I like the idea of a potted history of the various companies. Why they started, and what they became. As the development of the railway was somewhat left to chance, no over-arching master plan, just individuals with a need to get from a to b, it would be fascinating to better understand how we got from there to here and how, and by whom.
You think that's crazy. In Japan they've kept of lot of those pioneer rail companies which function as conglomerate in real estate, shopping malls, road freight, buses, mountain-top cable car transport, art museums and....all female musical theatre troupes. Its actually pretty cool. And there are the through running lines which link two municipal subways and 2 private railways.
@@matthewjohnbornholt648 Indeed, sounds rather convoluted. I am aware that business in general is way more diverse when it comes to companies holding stocks in others, but not to the extent of former rail operators dabbling in the arts. Although 'British Railways' have often been accused of dabbling in the 'dark arts'.
@@trevorhart545 I was talking about contemporary Japanese private railways but by all means assert whatever mythology you wish. ONLY is a rather strong word. Its very clear from the wage data that those railways actually hurt agrarian landlords through the import of foreign foodstuffs (see Lindert). The Industrialist-Worker Free Trade alliance was not perfect but it produced results. Inequality modestly declines in the late Victorian period.
But not too many more about that grumpy uncoopeative fellow from the Wabash Dover Chatham Norfolk and Southern or what ever It might be. : ) Sorry, non-Brit here, too. Sure like to ride some of these when the coronies are at bay.
Whenever you ask "would you be interested in a video about this?", the answer is always yes :) Especially on this topic. I'm amazed that, in a country where nearly every commercial venue is part of a larger chain, there were so many independent railways, so I would definitely like to know more!
what makes good RUclips channels great is that it is about topics that the creator is intrested in. unlike TV where it is the other way round. It's just about the host of the program, who does not give an excrement about the topic of the program.
Cedric Hauteville I hate to disappoint you, but these were massive railway companies that had amalgamated with/taken over numerous smaller railways. So technically, they were chains themselves! lol
@Pep FantasyFootball idk, It just is, my lil American brain quite likes this series. Whenever I visit London I’ll know some interesting context and history
As another American who loves this series, I'd whole-hartedly agree. I'd especially appreciate anything in the way of maps / graphics to help understand how these railroads connected and serviced different regions.
@Pep FantasyFootball I am also an American that has a fascination with the Jago’s videos about the tube, railways and various London oddities. When I’m in London, I love to take the tube, even when I know walking, taking a Uber or taxi might be more cost effective, quick and convenient. I suspect it’s the novelty of the hustle & bustle of the commuters, the ambient noises, the smells & swaying of the carriages. Plus, the people watching is fantastic. Drunken footie fans are a bit much though. ⚽️ 🇬🇧 🙂
It'd be a hell of a lot of work to do that for every single railway company. This is a list of those railways that were constituents of the Great Western Railway: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_constituents_of_the_Great_Western_Railway
I used to write an eloborate comment under almost all of your videos since I found your channel like 3 weeks ago but today, I can't think of anything fancy to say. So let me say this: thanks for another great video that had me have a relaxing, charming and informative start into the day.
Fun fact related to 6:38. The MTA in NYC has a museum of heritage stock in an old station in Brooklyn. Because of the way the Express/Local lines were developed, if you wanted to get to that station from Manhattan you would need to take an interborough train (express) to the first stop then get off and go back one stop to a terminus station for the local. It was hardly used so it was closed and is now the New York Transit Museum!!
I think that Court Street station, the one that is now the Transit Museum, is rather like our Aldwych. Both were termini served by short shuttle lines which were poorly used, both were closed, both are still connected to the network and trains can be run into them. Court Street became the museum, and while Aldwych did not the London Transport Museum does run tours of it from time to time.
I remember using the Snow Hill tunnel on a 'special' when it was still only a goods line...and also what my father called 'the drain', the Widenend Lines with N2s coming up the Hotel Curve into KX Suburban (and later on in the sixties, a Type 2 diesel). Thanks for the updated history!
I would like such a series even though i already know a lot about pregrouping and the big four. I'm always puzzled about a railway I've heard of but never read about called the Landon,Tiwbry, and Sarfend
The former goods yard now car park accessed by spiral ramp, under Smithfield, was used as an experimental research station during WWII, and was where the likes of Dr Jacob Bronowski (yes, he) tried to fashion workable aircraft carrier prototype models, in miniature, made from pykrete -I’d never taken a wander down there, thanks for the sneak peek Jago!
I too would be interested in a potted history of the various railway companies. Keep up the good work. You are one of those who excel in the world of RUclips.
You always manage to sift through the intricacies and ‘nonsense’ so admirably, prosaically and poetically! I’d be interested in those introductory videos to the original companies.
I'm an Australian, and I find the London Underground fascinating. I visited London in 2016, and the Underground was so vast and intimidating to me, but I am awed by it nonetheless. Thank you for your excellent videos Jago!
