Something you forgot to mention: This service is actually a continuation of the former connex service that ran from gatwick airport to rugby (later changed to run from brighton to watford). The intercity services ran alongside this service until they ceased, as opposed to being replaced by the current service.

I love East Croydon, especially getting to ride those trams

I used to use this train daily to get to work. I used to travel from Watford junction to Shepherd’s Bush and change there for the Central Line to Marble Arch. Much cheaper than going via Euston!! I also used to use it a lot to get to Westfield shopping centre.

I like the the footage of the city passing by as the train moves, often something i feel is missing from other channels i follow.

Great video, I'm glad youtube decided to recommend it. You've got a nice relaxing style and some good humour. And it's clear you've done research; It's so interesting (as a Londoner myself) to learn about the history of London's lines/stations

There was a predecessor service (about 2000?) from Brighton to Rugby, using class 319s. It was cut back to Milton Keynes later.

this service used to go to Milton Keynes. only southern service and used a terminating 1a platform there

It used to be an Intercity train coming down from the mainline with an electric locomotive which they'd have to swap out for a diesel one at Willesden. It would then have to wait patiently to be allowed across the freight yard onto the West London Line. Diesel locos by then were quite old & you could hear them struggling with the job. Shepherds Bush station wasn't built then.

The Motor Rail service also used to run from Fort William down south to Glasgow and beyond, you can still see the old ramp at the station.

Glad to see someone made a good video on this strange route! I love that it almost feels like a secret. Those who know know. Good stuff!

This service was a lifesaver when I worked at an office in Harrow. Walk down the road to Harrow and Wealdstone station, get the Southern to Clapham Junction and change on to the South West to Bracknell.

This service used to go as far as Milton Keynes Central for some reason the changed It to Watford Junction.

You used not to be able to travel via Kensington Olympia to Watford. There was a loco-hauled passenger service to Kensington Olypmpia which just managed to survive the Beeching Axe. BR didn't want to axe it because they feared London Underground would take it over, as there is already a tube platform at this station. Following the end of British Rail, the line was upgraded to allow through Electrostar journeys to Watford. Thanks for uploading a well put together video.

There was Glasgow to Brighton service until 2002 and London Paddington

Used to be 8 Carriages until May 2022 then it was cut down to 4 before being increased back to 5 (as it was between 2014 and 2018). And between May 2022 and September 2022 only ran between Watford Junction and Clapham Junction before being extended back to East Croydon for the first time (consistently) since COVID where very few Trains extended to East Croydon at the time.

My family and I used to use this service when visiting the in-laws each year. Getting off the Virgin Train at Watford Junction and using this service to go down towards GatwicK Airport. It made the journey easier, not having to get off at Euston, walk through London with kids and luggage to get to St Pancras and then onto a different train further south.

I know this service because it would get me to Watford from Shepherd's Bush for work for the last 5 years or so.

That service originally ran from Brighton back in the early 2000's, I used to use it quite often in those day's.

Used this service last week when travelling from Watford to Kensington Olympia. It is useful if you are travelling from Bucks/Herts to Gatwick. Changing at East Croydon avoids travelling through Central London.

Fun fact. Class 377/7s are power capped at third rail power, even on overhead wires. This is because they lack the same level of additional parts that supply power to the motors. 4 car units *377/2s , can use a surplus of power via the pantograph, because they have adequate parts to supply all motors with full power. So whenever the 4 car variants go under the wires, they are waaayyy faster than the 377/7s being 5 cars long, but use ghe same level of power as a 4 car. So they are effectively handicapped under the wires.

You used to get this service (probably before your time) from Gatwick. This was hugely convenient if you landed there and had to get to the NW without going via the Tube.

I have been doing that trip Clapham to Watford for work since 2008 agree the newer train seats are blood hard they also extended Platform 10 at Watford in 207 for 10 car trains but have only run 5 cars since Covid

Southern trains on this route usually stop at a signal when changing from AC overhead power to DC (third rail). The London Overground trains do it on the move. Except when the driver forgets to lower the pantograph 😳 as one did on a service to Clapham Junction I was on, earlier this month. Two consecutive loud bangs… the pantograph struck the A40 slip road, then banged down hard on the train roof!!

