“I’d like a ticket from Hammersmith to Acton, please?” “Oh god”.

Can anyone imagine if Jago made the in-train announcements ... "Next stop Hammersmith ... Change here for another Hammersmith station; yes we know it's a pain in the arse but tough luck" "Mind the Gap! Actually I don't mind any gap to be honest but there's a bloody big hole between the train & the platform... so now you know" Any more suggestions?! :)

Telling someone "I'll meet you outside Hammersmith Station" must have caused a few problems!

"Mum I want a Hammersmith!" "You don't need another Hammersmith, you have one at home"

I wonder if there is an ancient guild of Hammersmith's?

Just one small point about the Hammersmith & Chiswick branch, this did indeed close to passengers in 1917 but it remained open for freight until 1965. In its passenger life, three halts were opened at Rugby Road, Woodstock Road and Bath Road to try and boost numbers without much success. Bath Road was by a busy level crossing and its signal box, with a street nameplate affixed to it, was I believe still there until the complete closure of the line. Also, on the LSWR route through Hammersmith which opened in 1869 with Hammersmith Grove Road station, a further station at Shepherd's Bush was opened in 1874 on the wide curve of the north side of the line soon after it curved away from the West London Line and also closed in 1916. Again, its ruins survived for 40 years until demolished in 1956 and a bus garage now stands on its site. Alan A. Jackson took a photo of the ruins on a snowy day in 1955 just before demolition which has been often published. So Shepherd's Bush also once had more than two stations (which it still has) but no more than three. The plan for an extension of the Central London Railway tube to takeover the LSWR line would have seen this line turn south and join the LSWR somewhere between Shepherd's Bush and Hammersmith Grove Road (which might have been reopened) for Central Line tube trains to run to Richmond but the Piccadilly Line got in first so the Central Line concentrated on its extensions further into west London, reaching West Ruislip in 1947, truncated from Denham, the intended terminus under the 1935 New Works scheme. Kind regards, David, Crouch End, N8.

Short line, to a converted house, single loco and carriage, sounds like the basis of a model railway

Good morning, Jago.

Currently in 2020 it should be titled “Two many Hammersmiths”

One of the nice things about starting your commute to work from Hammersmith (H&C) is that you always get a seat on the way in to London - and if you're lucky - after Paddington on the way back. Paddington might be an interesting topic - there are two stations there too.

Out of the stations in this video, I like Hammersmith the most

I have fond memories of the two Hammersmiths. In 1971 I lived for a short time in Staines, and worked in a hospital not far from Paddington. Every day I would have to take three different trains each way to and from work. I got the main line British Rail train from Staines to Richmond, transferred to the Metropolitan Line which took me from Richmond to Hammersmith, then would have to leave the station which is on the south side of Hammersmith Broadway, cross the road, and enter the other Hammersmith station on the north side of the Broadway and get the H & C Line to Royal Oak. This was of course before they built the shopping centre which eliminated the need to cross the busy road. In the evening on the way home, I would always buy my copy of the Evening Standard from the same vendor (The Standard wasn't a free paper in those days) I love trains, so commuting to me was enjoyable and I could almost always find a seat in those far off (nearly half a century!) days.

Jago's released my inner nerd! I absolutely love your videos, thank you. Your time, content, knowledge and humour are greatly appreciated x

I used to live in a block of flats in Shepherd's Bush built on the trackbed of the LSWR Richmond-Addison Road line; the flats were built in 1933, and there was an urban myth that the basement flats were built to accommodate trains if they ever needed to reopen the line (completely untrue). However, there's a squash club that occupies the bridge under Shepherd's Bush Road. When I came to live in London in 1967 I went to Sudbury Hill on the Piccadilly line, and was interested to see that the Hammersmith Grove station was full of ventilated wagons; presumably it was being used for storage, as I know was done with other closed stations.

If you'd had a pint for every time 'hammersmith' is mentioned, you'd be well and truly hammered by now!

There's a lot of physical reminders of the history of the underground, but I think few are as obvious and in your face as the old viaduct west of Hammersmith District line station. I remember very often approaching Hammersmith from the west looking at all the brickwork the sheer size of it all, the amount of effort that had been put into it and now it was a thorn in the side of TfL in terms of maintenance and keeping the District/Piccadilly lines up and running. And it was a reminder of just how old this city is, the layers upon layers of history we have around us. Great video as always!