I'm here mostly for the railway content and know the big 4 and the majority of pre-grouping companies but hearing your take on them in a dry, down-to-earth layman's terms would absolutely be worth a series. Thanks for the content 👍
If you have a an idea for a video, make it, you know we'll like it. I usually press the 'like' button when the video starts and you've never disappointed me yet.
nowadays the midland mainline is basically two sidings from derby, one to sheffield one to st pancras. Its probably quicker to do St Pancras Derby non stop than West Rusilip to Ongar on the central line
Yes please to a series about the different railway companies. I think I know all about them but a new perspective is always refreshing. Good luck with the South Eastern and Chatham!
Indeed, a series on the various companies would be interesting! Out of left field, how about a look at the rail locations used in filming "The Ladykillers"? Railways certainly had a part to play in the conclusion of the plot! 🤔
Wonderful camera shot from 5.41 onwards. What I love about railways is they enable us to feel the atmosphere of the past. This shot does this perfectly
Hello, I do not live in the UK anymore, am not a train enthusiast & have only ridden the underground a handful of time, but I greatly enjoy your videos and find them very relaxing. You have a very calming & reassuring voice. I hope you will continue and will pursue your series on the short history of the railroad companies and their lines, or other UK history. Thank you and I hope you are well
I myself have a question; what is the most rail-dense km2 in London? IE: Where can you find the most amount of track in a given area? There must be some areas that are chocca block with rail and tube infrastructure!
In the nineteenth century I would have guessed it was the area around Copenhagen Fields (North of King 's Cross / St. Pancras). Now things are much more spread out but Stonebridge Park comes to mind. Maybe others will have.better ideas.
1. "The down train fell back down into the Stygian gloom, as burly railway men of another era posed atop condenser locomotives..." Someone could write folk songs based solely on your videos! 2. And Jago, I love your proposed idea at the end! May I humbly suggest starting with each railway's London terminus? (That's how I learned about them). Of course, not ALL the great pre-1923 railways served London (e.g., Lancashire & Yorkshire), but there's roughly a 1:1:1 correspondence between [a] the historic railways, [b] their London termini, and [c] the modern Network Rail main lines. And where there are exceptions (e.g., the two railways serving Victoria, or the Great Central--now Chiltern line--out of Marylebone), that would make your proposed series even more interesting!
And while waiting for the video on London stations, one could read either Alan Jackson's classic "London's Termini" or Christian Wolmar's recently published "Cathedrals of Steam".
Where did the bridge over Ludgate Hill go to, was it still in use I dont recall seeing trains run on it, though I missed it when Corporation of London took it down as it supposedly spoilt the view. To be it looked great in its setting.
@@highpath4776 It was between Blackfriars and Holborn Viaduct. Shortly after it going north, the lines diverged right to Holborn Viaduct terminus and left down into Snow Hill tunnel. All gone now including the bridge, which was painted a rather fetching shade of blue and bore the arms of the City of London. As you say, it blocked the view of St. Pauls from Fleet Street. It had a sort in your face railwayishness amongst all the road traffic.
Yes for mini series about anything London or trains or interesting walks or whatever... Jago with your beautiful, interesting and witty way of presenting you can talk about anything and we will just listen in awe...
Ok, apart from Jago being overly technical there, what with the terms "chunky boys" and "things"; after hearing his Jagoness say "tuuuubbbe" at the end I think we need to hear him say the word "Tunes" (I am showing my age there ... FYI ruclips.net/video/XZpLmeTdcBA/видео.html )
Worry not: this happens in plenty of other places on the UK network as well. For example, Finsbury Park to King's Cross ("up" to London, but very noticeably downhill), the approach to Victoria station from the bridges over the Thames, and the West Coast Main Line north of Lancaster, and again north of Carlisle.
Wonderful video! It brought back so many memories of my Dad's stories of driving passenger and goods trains over the Widened Lines and through Snow Hill tunnel. He was a driver at Hornsey, then King's Cross when Hornsey shed closed.
Thank you Jago for responding to popular requests for another fascinating history story. I’ve always liked spotting steam usable lines when using the tube
I used to enjoy travelling on the Widened Lines from Moorgate when the tube lines were having issues and they had to terminate/start services from Moorgate instead of further east. It was nice to see a different section of tunnel although it did add to the walk out of the station.
Why did no one connect Moorgate Widened lines to London Bridge with a south connection from the Great Northern Line - would have avoided a dead end tunnel smash up
I think the mini series of the railway companies would be very interesting. Even for railway enthusiasts who know a lot. There is always more to learn!
I would love it if there was a mini series, I'm not really too familiar with train history and facts but I've found these types of videos incredibly fascinating and interesting, it would be great to know more about the companies and historic figures in the history of trains. Thanks for the excellent content anyway Jago, great stuff!
