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Chris With His Camera
Приєднався 29 тра 2022
I make videos predominantly about railways and trams, focusing more on stations, lines, and journeys, particularly in the West Midlands. The history and use of the British rail network are of particular interest to me.
You'll find the odd variation such as football history and old stadiums.
Thank you for watching my videos and please don't forget to subscribe to my channel!
You'll find the odd variation such as football history and old stadiums.
Thank you for watching my videos and please don't forget to subscribe to my channel!
Where is London Overground's shortest end-to-end journey?
Come with me as I travel on London Overground's shortest end-to-end journey between Upminster and Romford via Emerson Park.
I start with a detour on the Overground's newest branch line to Barking Riverside, and also spot a relic from the past at Barking station.
Please give the video a thumbs up and consider subscribing to my channel, I'd really appreciate that.
This video was filmed on Saturday 27th April 2024.
I start with a detour on the Overground's newest branch line to Barking Riverside, and also spot a relic from the past at Barking station.
Please give the video a thumbs up and consider subscribing to my channel, I'd really appreciate that.
This video was filmed on Saturday 27th April 2024.
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Відео
Where is London's shortest railway journey?
Переглядів 7 тис.2 місяці тому
Join me as I ride what I think is London's shortest end-to-end railway journey between Grove Park and Bromley North via Sundridge Park. Did you know that David Bowie lived at Plaistow Grove near Sundridge Park station? There is a blue plaque on his childhood home. Have you travelled on this line? Let me know in the comments. Filmed on Thursday 28th March 2024. Bromley North photo taken in 1961 ...
Is the new Avanti Evero better than a Voyager?
Переглядів 1,1 тис.2 місяці тому
Britain's newest train is here, the Avanti Class 805 Evero! Join me as I travel between Stafford and Crewe on a new Evero. You'll see what it is like onboard and I'll give you my initial thoughts. This video was mostly filmed on Tuesday 4th June 2024, with clips from Thursday 4th April 2024, Wednesday 17th April 2024, Saturday 18th May 2024, and Wednesday 5th June 2024. Many thanks for watching...
What does Merseyrail Wirral Line have to offer?
Переглядів 4 тис.2 місяці тому
Merseyrail Wirral Line links Liverpool City Centre to Chester, Ellesmere Port, New Brighton, and West Kirby. It has one of the best stations I have ever visited; it really is that good! Find out which one during the video. As well as this station, we visit Hamilton Square, James Street, Moorfield, Liverpool Lime Street, Conway Park, Hoylake, West Kirby, Birkenhead Central, Rock Ferry, Port Sunl...
Bordesley: Is This Birmingham's Most Awkward Station to Visit? The Sequel!
Переглядів 4,7 тис.3 місяці тому
Back in December 2023, I tried and failed to catch the one train per week which stops at Bordesley station in Birmingham. Was I successful on Saturday 30th March 2024? Find out what could happen to Bordesley station in the future, which is the least used station in Birmingham. Original Bordesley video ua-cam.com/video/_CwjRuPYKaU/v-deo.html BBC's 'The ghost stations surviving despite lack of us...
What does Merseyrail Northern Line have to offer?
Переглядів 1,9 тис.6 місяців тому
Join me as I explore Merseyrail Northern Line and share facts along the way. Where can you spot a Victorian fountain? Which are the closest two Northern Line stations? What is Another Place? And, which station could be my new favourite on the Northern Line? All and much more will be revealed as I explore the Northern Line which runs underneath Liverpool city centre towards Hunts Cross, Southpor...
Visiting the only two UK stations beginning with the word THE
Переглядів 3,1 тис.6 місяців тому
It is January 2024. There are two national railway stations with a two-word name where the first word is 'The'. Any idea which they are? Join me as I visit the two stations and discover why the stations are named as they are
Is this Europe's Shortest Branch Line?
