It's funny how the Gatwick Express eventually replaced the Southern Brighton to Victoria trains, just because there's not much point in both services existing concurrently.
Well there is a point, the Gatwick express is an express train to Gatwick airport, you are not gonna use from Victoria to Brighton but you have the option for a fast way, but also residents of Brighton can use it as an express train to Gatwick, while the normal Southern Service can be used for all stops in between and a cheaper option
@@TransportForLukaThameslink fills the need for the slower, cheaper, stopping service and can make better connections for services heading north of London.
@LouisOnAir i personally disagree there was no point, because southern provided a cheaper option on the same route, where you mow either have to pay extra or change at a station like Hatwards Heath for a service into Brighton. In general though, given the difference is so small, i would have scrapped gatwick express entirely, or at least eliminate the premium fares entirely amd have it tun as a southern service.
@monkeyboo381 absolutely. If it was up to me, i would simply operate it as a southern service, and if there are only 2 tph, i would only add calls at Clapham Junction and East Croydon, no other changes. If more paths were available, i would have other trains call at more stations south of Gatwick.
Until very recently you could still see some of the Mark 2 coaches bearing their Gatwick Express branding a few miles north of Wellington NZ. They are gradually being converted to 3' 6" gauge for use on NZ railways.
Another historic feature of the Heathrow is that it had an effect on other services, to the extent that it was a pretty solid constraint on timetable planning, on account if it being a dedicated every 15 minute one, using a pair of dedicated platforms at Paddington. I was involved in part of it, when the permanent way, signalling, and electrification projects were growing up. At that time, most of the intercity services were using class 43 + 7 cars, and a lot was done to try to squeeze in as many as possible between a 15 minute service with the new stock.
the emr connect is a brilliant idea. as with the dart, i'm local to the area and i can confirm that people seem to be more inclined to travel on the local buses rather than the dart. they are much cheaper and more frequent. the single time ive traveled on the dart, it was not crowded at all. its just a gimmick! its only useful if the local roads are jammed which is quite rare
It's not really for us locals, more to connect the station. I used to live just up the line at Harlington, and hated that bus with a passion when I was working with customers in Europe! Shame it wasn't around then. At least Lutonians get a 50% discount on the Dart.
The first dedicated Gatwick express service was actually ran using converted class 423 4VEP's (some seating removed & extra luggage racks fitted). These 12 units were classified class 427 4VEG.
3:49 It has only been since around 2022 that Haywards Heath has actually had off-peak Gatwick Express services, before, that too was a peak hours only service. In addition, the service also initially served Wivelsfield for a while until around 2018
Good news. The class 379s that abellio did not want are being tested for the use of Great Northern. All I know is that units 379 016 and 379 022 have been tested at from Kings Cross to Cambridgeshire 3 days ago
Great video! It should however be noted that you don't hsve to pay the insane return fare on the DART separately from your train ticket if you don't want to, as you can buy a ticket directly to London Luton Airport (LUA) instead of Luton Airport Parkway (LTN). That method is eligible for Railcard discounts and the like too, which due to the seperate website, I don't believe the DART typically is unless you obviously do the same method at a station ticket machine.
You say that the DART has separate ticketing, but through tickets (with Railcard discounts) are available to "Luton Airport" as opposed to "Luton Airport Parkway" which include travel on the DART!
Dono if anyone realised, but at one point all the airport expresses were electrostars. Wonder if the DfT or whoever overseas UK transport did that on purpose, because they are good and reliable trains that have been around a long time. Except luton airport btw, they had the thameslink and the class 360s i think
The 488s (I think?) from the Gatwick Express ended up with Northern Ireland railways, where they operated one loco-hauled service per day. Exceptionally comfortable compared to the rest of NIRs stock at that time! They were retired once NIR started getting their Class 3000s from CAF though.
