It seems fitting that Paddington Bear would have his own statue at Paddington station.

Did you know, on Queen Victoria's first trip, I K Brunel acted as fireman whilst Daniel Gooch (chief locomotive engineer/designer for GWR) acted as driver.

As Duck from Thomas says “ there’s only two ways of doing things, THE GREAT WESTERN WAY OR THE WRONG WAY” Paddington is a London landmark to never be forgotten

I once made arrangements to meet a friend of mine at Paddington station "by the statue of Paddington bear". He didn't know the station well and got himself lost wandering in huge circles looking for what he said he imagined was "a large statue of Paddington bear standing on one foot and spurting water out of his mouth". The more I think about it, perhaps I could have chosen a more obvious, larger landmark, like perhaps the branch of WH Smiths.

I've always liked Paddington station, it runs a huge amount of trains in and out but is so much more light, airy and less stressful than all the other london terminus's.

After arriving in London with nothing much to do until the next day, we decided to visit Paddington. Shocking lack of marmalade sandwiches for sale.

I remember the comfortable ride from Paddington to Cardiff with a GWR Intercity 125 train and seeing an engine with the name "ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL". Thanks for telling the history of the line and Paddington!

I know Paddington well. This video seems to encapsulate almost the entire history of UK rail around one station. Lovely job, Jago.

40mph doesn't sound like too much these days, but at the time it was much faster than most people had ever travelled. I've only ever been on a galloping horse once, and that was mildly terrifying for someone with no proper riding experience!

“They probably have been counted, but I’m lazy”. 😂 Jago, you continue to crack me up. Another brilliant episode. Thank you.👏👏👍😀

I hardly ever have occasion to use Paddington. The last time I did I'd forgotten about where the Hammersmith & City entrance was. My walk from Lancaster Gate to Paddington was about the same as my walk from Paddington to Paddington 🙁

It's great that Paddington station dodged the developers (vandals) and kept its glory. Other stations where office blocks/shopping centres were built over the top were turned into dark and depressing basements - look at Cannon Street, Charing Cross and Victoria.

As a youngster in the late 1950s and early 60s I lived near a station on the central line. So going to meet relatives or visitors arriving at one or other of the terminals we went by underground. I told my parents you could always tell when we came up into Paddington by the smell and was told not to be silly, smoke was smoke. When I got older I found the reason was that Western region used Welsh steam coal with its delightful tarry smell quite different from the harder more acrid smell at Euston and King's Cross. Just another unique characteristic of Paddington now lost.

There once was a time when the average student of Fishery Science at Plymouth Poly could afford a Second Class sleeper from London to Plymouth and have money to spare for dinner or breakfast. But not both. I love this station with the same passion I felt for my first girl friend....

Paddington was the scene of my first arrival in London, 1981.Though I haven't been there since, I'll cherish the memory of it till I'm out of time. The FX 4's outside, a cobbler in Praed Street, and the Wimpy bar on a corner. And the Stag bitter in pubs closing for the afternoon. Thank you so much.

The circulating area is known as 'The Lawn', possibly harking back to the grassy bank that once led down to the canal, The station itself, having been built in a shallow cutting.

Isambard - an old Norman French given name meaning 'iron' and 'bright'; Marc Isambard Brunel (IK's father) was the son of a (well off) farmer, who perhaps appreciated the properties of good iron and a sharp edge! A second son, Marc might well have become a priest but instead became an engineer. (What's in a name?!) Religious persecution saw him emigrate to England. Kingdom - the family name of IK's mother, Sophia Kingdom, an Englishwoman. Brunel - Old French again from 'brun' meaning 'one with brown hair'.

I arrived at Paddington many times on holiday as a young kid, collected by my grandparents after travelling from home in Cardiff. I always enjoyed the journey (seats were comfortable in those British Railways days) but Paddington was so large and impressive that I still have very fond memories of it as it then was. Steam engines hissing, all the noise of the crowds and vehicles. Ah, such memories, but nostalgia ain't what it used to be!.

