Rush Hour Trains at: Rugby, WCML, 29/04/22

An excellent rush hour period spent at Rugby on the West Coast Mainline where we see countless services from Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway and freight from Freightliner, DB Cargo UK, GBRF, Colas Rail, DRS, Caledonian Sleeper and Royal Mail.
Rugby was opened and built by the London and Birmingham Railway in 1838. This was the first orientation to be built and at first was a simple wooden structure and was located half a mile to the West of where the present is currently, and this was because at the time it was the location of the only access road into the area and was the only road north or rugby.
The station didn't last long however, once the Midland Counties Railway had a junction made it meant that a new station could be built on the junction making connections easier. Because of the location of the new station it meant that a new access road had to be built which would link the station to the town centre, because the station was built on a junction it meant that it was managed by 2 different companies, the London and Birmingham Railway and the Midland Railway. Because of this it meant that the station wasn't really what you would call conventional, it was slowly rebuilt over a course of 10 years but the platforms were significantly lower than the trains serving them which in turn caused a lot of passengers to complain as they either had to jump down off the trains or climb up, often struggling and sometimes resulting in injury.
The station was getting busier and busier and would continue to do so until 1880 when a new station had to be built as the LNWR deemed the station to be unsatisfactory, this was caused by the Northampton Loop opening which would connect Rugby to Northampton, at the time £70,000 was allocated to build a brand new station where the current one now lies, obviously having gone through several modifications. The Midland Railway still had a presence at the station however it was very small as they had local trains running to Leicester from the surviving platform that was used at the previous stations location. But this was closed in the 1960's and no trace of the line can be found.
When the station was built it consisted of a large central island platform and bay platforms located at either end for various terminating locals services, the way in which the island platform was accessed was via a tunnel running from the booking hall under the lines and up via a ramp. When the station was built it also came with a rather impressive steel and glass trainshed roof which covered an area of 117ft which spanned across the station and the surrounding tracks. The sides of the roof originally had glass side screens but were later removed, the roof was poorly maintained and fell into a state of disrepair. The glass on the roof was taken away leaving the station exposed to rainfall. It was completely removed in 2000 and instead replaced with canopies covering the platforms.
For a long period of time rugby boasted one of the longest stations on the rail network at 1,381 feet. However during the redevelopment of the station during 2007/2008 the island platforms were shortened.
During the time when the West Coast Mainline was being modernised to allow for higher speeds of trains along the length of the line and through stations rugby was given a new makeover with new signals installed and platforms built which would allow trains to pass past one another without affecting the speed of the passing train and making connecting services easier. Previously the max speed for non stopping trains was 75mph but once the work was completed it allowed for a max line speed of 125mph.
For a better visual representation of how the station used to look I recommend that you check out Mrdeltic15's channel as he has some truly incredible films from the 90's which shows how the station used to look and the types of trains that was used that sadly you wouldn't see much use of this day and age.
My next rush hour film will be from Leighton Buzzard on the West Coast Mainline.
You can now find me on Facebook through the group Tornado922, there you will find regular updates, videos and photos from all of my goings on throughout 2022.
You can also find me on Instagram through the name tornado922 where it isn't just rail related content that I produce.

[@phillipwatson2919]

Great video as always thank you

[@andrewholloway231]

Class 92 and those MK5s looked amazing. And, may I say, superb footage all round. Cheers.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much! Seeing the 92 with the rake of MK5s was great to see

[@dancohen9141]

Apparently, the Caledonian sleeper is now running into London kings cross

[@comradejebediahkerman9305]

Always love watching the Pendo's go round the corner at 125mph whenever I'm taking a train from Rugby

[@donnajackson4812]

Great videos the 92s sounded well amazing ❤ your videos

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, the 92 was great to see and listen to

[@theimperialist2686]

Great railway video as always.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@evanswoodcentral315]

That 92 looked and sounded fantastic and those MK5s are absolutely stunning. Best regards Gary.

[@Tornado922]

It really was a cracking sight to see!

[@camotech1314]

32:18 what a sound 😁
Those Voyagers aren't half bad either.

