Inverness Airport Station is Now Open
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- Опубліковано 12 лют 2023
- Time to take a visit to the newest station Britain, so up to Scotland I went along with Roger as we visited Inverness Airport station.
Opened on the 2nd February 2023 (and station number 2,574) it's on the existing line between Inverness and Aberdeen but is a short distance from the terminal building, so do you walk or get the bus? And just how 'Cookie Cutter' is it anyway ... ?
Here's the "Next New Stations" video: • The Next New 21 Stations
Read Roger's blog at: busandtrainuser.com/
I’m sad that no one has noticed my attention to detail in drawing the runway number ‘05’ on the airport graphic, but you DID all spot Roger’s splendid boots. 😅
I noticed it and also in the walking part of the video, it's great that you can stand behind that fence and just watch landing and takeoffs a lá Saint Marteen style :) A bit different weather there usually.
Haven't watched the video yet but now that you have said it, I definitely will pay attention!
I didn't notice the 05, but have now spotted the correctly-flipped 23. Will you periodically update the numbers, though? CCP Grey lesson on "The Simple Secret of Runway Digits": ua-cam.com/video/qD6bPNZRRbQ/v-deo.html
I noticed it......
I noticed it also but just thought that (of course!) is what any maker of highly professional content would do... so no comment necessary. 😎
When Keith station was opened in 1856, it was a speculative venture, as there was little development in the area. So little, in fact, that the only thing of note in the area was a bloke called Keith who had been sitting on a bench there for the past four years. Hence the name.
Maybe there is another random bench where the future Jago station is located
I wonder if this is how Neville and Barry, two towns in the NSW Central West (in Australia) got their names.
No railway stations at either, but I can't help but wonder every time I drive past the sign.
Glad they did put a station at Keith.
There's a cracking distillery tour there, and the train is the way to get home after that 😁
@@TheBritFromOz008 Most likely. A lot of towns and region names around the world are named after people, with or without an affix. A few more examples: Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht (Netherlands - no affix), Fredrikstad (Norway - with the affix ‘stad’ (city)), Maryland (US - with the affix ‘land’).
No signage, trains stopping on th wrong side. This station seems like an unorganised mess. Sort it out ScotRail.
Please, more videos with Roger? He is a gem!
I concur!
100% agree. Roger to Geoff is like Iolo Williams to Chris Packham. 😂
@@andreafox4099 Crisp Packet.
I found Rogers footwear fantastic.
I hear there might be a request stops video coming soon… 👀
The two things I can't help but feel from this video are that the walk from the station to the airport would be horrendous if the weather was even remotely bad especially if you have decent luggage, and Roger has some sick boots
Bad weather in the Northeast of Scotland?! Never!
@@ulfw Fun fact - it rains more in Bristol than in Inverness.
Sick boots??
@@10cfwh74 think he borrowed them from his wife! ;-)))
I'd think decent luggage would be able to cope with 15 minutes of weather. But if you've got designer luggage that's made to be attractive instead of functional, you could have some trouble. And you could always take the bus if it's especially torrential.
Both tracks are bi-directional, so all trains use the "straight through" line on platform 1, unless passing another service, in which case one (usually westbound) will use the passing loop on platform 2.
Platform 1 also saves passengers going to or from the airport having to cross the line.
Forres, also a new station on a new passing loop, works exactly the same.
Superb end to a bog standard Monday...Geoff and Roger on top form. My favorite point is at 2min 54 when Roger waves to the bus👏
You can take the man out of buses. But you can’t take buses out of the man.
@@geofftech2 OK, Geoff, I think it's time for you to do a national survey of which company's bus drivers wave back at you. Barking Garage, in London Suburbanized Essex, had drivers notorious for not waving back at people. (Mainly my brothers, sometimes a little tipsy, it must be said.)
Most of the time, the little complaints are fairly minor - but the signage, timetables and choice of platforms at this one transition this into a full-on segment for WatchDog. There needs to be a follow-up with ScotRail where they either fix things, or explain why they were right all along!
Might be futureproof, but if it is actively misleading today, that’s irrelevant.
Roger's boots deserve their own Instagram page.
Excellent. Roger's a rising star. He is completely Geoff proof.
The heads-up in this video saved me from getting caught off-guard by the train arriving on the counterintuitive side of the platforms when I traveled to INV recently. Thank you, Geoff Marshall!