I had several Paddington Bear teddies as a kid and remember the book about him. Remember that he was named after the train station he was found in. It was probably the only think I knew about England as a child that didn't come through the warp of Disney.

Many fond memories of Paddington Station from the 80s and 90s. My (late) Dad used to take me there on the train for a Casey Jones Burger and a copy of the Railway Modeller magazine from WH Smiths as a treat. Those were the days.

As an American visitor to London, I've found Paddington is almost always my first and last stop, thanks to Heathrow Express and as such, I've come to love it (which is not hard, given its charms.) Thanks for this video, Jago, in which I got to learn even more about one of my fav London haunts. Surprised you did not mention Queen Victoria's waiting room, just yards from the famous paddington statue and still pretty much intact (as part of the GWR lounge, I think.)

A grand terminus indeed. But then again, it’s basically a massive Victorian greenhouse.

Many years ago I did some of the work on laying the platform edge slabs in that transfer shed.

Paddington is the station I always think of when I think of London termini. It also feels the grandest and most open and spacious with very little of the additions other older victorian termini have had to endure to keep pace with passenger volumes (looking at you kings cross). All in all my favourite London station

If you include the 'suburban' platforms of the Metropolitan, you might be confused in thinking that Paddington has 16 mainline platforms, but it used to have a little used Platform 0, not that it was ever known as such, simply a parcels platform. It had the unusual characteristic of having loco run round facilities rather than a conventional bufferstops, like the rest of the platforms. In December 1985, it was used by F&W Railtours Festive Fiddler hauled by 45 104. Passengers for the tour, waited and waited to see it's arrival on the departure board, but I don't think they could display Platform 0 ! So there was some last minute sprinting down Platform 1 and behind the old signalbox to the parcels platform. Sadly the track is no longer there, but a lucky few did use it.

Excellent, interesting & informative video on my favourite London terminus. It is a measure of Brunei’s unique genius that so much of his work is still in existence today, and continuing to be used. I think that Paddington Station displays a blend of wonderful engineering and obvious beauty at the same time; what a contrast with 1960s brutalist concrete “new Euston!” One thing to add, perhaps. Until the later 1960s, there was another trunk route out of Paddington that struck north-west at Old Oak Common. That was the route which was taken by expresses running from Paddington to Banbury, Leamington Spa General, Birmingham Snow Hill (the wonderful GWR 1912 station), Wolverhampton (Low Level), then on to Birkenhead (Woodside) or Aberystwyth. This route, running via the “Bicester cut-off,” was downgraded (1967) after passengers were encouraged to use the new Euston -Birmingham New Street electric service.

Oh this is my station! I actually missed my commute a bit during lockdown, and resorted to train sims for a little fix! Cheers for this, great channel!

Paddington and the Great Western Railway has a very special place in my heart, even though I have never been to the UK. I've been playing Train Simulator for a very long time and it's predecessor, Rail Simulator/Railworks, before that, and the one route that I have used the most is The Great Western Mainline from London to Oxford, I've used it constantly however the route is only Electrified from Paddington to Haynes and Harlington so I was limited to just diesel trains, however I was still fine seeing how fast I can go from London to Reading. Then I got a Electrified version from the steam workshop and now I'm having the APT zoom down the line from London to Reading in about 17mins. I do fantasy runs where trains from London to Didcot Parkway are categorized by how many stops they do. If I was to ever go to London, which I really want to, I want to take a small trip out to Reading on the old Great Western Mainline, just so I can see all the stuff from my childhood but real

I took the Heathrow Express on my way home to Toronto. On the airplane I watched the second Paddington Bear film. There are scenes filmed in the station and I thought, I was in that place only 4 hours ago.

As a Dutch person that loves making videos about infrastructure, I really want to go to London now!