Great video! So many beautiful shots. I bloody miss London even more now. Those views of overgrown no man's land by a rail tunnel, the unique buildings on century old streets, and maybe especially the abandoned station. Your city is so full of interesting idiosyncrasies. And that's just the infrastructure... I vote yes please on that mini series
A definite YES to a series on the various companies! Another great video. To me the big breakthrough in usefulness for the widened lines was in the early 80s when the "Bedpan" lines from Bedford to St Pancras and Moorgate were electrified, as suddenly this became a modern and fast route right into the City for many commuters. And a novel way of going from Moorgate to Kings Cross for train nerds 😁
I think this mini-series idea is a really good one! It'll be a great way to get some info about the many different railway companies. I'm looking forward to it!
I'd love a mini series about the different railways, not necessarily for some extra knowledge about them but also to see what a series like this would look like from you,
Thanks for this extremely interesting video.I was one of those who requested it, so much appreciated. I think short histories on the companies is a good idea, aside from the fact we'll bump into Forbes and Watkin again most likely. It'll be handy for people for aren't that familiar with them and anyway it's always fun to share things you're interested in.
As a rail nut, like I am sure so many of us who caught railways at an early age Ian Allen ABC and all that, are a bit amazed that not everyone understands the stories of the railway growth, mergers (before and during 1922-23) and nationalization and de-nationalization. So if you can apply your great tallent of story telling to a project like this a big thank you. Another great video.
Another good story would to explain the 'railway spaghetti' of approaches to London from south of the river. The story of how the SER, LCD and LBSC sometimes competed and sometimes cooperated, AND all wanted a City terminus as well as a West End station drove the construction of the extraordinary tangle of lines still with us today. Enjoyed the widened lines item.
yes please, some of us seriously need that mini series so that we can learn how to keep all these different rail companies straight! Your videos are fabulous!
The Great Western Railway ran trains from Birkenhead to Smithfield carrying Irish beef. They were fully braked with a brake van and ran as express passenger trains. A former acquaintance was a keen railway modeller and built spoof models and applied "what might have been" liveries. One such spoof was a bogie brake van. When showing it on his layout at model railway shows enquirers were informed that they were dedicated for use on the fast meat trains. Eventually he heard a visitor tell a friend what it was. His work was done.
Yes I would love the opportunity to listen to more of your relaxation dulcet tones, giving me an insight into the origins of our railway companies, thank you.
Thank you for listening and being responsive to your viewers. A rear trait in these modern times it would appear to others but not to you. PS thanks for the subtitle to highlight the poetry. PPS yes please for the railway operating companies sub-series
Yes! Some more background on the companies would be awesome! I think you will be the only one who can make it understandable for us "normal human beings"..
Thanks for this informative film. Tgere had been proposals back in the 1960s to run commuter traina through the Snow Hill tunnel, but British Rail had cold feet. They were worried that if a train failed in the tunnel, it would cause havoc on all of the commuter services north and south. Also, the curves and gradients on the route meant that it was nor suitable for modern freight traffic.
I am a hardcore train nut, but an American one, so I would LOVE the the miniseries to help me start to get a better grip on these things in your neck of the woods.
A fascinating Video as ever. Thanks Jago. The "Introduction the Britain's Railway Companies and the thinking behind their creation" a video series by Jago Hazzard sounds like a wizzard idea!
Bring on the mini series, but you will have to get it absolutely right. Just remember that hard core rail enthusiasts are a little rabid when it comes to their favorite company (please don't get the LCDR wrong as it's my favorite). This was just what I needed today, thank you for doing and posting.
This video has cleared up a lot of the questions I had about the Widened Lines. I've come across numerous references to them, usually where other lines connected to it, but I've never really sat down and tried to connect all the dots. Now I don't have to, the dots are all connected. The dots and I thank you.
My answer to your question is: Yes, very much! It would be so useful to know and it'll add more to the enjoyment I already get from watching these videos.
Thanks Hugo. My experience of the widened line was as a 1960s trainspotter , oh yes we had been discovered then with Fixed and pork pies in rucksacks. As a Tottenham boy I would go to Liverpool Street then walk to Moorgate via Finsbury Circus The station was open air then ? Diesel hauled trains would depart for the Eastern Region and Midland, note though if you took a train on the Midland you need up at Kentish Town. My love was the Eastern and so the train would take the gradient up the very steep hotel curve into platform 16. Until 1966the Eastern Greeley articulated quad art sets Trip fright used the line from Hornet to such exotic destinations as Hither Green or Brick layers arms Integer ever did the inward journey to Moorgate. Of interest which you may or may not be aware off is that when you left York Road to heat towards Moorgate there was a junction that led to the West bound circle line. Another interesting use of the line was for tube stock on the isolated Northern City line. The line was totally isolated from the LT network, any tubes that needed overhauled at Neasden were hauled by Battery loco up to Finsbury Park then over the flyover onto the demands of the old Northern Heights line. This in due course closed and so they top and tailed tube stock with battery locos up to Finsbury Park, the train would then reverse to KX York Road down the drain as it was known to Farringdon. At Farringdon the train would then reverse over the cross over onto the LT electrified lines where the train would run up to Baker Street and then on the Met to such delightful places as Neasden. I'm guessing that by this time the York Road to west bound circle track was not in use. So here is your homework, tell me if I'm talking BS, I really want to know. The most surprising thing I actually ever saw was on the Circle line at KX on the westbound and an 08 shunter passed through with wagons. This was a weekday afternoon. I really miss the happy hours I had, I found no need to best up old ladies or commit acts of vandalism. What a sad old Git I was.