Yeah I remember making that mistake, booked tickets to Luton Airport Parkway then was told at the gate I'd need to pay another 5 quid. Though the service was relatively new at the time so they let me through anyway but it can be confusing for some people
I've never really understood the point of the Gatwick Express. Given the frequency and speed of the other services it's rarely much faster unless you happen to turn up within a few mins of departure
That's only the Portsmouth Harbour service that gets to Gatwick airport at the same time as the express train because it only stops at Clapham Junction and East Croydon, then Gatwick, otherwise normal Southern Services have stops in out of London on the way to the airport so it takes an hour
@@TransportForLuka an hour?!? Tbh I'm usually going via London Bridge or somewhere on Thameslink anyway, but I have definitly used services to/from Victoria that didn't take anything like that long. Yes, they made a few stops, but not an hour's worth
@@TransportForLuka Southern does have a handful of "semi-fast" commuter services that only stops between Clapham Junction and East Croydon between Victoria and Gatwick, 2tph Portsmouth/Bognor Regis, 2tph Littlehampton, 2tph Eastbourne/Ore, with more during peak hours I suppose. These only take a couple minutes longer than GX in worst cases, and there are a couple of slow GX paths that end up being slower than normal SN services as well.
7:16 the class 379s were also briefly used as a stock gap on commuter/regional services out of Liverpool street until the class 720s became more common as not all class 317s/321s have been upgraded to have wheelchair spaces. but I agree that's its ridiculous i think greater Anglia should have kept the 379s as a supplement to the class 720s as some of the longer routes London to Clacton are over an hour long and there are many people who travel the full way. the uncomfortable 2+3 seating on the class 720s is not ideal for those services as the comfortable 2+2 seating with tables and armrests on the class 379s would be great for those services
I miss the times when the 379 ran on the lea valley lines. It became so comfortable that it wasn’t even always used for the SX, on sundays i could get it from TH to Stratford when going westfield with the family 😄 Then they just got rid of it😔 and if im honest, the 720s aint even nothing special, so flipping tight in between the seats when walking, feel sorry for overweight people.. And rip to the 317s, nice they got replaced, but sentimentally i do miss them and that nostalgic traction sound💭
Wish i recorded the 317 thrashing sound to fall asleep too, its motors were oddly relaxing especially on a cold winter morning and their heating on full whack
i agree with the Gatwick express rant like the prices are ridiculous for a 30 minute journey. if your going from Victoria to Gatwick use southern its a whole lot cheaper and isn't any slower if you get a fast train
How can it not be any slower when it stops at two whole stations more than the GX🤔 I know its a semi fast service, but it stops at clapham & croydon🤷🏽♂️
@@networkerfanyh but to answer directly to what you said, it is slower lol Youd be confusing ppl if you told them southern is not slower than the gx service
This was such a bizarre bodge job to make 4-car 458/0 units into 5-car (designated 458/5) and expand the fleet. 30 of the 460s' trailer cars were lightly modified and inserted into the existing 30 Class 458 units. If you find a 458/5 today, you can tell which one is the original 460 car because it has 'ribbon' glazing rather than rounded corners on the windows. Unless all of the windows are 'ribbon' glazing, in which case you've encountered a '458/5' that was originally entirely a Class 460. The whole front end was changed to include a gangway connection; the roller luggage doors were removed and replaced with windows and plug doors. However, these are a dying breed again. The original 458 units are being converted back into their original 4-car formation by removing the ex-460 car, now designated 458/4 because there are some differences to the original 458/0 spec. I believe the ex-460 whole units are ultimately going into storage. Although SWR are now not going to use 458/4s on Portsmouth Direct services and are just using them to supplement other fleets. Goodness knows what happens when the 701s finally get into service.