Today I learned that you can take cookie cutters through airport security.
A friend of mine managed to take a large frying pan though security to carry on the plane once! So I dare say cookie cutters are fine too!
In Cyprus I was stopped from taking a tin of Lidl Sardines on the plane at Larnaka Airport. Apparently the opened lid could be used as a blade?
Roger turned Brighton & Hove Buses into one of the best city bus services in the UK.
I’m really interested in this. What impact did he have?
@@ATABBOTT Huge! I had the privilege, at the beginning of my career, of working under Roger at Brighton & Hove. He was, and is still, an inspirational figure in the bus industry - a man with a clear goal and purpose of raising standards and of customer-focus for the industry. Under his leadership bus patronage grew significantly and the bus service in Brighton and Hove was transformed from the ghastly indifference of the NBC era.
@@nctimbers amazing guy indeed!
I thought Geoff Marshall and Paul Lucas were iconic but Geoff and Roger are CHAOTIC and ICONIC. #UnderratedComedyDuo
One feature about INV is that it's APD exempt (unlike ABZ). Okay so that's only a minor saving for a domestic flight but it's a substantial saving for those flying long-haul via LHR or AMS.
Pretty sure the exemption will be yanked once INV traffic gets off the ground
my granny lives just down the line in nairn! this will be really useful as she can now get to the airport easily to visit us in england!
Geoff: There are “S” stop board at the platform where all trains should stop, mainly to fit the 5+2 HST’s that we run. Also to add to Stuart’s message, if there are no trains crossing at the station, they will enter into the easiest platform that doesn’t require crossing points, effectively the straightest road in and out 👍🏼🤗
Never mind making it easier for the customers!! 😀
@@adriansmith38 But that is what the stairs and lifts are for - so long as people have enough time to realise that the train isn't arriving on the "logical" platform!
Excellent - good to see the 200 year old tradition of railway operations getting in the way of customer experience. It doesn't take too much effort to test and stick new stop markers along a platform. And as for which platform to use as the default - it should be the one where passengers don't have to hike their luggage over the bridge.
It is not acceptable to simply say that's where all trains stop. Shorter trains can stop earlier, they just can't be bothered to try and do so with another stop board in place. Whatever happened to "4 car stop" and "2 car stop"? It would probably mean a full line closure so they could measure it. Ridiculous stopping that far along the platform, and the wrong one to boot. Again, try harder, it's about the passengers not the operators.
Another reason they are are only using p1 is due to it being closer to the terminal, might as well use platform 1 if there's no other train passing. For example the 10.01 to Elgin is booked into p2 as it passes the Royal Scotsman train which passes through p1 (once the RS starts running closer to summer!)
Geoff and his friends are on point with the sameness of the Station. There should be something unique to every Station.
It isn't just the _sameness_ ... it's the unutterable dullness. Black tarmac platforms, a huge expanse of flat black tarmac for the car park, grey metal lift shafts and footbridge, grey metal railings and fences, a veritable forest of grey metal lampposts - put a monochrome filter on and you could barely tell the difference. No trees, no greenery, nothing to break up the space.
@@stevieinselby To be fair, it did look as though they'd planted lots of small saplings (shrubs?) which would mean there'd be quite a lot of greenery in a couple of years or so. Also, given it's winter now, in summer it'll look better anyway... there are some larger trees on the embankment up to the road. I do however agree about the grey though... it surely wouldn't be that expensive to invest in some coloured paint!
Even commission a local artist to paint a wall or something... would be extremely extremely cheap to do so
All awfully bleak in anything other than sunny weather.
To be fair most small stations and halts always have been pretty much to the contemporary house style.
Haha that was deja vu for me, on Friday I created a custom walk link in a journey planning system which will stop it defaulting to the on road walk link he showed Google displaying.
It all heroes wear capes...
It's millions of volunteers on various open systems that help improve the system.
The train came into the wrong platform as the line is bidirectional (signalled at both ends) so when not passing another train, trains will just use P1 (similar thing happens at other Scottish stations with bidirectional running lines, e.g. Pitlochry)
I went past Inverness Airport while doing a fun challenge! All 8 scottish cities in one day. We did it on Saturday
Imagine that walk in snow, rain and stormy winds. Why are there no shuttles? And why so few shelters? Great video.