Переглядів 20 тис.7 місяців тому
It is December 2023 and I'm in Stourbridge! Come with me as I ride on Europe's shortest branch line between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town railway stations on a class 139 lightweight railcar. Photo credits: www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1645353 www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1645368
Is This Birmingham's Most Awkward Station to Visit?
Переглядів 8 тис.7 місяців тому
Come with me as I visit Bordesley railway station, the most awkward and least used in Birmingham. Why did it get 9,088 passengers during the April 2022 to March 2023 period with only one train during a typical week? All is not right as I arrive to find the gates to the platform locked and the one train per week departs without me! Photo credit: www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1856225
TRAM-tastic: Wolverhampton's new Metro stops
Переглядів 1,9 тис.10 місяців тому
The long-awaited West Midlands Metro extension to Wolverhampton railway station opened on Sunday 17th September 2023. Join me as I ride on the first tram from Wednesbury Parkway to stop at the new northern terminus called Wolverhampton Station. I also visit the other new tram stop at Pipers Row. If you like trams or are just curious, here is a link to my fact and secrets video about the West Mi...
60007 Sir Nigel Gresley passes through Rugeley Trent Valley
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On Wednesday 5th April 2023, iconic 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley passes through Rugeley Trent Valley on its way to become the star attraction at the Nene Valley Railway over Easter weekend and the following weekend too
TRAM-tastic: Facts about trams in Luxembourg
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A brief introduction to trams in Luxembourg's capital city When the video was filmed in June 2022, there was one line of 15 stops from Luxexpo to Gare Centrale (main railway station) If you like trams, please have a look at a couple of other videos I have on the UK's West Midlands Metro ua-cam.com/video/dzZi46rf7hY/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/6DeafDmm4GE/v-deo.html
TRAM-tastic: Facts and Secrets about the West Midlands Metro
Переглядів 9 тис.Рік тому
Join me as I explore the West Midlands Metro tram route from Wolverhampton to Birmingham. Calling at several stops, I'll reveal facts and spot some secrets you may not be aware of If you like trams or are just curious, here is a link to my video from the opening day of the West Midlands Metro's extension to Edgbaston Village ua-cam.com/video/dzZi46rf7hY/v-deo.html Also, check out my Birmingham ...
I visited Birmingham's 2022 Frankfurt Christmas Market and Brum's Penguin Trail
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Join me in Birmingham as I explore the city centre in the run-up to Christmas 2022. We will see Brum's Pengiun Trail, Frankfurt Christmas Market, Christmas in Cathedral Square, and the big wheel and ice rink in Centenary Square Snowy Time of the Year by Vlad Gluschenko | soundcloud.com/vgl9 Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
I went to Manchester's Christmas 2022!
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It is November 2022 and I'm in Manchester. Join me as I visit Piccadilly Gardens, St Peter's Square, and MediaCityUK in the run-up to Christmas Snowy Time of the Year by Vlad Gluschenko | soundcloud.com/vgl9 Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
The Woodman closure: HS2 Curzon Street Birmingham 2022
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The Woodman closure: HS2 Curzon Street Birmingham 2022
2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games Mechanical Bull
Переглядів 17 тис.2 роки тому
2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games Mechanical Bull
TRAM-tastic Birmingham: opening day of the Metro extension to Edgbaston Village
Переглядів 8 тис.2 роки тому
TRAM-tastic Birmingham: opening day of the Metro extension to Edgbaston Village
LONDON WALK: Big Ben, Westminster, West End, Chinatown, Pride in London
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LONDON WALK: Big Ben, Westminster, West End, Chinatown, Pride in London
Life at Stafford station on the West Coast Main Line
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Life at Stafford station on the West Coast Main Line
Explore the Piccadilly Line: Arsenal Highbury
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Explore the Piccadilly Line: Arsenal Highbury
Life at Lichfield Trent Valley station West Coast Main Line
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Life at Lichfield Trent Valley station West Coast Main Line
LONDON WALK: Blackfriars, South Bank, Shakespeare's Globe, River Thames, Tower Bridge
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LONDON WALK: Blackfriars, South Bank, Shakespeare's Globe, River Thames, Tower Bridge
Life at Raynes Park station: trains from and to London Waterloo
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Life at Raynes Park station: trains from and to London Waterloo
Famous Pendolinos on the West Coast Main Line at Stafford
Переглядів 1832 роки тому
Famous Pendolinos on the West Coast Main Line at Stafford
Sunset at Rugeley Trent Valley on the West Coast Main Line
Переглядів 1212 роки тому
Sunset at Rugeley Trent Valley on the West Coast Main Line
"Rush hour is 2 trains per hour."