I think its a little short-sighted that Stansted airport and Heathrow airport are set up as terminus stations rather than the lines continuing on to serve demand for airport connections from outside of London
@MercenaryPen Stansted already has a northern chord with separate services to Birmingham and many places along the way, and passengers can use elizabeth line services from heathrow and change for services to reading at hayes and Harlington. There have even been suggestions of a western approach as well which would make onward journeys quicker
Just to note that, as with the godawful bus before it, the Luton Dart is included in the ticket price if you buy a rail ticket to Luton Airport (LUA) not Luton Airport Parkway (LTN). Not sure if it's any cheaper though.
@MBTransport-k1i It's not the buses themselves that were awful. The experience of having to usually stand while precariously holding your luggage, while the bus drove at speed around the fairly twisty and hilly route to the airport was dreadful! Also, freezing your bits off at the windy bus stop at the terminal wasn't fun, late on a Friday night.
What I learnt from this video: Gatwick Express - Terrible value for money Heathrow Express - Terrible value for money Stanstead Express - Reasonable value for money, and the only realistic way to get to Stanstead Airport Luton Express - An already existing service with a special brand
Love how the Stansted Express has just got slower and slower over the years... 41 mins it says in this video - and today it avaerages around 46 mins... bit of a waste of time calling it an Airport Express when really its a limited stop GA service...
I really liked the Class 379s used on Stansted Express before they were replaced by the Class 745/1. And Class 360/1 that were used on Greater Anglia are now with East Midlands Railway. And Heathrow Express who had the Class 332 are now replaced by the Class 387/1a. Mind you Heathrow Express could have inherited the Class 379s to be refurbished and modified that would have been be on the Heathrow Express service.
Since GWR already service their class 387s at their depot it was easier and much cheaper to just rebrand those for the Heathrow Express. I would've preferred the 379s though since they don't have the horrid iron board seats.
Andrew. Reason for 387s on HEx was because GWR had some ‘spare’ units. The 379s were always very likely to end up on Great Northern as a successor to the Class 365s.
Stansted Express isn’t that good because they always have delays when there’s a broken down train on the West Anglia Main Line. And it affects Stansted Express services which I do think that the line between Tottenham Hale and Stansted Mountfitchet should be upgraded to quadruple tracks. So that Stansted Express trains can use the fast lines and Greater Anglia to use the slow lines. But I don’t think it will ever happen. Except the Class 745/1 are quite nice trains used on Stansted Express.
Great video Hugh. Both Gatwick and Heathrow Express trains are the worst companies ever. I still miss old trains such as 379s, 332s, 360/2s (HC/TFL Rail) and 442s 😢😞.
Everyone talks about how how outrageous the Heathrow Express is, but tbh I dont like deep-level tubes such as the Piccadilly line and i really hate the elizabeth line so i am definately paying full price for Heathrow Express Business First. Gatwick Express is completely pointless, many times more expensive, a few minutes faster at best (Regular London-Bognor Southern services stop at East Croydon and Clapham Junction only) and have the audacity to give you ironing board seats (This time first class is identical to standard). As for any of the other London Airports, nah i won't really ever travel to them.
Yet none of these four airport express trains are a patch on those of alot of other European cities; like Oslo for example, with its super fast and efficient 'Flytoget' (pronounced 'flee-tor-ga' ) Express trains. That's how you do Airport Express trains. Take note London.
It’s essentially a service for people who unfortunately don’t know any better, which is either tourists or locals who don’t do enough research into the trains.
That's only the Portsmouth Harbour service that gets to Gatwick airport at the same time as the express train because it only stops at Clapham Junction and East Croydon, then Gatwick, otherwise normal Southern Services have stops in out of London on the way to the airport so it takes an hour
Yep and Stansted Express trains only stop at Tottenham Hale, Bishops Stortford and Stansted Airport. They were going to operate from Stratford to Stansted Airport back in 2019 but I think it’s been stopped. And Greater Anglia only run some services including Hertford East, Harlow Town and Bishops Stortford to & from Stratford.
Yeah I don't see why you would want to use an express train to get to an airport that is in the same city unless you just want to get there really fast, we already have the Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line
Love the rants on some of the pricing, but agree, its ridiculous, great video
It's funny how the Gatwick Express eventually replaced the Southern Brighton to Victoria trains, just because there's not much point in both services existing concurrently.
