I live in the US but come to Britain fairly regularly (family, work, etc.) - and consequently I often read UK news as I've become a bit of an Anglophile. Anytime I hear about any change {good, bad or otherwise] to the UK rail infrastructure, especially if it is to do with London, I immediately think of Geoff. As soon as I saw there were through trains on the Elizabeth Line, I knew I could count of Geoff to be on top of it! Thank you, Geoff, for never disappointing!

I'm not a train nerd or buff or whatever it's called and I couldn’t give a rats behind about trains. But... Elizabeth Line is such a miracle I sit on it and marvel each time. Using the tube all my life as a Londoner nothing quite prepares you for the magnificence of this train of the future. I rode it the first day it opened and used the train on the 6th of November when it opened running through Liverpool to Stratford. Couldn’t have come soon enough. But I digress. Just wanted to say that your train videos are par excellence. Just the way you are very thorough, very knowledgeable and fun. There's no one else I'd rather watch and I came searching for this video hoping you'd make one and you did. And I learnt a LOT so using the train will be so much a better experience. I could say "train nerd go get a life" but nah you’re literally essential to daily living. Transport wise. So do carry on.

When I visited London in August, I had a day of solo tourism where I could indulge any uninteresting geekery that crossed my mind and I went out of my way to ride the central section of the Elizabeth Line from Paddington to Liverpool Street, and saw the trains from the western section coming in at the main train shed at Paddington. It seems to me that one could consider this the *real* opening of the Elizabeth Line, in the sense that it's now running as designed for the purpose it was designed for.

All I can say is it's about time too! I remember back in the mid 90's when they were talking about Crossrail. It's great to see it finally running! (PS, yes it's Crossrail).

Geoff, You are a great way of me finding out what’s happening in the UK. I love your videos. Keep up the awesome work and updates!

Karl in a video immediately brightens up a Monday. Fun video lads!

"Geoff Trains" I laughed out loud.

Love your videos Geoff. Coming to London 11/15-11/29 from San Francisco to see the Purple Line and Northern extension. Super excited! I retired from BART as the Manager of Schedules. Pre Covid we operated 24THPH on our 2 track central core in SF. Cheers - Jay Bolcik

I used this yesterday to go from Reading to Stratford. It was a good journey although the disadvantage is that it stopped at every station between Reading and Southall. I changed at Liverpool Street, which wasn't a problem as it wasn't very busy. Coming back I noticed that most people, including myself transferred at Paddington to GWR

Hi Geoff!! It was really a fantastic moment to have finally met you after all these years!! You were (and always be) an icon to me and you’ve made people like me so happy!! Continue to be you ❤

Trains and rain. All we are missing is tea for the perfect British combo.

Always entertaining. Thanks Geoff!

It’s amazing they built not only a line across the region, but they were able to build it with 2 branches at each end. Meanwhile here in NYC they are saying the new “Grand Central Madison” terminal will open before the end of the year (no exact date yet). The Gateway project to double up the tunnels from Penn Station across the Hudson River is years away from completion, (first they need to replace an over 100 year old swing bridge that always gets stuck partially open.)

Brilliant video Geoff I am so glad that you can ride most of the Elizabeth line with our changing

The through running services is such a beneficial way in travelling in and out of the central section of the railway, as it does saves time from having to change over at both London mainline stations. I literally went there today in the east side towards Stratford and it's definitely a life saver for sure!

Rather difficult for passengers at Paddington wanting to go to places like Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford to know where the next best train is departing from. Maybe a Kings Cross type indicator system should be used here to show the Maidenhead & Reading Elizabeth Line trains on the main line stationtrain indicator boards (at Kings Cross the indicators show Thameslink trains from St Pancrss heading up the GN lines).

That quick from Stratford to Paddington is superb, if I add in my 26 minutes from Chelmsford to Stratford on the main line and the 15 minute Heathrow Express I could do Chelmsford to Heathrow in about 75 mins !!!