Used to start my commute every day at the Hammersmith and City Line Hammersmith Station and had no idea it was one of the oldest still-serving stations in London - always thought it was beautiful but never noticed those little details!

I live near hammersmith used both stations hundreds if not thousands of times they link up to almost every major station 🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜

In the early 70s lots of lines that had been closed had still not been dismantled. Hammersmith H and C being joint Metropolitan and Great Western always reminds me of a lot of the closed Great Western stations in the West Midlands. Great as always keep it up !

A bit like London buses....none for ages then 5 come along at once....

I always wondered about that dead viaduct between Hammersmith and Ravenscourt Park, so thanks! There's a really mean station controller at Hammersmith who likes to hold the District line trains on the platform just until the doors on the incoming Piccadilly line open, so if you need to change you can only watch as your District line train waltzes off and you have to wait up to seven minutes, rather than just holding the District line train another twenty seconds. Whoever they are they've been doing it for decades, and I hate them with all my heart.

I have a passing interest in trains and I have a fair interest in history. These videos are great. Thanks for making them. Brief, concise and to the point with excellent narration and videos.

On the morning school trip, up from Northfields on the Hounslow line to Ravenscourt Park, I would sometimes duck into the Piccadily line train for an uninterrupted run from Acton Town to Hammersmith, in the hope that I would be able to catch a District line back to Ravenscourt Park and make up a little time and avoid copping detention for being late to school. It never worked out right though, I was often later still and I think this article has explained it in part for me.

As somebody who comes from a country that has a shamefully small investment in public transit (the U.S.A. in case you couldn't guess), I love watching and learning about the wonderful public transit in London and its history from your videos! And it makes me want to live in London so I can ride its double-decker buses, underground, overground, suburban rail, and boat transit the rest of my life! Don't ever take your transit for granted!

When I moved to London back in 1977, my first job was in Hammersmith. I commuted there every day from Highgate (via the Northern & Piccadilly lines). Oh & the company I was working for back then had their offices in - Hammersmith Grove !! 😎👍👍

The Hammersmith & City station actually had several shops on the concourse. There used to be a little music store that sold supplies like instrument strings, sheet music and even blank manuscript paper. It was a bit of an Aladdin's Cave and definitely one of the more eccentric shops in the area.

I live in Hammersmith so find this fascinating and explains why we still have so many links. Thanks

And just like that, I now know more about my local stations! Would you ever consider doing a talk on the history of the London Underground? I think having a short film followed by a Q&A session or presentation at an indie venue (e.g. picturehouse) would be well attended.

That “new” Hammersmith station on the Piccadilly Line is just hideous. Guess that’s what they considered to be “futuristic” in 1990.

I love those old buildings and stations!

You never fail to entertain all of the underground fans watching 👍🚂

I too was at school in Hammersmith, from Autumn 1955 to Summer, 1965, and usually went on the bus from Osterley to Studland Street,(Ravenscourt Park). In those days we were all collecting bus and trolleybus numbers in our Ian Allan books, the big excitement being the sighting of early Routemasters around Chiswick Works. It took ages to spot RML3, the first Leyland built Routemaster. However, I did like taking the train as well, and can remember standing on Ravenscourt Park Station, the westbound platform, on my way home one afternoon, when a small tank engine came from the Richmond direction travelling east with a short goods train. I have no more recollection of it than that, but it presumably went up on to the now derelict viaduct on the old loop. I only ever saw it once. Does anyone have more information on what sort of engine it would have been, and what was it doing? Alec Atchison

Holy cow. Went to school in Hammersmith from 84/89 got the old met line from Shepherd’s Bush. Totally forgot what the other station looked like until 1:41 into this video! Thanks buddy great video 👍👍👍

marvellous entertainment for railway nerds ( like me ) must take hours to research

The building of the Broadway Shopping Centre (1:47) appears in the opening credits of the original series of Bottom. It is barely off the ground. Richie & Eddie are seen looking out of a lonely window frame. Additional scenes were shot outside the station's side entrance.

Pre Shopping Centre Hammersmith, can be seen in the opening credits to TV Sitcom Bottom.

A Hammersmith here, a Hammersmith there, everywhere a Hammersmith!......