I loved the Paddington of the early 90s with rows of HSTs with their Paxman Valentas screaming and howling with huge jets of black smoke as they set off - was one hell of a sound ❤

This brought back memories of my daily journey to school in the very early 60s going past Royal Oak station on the then Metropolitan line (now H&C line) and being mesmerized by the King and Castle locomotives smoking away in the yard, waiting to be called into Paddington to head the exotic sounding trains like the Cornish Riviera Express and the Bristolian as well as the lovely pannier tanks which took the empty stock out of Paddington. This started my lifelong fascination with railways - especially the GWR and later the long gone diesel hydraulic locomotives before they were replaced by the bland and ubiquitous class 47s. Paddington is still a lovely station but the sounds and especially the smell of the steam and diesels are sadly gone forever 😥

This has to be one of your best videos so far. The various tangents into the Great Western were very enjoyable and informative.

Planning one of my history-and-wherever-I-see photo walks for a few days time, arriving at Paddington Station. Along with going through my books, maps, etc., yesterday checked to see if ol' JH has done a video on Paddington station yet. Lo-and-behold the next day one appears. It's like you read my mind! :) Wait, that maybe isn't such a good thing after all ....... !

I have fond memories of my first, and thus far only, time I visited London. Coming to Paddington after landing in Heathrow was my first real experience of London and England.

I have heard it said that HS2 should be called HS3, as Brunel built a high speed railway in the 1830s! Another great video, Jago, Top marks as always!

Having be brought up in Oxfordshire, Paddington was THE terminus I first got to know. School trip by rail to the tower of London. Going off for interviews at various Universities all but one requiring crossing London. Its a class act station. Would also recommend a visit to the GWR works at Swindon which is now a museum to that railway..

Railway milk? How does one milk a railway? [enter Charles Yerkes, stage left]

Yep, build properly for the future, and the future will thank you for it. In this case, in the form of of Jago Hazzard.

When I was a young boy I was taken on trips round London and enjoyed going through Paddington so I could just watch the stream engines as they pulled out of Paddington station, or get a glimpse of the shunt engine doing there routine work in and out of the station.what a pleasant memory.

I love Paddington bear 🐻 And the name " Paddington " gives me the comfort because of the Paddington bear ! It's almost Paddington station is the signature of London besides Tower bridge ,afternoon tea places !! I am Japanese living in L.A. ! A very interesting video !! 👍💜🥁🐉🎤💞

For those interested in seeing the (virtually entire) trunk route that used to be operated from Paddington to Birmingham (Snow Hill - the 1912 GWR station stupidly closed through the Beeching plan) , there is a short ( c +5 mins.) film that can be viewed on KZfaq. It is called “Let’s go to Birmingham, “ British Film Institute, 1962. A warning - it’s in terrible colour, but is worth searching.

Wow, Paddington is really gorgeous.

11:24 Electrification was there for only a small part of the route however. The majority of the Great Western Mainline wouldn’t be electrified until the IET’s arrived and temple meads is still diesel Love the vids btw

As a teenager I had always admired the road leading to the taxi rank and the massive space which evidently had not needed to be significantly reworked. Interesting to note that was done for toffs’ convenience, and Brunel’s stubborn future-proofing. I love the platform shops built into the arches with their little windows, like you showed a closeup of near the end. Especially such coffee shops feel super cozy, though I also enjoyed visiting the Cornwall Pasty Company in the same run of shops.

About 10 years ago a friend and I did a pubcrawl with a pint at each mainline train terminus. I'd never actually been to Paddington before but there were two heritage trains in that day which we took some photos of as we had a look around. It might have been the beers but there really did seem to be something a bit extra special about it as a place.

I can jut about remember the Taxi's coming down the ramp directly onto platform 8 & 9, it's why that platform is so wide

Awesome video! I love the fact you gave 1340 Trojan some screen time - she’s one of my favourite locos - I rather like the Didcot Railway centre!