Agreed. Yes, a beginner's guide to the old railways would be a great idea. Although a student of railway history for many years, I'd watch them. if only because you have a great knack of tying the stories together with very informative and cleverly researched video clips. You bring your tales to life very well as a result. Being resident in Oz for many years I've never had the opportunity to physically explore many places that I'm familiar with from my readings, but a picture really does paint a thousand words, especially when mated to an informed and authoritative commentary. Bring 'em on.
I can honestly say, I was never a train nerd until having discovered your content. Seeing a new video pop up really is a high point of any day. And now, you have inspired me to undertake so many London "mini adventures" when normality returns, to trace the footsteps of many an episode. Thanks for brining a little of adventure, at a time when home is the place most visited.
Yes to covering the different railway companies.
Hear, hear.
Especially pre grouping; the biggest and or most obscure if possible.
Yes please - sounds a great idea.
Yes please, sounds like a great series
From the colonies; Yes, Yes, Hear, Hear, Here, here, Pip, Pip, Up, Up, Down, Down, Oh wait.
I like the idea of a potted history of the various companies. Why they started, and what they became. As the development of the railway was somewhat left to chance, no over-arching master plan, just individuals with a need to get from a to b, it would be fascinating to better understand how we got from there to here and how, and by whom.
You think that's crazy. In Japan they've kept of lot of those pioneer rail companies which function as conglomerate in real estate, shopping malls, road freight, buses, mountain-top cable car transport, art museums and....all female musical theatre troupes. Its actually pretty cool. And there are the through running lines which link two municipal subways and 2 private railways.
@@matthewjohnbornholt648 Indeed, sounds rather convoluted. I am aware that business in general is way more diverse when it comes to companies holding stocks in others, but not to the extent of former rail operators dabbling in the arts. Although 'British Railways' have often been accused of dabbling in the 'dark arts'.
@@baxtermarrison5361 Well these dark arts are working pretty well.
Railways needed an act of Parliament. So ONLY wealthy landowners who were the MPs could build them. FREIGHT was a major driver followed by passengers.
@@trevorhart545 I was talking about contemporary Japanese private railways but by all means assert whatever mythology you wish. ONLY is a rather strong word. Its very clear from the wage data that those railways actually hurt agrarian landlords through the import of foreign foodstuffs (see Lindert). The Industrialist-Worker Free Trade alliance was not perfect but it produced results. Inequality modestly declines in the late Victorian period.
I, for one, am ready for the mini-series.
Me too!
Agreed 👍
Likewise. Cracking vids, ta.
But not too many more about that grumpy uncoopeative fellow from the Wabash Dover Chatham Norfolk and Southern or what ever It might be. : ) Sorry, non-Brit here, too. Sure like to ride some of these when the coronies are at bay.
Yes please!:-) 🖖
Whenever you ask "would you be interested in a video about this?", the answer is always yes :)
Especially on this topic. I'm amazed that, in a country where nearly every commercial venue is part of a larger chain, there were so many independent railways, so I would definitely like to know more!
Each company built their own rails and station which is why some towns have more than 1 train station.
what makes good RUclips channels great is that it is about topics that the creator is intrested in. unlike TV where it is the other way round. It's just about the host of the program, who does not give an excrement about the topic of the program.
@@skylarius3757 And why London has umpteen.
@@skylarius3757 Not necessarily. Carlise the classic example - 1 station, 7 companies!
Cedric Hauteville I hate to disappoint you, but these were massive railway companies that had amalgamated with/taken over numerous smaller railways. So technically, they were chains themselves! lol
I would be interested in having a series on introducing railways.
As an American who is hooked on this series, an emphatic YES to the intros.
Same here!
@Pep FantasyFootball idk, It just is, my lil American brain quite likes this series. Whenever I visit London I’ll know some interesting context and history
As another American who loves this series, I'd whole-hartedly agree.
I'd especially appreciate anything in the way of maps / graphics to help understand how these railroads connected and serviced different regions.
@Pep FantasyFootball I am also an American that has a fascination with the Jago’s videos about the tube, railways and various London oddities. When I’m in London, I love to take the tube, even when I know walking, taking a Uber or taxi might be more cost effective, quick and convenient. I suspect it’s the novelty of the hustle & bustle of the commuters, the ambient noises, the smells & swaying of the carriages. Plus, the people watching is fantastic. Drunken footie fans are a bit much though. ⚽️ 🇬🇧 🙂
More railway history? Sounds like a capital idea.