Well there is a point, the Gatwick express is an express train to Gatwick airport, you are not gonna use from Victoria to Brighton but you have the option for a fast way, but also residents of Brighton can use it as an express train to Gatwick, while the normal Southern Service can be used for all stops in between and a cheaper option
@@TransportForLukaThameslink fills the need for the slower, cheaper, stopping service and can make better connections for services heading north of London.
@LouisOnAir i personally disagree there was no point, because southern provided a cheaper option on the same route, where you mow either have to pay extra or change at a station like Hatwards Heath for a service into Brighton.
In general though, given the difference is so small, i would have scrapped gatwick express entirely, or at least eliminate the premium fares entirely amd have it tun as a southern service.
Gatwick express is pointless but southern is necessary since Thameslink doesn’t go to London Victoria
@monkeyboo381 absolutely. If it was up to me, i would simply operate it as a southern service, and if there are only 2 tph, i would only add calls at Clapham Junction and East Croydon, no other changes. If more paths were available, i would have other trains call at more stations south of Gatwick.
Until very recently you could still see some of the Mark 2 coaches bearing their Gatwick Express branding a few miles north of Wellington NZ.
They are gradually being converted to 3' 6" gauge for use on NZ railways.
Another historic feature of the Heathrow is that it had an effect on other services, to the extent that it was a pretty solid constraint on timetable planning, on account if it being a dedicated every 15 minute one, using a pair of dedicated platforms at Paddington.
I was involved in part of it, when the permanent way, signalling, and electrification projects were growing up. At that time, most of the intercity services were using class 43 + 7 cars, and a lot was done to try to squeeze in as many as possible between a 15 minute service with the new stock.
the emr connect is a brilliant idea. as with the dart, i'm local to the area and i can confirm that people seem to be more inclined to travel on the local buses rather than the dart. they are much cheaper and more frequent. the single time ive traveled on the dart, it was not crowded at all. its just a gimmick! its only useful if the local roads are jammed which is quite rare
It's not really for us locals, more to connect the station. I used to live just up the line at Harlington, and hated that bus with a passion when I was working with customers in Europe! Shame it wasn't around then. At least Lutonians get a 50% discount on the Dart.
The first dedicated Gatwick express service was actually ran using converted class 423 4VEP's (some seating removed & extra luggage racks fitted). These 12 units were classified class 427 4VEG.
That’s correct. They were branded ‘Rapid City Link’ on the carriage sides.
3:49 It has only been since around 2022 that Haywards Heath has actually had off-peak Gatwick Express services, before, that too was a peak hours only service. In addition, the service also initially served Wivelsfield for a while until around 2018
Used to take the Stansted Express 379s to and from the airport for college every day. Good times
Good news.
The class 379s that abellio did not want are being tested for the use of Great Northern.
All I know is that units 379 016 and 379 022 have been tested at from Kings Cross to Cambridgeshire 3 days ago
Great video! It should however be noted that you don't hsve to pay the insane return fare on the DART separately from your train ticket if you don't want to, as you can buy a ticket directly to London Luton Airport (LUA) instead of Luton Airport Parkway (LTN).
That method is eligible for Railcard discounts and the like too, which due to the seperate website, I don't believe the DART typically is unless you obviously do the same method at a station ticket machine.
1:47 i love the way they turned the BR/National Rail logo into a plane
I know right!
A fantastic video, Thank you for uploading this video
1:46 This British Rail Class 73 Electric Diesel Locomotive In Gatwick Express Lively Looks Fantastic. Thanks Mate. XXxxx 🇬🇧 🇦🇺 🇺🇸
Class 73s now operated by GBRf.
You say that the DART has separate ticketing, but through tickets (with Railcard discounts) are available to "Luton Airport" as opposed to "Luton Airport Parkway" which include travel on the DART!
