The reason that the Chesham branch changed from a shuttle to a through service was the new trains. The old A-stock was formed into 4-car units, with trains made up from 2 sets to give an 8-car train, and the Chesham shuttle used a single set. The new S-stock is 8-car fixed formation sets, which means they can't be split into 4-car units, but the bay platform at Chalfont & Latimer isn't big enough to take a full-size 8-car train. This meant they had a choice of extending the bay platform to accommodate 8-car sets or abandoning the shuttle and running it as a through service. With Amersham already having a better level of service due to the half-hourly Chiltern service, it made sense to split the 4tph to the outer fringes between Amersham and Chesham.
An example of an operational change (in 2010) which has resulted in considerable benefits to rail users. Chesham is larger than Amersham yet was the poor relation for decades, with a branch-line service. Changing trains on every journey one made from Chesham, and the need to walk through the subway at Chalfont on the way home, meant that the offer was not as attractive as it could be. The trains every 30 mins Chesham to Aldgate all day (incl Sundays) means more rail use. It has also enabled Chesham to get good write-ups in the press as a place to visit from London - with an attractive station with a garden too.
Remember using the line on my weekly visits to college in London in the 1970s when you could buy a real timetable book! What this cabride only hints at are the remarkable views over rolling Chiltern countryside from the train. You could be on the old Metropolitan Railway!
I remember many years ago (42!) when I worked in London and used to ride Amersham to Aldgate every day. One evening I'd had a couple of sherberts with my work collegues and going home got on a Chesham train at Aldgate as it was a fast train and I thought I would get off and change at Chalfont and Latimer. Unfortunately the beer had the effect of sending me to sleep and you guessed it I woke up in Chesham. Had to backtrack to Chalfont the catch an Amersham train which made me about an hour late getting home!
![Metropolitan Line (Amersham to Aldgate) - DRIVERS EYE VIEW [Part 1 of 4]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jI3Yo-MA__o/mqdefault.jpg)
![Metropolitan Line (Amersham to Aldgate) - DRIVERS EYE VIEW [Part 1 of 4]](/img/tr.png)
![Metropolitan Line (Harrow-on-the-Hill to Uxbridge) - DRIVER'S EYE VIEW [Part 3 of 4]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wzoU0z4VBIo/mqdefault.jpg)
The reason that the Chesham branch changed from a shuttle to a through service was the new trains.
The old A-stock was formed into 4-car units, with trains made up from 2 sets to give an 8-car train, and the Chesham shuttle used a single set. The new S-stock is 8-car fixed formation sets, which means they can't be split into 4-car units, but the bay platform at Chalfont & Latimer isn't big enough to take a full-size 8-car train. This meant they had a choice of extending the bay platform to accommodate 8-car sets or abandoning the shuttle and running it as a through service. With Amersham already having a better level of service due to the half-hourly Chiltern service, it made sense to split the 4tph to the outer fringes between Amersham and Chesham.
An example of an operational change (in 2010) which has resulted in considerable benefits to rail users. Chesham is larger than Amersham yet was the poor relation for decades, with a branch-line service. Changing trains on every journey one made from Chesham, and the need to walk through the subway at Chalfont on the way home, meant that the offer was not as attractive as it could be. The trains every 30 mins Chesham to Aldgate all day (incl Sundays) means more rail use. It has also enabled Chesham to get good write-ups in the press as a place to visit from London - with an attractive station with a garden too.
Good job Paul, as always
Beautiful video a new friend here watching from London.
Here to support your channel 😊
Love your videos and enjoy the historical information you share-keep em coming!
Been waiting for this one. Another excellent journey Paul!
This is weird! I've been thinking about trying to get a driver to let me film this trip, only today!! So many thanks Paul, I don't need to bother now!
Remember using the line on my weekly visits to college in London in the 1970s when you could buy a real timetable book! What this cabride only hints at are the remarkable views over rolling Chiltern countryside from the train. You could be on the old Metropolitan Railway!
Fabulous again Paul!
I love this little shuttle 🙂
The only other single branch lines i can think of are the Waterloo & City Line and the Finchley Central to Mill Hill East branch of the Northern Line.
I remember many years ago (42!) when I worked in London and used to ride Amersham to Aldgate every day. One evening I'd had a couple of sherberts with my work collegues and going home got on a Chesham train at Aldgate as it was a fast train and I thought I would get off and change at Chalfont and Latimer. Unfortunately the beer had the effect of sending me to sleep and you guessed it I woke up in Chesham. Had to backtrack to Chalfont the catch an Amersham train which made me about an hour late getting home!
Home being the dog house? lol
@@RichardFelstead1949 No, I was only 18 then and my mum didn't know what time I would be in.
nice
Metropolitan Line S8 Tube Stock