I've been through both as I'm a local to the area and I never even clocked this lol.
Good video about our trains on the Wirral. Well done.
that's home- lived on the old Avenell road in the 70's and 80's. greetings from Barbados. thanks for the lovely memories
great video. one thing i noticed though was you said conway park opened in 1988 however it opened in 1998 as i remember visiting this new station in 1998 when it first opened as i was still a school kid
You missed out three stations, Bebibngton, Bromborough Rake and Bromborough
With this video, I included a seletion of stations that caught my eye. There will be a follow-up and can include the three stations you mentioned
@@chriswithhiscamera2454 Fair enough mate, I was just a bit confused. Still a good video though
Opens when Birmingham City at home
While researching railway line proposals to the Hayes line via Biggin Hill valley to Westerham I seem to recall a 1930s map referring to a proposed extension from Bromley North to Biggin Hill Aerodrome Station. Would certainly have made Biggin Hill more accessible. Perhaps another “line” of enquiry!
We used to live towards the the top of the hill at 285 Osborne Road Hornchurch from 1978 to 1994. We had a very long garden and remember the branch before electrification and during the transformation. They never ran trains on a Sunday unless there was track work or whatever and my son and i were into trains then. Several occasions i think there were Class 47s and 31s on there on Sundays. He often asked the driver if he could come into the cab and got many rides. I cant recall the DMU class now but sure the 315s were the standard after electrification and very rarely 321s! Nice video, are you just covering the London area or all over the UK?
I grew up two stations away but Grime Hill Railway Station - now renamed to Wythall. In those we referred to it as Lakes Halt. Not sure whether it was The Lakes Halt though! The other station with the Halt suffix was Whitlocks End. I believe they were halts because they weren’t staffed. I believe all other stations, on the line, were staffed until the 1970s. Can’t be 100% sure about Wood End of Wooton Wawen though!
I can remember when it was well used. Loads of factories in the area - they closed one by one and replaced by businesses employing very few people. There are hardly any residential properties.
I have traveled on that line one :)
Thank you for the Frank Hornby mention in connection with your stop at Maghull North Station. His first house in the town, 'The Hollies', is very close to Maghull Station on Station Rd,and it has an English Heritage Blue Plaque on it. His 2nd Maghull house 'Quarry Brook' is now a part of Maricourt High School. There's a Frank Hornby Heritage Centre within Maghull's Meadows Leisure Centre open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays. It's closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays. No entry fee and plenty of artifacts about Hornby and his world famous Binns Road Meccano Factory in Liverpool.
Thank you so much for this. It certainly encourages me to return to Maghull and leave the station to discover more about Frank Hornby and his life in the area. The Frank Hornby Heritage Centre has been added to my 'to do' list
Kidsgrove has lots of greenery around it, especially on the side where trains go to and come from Crewe
You are certainly right about Kidsgrove. I do love their gardens and, coincidently, I was recently there filming a future video
The fact it can run to Crewe on the electric, then switch to diesel from Crewe makes it a winner for me.
Huyton station also has an island platform ? I don't know why ? Maybe because the track splits ? Great video. Thanks 😊
You failed to mention the three pedestrian only level crossings in this line 75% of such crossings on the whole Overground Network I believe.
Jointed track as well.
Frank Hornby used Maghull Station, as the model for his railway stations, in his Dublo train range.