Indeed, the airport should invest in a small electric bus to transfer passengers to and from the station.
There probably isn't enough demand yet. Even Inverness only has a bus every 30 minutes, at most, to the airport, and it's usually pretty quiet.
Maybe you should wait up on the footbridge for the train, then whatever side it comes in on you have less far to run!
Geoff, c5 mins 30 secs you comment on the Class 158 stopping well along the platform at the Aberdeen end. This happens elsewhere - York is a prime example on platfom 3 but may be done to draw passengers away from the main forecourt and create space; luckily there is a canopy all the way along the platform beyond the end of the train shed roof. Likewise on platform 5 at York stopping at the south end moves passengers away from the stairs and circulation area. However, at Aviemore, southbound trains stopping on platform 2 stop well beyond the end of the canopy. Last September a passenger complained bitterly about this as we hurried through heavy rain to reach the train - she appeared to have a valid point. I cannot believe it is for signal sighting either. Inverness Airport station does appear to have limited shelter for passengers on the platforms - odd in a country where inclement weather is common!
That's all fine and dandy, but they should have a sign saying "Wait for Train HERE", to save us old farts having to move quickly all the way down the platform at the last minute! 🤣🥵
There is one Airport in Scotland where there is an adequate covered waiting room and the station is very close to the Airport and that's Prestwick! I'm not sure how many flights they get there any more, I flew there many years ago from Stansted and the plane was almost empty. Not surprisingly the route was discontinued soon after.
Geoff, I’ve been waiting for this one - thanks for travelling all the way up to Scotland for us!! 🏴
In Lithuania right now. As always, a wonderful video from Geoff
I can't wait until you get to make these videos for the Northumbland Line, it'll be like a mini-series on its own!
Looking at the rust of those rails, not a lot uses Platform 2 at all. A quick check of RTT shows most trains are planned to use Plat 1 in either direction, with only one or two a day using Platform 2.
They need a double arrowed sign,
They've been added to plenty of roadsigns including in the nearest village where most know where the station is. Pity nothing was done for the benefit of people arriving at the Airport.
Amazing! It brings a smile to my face every time I see you’ve posted a new video
Really pleasing to see how well the station is used already - and it will only get busier! Just a shame about the lack of signage but I'm sure there's still work to come
I look forward to these videos. Very educational for tourists like me.
Very much enjoyed this one Geoff and it was excellent to see not only Roger but also a fair bit of Class 158 Express Sprinters as Sprinters are Glorious and Superior Traction! Indeed a well thought of station for those travelling to and from Aberdeen using the Airport and i look forward to the Request Stop video :D
I was in Inverness last week, had no clue the station had opened on the trip up, so got a taxi in to the City. My return flight was at 6.40am, I found out there's a 4.56am train which I was tempted to get but I though it would have made check-in a bit too close for comfort. Glad I didn't now I know the signage is unclear and it's a 15 minute walk. Great and informative video, many thanks ♥️
Great Video! Love to see the stations.
I'm amazed to find out there are 17 departures and 17 arrivals per day at the airport.
Admittedly I haven't used the airport in quite a few years, but last time I was there the man at security stood up from reading the paper, looking rather surprised that anyone at all had turned up an hour early for the flight, the one coffee shop was closed and I watch sheep out the window before finally about 20 minutes before take off the other rest of the passengers started trickling in. The next flight on the board was 4 hours away. So it's certainly gotten busier!
In most recent years I have used that number 11 bus a fair bit and I have noticed the airport has more activity, but I'm also surprised at the number of flights.
@@rempanda INV is APD exempt (much to the annoyance of ABZ). Those pax taking long-haul flights via LHR or ABZ with BA or KL may save.
APD = Exemptions from Air Passenger Duty
Glad there's the same number of arrivals and departures, at least!! ;-)))
@@stepheneyles2198 Flight numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels but the main carriers (BA and KLM) who offer global access are present.
The problem with short trains pulling up at the end of the platform is sometimes down to drivers being used to longer trains. This used to happen in Kent when a driver expecting a 3x2HAP had a single 2HAP and disappeared to the far end of the platform.
Isn't this the hole point of those markers on platforms that say "X Number of Carriages", stop here. To that effect rather than those exact words.