I ❤ this video Geoff Marshall your the best purple train video man ever

Geoff, many videos on this subject, yours is the definitive explanation on the subject…. Thanks for your work……

the last 2 times I have gone to London I have used the Elizbeth line. My journey is from Paddington to Custom House. I know that the information in this video is not going to change that but to do that in 20-odd minutes instead of the hour or so is fantastic. about your question of getting a GWR to Paddington and then go to Elizabeth line or go from Reading - for me I would say Paddington is better for the return since its a good place for one last meetup with friends before they need to go to other routes. fantastic video, Geoff.

The 》ESCALATOR GAG《 made my morning.....thank you!! 😂🙏👏🤛

I only found out yesterday that they started. This must be a fun thing to see and do.

Surreal watching this, I’ve got the lizzo train to Heathrow today and now I’m sitting on it waiting to go to Acton main line

An excellent update Geoff and thank you as always. On the Remembrance weekend (Nov 12th-13th), my wife and I travelled in from Heathrow to Central London (dear Lord, it's a long walk from LizLine to Jubilee Line under Bond Street!). Surfacing at Westmunster, we did the Cenotaph, travelled on buses and eventually went back to T4 on LizLine, then the bus to the hotel. Amazingly, the total bill on each or our credit cards was just £14.10 per person for each day. I had done a recce along similar routings the day before. So LHR, to London, back for less than fifteen quid - bargain!

It’s another edition of Geoff looking fabulous while illuminating us about the Elizabeth Line. Pity it’s raining heavily. P.S. I hope you haven’t fallen ill.

How about that smooth entry by Carl!

geoff, you ran into two good friends of mine at ealing broadway the other day! i'm living in canada and only get over to london on holidays, but love your channel! keep up this fantastic content mate!

this connects reading with London's west end. amazing!

I remember being very excited when the actual tunnelling from Royal Oak Portal began in 2012 :)

I had a flight from Heathrow t5 on Sunday so decided to take the purple train straight through. What an improvement that was. For me on the Peterborough line I'm pretty sure it's not even worth considering the Heathrow express anymore. Just need Thameslink to run through the core on Sundays for Peterborough - Horsham to tie everything together

In Ireland, we would call this weather a 'soft day': relentless drizzle: not quite enough for an umbrella, a flat cap and an overcoat will keep you good.

Geoff I also had the joy of riding through the central section from the Eastern branch yesterday and today, I was really surprised how empty the train and Whitechapel station were today during rush hour!

In the video you talked about getting a GWR train and if it's easier/quicker, that sounds like a great idea for a timed video you could make

I have NO enthusiasm about this stuff but because you have enthusiasm, I watch.

The case for going on to build Crossrail 2 should not rely on easier journeys, new routes, economic benefits etc., but should be built purely to provide Geoff with new topics for videos.

Great to see it open now! I'm looking forward to trackbashing this when I get back to the UK.

I love watching your videos, super interesting and fun. Bravo sir 👏

Thank you . Your videos always cheer me up. Take care.

Dear manic presenter: I lived for 22 years in London (1967 till 1989) and I've never even heard of Shenfield. Who is that silent, shaggy, bearded. long-haired creature accompanying you on all the tube journeys in this vid? He looks like something out of Star Wars and his only role seems to be making us feel rather unsettled. Anyhow it's great to see all these new train connections. I used to love the Tube when I was in London, but its expansion feels almost beyond my ken now, and I deffo feel old and from another era. The last time I used Kings Cross tube station was before the dreadful escalator fire, so that dates me. The new connectivity is a huge boost for passenger convenience and for the London and national economy - the effects always ripple out. It's all rather mind-blowing for me, but present and upcoming generations will doubtless take it for granted.

I am so looking forward to going on the Elizabeth line it makes a difference to going on the central line. Shenfield to Paddington brilliant

I went on there yesterday, and it was so cool, so modern so amazing.

As a Reading dweller, definitely do the fast GWR into Paddington. Under 25 minutes non-stop if you're not held anywhere.

Great video Geoff. Thank you for sharing this that is great information.