It’s an interesting one that train there’s a few notable things about it too. It’s Southern’s only conductor operated service using a 377,and the reason it waits at Clapham for that time is to allow for the conductor on the train that’s come from Watford to transfer over to the train going back up to Watford I believe. That used to be the case if I’m not mistook might’ve changed now.

What an unexpected treat S.E. Since retiring I have done a number of trips such as yours around Cumbria and Scotland. I see a trip down to your neck of the woods on the horizon, cheers Mate.

Parliamentary services are a treat if you so happen to rarely catch one.😁

I used to drive trains along that route (freight from Ripple Lane (closed 93) to various southern destinations.When in my early career used to be told Tv programme Steptoe&Son was filmed under west London flyover and of course Wormwood Scrubs HMP is visible going up the bank to Willesden.

Back in the 1980s there used to be loco hauled services. Through there from Dover to Liverpool and Manchester. When I worked in White City. On a nice day I would sometimes catch the train from Tonbridge to Olympia. Walk up from there.

I remember getting the service from MK to Croydon a couple of times for work, back in the 2000's to visit the new Library we were building...!

Used this route from Shepherds Bush when it ran as far as Milton Keynes was shocked when it was cut back as it was a busy enough service IMO

New to your channel. The algorithm randomly presented it. Great content. Easy relaxed style and nicely done. Cheers.

That patreon plug was smooth I see you my boy

I enjoyed this. Thanks for posting.

Great video .. thank you!

I wish they still did a Birmingham to Brighton train as I do that journey a fair bit. Tbf, going Thameslink to Kings Cross, walking to Euston, then getting the WCML isn't too bad. But I'd rather just get on and kick back for a few hours.

Brilliant. I really enjoyed that. It’s been a while since I was in that neck of the woods, so this was a nice trip down memory lane.

Another interesting and entertaining video. Thanks! 🥪🍪🧃

Thanks for the vid - KZfaq just recommended your channel, and I look forward to checking out your other uploads. As an ex-pat Londoner I enjoyed the journey, and your commentary and sense of humour! I remember Kenny Olympia in steam days, when it was a bit of a mysterious place with cross-London freights and inter-regional trains. No RTT in those days so no idea what was coming. Thanks again and cheers from New Zealand.

Wow! Great video. Love your presentation style. Subbed !

Hi. Just come across your video. Love it. Great presentation, good pace, excellent information and video just the right length for the subject. Subscribed.

Keep doing your thing bro. Glad I found your page.

Had no idea this service existed, so many thanks. 👍 I do remember direct Glasgow Central services running from Brighton. The service survived into Virgin Trains days. The weirdest sight had to be the station's 08 shunter in full-on intercity livery, which sat at the buffers until the train left, usually with a Class 47 up front. Brighton lost it's last regular direct long distance cross country service (to Cardiff), a couple of years ago.

Absolutely loved this, new favourite transport KZfaqr incoming!

I remember when this used to go to Milton keynes

Glad KZfaq recommended Someone Explores on my 2nd video & enjoying it but never knew London & outside of London had so many hidden gems when it comes to transport especially a tram in Croydon. Keep up the good work!

This had a really nice relaxing vibe and also you seem to actually know about London, not just the trains that go through it! Keep it up! Also I think you should give the viewers the opportunity to rate your meal deal..

good vid my freind keep em coming.

Very interesting thank you 😊

Nice vid always fancied checking out that route

Southern need to make this service half hourly, it’s a killer when you miss it 😢

Great video...loving the vibe. Might check out your other content

Delightful cheekiness 👍🏾

My new fav channel

Enjoyed the journey🙂 KZfaq suggested this, going to watch more of your videos & subscribe 🙂

I've been using this train regularly for getting to work: Wembley Central to Milton Keynes, so I'm sorry that Covid killed off the part north of Watford Junction. It's still useful for bypassing all the Overground stations. While it was still running up to MK one of the guards said they were thinking of running it on to Northampton, but that never happened.