I loved my visits to Paddington as a boy in the 1970's. The "Western" Locomotives really turned my crank!

back in 2013 Me and my Dad went on an enjoyable steam rail tour from Paddington to my Birthplace Plymouth Devon for my 17th birthday present. we had our breakfast while we was looking at Princess a England class engine from the Ffestiniog railway who was on display to mark 150 years of the narrow gauge railway. that evening we was very lucky to catch the last under ground train when we arrived back other wise we would had a long walk back to the hotel. my Mum took photos of the statues of Paddington bear and I.K. Brunel after we had left the station that morning

Jago, what a brilliant video! I commuted into Paddington station for 7 years, from Kent. So this was a very Nostalgic return to an old haunt, for me! All your detail was fascinating- this is a truly beautiful station! Thank you, love sue xxx s

I used to live not far from Paddington in Notting Hill and spent quite a bit of time there. My church in London was originally built to take care of Irish who moved to London to work on the Great Western. I never heard about the office block proposal but that is what destroyed Penn Station in New York.

A lovely tribute to the only London terminus that's really managed to retain its grandure and character. Until last summer, I hadn't been there for 20 years or more, so didn't know what to expect, and was very pleasantly surprised. Like all stations, it has been 'improved', but in this case mostly for the better, and at the same time it hasn't been Disneyfied, like St Pancras. It still feels like the grand station it was - a timeless mixture of old and new. If only it wasn't as 'detached' from the centre of London like it is (mainly because it's not so easy to reach on the Underground) - but maybe that's part of the reason it's managed to keep its character so much more than the other termini?

Paddington was the departure point for all my. Childhood summer holidays. The 08:30 to Penzance. We only went as far as Taunton, but to a little but from the East End it was an epic journey

I once (2013, I think) took the train from Paddington to Oxford on a whim. Never got to see Paddington Bear, though -- not that it matters, my phone died the second I tried to take a picture (the power outlet at my seat on the plane didn't work). But if I ever make it back, I'm taking my son to take his picture by the bear statue.

Word is that after arriving from Peru, Paddington Bear has now been flown to Rwanda..

Most excellent as always, Jago !

Brunel added enough extra space to last for 100+ years. Imagine if our politicians and most businesses thought that long term....

As A child I was bribed into day trips "Up in Town" by a burnt banger (sausage) and red sauce in the station cafe when we arrived - very tasty indeed

As once did a great western tank engine said: "There are 2 ways of doing things, The great western way or The wrong way"

Until a few weeks ago I worked at a coffee shop in Paddington. Absolutely manic to watch a video on a place I spent so much time at!

This was fascinating, I learn so much from your channel. Many thanks, dude. Kudos for all your work.

As someone who was born in Bristol & then lived in S Wales for some 16 years, I guess I could describe Paddington as my favourite London terminus, although now having lived in London for nearly 45 years, I've probably travelled into & out of King's Cross more often. And the war memorial statue at 11:51 is very familiar to me. A near-identical replica was installed at the then BFPO's Inglis Barracks in Mill Hill, N London. I worked there for over 4 years in the early 2000's. It's now been relocated to RAF Northolt.

One of most famous trains from this station must be the "4:50 from Paddington".

Thank you for this video. I love the sound of your voice!

I must say I enjoy your videos so much Jago!

Disappointed you didn’t mention the GWR Paddington Band, which plays on the concourse every Friday evening, March to December. It’s the descendent of the bad that played for the Station Master at Christmas 1853 9if I remember correctly).

Those trains are amazing!! I never been to London before and I would really love to visit London someday!! Cheers from San Francisco!!

I always enjoy your videos. Can't wait to return to London from Connecticut. Been to Britain several times but never to Paddington Station.

Always been my London destination station and it always feels quite special arriving. Thank you for this one.

Absolutely superb episode, thanks! Very comprehensive, fast paced & sprinkled with amazing trivia. Well done Jago!

Love this channel, it's never stationery

Paddington is one of the most beautiful stations in London, it's a cathedral in it's own right.

Long time listener, first time caller. This is my new favorite channel.

