station. And in a few (13) cases, I've boarded or alighted, but not both. I'll not have a chance now to revisit Barbican, and it's not looking good for Tees-side Airport or Wedgwood. The other 10 are in my sights though.
A friend of mine has done every station too, but his rules allow him to alight and re-board the same train, if it's formed of two or more units and he swaps one for the other at his chosen station. That's cheating in my opinion!

 

[zero]

I think nothing can beat the poster who is visiting every platform of every station as well as all the PSUL

How difficult is it to arrive or leave at all timetabled platforms. 5 year project to achieve this.

I retired a few years ago and travelling has always been my thing but never much by rail given my commute for the last 20 years had been rammed Northern pacers and sprinters. Surely all trains were like this?? Enforced lockdown meant more time for utube and these forums so i got an education on...

www.railforums.co.uk

I have also travelled on all passenger lines in the UK (GB&NI) including tram and tube/subway. My rules were
- travel in both directions
- stop at every station in one direction, and where possible take a "fast" train in the other direction (for request stops, being scheduled to stop is sufficient)
- change train at every interchange
- do all this during daylight with a clear view from the window, unless a PSUL never runs in daylight.

I started in 2016 and finished in 2023 except for Headbolt Lane which I've failed to get to 3 times, and a handful of PSUL only because they operate something like once a year and there is limited advance notice