@@Gr33nMamba exactly. Intelligent use of stop markers is also used to help distribute the train loadings as well as making ity more convenient for passengers.
Useful, informative, quirky (in a nice way!) and enjoyable as always. Thanks for this northern trip towards "ultima thule". Mike
Fantastic video! I hope to see you go to every new station that opens 🤩
Roger. He's hardly changed since Least Used Hertfordshire station 😍
Inverness Airport is exempt from Air Passenger Duty so it might well make sense for somebody from Aberdeen to fly from there using the train to get there.
It's a 3 hour train journey.
@@howardbattersby5672 I've seen stories on travel forums of people travelling from London to Inverness to avoid APD on long-haul flights!
@@howardbattersby5672 my thoughts exactly. 15 min drive or 30min bus from ABZ to the city centre, vs over 2hrs on a train from INV? Not exactly more convenient, unless you are saving an absolute fortune in APD.
[As I start a venture selling cookie cutters in the shape of the British Rail Double Arrow]
Good to see another airport get a railway station. With a 15 minute walk from railway station to terminal I wonder what the longest and shortest differences are for UK Airport Stations? I'd guess Teesside Airport is the longest walk, that's if you're lucky enough to get a train which stops there with a reasonable connection time to your flight.
The shortest will be Southampton: 30 seconds from the down platform to the terminal entrance.
@@James-gc5if Thank you. When I landed at the City Airport Last year I was on the DLR 14 minuets after landing. I wonder if I could beat that at Southampton.
@@HenrysAdventures Assuming a domestic flight with only hand luggage, you probably could be on the platform quicker, because SOU is an even smaller airport than LCY. On the other hand, the DLR runs a more frequent service than South Western Railway, so you'd likely be on the train you need quicker when travelling into City.
East Midlands Parkway is a lovely days walk
@@James-gc5if Gatwick is similar, just a flight of stairs from platform to south terminal entrance.
You were asking why the trains heading towards Iverness stop at platform 1 (so they are using the right hand track instead of the left). It is probably because the line is single track only and there are double tracks just for the station. So to use platform 2 the trains would have to use the branching of the switch (I hope google translate worked correktly for this phrase) which probably has a lower maximum velocity. In the case there are no trains that have to pass each other they will prbably use only platform 1 because it is faster.
A NEW STATION! Just clicking this video reminds me of the beautiful new dlr rolling stock… anyway good that an airport at least has a station.
Nice Geoff have a great week 👍😊
Roger is the content we are all here for!
I’ve found the “down the end of the platform” stopping point seems to be quite a common thing now. Anywhere a new platform has been built up here there seems to just be an ‘S’ car stop sign, rather than the individual car number stops. I believe ScotRail have had a small issue with drivers stopping at the wrong car stop, because unlike some operators that run consistent consists, ScotRail swap regularly. A diesel can be anywhere from 2-6 coaches and every where between. The electrics can be 3, 4, 6, 7 or 8. If you are in the cab on a 2 car 158, you would be forgiven for thinking you are in a 2 or a 4 car, but no, you might have a 3 car 170 couple behind you, making a 5 car. On some of the suburban electrics in the central belt, you can actually hear an automated announcement now as a driver approaches a station, informing them of the correct number of cars on the train.
So to eliminate the risk of stopping short, it seems that when a platform is built new (or even when a new unit, such as a 385 is introduced), a single ‘S’ car stop sign is used.
Bin bags; but no breeze. (9/10). Thank you for lifting the Monday mood. That's the day for vids to drop.
Brilliant Video Geoff, suspired they stop down at the end of the platform as you can understand if it more than a 2 coach train.
Come to Feltham Geoff! Do a piece on the old marshalling yards, lots of history in Feltham.
Amazing
Great video. More Roger please.
I live in Inverness - None of the future plans are common knowledge here
Thanks for sharing
Heading up north to Inverness on Wednesday, been a year! Nice to see a better connected airport.....shame they can't do this for Glasgow!
I loved the runway numbers at 3:52! They look accurate too!
nice to see you up in my neck of the woods
Had a good time seeing this! More lifts on foot bridges is a good idea.
Part of "Access for All"; unfortunately, mobility-impaired people were not much considered during "Railway Mania" and it's a bit of a long job to retrofit everywhere. But the UK (in toto) can be very proud of the investments which we have made in the 20-plus years since disabled access was given a higher priority (and prams, bikes, scooters, wheelchairs etc).