I walked past as you were filming. I really want to stop and say hi but a platform change messed with that. Next time I'd like to stop and say hi. I have been following you since the londonist days

Great video Geoff. I'm glad the trains are going straight through from Shenfield to Paddington now, because it means when I want to go to Gatwick I have a quicker journey into London and I don't have to mess around so much on the Underground lines

I had to go from Woolwich to Heathrow yesterday so experienced through running unplanned :) It was a more pleasant journey than changing at Paddington and there was a brief pause in each direction.

Nice. I like those videos with yours friends. Happy people. Makes me happy. Great job.

Hi Geoff, Another brilliant from you as always, I am so looking forward to trying the through Elizabeth Line experience very soon from Shenfield, Essex! 😊

Can't wait till I visit UK next May, I will ride the Purple! Nice vid, Geoff!

Love your videos, I enjoy watching the new one.

Looking fab Mr Marshall. 👌

I got the first train of the day yesterday from Abbey Wood and went all the way to Reading . The 05.44. I got a train back to AW at Circa 08.00 but explored the Henley and Marlow branches while I was there. Very convenient and an excellent day. Well done TfL, EL and GWR too

My wife and I had our first ride on the #PurpleTrain last Friday between Liverpool Street and Tottenham Court Road/Bond Street when the Central line was disrupted at Notting Hill Gate.

Superb video. Great fun to watch. 😀

Amazing video! I've started my trip at Heathrow Terminal 4 and changed at Whitechapel to get the Shenfield train to Stratford.

I’m so excited! I’m disappointed I’ve only taken the Elizabeth line twice for a very short time in total, so I’m taking inspiration from your End Of The Line series and I’m going to drag my bf along the entire line in the weekends! Right, time for a bit of exploring…

I'm glad this was done, I found it rather muddled changing at paddington toward heathrow last time I was there

Brilliant !!.....mad but brilliant.....thanks Geoff !

nice one! Really nice to see it finally running through!!!!

does this mean we are going to Reading in End of the line?

Epic video Geoff Marshall you are a legend 😊

Again a great video Geoff, but I love this one for special reasons! 😎🥰

Nice to see the Elizabeth Line now has through running! One more stage to go...

Very good informative as per usual Geoff 🙂🚂🚂🚂

Awesome video Geoff! Your videos always make me smile 😊

Quote of the Day: “How big is the wig?” (Proceeded by brilliant wordplay)

Great stuff as always! I was in London last week so missed the through running but did get to ride the line and visit Bond Street. Incidentally another first for me was Kew to Gunnersbury on the overground. Nice trains on the Overground too.

Unfortunately (because of work) I couldn't get down to London on Sunday but on Monday I was *there*! Took the Northern from Euston to Bank and (using the splendid new route) onto the Central to Stratford. Thence I was on the Elizabeth Line and into the tunnel! Didn't go straight through to Paddington but alighted at Bond Street because... coffee! Suitably refreshed it was straight to Ealing Broadway from there and back on the Central into town... for old time's sake as much as anything else. The Elizabeth Line really is a game-changer and I'm already used to it as an integral part of central London's rail infrastructure. Looking forward to the final stage in May. Thanks, Geoff!

Watched them dig that tunnel for years. I was there when the excavator equipment collapsed. Now my nearest station is 20 kilometres away. And the train goes to Bordeaux.

The Elizabeth Line is such a fantastic piece infrastructure! Makes such a difference when travelling east/west through London.

Very interesting and informative, both for users and train buffs

This is super exciting! Just in time for my next visit to TfL in a few months!

My missus and I were given those hi-vis keyrings by a lovely member of station staff at Liverpool Street, shortly after the Purple Train opened! I think they're great!

That's nice that people from Essex can quickly go to Paddington in Central London if they wanted to go travelling from Heathrow Airport.

I was waiting for this video Geoff! I will be delighted to watch it tonight after gym with a cup of tea!

Took the trip today. In the tunnel east of Whitechapel, had my nose pressed against the window and caught a glimpse of the joining of the two tracks.

Nice...! I went to Ealing Broadway last week and did a lot more walking than I expected...