[@sydwoods.woodsendjunction9492]

another great video J as normal with some awesome commentary really enjoyed it thanks for sharing A T B stay safe . Syd

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed watching this

[@ENC_Trainspotting]

Great video as usual👍

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@noelwithington1048]

Another great video.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@hannahhaydon8190]

Love your videos

[@Tornado922]

Thank you very much for saying so

[@SeanMidlandstransporthub]

Good to see one of my locals on the channel again :D

[@Tornado922]

I always enjoy coming here :)

[@SamsVlogstrainsmore]

That’s a great variety at Rugby. You basically saw everything that passes through on a daily basis in the space of just over 2 hours. Nice filming buddy!

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much. this is always a great station to come to for a rush hour film as your always guaranteed to get something good!

[@alanshelly7068]

Another awesome video buddy from Alan Shelley in Lowestoft

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much bud

[@ScottishViking9293]

Hi I love your videos and I love trains

[@ClaretBlueTrainspotter]

Great video.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@ghighlandchieftain4462]

Amazing video legend tornado I was enjoy watch your videos

[@Tornado922]

thanks very much :)

[@chrisatrailway7573]

Great video 🍺👍

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@robertstrainsnsw1596]

Great video at Rugby I like the Caledonian sleeper can't for Leighton bizzard

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, catching the Caledonian Sleeper was definitely the highlight for me

[@richardhancock2771]

In the old days there used to be a big gantry with 6singles there in rugby but like anything else all change as years go on thankyou for a good video

[@Tornado922]

I would have loved to have seen the WCML back in the 90's when there was such a great variety in traffic running around

[@samclements8567]

This station 🚉 reminds me of Doncaster because of the trains in the sidings ticking over

[@paulhill8224]

Great video Tornado922.

[@Tornado922]

thanks very much

[@alanshelly7068]

Welcome back buddy

[@Tornado922]

thank you kindly

[@alanmolyneux5957]

Another quality video. If you come back to Merseyside can you please remember to pack your portable sun? Been lousy last few days.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I will see what I can do for you haha ;)

[@uktrainsfan]

Great video. You should go to Kings Sutton again some time

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I have a film up from a recent visit there

[@joshuabotterill4478]

great video as normal rugbys a station i like to go to because the 390 go fast through the station

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, this is a tremendous station to come to

[@josh_43189]

Great video mate, I would like it if you could do some rush hour videos on the MML because you usually focus on the WCML and ECML. Maybe you could give somewhere like Flitwick or Harlington a go?

[@Tornado922]

thanks very much, I have been meaning to give the MML more attention for a few rush hour films. I will see what I can do for you

[@Cpr1234]

Top tip: If you want the numbers of the pendo's and voyagers, especially the ones at speed, be sure to look at Realtime Trains for each service. Avanti West Coast are part of RTT's "Know Your Train" as are quite a few other operators (TFW, Northern, LNER, TPE, SWR are others but there are more) so you'll be able to find out which one it really was.

[@Tornado922]

I know I can look at Realtimetrains for the information in regards to the train numbers but I prefer to try and test myself and get the numbers of the trains passing at highspeed

[@WMeridian]

Nice video, could you go to Market Harborough its had a massive upgrade since you last went :)

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I will go there at some stage

[@Gta-jw8bl]

Did anyone notice the vt door on 221101
Anyway heart video mate

[@Tornado922]

I didn't notice that first time round, but I'm glad you enjoyed this

[@nottinghamtransportenthusi2784]

390049 was going from London-Manchester, as was 390152 if I missed that one, 390152 was going from London-Manchester as an ECS after its actual passenger run was cancelled due to an issue with the train crew, the same reason meaning that 390046 from Edinburgh-London was terminated at Birmingham New Street. 221114 and 221116 were going via the Trent Valley on the service from Glasgow-London, 221101 and 221106 were actually for Milton Keynes Central as the service there was cancelled in between Milton Keynes Central and London Euston due to the late arrival of an inbound service. 390112 was going from Manchester-London and 221110 and 221111 were going from London-Wrexham and Holyhead, the service splitting at Chester, with 110 going to Wrexham and 111 going to Holyhead. The 92 probably has to be the highlight of this film I think! I'm also not sure if the DB Cargo UK class 66 was on hire to DC Railfreight but it was working with blue VTG wagons usually used by DC Railfreight, some of which Cappagh branded. I think after Leighton Buzzard should be Linslade as it's not too far down the line! I'll leave it up to you on the next Rush Hour film after Leighton Buzzard though. Why does Leighton Buzzard hold a special place in your heart? Personal favourite station?