It’s also a great spot for plane spotting!
And I thought Grand Central Madison was the only new train station to know about!! Thanks for this!! And Rental Cars too!
Loved this video as its very close to me, to local's of the area it's Dalcross Station. Tornagrain already exists and they are building a new village which ironically are the same name but yet to join up.
Excellent video, Geoff! Love Roger’s comments, especially in the intro!
The station is a bit meh and they really need to get the buses to connect with the trains for it to have any use at all!
Roger's boots were something of a feature !
15 min is still a fair walk especially with heavy bag/luggage and or for older people. Could do with some frequent bus shuttle service from the station car park to airport terminal at least to time with train departures/arrivals.
Interesting. That’s now my local station. I’ve watched with interest whilst they’ve been building it over the last 18 months or so. In that time I’ve not really yet figured out why I might use it. Perhaps when they finish Tornagrain in about 30 years there will be a more frequent service into town. 😊
Hi Sarah! I’m wondering if they will ever finish Tornagrain myself! As a local HGV driver I never seem to be away from the place! The station seemed to go up quickly. Shame the houses aren’t!
18 months for a very simple cookie cutter station???
@@OneKnifeYeHand afraid so. Moving signalling cables, prepping ground, foundations, construction next to the running lines has to be done during line closures, looks like new track and signalling too, getting power and utilities to site, building the access roads and car park, installing the footbridge and lifts, all the testing of safety systems etc. Building the actual shelters etc is quick, it's the rest of it that takes ages.
Good morning Geoff. How ironic I parked in Inverness truck stop last night and there today lol 😆 Great seeing a new station 👍🏻 Even if it’s a bit mess at the mo 🙄
On the platform 1/2 thing: in Scotland, platform 1 points towards the nearest main city (eg Edinburgh to Glasgow via Airdrie line the Platform 1 switches) so it's right that Inverness bound services are on Platform 1 😊
That’s not the convention here in Dyce (same line as this, right next to Aberdeen).
Platform 1 is Inverness bound trains and 2 is Aberdeen bound.
Inverurie (two stops closer to Inverness) follows the same convention as Dyce.
This could wel be a subject for a vid by Geoff as an expansion of his rcent one on platform 0's. One would imagine that platform 1 historically would be nearest the main entrance but that does not apply everywhere. Moreover, Stirling does not have a platform 1.
I really like Roger
Great to see passengers using the station. You done Southampton Airport Parway where you can nearly touch the terminal from the platform.
Services stop on the "wrong side" as one of the platforms is more or less utilised as a passing loop.
Platform 2 is the passing loop, so you won't see a train there unless it is crossing with another one.
It's a slower entry & exit speed into platform 2, so to protect timings, the majority of services use platform 1 🙂
I've noticed some double-track through-stations here in the US change the travel direction of the platforms each day - so Track 1 would be northbound a.m., southbound p.m. etc. We were told it's to even out wear and tear on the rails (?) Also each platform will have several stop-points depending on the length of the train; the idea being to stop the middle of the train as close as possible to the main entrance/exit point (gate or footbridge). Maybe that will happen at Inverness once service beds in..?
Nice to see you back in my neck of the woods, Geoff! Was here for a nosey on the opening day, seems so rushed and unfinished. 😬 the trains use the “wrong” platforms at Elgin too, it’s weird 😂
Did you see the Edinburgh Trams extension now has an opening date? Another one to add to your Tram playlist although - won’t take long 😂
I am loving the chat at the start
The train stopping on the 'wrong side' reminds me of Carrbridge in the Perth to Inverness video of All the Stations which could be for access/convenience reasons.
The station should do quite well and at least match Kintore's numbers.
The station was also built to serve the new village of Tornagrain nearby for Inverness commuters but I also suspect it will also be really popular with Moray and Aberdeenshire passengers as Roger mentioned.
I'm also disappointed that East Linton station is taking so long which should be the next new Scottish station wven though the actual station seems to be virtually complete as there are apparently land issues with the car park.
Flew to Inverness last year when I was on tour (I work in theatre), so was quite excited to see this, but it seems like perhaps the full value of it is yet to arrive! It doesn't sound like it would have necessarily got us into Inverness any quicker than the bus by the time you've walked round there, waited for a train, etc.