Dono if anyone realised, but at one point all the airport expresses were electrostars. Wonder if the DfT or whoever overseas UK transport did that on purpose, because they are good and reliable trains that have been around a long time.
Except luton airport btw, they had the thameslink and the class 360s i think
The use of Electrostars on all services was merely a show of how prolific the 387s are.
Brilliant video, you need to do a video on kings Cross York Road Station too.
The 488s (I think?) from the Gatwick Express ended up with Northern Ireland railways, where they operated one loco-hauled service per day. Exceptionally comfortable compared to the rest of NIRs stock at that time! They were retired once NIR started getting their Class 3000s from CAF though.
The EMR one is slightly incorrect as I know that if you select the airport as your destination then the Dart is included
Yeah I remember making that mistake, booked tickets to Luton Airport Parkway then was told at the gate I'd need to pay another 5 quid. Though the service was relatively new at the time so they let me through anyway but it can be confusing for some people
I've never really understood the point of the Gatwick Express. Given the frequency and speed of the other services it's rarely much faster unless you happen to turn up within a few mins of departure
That's only the Portsmouth Harbour service that gets to Gatwick airport at the same time as the express train because it only stops at Clapham Junction and East Croydon, then Gatwick, otherwise normal Southern Services have stops in out of London on the way to the airport so it takes an hour
@@TransportForLuka an hour?!?
Tbh I'm usually going via London Bridge or somewhere on Thameslink anyway, but I have definitly used services to/from Victoria that didn't take anything like that long. Yes, they made a few stops, but not an hour's worth
@@TransportForLuka Southern does have a handful of "semi-fast" commuter services that only stops between Clapham Junction and East Croydon between Victoria and Gatwick, 2tph Portsmouth/Bognor Regis, 2tph Littlehampton, 2tph Eastbourne/Ore, with more during peak hours I suppose. These only take a couple minutes longer than GX in worst cases, and there are a couple of slow GX paths that end up being slower than normal SN services as well.
7:16 the class 379s were also briefly used as a stock gap on commuter/regional services out of Liverpool street until the class 720s became more common as not all class 317s/321s have been upgraded to have wheelchair spaces. but I agree that's its ridiculous i think greater Anglia should have kept the 379s as a supplement to the class 720s as some of the longer routes London to Clacton are over an hour long and there are many people who travel the full way. the uncomfortable 2+3 seating on the class 720s is not ideal for those services as the comfortable 2+2 seating with tables and armrests on the class 379s would be great for those services
No need for additional units when GA is swimming in 720s. Perhaps they will one day lose the 3+2 seating… we can live in hope.
I miss the times when the 379 ran on the lea valley lines. It became so comfortable that it wasn’t even always used for the SX, on sundays i could get it from TH to Stratford when going westfield with the family 😄
Then they just got rid of it😔 and if im honest, the 720s aint even nothing special, so flipping tight in between the seats when walking, feel sorry for overweight people..
And rip to the 317s, nice they got replaced, but sentimentally i do miss them and that nostalgic traction sound💭
i remember when the 720s were first introduced so first class on the other trains was declassified, the one on the 379s were just amazing
I’m looking forward to the 379s on Great Northern.
@@bfapple so am i. i do hope they keep the interior though, i've been past the great northern depot with them in and its still there for now
Wish i recorded the 317 thrashing sound to fall asleep too, its motors were oddly relaxing especially on a cold winter morning and their heating on full whack
@@jefffranklin4894 aah the memories
i agree with the Gatwick express rant like the prices are ridiculous for a 30 minute journey. if your going from Victoria to Gatwick use southern its a whole lot cheaper and isn't any slower if you get a fast train
How can it not be any slower when it stops at two whole stations more than the GX🤔
I know its a semi fast service, but it stops at clapham & croydon🤷🏽♂️
@@ace-paidinfull5240 but its only a couple of minutes slower
@networkerfan yes, by 2-3 minutes for about £10 more, and you even get the dishonour of sitting on an ironing board during your journey.