[@Tornado922]

You certainly did your homework for all of the trains that I missed during my stay here! The highlight definitely was the Caledonian Sleeper. Leighton Buzzard was my home town when I was a kid growing up

[@nottinghamtransportenthusi2784]

@@Tornado922 I guess that only uploads before the Realtime Trains information expires after a week helps! I think you'll have a better chance to get out this week with more services running post strike action.

[@jameschorley1711]

Great video,can you do Milton Keynes in rush hour please

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much bud, I will get one done at some stage

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Great video mate. Can you do rush hour trains at Cheddington
46:44 They're from Birmingham New Street

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, i will get a rush hour film from Cheddington done at some stage

[@MHTrains]

It will be my First Time at Rugby on Sunday

[@miahaskurti4539]

I Like Rugby Train Station. The West Coast Main Line Is My Favourite

[@Tornado922]

It is a great station to come to

[@miahaskurti4539]

Yeah. Especially Tring And Cheddington

[@sapphirebluetree3297]

Class 350 to Stafford from London
As stoke on trent

[@shadowstransport8412]

What does ECS Mean

[@McRambro]

The last time you saw 66 Valour was at Linslade

[@Tornado922]

Great name for a loco to be honest

[@MrTudwud]

It was announced quite a while ago that the 350/2s would be withdrawn from service which is why they are in the old liveries and some of the "paint jobs" are so poor now. Have not worked out how they are going to be replaced as they work turn and turn about with the three other 350 variants.

[@i-need-donuts6137]

They are being replaced by class 730

[@joshuabotterill4478]

@@i-need-donuts6137 yes

[@MrTudwud]

@@i-need-donuts6137 Thanks, but are the 730s compatible with the 350s? If they are not, there will have to be a lot of schedule and rostering changes.

[@i-need-donuts6137]

@@MrTudwud no there not but I’m sure London northeastern railway are ready for the change

[@iankenrick]

where there no avanti west coast trains between london euston and glasgow as all the was train to and fro to london from manchester piccadilly blackpool north and liverpool lime street

[@Tornado922]

There were some Anglo-Scottish services running during my time here

[@owenwoolnough7654]

Do Watford Junction for a rush hour film

[@Tornado922]

I will be covering it later this year

[@joshuabotterill4478]

when are you doing shrewsbury

[@Tornado922]

It will be released on 01/07/22, I filmed it a few weeks ago

[@viper783]

the train at 1.07 is 390 050

[@Tornado922]

Thanks for letting me know

[@anthony_reacts]

0:06 was this train arriving or passing?

[@Tornado922]

Passing

[@anthony_reacts]

@@Tornado922 and why was it going slow?

[@Tornado922]

@@anthony_reacts it was following a slower service

[@anthony_reacts]

@@Tornado922 what services are slow? Its not sunday

[@Tornado922]

@@anthony_reacts it was running behind a late running Crewe service that I had just gotten off

[@TheGodsrighthandman]

Does it still count as gricing if someone else is collecting the numbers . . . XD

[@Tornado922]

I'll let you off XD

[@hannahhaydon8190]

Please film at Battersea Park

[@joshuabotterill4478]

wheres that

[@dizzy4017]

@@joshuabotterill4478 im guessing Battersea Park

[@joshuabotterill4478]

@@dizzy4017 but idk where barrersea park is

[@that_british_trainspotter0001]

@@joshuabotterill4478 london

[@joshuabotterill4478]

@@that_british_trainspotter0001 ok thx

[@Williamadlam1]

hello mate tornado 922 how are you doing my mate cheers?

[@Tornado922]

I'm doing very well thanks, how are you?

[@LewisSmith-he6gu]

I want to say 395 123