Used this train to Harrow couple of times last year- unique service

First time I have watched a clip from this vlogger..it is sort of Ogmios does trains...loving it!

Those Southern drivers must be terrified of being asked what their postcode is by the WCML drivers once they get past Olympia 😂

Nice video. Harrow and Wealdstone, scene of the worst peacetime UK train crash in 1952

Great soundtrack thanks

In 2005, on a trip to UK, did the full extent of the Croydon Tramlink (as it was then called) and then boarded a Class 377 from East Croydon to Watford Junction. We stopped very briefly at Willesden Junction to put up the pantograph. I noticed the lights went out briefly ( it was broad daylight at the time) and when the train terminated at Platform 10 I mentioned this to the driver as he was changing ends. He said the trains were ( in his words) “ over engineered”. We returned to Clapham Junction and I took a 444 to Guildford. A very enjoyable day out “riding the rails” as Americans say!

Great Video, I remember using this service back in 1998/1999 as I lived in Harrow, but had a work experience placement in New Malden. Being able to catch the train from Harrow and Wealdstone direct to Clapham junction (back then it only had one intemediate stop at Kensignton Olympia, the others just didnt exist, so was pretty quick too, less than 18 mins), and from clapham 4 stops on SWT to new malden, was MUCH quicker than going via London and the tube, or taking the bakerloo/silverlink train to Willsden before taking the west london line to clapham, and much cheaper as it never entered zone 1, so a zones 2-5 travel card was adequate.

I live in Croydon (recently moved back after living in Swansea for 16 years), so I'm probably going to end up using this service at some point lol.

I really like this content. Subbed 👍

I used to get this train every day to work I loved it

Thanks for the video which was relaxing and told me a lot of things I didn't know. The nearest Tesco's is quite a long walk from Watford Junction. I assume you found it!

I quite like riding on Southern as they do have the best trains (Class 377) and their services are pretty good. Southern used to run the Class 377/2 and Class 377/7 as far as Milton Keynes Central but now they can only go as far Watford Junction.

I discovered this service by accident last year when I was going from Shepard's Bush to Wembley Central. I thought I'd have to change with Overground at Willesden Jct. but this just turned up, to my surprise and I was there in half the time! Loving your videos, by the way - it's always inspiring to find a new channel covering travel in London. I wonder how clever the KZfaq algorithm is here though as just yesterday I was looking up the timing for this VERY service on realtimetrains as I'm going to buy a Southern DaySave next week, but will be based near Watford. Clever. Or just coincidence.

Good stuff 👍 Nice to see you going past the home of the mighty CFC. KZfaq recommendations brought me here, I've subscribed.

miss when it used to run frequently to milton keynes get it every morning to school :)

Fascinating video, with a service I had not clocked. Many thanks. I wonder why, for example, there are no longer direct trains from Brighton to New Street or Manc Victoria. Feels like there would be demand for such a one-seat service, instead of doing Victoria to Euston on the Vic line to connect. Oh, and UTC!

Thanks for this great vid. If it's your idea to highlight these obscure rail services, then you've succeeded in educating me and I don't doubt many others. I'd like to add a friendly suggestion. With the vastly expensive HS2 ending in Euston station, you have outlined a much cheaper route from Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Watford etc, to the Euro Tunnel in Folkstone by using this Southern service from East Croydon to Folkstone via Redhill. But don't expect any support or remuneration for the plan. Keep Rockin'

Haha, loved this video

Many thanks for this, although it was the East Croydon - Clapham Junction bit that really interested me. Haven't done that route since the very early sixties, when trains had proper comfortable seats and not vertical ironing boards; how virtually everything has changed, often beyond recognition! I then lived at Tattenham Corner and used to go up to London spotting and taking photos of steam engines. I'd change at EC in the hope of getting a steam-hauled train to Victoria. I wonder how many watching the video know that there was once a Croydon Central... Best wishes, Bill

There was a huge rail disaster at Harrow and Wealdstone, I think back in the 1950s.