Kool Vid, (Subbed)
The concourse was open last time I was there although it was a while back.
What is significant, is that many TfL bus routes start (and finish) here including 2 of the Super Loop services. The former sidings on the west of the station provide plenty of parking for bus layovers.
Had to use this branch once only- for an interview about 40 years ago. Didn't get the job, thank goodness or I'd have had to move there!
One a week? What's the point?!
It stops them having to go through a formal and legal station closure procedure, which is difficult and fearsomely expensive. All a bit of a farce, I agree, but that's what the law demands!
A couple of fun facts: 1. The stations of Sundridge Park and Bromley North are so close together, there are no signals between them. Indeed, the starter signal at Sundridge Park indicates which platform at Bromley North the route is set for! 2. During the testing of the class 376 trains a few years ago, they ran in service from Bromley North to Central London. It's just a huge shame that this can't continue in normal circumstances.
great little vid on my old stomping ground; however, at 2.15: while there is great debate over whether it should be pronounced "playstow" or "plasstow", it has definitely never been pronounced as "plystow"!
Its a handy little service. I have used it a few times
It probably never got closed by Beeching because possibly he lived near Sundridge Park or Bromley North. 🇮🇪
Interesting theory. I know Beeching spent the latter years of his life living in East Grinstead.
@@chriswithhiscamera2454 A town with a fascinating station history. From memory it has been rebuilt 4 times over its lifetime, either when new lines were added in or later when taken out. At one time it had an upper and lower station with one line running at almost 90 degree angle to the other as one passed above the other. One being a high inclined loop from the other. The modern building is entirely unimpressive but there are remnants of the older infrastructure still to be seen and a walk of a few hundred yards reveals the original high level incline viaduct that created the loop. There is also what was probably an old goods shed from the long since disappeared sidings sitting in splendid isolation on the side of what is now the A22 that runs on the old railway bed at that point. The A22 running through that part of East Grinstead is also known as Beeching Way and originally ran through to Tunbridge Wells West ( Now the Spa Valley Railway )
Bromley North could potentially have a future Bakerloo line services along with Bromley South. Which means Bromley North could have an interchange point for those coming from Grove Park. Thats only if it happens though. As of right now, Bakerloo line trains are guaranteed at Lewisham
It will be interesting to see how the Bakerloo Line plans develop. There are various possibilities beyond Lewisham to say Bromley North or Hayes. Also, as an alternative idea, I wonder how practical it would be to extend the Overground from New Cross to Bromley North
Unfortunately, Bromley Council seems very hostile to any underground extension into the borough.
Another one from Branch Lines into the 80s!
It certainly is! I scripted this video before receiving the book, though Branch Lines into the Eighties did confirm a thought I had about the link between the Upminster and Romford, and Upminster and Grays sections. Thanks again for recommending the book as I'm thoroughly enjoying reading it.
Have you done slough to windsor and eaton central
That's a good suggestion. I used to live near Windsor and haven't been on that line since the 1990s
Great video for, IMHO the weirdest branchline in the uk.
Mnay thanks. It is an unusual branch line. Busy stations at each end and what reminds me of a rural halt (Emerson Park) in the middle. The greenery and single track is, to me, like no other line inside the M25
@@chriswithhiscamera2454 This branch was recommended for closure by Beeching, somehow it survived but closure was mentioned off and on until it was electrified.
Until about 8 years ago it was one of the few lines on southeastern to still operate with a conductor
I worked on the filming of an RSSB RED safety video on that branch, they used it because it had no Sunday service and it was easy to "reset" the train for multiple takes. ua-cam.com/video/nSJcyWM8PHk/v-deo.html
lived in the bromley area all my life and ive never met anyone who has ever used sundridge park OR bromley north! its a slightly shorter walk to the shopping area than bromley south but considering how many places and lines go through bromley south, its so much more of an easy journey in comparison to bromley north for most people. i dont even understand what sundridge park station is for - heard its just an area full of expensive houses but it would most likely be cheaper or even easier for everyone commuting into london to go to bromley south instead of sundridge park or bromley north even if you lived right by one of the two! its a shame though, i don't think it should be gotten rid of, they should do something with it.