@@networkerfanyh but to answer directly to what you said, it is slower lol
Youd be confusing ppl if you told them southern is not slower than the gx service
I wish we had a train going from Cambridge to Luton airport
12:40 I was under the impression that through tickets can be purchased to Luton Airport without needing a separate leg.
Fantastic video as always! Especially the ranting on prices 😂
The Heathrow Express 332's also had to be withdrawn and cut up due to corrosion otherwise they may have found a life elsewhere on the network
No mention of the innovative baggage handling service in collaboration with American Airlines ?
Yeah. It’s very expensive on Heathrow express. London Underground and the Elizabeth line are better
Oh wow. I didn’t know that the Coradia Juniper 460,s were converted into the Class 458s
This was such a bizarre bodge job to make 4-car 458/0 units into 5-car (designated 458/5) and expand the fleet. 30 of the 460s' trailer cars were lightly modified and inserted into the existing 30 Class 458 units. If you find a 458/5 today, you can tell which one is the original 460 car because it has 'ribbon' glazing rather than rounded corners on the windows.
Unless all of the windows are 'ribbon' glazing, in which case you've encountered a '458/5' that was originally entirely a Class 460. The whole front end was changed to include a gangway connection; the roller luggage doors were removed and replaced with windows and plug doors.
However, these are a dying breed again. The original 458 units are being converted back into their original 4-car formation by removing the ex-460 car, now designated 458/4 because there are some differences to the original 458/0 spec. I believe the ex-460 whole units are ultimately going into storage. Although SWR are now not going to use 458/4s on Portsmouth Direct services and are just using them to supplement other fleets. Goodness knows what happens when the 701s finally get into service.
I think its a little short-sighted that Stansted airport and Heathrow airport are set up as terminus stations rather than the lines continuing on to serve demand for airport connections from outside of London
@MercenaryPen Stansted already has a northern chord with separate services to Birmingham and many places along the way, and passengers can use elizabeth line services from heathrow and change for services to reading at hayes and Harlington. There have even been suggestions of a western approach as well which would make onward journeys quicker
I do like the london Airport express services because you can use your oyster and contactless on all routes
Just to note that, as with the godawful bus before it, the Luton Dart is included in the ticket price if you buy a rail ticket to Luton Airport (LUA) not Luton Airport Parkway (LTN). Not sure if it's any cheaper though.
How is it awful the buses were great B7LAs Ex First Your a not a bus fan by hating the buses used on the 888 before 2023
@MBTransport-k1i It's not the buses themselves that were awful. The experience of having to usually stand while precariously holding your luggage, while the bus drove at speed around the fairly twisty and hilly route to the airport was dreadful! Also, freezing your bits off at the windy bus stop at the terminal wasn't fun, late on a Friday night.
@@bri77uk1Yeah I get that
Stansted express also had class 360
What I learnt from this video:
Gatwick Express - Terrible value for money
Heathrow Express - Terrible value for money
Stanstead Express - Reasonable value for money, and the only realistic way to get to Stanstead Airport
Luton Express - An already existing service with a special brand
Love how the Stansted Express has just got slower and slower over the years... 41 mins it says in this video - and today it avaerages around 46 mins... bit of a waste of time calling it an Airport Express when really its a limited stop GA service...
Now you can do some Real historical stuff on the express Buses that ran from Kensington to Heathrow in the 1960s and 70s.
For the Stansted Express a ticket has to be bought. Contactless and Oyster do not work. Not ticket means you can get a big fine.
A tip. Do not use Oyster or contactless to Stansted Airport. There will be a big fine. Always buy a ticket.
I really liked the Class 379s used on Stansted Express before they were replaced by the Class 745/1. And Class 360/1 that were used on Greater Anglia are now with East Midlands Railway.