If there are no freight trains sitting in WEFOC yard you can see one of the few lever frame signal boxes left in London, just south of wembley central.

Really enjoyed the video, interesting that the service no longer goes to Milton Keyenes. The platforms at Wembly Central are rather narrow, so I can see hwy they do not allow access until just before the train arrives.

use to get the brighton to aberdeen train in the mid 90s ... 14 hrs on 1 train !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good video. should have had me doing a Jenny Agutter and waving :) and you rattled past my house in SARF lundun.

took a trip on this route (well partially) last year travelling to Watford from Clapham Junction, think i prefer it to the overground line which required a change of trains whereas this one was direct

on that line the trains used to go up to milton Keynes central but do not anymore but there are 3 services a day going up to hemel Hempstead

Some of these even go to hemel, im not sure about the frequencies but i have seen some of those head up there of recent

One reason some of these unlikely routes exist is the complex way revenue is distributed between TOC. For example by running services to Watford Junction Southern will get a share of the revenue taken at that station.

Trains have been going via this route through Kensington Olympia since pre 2k

It's a shame it doesn't stop at Willesden Junction!

The Croydon-Watford trains aren't really a remnant of the old Cross Country trains; they (except for a brief period in the 80s) diverted onto the Great Western mainline, and would run out to Reading and up through Oxford to Birmingham and only then hit the WCML. Cross-Country still runs down to Reading on the way down to Southampton and Bournemouth but the Brighton leg was a very slow way to get up north. In the 90s or early 2000s, Connex started a train from Gatwick to Rugby using the West London Line to take advantage of the new electrification, originally using class 319s similar to Thameslink, and this was the 'ancestor' of today's Croydon-Watford route. Sadly, the new Pendolino service on the WCML cut the number of slots open to operators other than Virgin and the main local operator (originally Silverlink, then London Midland, and there's another company operating that service now).

A few corrections: You’re not being separated from London Overground lines when you leave Clapham junction as you’re joining the route. You’re leaving the main southern and national rail network. You’re not on a siding when the pantograph is raised or dropped. You don’t pass through Harlesden or Stonebridge Park stations. (I know you didn’t say that but just to quell any confusion).

Ha ! ... You should have experienced the SLOW ! ( Crosslink ) service in 2002 , Anglia railways ... Basingstoke to Norwich ( Eh , whaaat ? ) ..via Woking - Addlestone - Staines - Syon Park - Willesden Junction - Dalston - Stratford - Ingatestone - Chelmsford and on to Norwich ( took ALL of the day , but FUN ! ) ................. DAVE™🛑

Watford, Gateway to the North (or, on the ECML, Stevenage)

It would be cool to record some motor sounds on these. The 377s/7s are LOUD lol. If you sit on the motor coach or rear end of the drivers end youll sit right above the motors (not the pantograph coach, thats got no motor's)

I used this service a lot and it was always well used but I can’t find it on any of the train websites - my route was Milton Keynes to Clapton Junction and that time the service ran from Brighton to Milton Keynes

To the north, it ran to Rugby under Connex.

Thanks my man. I didn't know this route still ran. Can you still do it from Brighton or do you now have to change at East Croydon?

The video description says "one of only 3 rail services in London that crosses from north to south". Surely that can't be right? There's numerous Thameslinks that cross the river, the overground loop, some tube lines, Southern Services and Southeastern services that terminate at either Victoria, Cannon Street, Blackfriars and Charing X. Help me out here? Enjoyed your video though :)

Not odd if you live anywhere from Watford to M. Keynes and you fancy a weekend in Brighton😃 Oh wait! I live in Borehamwood so Thameslink for me.

Good little review of a poorly known service!👍

I think most people who use the service to watford are going to Harry Potter land😂.

Longest platform because of motor rail?

As you avoided zone 1, how much did this cross London journey cost you?

How is this not illegal, a 377 on ac and dc, and I thought they scrapped the 321s.