I too have lived in Bromley most of my life and I on very rare occasions have used this train line now and again. On one occasion while I was waiting at Grove park there was an announcement to say that the train was delayed. I put a sarcastic comment on Facebook saying "How can the train from Grove Park to Bromley North be delayed, when it only stops at two stations?" 😆😆😆😆
I thought this only had 2 carriages running up and down it. Such a waste this branch line, surely they could make room for a couple of rush hour trains running direct to London. Reminds me of the Elmers End branch to Addiscombe a while back. They could have easily run direct trains to LB in rush hour and eased the pressure off of East Croydon and providing passengers with an alternative route into London.
I imagine the reason they don't is that there are no paths available on the main line.
They used to have 2 car class 466s operating the line. However, they no longer comply with accessibility requirements, and therefore cannot operate standalone. Therefore, 4 car class 465s were chosen, probably because there arent enough 3 car Class 375s which could have otherwise been deployed. @JohnLeeming23 correct, and the proper double track link to the mainline at Grove Park was severed, so they can't do dividing trains (e.g. to Orpington and Bromley North) either.
i've even overheard people talking about how "useless" bromley north is compared to bromley south. i dunno though, bromley north station seems neat. the overall area is a lot better for buses though; a LOT of buses pass through and terminate at bromley north
Nice station and a short walk from the shopping area. The side entrance/exit is underwhelming so I would like to return when the main station building is open. Taking of buses, one thing that Bromley North does have are the two Superloop routes - SL3 and SL5 - terminating close to the station. Also, I wonder if the introduction of SL4 between Grove Park and Canary Wharf in 2025 will have a positive impact on Bromley North and Sundridge Park
@@chriswithhiscamera2454 i always found it odd how the sl4 starts from grove park and not bromley north like the sl3 and 5, seems weirdly unconnected. but it could be interesting for the train line i suppose!
Used to live close to Grove Park, and once a fortnight would ride the train to Bromley North to sign on at the Dole office, as it was close to the station.
I wonder London overground hasn't taken this line over, with the option of linking it up with the east London line at New Cross (via Lewisham?)
A good point and interesting suggestion if it is possible to run frequent Overground trains from Bromley North, through Grove Park's Platform 1 to New Cross
@chriswithhiscamera2454 That's not possible, because the reason why Bromley North doesn't have direct trains to London is line capacity on the South East Mainline at Grove Park. That includes on the section from New Cross to Grove Park, the section that Overground trains would have to travel over. Either you need widening on the line, or a new signalling system to fit in extra trains. Neither of those will be happening anytime soon.
Thanks for the upload Chris. I used to live, and commute from, Grove Park, Petts Wood, Orpington and Bromley South back in the 80s. But never the North station. Nice memories 😃
I'm pleased you like the video and that it brought back memories. Prior to filming this video, if I've previously visited Bromley North it would have been during the early 1990s. I do really like the line as well as its three stations
Waterloo and City line is about 4 minutes?
This video takes me back to a book written in the 1980s called ‘Branch Lines into the Eighties’ by H.I Quayle and Stanley C Jenkins. They actually gave their definition of a branch line. At that time it was thought most were threatened with closure. In fact only a few have closed - whilst most of the rest are thriving. Bromley North is mentioned in the book. The other one close by is Addiscombe which has been superseded by the tram network! If you haven’t read it already and can get a copy, I’m sure you will enjoy it!
Many thanks for mentioning ‘Branch Lines into the Eighties’ and I've ordered myself a copy. I remember travelling on the Addiscombe line during the early 1990s to visit friends who lived close to the station. I've puzzled over the definition of a branch line so I'm interested in what Quayle and Jenkins have to say.
