Nine Places with a Railway ?Connection? in Common - Advent Quiz 6 December

[whole diary]

[eightonedee]

I am looking for nine of these. I am looking for the answers to each clue, and what the nine are collectively.

1 -  One has been saved for the nation.

2 & 3 - Two are close together. Of these one has artistic connections (both military and religious), the other seems to be mis-named.

4 - Another is not where youngsters should find themselves.

5, 6, 7 & 8 - The next four have equestrian connections. One is at the top of its game, one is all that?s left, one is for wealthy sportsmen and the last one funded by phones.

9 - The last one could be one of two.

What are they?

[grahame]

I am looking for nine of these. ...

I am scratching my head looking for any of these.   Which is a real pleasure instead of purely setting Advent Quizzes - thank you.

[eightonedee]

Thanks Grahame

It's a bit quiet out there - perhaps people or still trying to yesterday's map quiz! It's a cold dreary day out there so do give it some thought.

A key clue may have to be given later today....

[grahame]

Thanks Grahame

It's a bit quiet out there - perhaps people or still trying to yesterday's map quiz! It's a cold dreary day out there so do give it some thought.

A key clue may have to be given later today....

63 thread reads so far - in addition to those people who have it via "recent posts", etc ... only quiet in terms of lack of early follower up posts which is not something to worry about where there's a connection between the answers, as you're indicating there is in this case.

[froome]

My first thought was that they might be railway tunnels. That was because I always think of Sodbury tunnel as being Badminton tunnel, which would fit the equestrian wealthy sportsmen clue. But the only other possible one that might fit was the Two Tunnels on the old S&D^▸ (Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway) (now the Two Tunnels cyclepath), which could be 2 & 3, as one of those (Devonshire) does appear to be misnamed. But I don't know about the artistic connections, or any of the others, so am probably barking up the wrong tree, as they say.

[eightonedee]

I think this needs the key clue-

Some knowledge of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) steam engines will be needed......

(apologies to anyone who thinks this should have been in the puzzle at the outset)

[grahame]

I think this needs the key clue-

Some knowledge of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) steam engines will be needed......

(apologies to anyone who thinks this should have been in the puzzle at the outset)

Hmmm ... perhaps we are looking at Halls, Manors or Castles (the old ones!) here.  Or are we on statues of kings? Don't think there were Tunnel or Bridge classes ....

[eightonedee]

We could indeed.....!

[plymothian]

If you're going Castles then 9 could be Upton Castle 5065 or Upton Castle 5093.

[grahame]

If you're going Castles then 9 could be Upton Castle 5065 or Upton Castle 5093.

Or perhaps Rood Ashton Hall which was thought to be Albert Hall?

[plymothian]

If you're going Castles then 9 could be Upton Castle 5065 or Upton Castle 5093.

Or perhaps Rood Ashton Hall which was thought to be Albert Hall?

There were 2 Lamphey Castles too, so maybe not.

[eightonedee]

The answers have nothing to do with locomotives changing names, I'm afraid.

[grahame]

No. 4 - Erlestoke Manor?

[eightonedee]

No. 4 - Erlestoke Manor?

It is indeed! Your local probation service is no doubt familiar with the relevant establishment!

[TonyN]

No 1 4062 Malmesbury Abbey