Excellent documentary of a well loved station. Very nicely done Mr Jago Hazzard

Quite Excellent - I love Jago's work.

This was the most enjoyably spent 13 minutes and 30 seconds of my day!

Another fab video! I discovered this station when Manic Street Preachers recorded The Everlasting video there. It is a beautiful place!

A really nicely done video about probably one of if not the most beautiful railway stations in the world... Well done Jago sir, you have done it again 😊👍🏽

Great video Jago. Always loved Paddington station. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Roy.

Well, Mr H, without a scintilla of doubt (whatever one of those might be) you have pulled it off yet again. A really superb and fascinating video for our education, delectation, and delight (wasn't that the BBC's initial remit?). Do please keep it up. And thanks, Simon T

Didn't know the milk story, great stuff thanks.

Thank you. Love your videos

Its Christmas Day morning, current sat with my 5months old son asleep on me (too afraid to move lest he wakes up) and I have your playlist on auto-play. He clearly finds your narration style very calming - or he finds trains an incredibly soothing topic. Either way, thank you for being a consistent way to help him sleep, and a merry Christmas to everyone.

Marvelous presentation. I celebrate the occasions when architecture and transportation can come together to create a vital and memorable whole. Thank you!

Isambard was a genius.. I live in the historic Railway Village of the Swindon Works of the Great Western Railway Yard.. Great Video. Loved every bit of it.

Living as I do in Reigate in Surrey, I rarely have cause to use Paddington - if I take a train west, I take the old SECR line to Reading before getting on Isambard’s billiard table to wherever I’m going. But Paddington is a fine terminus and has been looked after well - an excellent video

Geoff Marshall's and your videos have made me 'stop and stare' at my surrounding when travelling, espacially to and in London. Thank you so much for that.

Having grown up in the village named after Brunel's famous tunnel on the GWR, I've always been a fan of his achievements. This wonderful video only added to that feeling! PS thanks for the steam footage at the end!

Great Vid Jago. I love watching stuff about Brunel. His broad gauge and the trains that travel upon them is really interesting.

Paddington does have some neat little features. If you look at the roof supports you'll see they have star shaped cutouts. They're designed to take scaffolding poles so that the windows can be cleaned and maintained without having to erect scaffolding from the ground up. Also, the drainpipes run down the middle of the columns so they don't look too cluttered. There's no sewers though; just a soakaway. Apparently the ground reeks of several decades worth of horse wee. As to gauges; down here in Cornwall we have a lot of examples of the old broad gauge viaducts, next to the newer standard gauge ones. The earlier broad gauge ones were constructed to a cheaper design. Stone pillars but wooden 'fan' supports for the rails themselves. Brunel knew they'd have to be replaced; but that was a financial decision to get them up as quickly and cheaply as possible. But where the pillars survive; you can really see how much wider they were.

Brilliant, Thanks Jago.

Great video Jago. Paddington certainly has to be one of the most loved stations in London; it's a large station (as a terminus should be able to hold a lot of trains), but not overbearing on the scale of Waterloo; the architecture of the station is great, just like Marylebone; and (being a bit biased here for me), it's nearly always been the London terminus I would travel into when going to London

I visited Paddington last year for the first time in a number of decades. It really didn't seem the same without the welcoming, low-end frequency thrum of a fleet of 125s sitting there belching out clouds of sooty diesel exhaust. I really miss those.

Superb and concise.

I’ve been a rail enthusiast all my life (now just shy of 60) and live in the sticks so seldom get the chance to venture to the big smoke. Over the years I have been able to wrangle my way to all the mainline termini apart from Paddington. I must get there before it closes.

my favourite London station - thank you

I was lucky to take the Night Riviera GWR sleeper train from Paddington to Penzance in 2019. There's a GWR lounge with showers, and part of it is Queen Victoria's old personal waiting room!

Thankyou, I loved it.

One of my favourite and memorable places in London. When I first moved here, I'd do a tonne of commuting through Paddington. An excellent video (nay, ode!) to the station!