Yes, it would be good to cover the railway companies too.
You've touched on companies merging and other whatnot in the past, a dedicated series on the history of them would be great 😉
We need a tube map style graphic to show the mergers
It'd be a hell of a lot of work to do that for every single railway company. This is a list of those railways that were constituents of the Great Western Railway: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_constituents_of_the_Great_Western_Railway
Of the London and North Eastern Railway: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_constituents_of_the_London_and_North_Eastern_Railway
Of the Southern Railway: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_constituents_of_the_Southern_Railway
Of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_constituents_of_the_London,_Midland_and_Scottish_Railway
I used to write an eloborate comment under almost all of your videos since I found your channel like 3 weeks ago but today, I can't think of anything fancy to say. So let me say this: thanks for another great video that had me have a relaxing, charming and informative start into the day.
this was published at about 7pm last night for me lol
So you're quite happy, broadly speaking.
I am a railway enthusiast, and I think it would be helpful to have a mini series on the railway companies.
Fun fact related to 6:38. The MTA in NYC has a museum of heritage stock in an old station in Brooklyn. Because of the way the Express/Local lines were developed, if you wanted to get to that station from Manhattan you would need to take an interborough train (express) to the first stop then get off and go back one stop to a terminus station for the local. It was hardly used so it was closed and is now the New York Transit Museum!!
I think that Court Street station, the one that is now the Transit Museum, is rather like our Aldwych. Both were termini served by short shuttle lines which were poorly used, both were closed, both are still connected to the network and trains can be run into them. Court Street became the museum, and while Aldwych did not the London Transport Museum does run tours of it from time to time.
This video certainly broadend my vision! :D
You might say it has wide appeal
Link me up.
"widened" was the gag you were looking for.
@@JamesTK Why three? What was the need of having so many?
I would die a happy man If some fact hunt/tales from the tube type video spawned from this comment. Also I love you Larry.
I remember using the Snow Hill tunnel on a 'special' when it was still only a goods line...and also what my father called 'the drain', the Widenend Lines with N2s coming up the Hotel Curve into KX Suburban (and later on in the sixties, a Type 2 diesel). Thanks for the updated history!
The ‘Drain’ is the Waterloo & City line.
@@Twittler1 I always knew that..but I did say that my father used the term (for want of a better appellation, I s'pose).
I would like such a series even though i already know a lot about pregrouping and the big four. I'm always puzzled about a railway I've heard of but never read about called the Landon,Tiwbry, and Sarfend
Yer? Be sayin you ain't never eard of Sarfend soon.
😁😆😁😆😁
3:56 - Greengrocers' apostrophes rarely come so big.
Ah no, that's a company owned by a guy called Radiator Cover
They just have one big radiator cover, which is made to measure.
That so wound me up as well.
Yep, would love a mini series on the railway companies. Always enjoy learning something.
The former goods yard now car park accessed by spiral ramp, under Smithfield, was used as an experimental research station during WWII, and was where the likes of Dr Jacob Bronowski (yes, he) tried to fashion workable aircraft carrier prototype models, in miniature, made from pykrete -I’d never taken a wander down there, thanks for the sneak peek Jago!
I'd always wondered what was down there. Although the big 'car park' signs should maybe have been a clue.
I would like to know more about the old railway companies having grown up with British Rail.
I too would be interested in a potted history of the various railway companies. Keep up the good work. You are one of those who excel in the world of RUclips.
Knowing more about the railway companies would be great
Definitely add me to the “more about the railway companies” mini-series fan crowd! Sounds like a great idea.
You always manage to sift through the intricacies and ‘nonsense’ so admirably, prosaically and poetically! I’d be interested in those introductory videos to the original companies.
Great idea, explaining the origins of the individual railway companys
i have never seen a steam loco in that formation that is one intresting design for a tank engine!
I'm an Australian, and I find the London Underground fascinating. I visited London in 2016, and the Underground was so vast and intimidating to me, but I am awed by it nonetheless. Thank you for your excellent videos Jago!
the North London railway always fascinates me
Ah! Another deluded one like myself 🥴
I'm here mostly for the railway content and know the big 4 and the majority of pre-grouping companies but hearing your take on them in a dry, down-to-earth layman's terms would absolutely be worth a series.
Thanks for the content 👍
Wow first for a change! Great work as always
Your passion for and knowledge of history and the rail is impressive. Your commentary is gold. Perfect!
Jago: Is X something you'd be interested in?
Me: Yes.
Fantastic video as ever, Jago. I’ve always been fascinated by this labyrinth of tunnels but knew little about their history until watching this :-)
Thanks!
@@JagoHazzard Pleasure; keep up the great work.