@@chriswithhiscamera2454 interesting they say most services must be self contained. Hence the Western Route to Windsor is but the Southern route isn’t. I think someone could make some great videos reviewing the lines as they are now.out of the 39 lines. Two closed completely (Aldwych and Croxley) Two closed and reopened as heritage lines (Clayton West plus Epping Ontario). Adiscombe was replaced with the tram. The Sinfin branch part of the Matlock line, closed - this was a failed 1970s experiment! Virtually all of the others are thriving.
@@sr6424 I'm eagerly awaiting the book to see which lines are featured. Even though I worked on The Strand during the early 1990s, I never took the Piccadilly Line to Aldwych. But did travel from Broad Street to Croxley on one occasion, and do have photos at Broad Street which I must dig out
I've been on it many times! The main benefit for me is that it's in zone 4, whereas Bromley South is in zone 5. That makes it cheaper for journeys to central London. Yes, the concourse at Bromley North does open and there's even a ticket office and toilet. You might have noticed that the single ticket machine is located within the concourse, so is inaccessible at times. There are Oyster validators at the side entrance though. While Bromley North has 2 platforms, only platform 1 is ever used. In contrast, both platforms are used at Sundridge Park.
Thanks for the info on the concourse, I did wonder if it did open, perhaps during the morning rush hour. Good point about the zone that Bromley North is in, compared to Bromley South. Shortlands, however, is in Zone 4 like Bromley North.
This branch line is even shorter than Londons shortest bus route (389 which is 3km).
I need to go on that bus route!
I'm sure the Romford to Upminster shuttle is shorter!
It’s actually about one and a half miles longer.
It is longer than the Bromley North branch and the subject of my next video!
@@chriswithhiscamera2454 ahhh ok.
Romford to upminster is 9 minutes
I can remember once being at Grove Park on my usual commite into London during a rail strike in the 90s. They had a reduced service and actually started a train from Platform 1, and ran it up to London. I wonder how many people can say they rode a Class 465 from Platform 1 of Grove Park to London Bridge?
And what worthwhile achievement is that?
04:28 That was before it was cut back to a shuttle, and probably would have direct trains to London, which were different to the ones offered by Bromley South, by running to Charing Cross or Cannon Street, which isn't really possible from Bromley South (without some complicated train reversals). If the line was in its current state in the 1960s, Beeching absolutely would have recommended it for closure, but I suspect commuter traffic which would have been more appealing from Bromley North back then would have kept the line open.
There is a connection between Beckenham Junction and New Beckenham (on the Hayes line) which would allow for through running between Bromley South and Charing Cross/Cannon Street, but is not regularly used; some Hayes trains were diverted to Beckenham Junction and even Orpington (via Bromley South) for a short while a few years ago.
@ianmcclavin Well, that is a good point. I suppose if Bromley North station was any more underutilised in the 1960s, then Beeching would have shut it down. The only thing im not sure about would be the ability to run faster trains to Charing Cross or Cannon Street, as many trains do today, which are trains that could have otherwise served Bromley North. Many London commuter lines were generally retained unfer Beeching, and because it was part of a radial, not orbital route, that was enough fir the line to be retained
Uhhh theres high harringtion station xd
Chains? How archaic are they?
What’s archaic about it? All heavy rail in Britain is measured in miles and chains.
@@paulhollis8879 How bizarre. I thought the UK was a metric country.
@@robertthomson1587 Why is it bizarre? It’s a system of measurement used successfully. Does this upset you?
@@paulhollis8879 I gave a reason in my response. Please read it again. I doesn't upset me.
@@paulhollis8879‘used successfully’ hate to break that smug answer but I’m betting no where else in the world uses such an archaic measurement and I’ll even guess most people outside rail enthusiasts and some surveyors would know or even have heard of ‘chains’. Hardly what I would call successful’
The loop is Clockwise.
Thanks for spotting this. I've just replayed that clip and I do say anticlockwise. I'll mention your observation in my next Merseyrail video