Really enjoyed the video Geoff. I agree with Andy that the Elizabeth Line is a massive gamechanger but back in May I wasn't on the 1st trains, back in October wasn't there at Bond Street but I did do the first passenger trains that went through the Western Portals (Royal Oak Portals) 0802 off Paddington to Heathrow and 0818 at Acton Main Line into the core section. Also do agree that it didn't feel like it was in May when everyone happy and celebrating the day.

Geoff, towards the end you were quizzed about the trains stopping at Liverpool St and mentioned specific ones stopping there, this morning an extra 3 randomly turned up at the high no. platforms - no staff were prepared for them! The signalers seemingly have no idea what is going where. Also, on the Shenfield route side, various stations aren't finished! Some don't have platforms long enough for the trains - which causes countless problems at peak times as people push along to try and reach a door that will open! Plus on the Shenfield side, trains now take longer than when it was just the TFL line! How do they create a slower service than they had before! The chaos the line is causing at Liverpool St is pretty comical tbh.

Geoff- love your enthusiasm! I would love to see you accompanied by a wheelchair user on your next escapade- this would show viewers how the Elizabeth line is not only very fast (18 minutes from Startford to Paddington IS insane!) but very accessible....

Great stuff, I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Awesome video as always Geoff, the through services is a massive game changer. And finally that ending on the escalator summing up, wow, classic that is. Keep it up 😁👍

Awesome video Geoff Trains!!

Nice to see a bit of what my old home station (EB) looks like now, since I'd last used it! 🙂 As regards to the which line to take between Reading and Paddington... I sense a future challenge/race video coming! 😉

So here's my question: they want you to change at Whitechapel if you're not on a through train to your destination because it's a quieter station but is it the BEST station? The reason I ask is that on Thameslink, if you want to travel South from, say Borehamwood or Mill Hill to Croydon, Gatwick, Brighton etc, the chances are, you'll be on a Sutton train, so you have to change somewhere in Central London. You could change anywhere in that section but THE BEST station to change at is BLACKFRIARS because it's on the river bridge and the view is, as Craig would say, A - MA - ZING! Is there an equivalent BEST station to change purple trains?

yay matt from runderground cameo!!

I don't get why they're making a big deal about swapping at Whitechapel. It's like like the platforms anywhere are packed, and you're still gonna be a person on the train either way. So I wouldn't stick a sign at Whitechapel because nobody would care. The only rule you should follow is if you dont have a seat then swap as early as possible to try and get one, if you do have a seat then swap just after the mid way point.

From a commuting perspective I always use the Elizabeth Line from Reading anyway as GWR isn't covered under Staff Oyster, but the straight through connection really helps to speed things up. I'll buy a ticket and use GWR if I'm in a rush for anything though, as changing at Paddington from a faster GWR service is still much faster than just taking an Elizabeth Line the full way through.

Oh I will miss Paddington station. So many memories there :)

My friend: that suit is aces! Love it!

We bought a narrowboat 2 months ago which we are moving up and down the Grand Union Canal and the #PurpleTrain has been brilliant in getting us to and from our home in Bath to West Drayton, Hayes & Harlington and Southall. Not to mention and the Circle/H&C (Royal Oak and Westbourne Park) Bakerloo (Willesden Junction) Piccadilly (Alperton) and Central (Greenford and Perivale). We can now also get to the mother-in-law's near Shenfield! (More's the pity!)

They need to rebuild the platform for the Elizabeth line at Ealing broadway! It's a huge step to take to get on the train!

I am definitely in the camp of getting on one single train and taking a nap, reading, or listening to some music without worrying about changing trains and whatnot

Thanks Geoff - weekend running at last!

Purple train purrrrple train

Yeah!!! Elizabeth line strate through

It's interesting that Abbey Wood to Farringdon in the peaks is 30p cheaper on Thameslink compared to Elizabeth Line.

1:16 Delicious, delicious bin bag soup.

The shenfield service really came in perfectly for the MCM comic-con, made travelling between the exCel and my romford hotel so much easier!

I see Karl brought the Northern weather with him... Great video I need to get myself down to the capital to ride from Reading to Shenfield