I suspect the new piece of double track in a mostly single track line would give room for more passing ergo more services? And there used to be a halt just west of this station, the old platform and building/house are still there. The new bridge at the west end of the platform replaced the old single carriageway hump bridge (east of the platform) and was built years ago but with double track in mind. The road shown on your app map is also new, swinging out west to get under the runway approach path whilst the original road has become the footpath. Drove along that road for years when I worked there.
Great to see u teaming up with Roger again. You and Roger certainly work very well together. Really enjoyed this program. On a lighter note have u thought about auctioning your old jacket.
why did they not make an effort to cover the walk to the terminal. Last thing I would want is to schlep all that way in the rain. It is the rare project that forward thinks, but for now I suspect sheltered walk would be welcome
Will be cost reasons
The path could do with a cover to shelter people from the rain.
Planes are just busses with wings these days anyway! Great video.
… or as Mark Kermode would say it, the Airplane Station.
Please let us know if Scotrail actually does something about all the things your mentioned.))
Quite a lot of snags for Scot Rail to sort out it seems
Reading Green Park - Application to enter service should have been sent in during January 2023. Also there is a foot bridge outside Wokingham Station TAN Bridge (currently going to be replaced) but NOT step free - might be worth a look
I hope you plan to go to the next one. Marsh Barton station just south of Exeter st Davids when it opens soon.
Judging by the rusty rails on the plat. 2 side im guessing either the track isn't tamped fully (or aligned yet), signalling not completely commisioned or a combination of the two preventing trains from using it. Cheers for keeping us up to date 👍
I'm slightly disappointed you didn't say "To the planes!" when you started walking to the airport
I used to enjoy flying into Inverness. The views in and out were terrific and it was always tempting to keep low for the first and last few minutes of flight for sightseeing. ATC were also pretty flexible as well which is appreciated. I enjoyed the lack of tugs, taxi in/out is always better but quite why I had to be marshalled in and out is beyond me. As an airport it works well for departures but international arrivals are a bit of a pain as you have to pass through a shed on the end of the main terminal building.
What is the deal with customs and borders staff, are they brought in from Aberdeen?
Geoff, I hope that both you and Roger will come to Bristol for the opening of the new Portway Parkway Station, in May (?) It will be an example of a basic one platform station, built as cheaply as possible.
Ive been to other stations in Scotland where the train stops miles from the actual station buildings
So regarding why certain platforms are used?
Both platforms are signalled bi-directionally.
The station can be used as a passing loop - but if trains don't have to cross then it makes more sense for a train in either direction to use the platform closest to the terminal building . . . I.e. platform 1 - that way passengers don't have to use the stairs or lift to reach the airport.
Perhaps I missed it but, when you talk about these new stations, you could also tell us the three-character abbreviated code (IVA, in this case) that National Rail use.
And Darlaston and Willenhall stations in the West Midlands opening next year on the newly reopened line which no longer features in PSUL.
I was also In Inverness when you were Geoff
Nice boots!
Would hate to do that walk in the height of winter.
I called in on the first day, and was also scratching my head wondering why there aren't any 2/3 Car Stop signs. As well as passenger inconvenience, most will wait around the shelter and see Inverness bound trains run past, the station stops are avoidably lengthy while the passengers chase after the train to where it has stopped.
I only saw the one service use Platform 2 (the very first), but as that was an HST less inconvenience was caused by running to the platform end.
I generally would prefer an underpass and ramps to footbridge and lifts. Lifts can stop working, ramps generally don't.
Accessible stations are good - that should definitely be part of the cookie cutter standard. But lifts vs ramps might be a question? I've had a number of occasions where lifts are out of order whilst a station is unstaffed, which effectively makes it (or at least part of it) inaccessible. Footbridge ramps rarely break and are more accessible to people who are claustrophobic (like my Mum was - she really struggled with stairs in her later years but was terrified of lifts) but do they cost more to install than lifts and do some folk find them more difficult to negotiate? Could/should both be provided?
Geoff, when are coming back to Ireland to do the newest station in the Republic of Ireland? Also the one station out of Heuston, that was built 14 years ago, is due to open by the end of this year. You would have gone through it, when you did All The Stations Ireland back in 2019.