If you have a an idea for a video, make it, you know we'll like it. I usually press the 'like' button when the video starts and you've never disappointed me yet.
Yes please to the mini series, as always, very interesting, explaining things noticed on trips to the big smoke
Intro to the old train companies would be appreciated
The introduction to the different train companies sound like a wonderful idea, I look forward to watching them.
No train nerd here, but nevertheless YES to more series. Instead of short and quick please make them long and informativ. Thx so much!
Me tooo!
Yes to the rail company mini series. Looking forward to it!
Your mention about Up and Down line omits the Midland Railway's train travelled UP from St Pancras to Derby.
nowadays the midland mainline is basically two sidings from derby, one to sheffield one to st pancras. Its probably quicker to do St Pancras Derby non stop than West Rusilip to Ongar on the central line
@@highpath4776 If it is a siding it is a very long and fast siding. Much of which is electrified and has cross-connects to many other lines. ' - )
Yes please to a series about the different railway companies. I think I know all about them but a new perspective is always refreshing. Good luck with the South Eastern and Chatham!
Indeed, a series on the various companies would be interesting!
Out of left field, how about a look at the rail locations used in filming "The Ladykillers"?
Railways certainly had a part to play in the conclusion of the plot! 🤔
Quite a few of the other locations are also visible today. Maybe that’s one for post-lockdown list...
Congratulations on another tour-de-force! Even I learned something! Superb. More please.
I’ve been a “Train nut “ since... ... well, never you mind when I’ve been a train nut since... BUT. The mini series (I think) would be great. 😊
Can you learn to type properly, please?
Is that you posing at 7:13?
We are all nuts, but a good kind of nut!
Wonderful camera shot from 5.41 onwards. What I love about railways is they enable us to feel the atmosphere of the past. This shot does this perfectly
I would be interested in who the different railway companies are/where
Hello, I do not live in the UK anymore, am not a train enthusiast & have only ridden the underground a handful of time, but I greatly enjoy your videos and find them very relaxing. You have a very calming & reassuring voice. I hope you will continue and will pursue your series on the short history of the railroad companies and their lines, or other UK history. Thank you and I hope you are well
I myself have a question; what is the most rail-dense km2 in London? IE: Where can you find the most amount of track in a given area? There must be some areas that are chocca block with rail and tube infrastructure!
In the nineteenth century I would have guessed it was the area around Copenhagen Fields (North of King 's Cross / St. Pancras). Now things are much more spread out but Stonebridge Park comes to mind. Maybe others will have.better ideas.
The area north-east of Clapham Junction, maybe? Or the South Bermondsey area until they closed the Bricklayer's Arms depot?
@@johnedwards3760 Acton ?
@@highpath4776 You could well be right there
Big thanks for this one. We're always very interested @4RailTrail in explanations & rail stories like this, so Mini-Series? Yes please!
1. "The down train fell back down into the Stygian gloom, as burly railway men of another era posed atop condenser locomotives..." Someone could write folk songs based solely on your videos!
2. And Jago, I love your proposed idea at the end! May I humbly suggest starting with each railway's London terminus? (That's how I learned about them). Of course, not ALL the great pre-1923 railways served London (e.g., Lancashire & Yorkshire), but there's roughly a 1:1:1 correspondence between [a] the historic railways, [b] their London termini, and [c] the modern Network Rail main lines. And where there are exceptions (e.g., the two railways serving Victoria, or the Great Central--now Chiltern line--out of Marylebone), that would make your proposed series even more interesting!
Start with the goods depots, more interesting !! Anyway Stig-ian or Stidgeon for pronounciation ?
And while waiting for the video on London stations, one could read either Alan Jackson's classic "London's Termini" or Christian Wolmar's recently published "Cathedrals of Steam".
Everything you do is interesting Jago: I always learn something new. So "yes" from me.
Phew I thought this will become an architecture channel.
Nah.
I look forward to these as soon as I wake up now. Nice, balanced, interesting start to the day!
Keep up the good work fella and stay safe.
Personally, I was surprised Ludgate Hill closed in 1929.
Where did the bridge over Ludgate Hill go to, was it still in use I dont recall seeing trains run on it, though I missed it when Corporation of London took it down as it supposedly spoilt the view. To be it looked great in its setting.
@@highpath4776 It was between Blackfriars and Holborn Viaduct. Shortly after it going north, the lines diverged right to Holborn Viaduct terminus and left down into Snow Hill tunnel. All gone now including the bridge, which was painted a rather fetching shade of blue and bore the arms of the City of London. As you say, it blocked the view of St. Pauls from Fleet Street. It had a sort in your face railwayishness amongst all the road traffic.
Yes for mini series about anything London or trains or interesting walks or whatever...
Jago with your beautiful, interesting and witty way of presenting you can talk about anything and we will just listen in awe...