And Heathrow Express who had the Class 332 are now replaced by the Class 387/1a. Mind you Heathrow Express could have inherited the Class 379s to be refurbished and modified that would have been be on the Heathrow Express service.
Since GWR already service their class 387s at their depot it was easier and much cheaper to just rebrand those for the Heathrow Express. I would've preferred the 379s though since they don't have the horrid iron board seats.
Andrew. Reason for 387s on HEx was because GWR had some ‘spare’ units. The 379s were always very likely to end up on Great Northern as a successor to the Class 365s.
Indeed.
Stansted Express isn’t that good because they always have delays when there’s a broken down train on the West Anglia Main Line. And it affects Stansted Express services which I do think that the line between Tottenham Hale and Stansted Mountfitchet should be upgraded to quadruple tracks.
So that Stansted Express trains can use the fast lines and Greater Anglia to use the slow lines. But I don’t think it will ever happen. Except the Class 745/1 are quite nice trains used on Stansted Express.
At 0:21 Thameslink key is pink coloured line
Great video Hugh. Both Gatwick and Heathrow Express trains are the worst companies ever. I still miss old trains such as 379s, 332s, 360/2s (HC/TFL Rail) and 442s 😢😞.
How does one spell 'completency'?
I miss the class 332 its 😔
Everyone talks about how how outrageous the Heathrow Express is, but tbh I dont like deep-level tubes such as the Piccadilly line and i really hate the elizabeth line so i am definately paying full price for Heathrow Express Business First. Gatwick Express is completely pointless, many times more expensive, a few minutes faster at best (Regular London-Bognor Southern services stop at East Croydon and Clapham Junction only) and have the audacity to give you ironing board seats (This time first class is identical to standard). As for any of the other London Airports, nah i won't really ever travel to them.
Yet none of these four airport express trains are a patch on those of alot of other European cities; like Oslo for example, with its super fast and efficient 'Flytoget' (pronounced 'flee-tor-ga' ) Express trains. That's how you do Airport Express trains. Take note London.
All 442s are gone
Gatwick Express is a waste of money only shaves like 7 mins off journey times for double the price pretty much.
It’s essentially a service for people who unfortunately don’t know any better, which is either tourists or locals who don’t do enough research into the trains.
That's only the Portsmouth Harbour service that gets to Gatwick airport at the same time as the express train because it only stops at Clapham Junction and East Croydon, then Gatwick, otherwise normal Southern Services have stops in out of London on the way to the airport so it takes an hour
It's only 3-4 minutes faster than fast Southern train (ie London Victoria- Portsmouth service)
The Stansted Express is not an express. It's a limited stopping service. It's outrageous that they still get away with charging a premium for it.
I know what you mean because they do have a few stops in between but it's not a lot and it still is faster than regular GA services right?
@TransportForLuka there are cambridge services with the same stopping pattern as the stansted express, the express is just higher priced
Yep and Stansted Express trains only stop at Tottenham Hale, Bishops Stortford and Stansted Airport. They were going to operate from Stratford to Stansted Airport back in 2019 but I think it’s been stopped. And Greater Anglia only run some services including Hertford East, Harlow Town and Bishops Stortford to & from Stratford.
When HS2 opens, the journey time to Birmingham Airport from London will be about the same as to Stansted.
The 360's replaced the 332's and when did GN use 379's
They’re entering service with them later this year. I think a new leaser purchased them. -Hugh
The 360/2s only substituted for 332s when they were stopped due to a cracking issue.
The Heathrow express is a bit of a con considering that regular rail services and two underground lines go there.
Yeah I don't see why you would want to use an express train to get to an airport that is in the same city unless you just want to get there really fast, we already have the Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line
@@TransportForLuka only thing is i cant do tubes and i really hate the elizabeth line so i am a sucker for business premium on the heathrow express.
Why nyone would take the Heathrow express is beyond me..
Unless you run SUPER LATE for something.. just take the piccadilly line..
Why you put me last 🤬
Bc it's the newest airport express