Ok, apart from Jago being overly technical there, what with the terms "chunky boys" and "things"; after hearing his Jagoness say "tuuuubbbe" at the end I think we need to hear him say the word "Tunes" (I am showing my age there ... FYI ruclips.net/video/XZpLmeTdcBA/видео.html )
Using the word Tunes is nothing to be sniffed at ,see what I did there?
@@raychambers3646 was not the train ticket to dottingham bought at st pancras ?
@@highpath4776 oh dear ,think I might need to go the (baker)loo.
Jago, like others below, you have us in the palm of your hand re: a mini-series of the various railway companies. My gast awaits a flabbering lol!
>:(
British rail ruining the fun i wanted to go on the up line that goes down
Worry not: this happens in plenty of other places on the UK network as well. For example, Finsbury Park to King's Cross ("up" to London, but very noticeably downhill), the approach to Victoria station from the bridges over the Thames, and the West Coast Main Line north of Lancaster, and again north of Carlisle.
@@MarkWaller2 yeah but it’s not a wierd pointless one with a random pointless but cool station only going one way down it tho is it
Oh and Jago please teach me on what the
LBSCRGSIQIAICNR
and the
LCLBMLGER is
Both real I promis
As always, a fantastic video. Any new videos and content are appreciated. I love railway history. Thanks again.
Wonderful video! It brought back so many memories of my Dad's stories of driving passenger and goods trains over the Widened Lines and through Snow Hill tunnel. He was a driver at Hornsey, then King's Cross when Hornsey shed closed.
Yes ,definitely look forward to a mini series on the rail companies.
Thank you Jago for responding to popular requests for another fascinating history story. I’ve always liked spotting steam usable lines when using the tube
Yes, please make a series on the various companies and why these were separate and not just a separate line of one company. Thank you.
I used to enjoy travelling on the Widened Lines from Moorgate when the tube lines were having issues and they had to terminate/start services from Moorgate instead of further east.
It was nice to see a different section of tunnel although it did add to the walk out of the station.
Why did no one connect Moorgate Widened lines to London Bridge with a south connection from the Great Northern Line - would have avoided a dead end tunnel smash up
I think the mini series of the railway companies would be very interesting. Even for railway enthusiasts who know a lot. There is always more to learn!
Yes. I would love a series detailing the basics of London rail.
I would love it if there was a mini series, I'm not really too familiar with train history and facts but I've found these types of videos incredibly fascinating and interesting, it would be great to know more about the companies and historic figures in the history of trains. Thanks for the excellent content anyway Jago, great stuff!
Great video! So many beautiful shots. I bloody miss London even more now. Those views of overgrown no man's land by a rail tunnel, the unique buildings on century old streets, and maybe especially the abandoned station. Your city is so full of interesting idiosyncrasies. And that's just the infrastructure...
I vote yes please on that mini series
A definite YES to a series on the various companies! Another great video. To me the big breakthrough in usefulness for the widened lines was in the early 80s when the "Bedpan" lines from Bedford to St Pancras and Moorgate were electrified, as suddenly this became a modern and fast route right into the City for many commuters. And a novel way of going from Moorgate to Kings Cross for train nerds 😁
I think this mini-series idea is a really good one! It'll be a great way to get some info about the many different railway companies. I'm looking forward to it!
I'd love a mini series about the different railways, not necessarily for some extra knowledge about them but also to see what a series like this would look like from you,
Thanks for this extremely interesting video.I was one of those who requested it, so much appreciated.
I think short histories on the companies is a good idea, aside from the fact we'll bump into Forbes and Watkin again most likely. It'll be handy for people for aren't that familiar with them and anyway it's always fun to share things you're interested in.
As a rail nut, like I am sure so many of us who caught railways at an early age Ian Allen ABC and all that, are a bit amazed that not everyone understands the stories of the railway growth, mergers (before and during 1922-23) and nationalization and de-nationalization. So if you can apply your great tallent of story telling to a project like this a big thank you. Another great video.
Another good story would to explain the 'railway spaghetti' of approaches to London from south of the river. The story of how the SER, LCD and LBSC sometimes competed and sometimes cooperated, AND all wanted a City terminus as well as a West End station drove the construction of the extraordinary tangle of lines still with us today. Enjoyed the widened lines item.
Please keep these coming! Amazingly researched!
Please make the mini-series anything you make is enjoyable, have a great friday!
I would love you to produce that mini-series on the railway companies. Go for it, Jago.
yes please, some of us seriously need that mini series so that we can learn how to keep all these different rail companies straight! Your videos are fabulous!
The Great Western Railway ran trains from Birkenhead to Smithfield carrying Irish beef. They were fully braked with a brake van and ran as express passenger trains.
A former acquaintance was a keen railway modeller and built spoof models and applied "what might have been" liveries. One such spoof was a bogie brake van. When showing it on his layout at model railway shows enquirers were informed that they were dedicated for use on the fast meat trains.
Eventually he heard a visitor tell a friend what it was. His work was done.
Yes I would love the opportunity to listen to more of your relaxation dulcet tones, giving me an insight into the origins of our railway companies, thank you.
Thank you for listening and being responsive to your viewers. A rear trait in these modern times it would appear to others but not to you.
PS thanks for the subtitle to highlight the poetry.
PPS yes please for the railway operating companies sub-series
Yes! Some more background on the companies would be awesome! I think you will be the only one who can make it understandable for us "normal human beings"..
Sounds like a great idea Jago. I look forward to your Mainline Railway Roundup
Seriously, your content is brilliant so more is always welcome :)
Thanks for this informative film. Tgere had been proposals back in the 1960s to run commuter traina through the Snow Hill tunnel, but British Rail had cold feet. They were worried that if a train failed in the tunnel, it would cause havoc on all of the commuter services north and south. Also, the curves and gradients on the route meant that it was nor suitable for modern freight traffic.
Yes, an intro and refresh about railway companies will be great! Thanks!
Bought back memories to this geezer living in Manchester region for 30+ years now. And missed all the modern upgrades to the lines!!!
I am a hardcore train nut, but an American one, so I would LOVE the the miniseries to help me start to get a better grip on these things in your neck of the woods.
A fascinating Video as ever. Thanks Jago.
The "Introduction the Britain's Railway Companies and the thinking behind their creation" a video series by Jago Hazzard sounds like a wizzard idea!
Absolutely yes to your question about the rail line series.
Get on that!
Bring on the mini series, but you will have to get it absolutely right. Just remember that hard core rail enthusiasts are a little rabid when it comes to their favorite company (please don't get the LCDR wrong as it's my favorite). This was just what I needed today, thank you for doing and posting.
A mini-series about train companies that have a hard time naming stations, sounds like fun.
Yes!! to info about the companies. Your videos are a source of joy and inspiration.
This video has cleared up a lot of the questions I had about the Widened Lines. I've come across numerous references to them, usually where other lines connected to it, but I've never really sat down and tried to connect all the dots. Now I don't have to, the dots are all connected.
The dots and I thank you.
You’re very welcome!
I’m subscribed to this channel and would definitely watch the mini series. Your videos are outstanding .
My answer to your question is: Yes, very much! It would be so useful to know and it'll add more to the enjoyment I already get from watching these videos.
Thanks Hugo.
My experience of the widened line was as a 1960s trainspotter , oh yes we had been discovered then with Fixed and pork pies in rucksacks.
As a Tottenham boy I would go to Liverpool Street then walk to Moorgate via Finsbury Circus
The station was open air then ?
Diesel hauled trains would depart for the Eastern Region and Midland, note though if you took a train on the Midland you need up at Kentish Town.
My love was the Eastern and so the train would take the gradient up the very steep hotel curve into platform 16.
Until 1966the Eastern Greeley articulated quad art sets
Trip fright used the line from Hornet to such exotic destinations as Hither Green or Brick layers arms
Integer ever did the inward journey to Moorgate.
Of interest which you may or may not be aware off is that when you left York Road to heat towards Moorgate there was a junction that led to the West bound circle line.
Another interesting use of the line was for tube stock on the isolated Northern City line.
The line was totally isolated from the LT network, any tubes that needed overhauled at Neasden were hauled by Battery loco up to Finsbury Park then over the flyover onto the demands of the old Northern Heights line.
This in due course closed and so they top and tailed tube stock with battery locos up to Finsbury Park, the train would then reverse to KX York Road down the drain as it was known to Farringdon.
At Farringdon the train would then reverse over the cross over onto the LT electrified lines where the train would run up to Baker Street and then on the Met to such delightful places as Neasden.
I'm guessing that by this time the York Road to west bound circle track was not in use.
So here is your homework, tell me if I'm talking BS, I really want to know.
The most surprising thing I actually ever saw was on the Circle line at KX on the westbound and an 08 shunter passed through with wagons.
This was a weekday afternoon.
I really miss the happy hours I had, I found no need to best up old ladies or commit acts of vandalism.
What a sad old Git I was.
Looking forward to see this channel hitting 100K !
Agreed. Yes, a beginner's guide to the old railways would be a great idea. Although a student of railway history for many years, I'd watch them. if only because you have a great knack of tying the stories together with very informative and cleverly researched video clips. You bring your tales to life very well as a result. Being resident in Oz for many years I've never had the opportunity to physically explore many places that I'm familiar with from my readings, but a picture really does paint a thousand words, especially when mated to an informed and authoritative commentary. Bring 'em on.
I can honestly say, I was never a train nerd until having discovered your content. Seeing a new video pop up really is a high point of any day. And now, you have inspired me to undertake so many London "mini adventures" when normality returns, to trace the footsteps of many an episode. Thanks for brining a little of adventure, at a time when home is the place most visited.
9:02 I think the idea you raise here is a good one. I'd say go for it.