Was it pointed out that Hammersmith District Line is needed to go to walk to Charing Cross Hospital. But you need to go to East Acton Tube Station to be closest to Hammersmith Hospital.

I worked in Hammersmith Broadway and it feels scary when it shakes. The bus station with the buses rumbling above you, the underground... below...

What Hammersmith really needed was a Monorail with connections to Zeppelin service.

I often feel ,when watching these videos , that i am taking a stroll through a familiar part of London but with an interesting well informed and amusing friend feel cheers Jago

Used these a lot when I worked there. I try to forget a lot those seven years.....

There have been five Shephard's Bush stations too.

i note the original shopping centre from the days of local shops that defined an area. Timothy Whites, J. Lyons and Co.none of those Prets that get eveywhere.

A lot of closed stations in the Wood Lane/White City/Shepherd’s Bush area, and not that far from Hammersmith area. Might be worth another video.

My favourite summer in UK 🇬🇧 ... the summer of ‘95 I worked in Hammersmith (didn’t fancy the rail commute across London, so bought a used bike for £50 and cycled from Russell Square to Hammersmith) ‘Twas magic. A gorgeous hot dry summer - London was like L.A. (sans palm trees)

Shepherd's Bush is another place with a goodly selection of stations, past and present. You could also do a video about all the Acton stations (North, South, East, West, Town, Central and Mainline).

And yet, the chord through Hammersmith Grove would make complete sense in 21st century London. Fascinating stuff.

I'm not even particularly interested in trains, but this channel's videos are truly delightful! Have watched every single one since I subscribed a few months back.

I find your voice, talking about trains, very soothing

Fascinating, as always. Nearest I've ever been to Hammersmith, is listening to 'White Man In Hammersmith Palais', by The Clash. Saved myself a whole lot of bother there, I think. Dinky little station entrance at Stamford Brook, though. I like that.

Hammersmith , home of the Clarendon Hotel Ballroom , the KlubFoot!

From the man who brought you "too many Blackfriars" comes "too many Hammersmiths". Great video as always. Back in the day it was like the wild west for train companies: get your act of Parliament build your line and stations and hope for the best.

As always, interesting and leavened by Jago's dry wit. I certainly didn't know there were that many Hammersmiths, numbers 3 and 5 had escaped my orbit. But oh, this was an episode that would really have benefited from the oft-requested map. Investment in the Pre-Grouping Atlas and the Railway Junction Diagrams books would really have helped here, assuming that copyright issues don't prevent the maps being displayed on KZfaq. Sorry, the Underground strip map isn't an adequate substitute in these convoluted locations.

Only time went there, Hammersmith. Was to catch rock shows at the 'ammersmiff odeon. Ike and Tina and my fave then ... Bob Marley... sigh all gone now. Always pass by there; seldom reason for going..? Left London in 1979

Fascinating and thank you for the content. I'm fr0m Australia and love this type of historical info.

I remember getting very lost in Hammersmith back in 2017 because I needed to be in London while the Grenfell disaster was happening, so the Tube was closed and the buses confused the hell out of me. I ended up in Clapham Junction! By that time I was so fed up I ended up getting a cab to my hotel. (Cost a lot but was worth it.) I always get lost in London, I shouldn't be allowed to go there without adult supervision. 😁

Good morning, and thank you. I always enjoy your longer videos, and look forward to the next.

I very much enjoy your videos!! I miss GB so very much! It’s been far too long since I’ve been, but your videos allow me to live vicariously through your eyes

6:29 - Nice Bentley Continental!

I used to park at Kings Mall and walk to one or the other station, thought it was rather pleasant especially when the street food market was running.

Thanks for the video Jago. I really appreciate all the research you did to make it. Best wishes.

Living in Blackpool, every now snd then I see places I have been to in London travelling on the tube, train spotting! Thank you.

Great video jago, I'm with you on your favourite hammersmith station, beautiful architecture, I didn't know of all those stations, but its great to know the history of them, thanks 👍😀👌

I need to rewatch this with the map.

This video implements a convolution from its source to its destination. Well done Jago -- and thank you. What do we want? More convolution. When do we want it? Now.

Thanks again for a fantastic video.

I think the Hammersmith Area needs a bridge to assist motor vehicles to cross the river thames

I love all of this. I live here and never knew. Thank you

I loved Baker Street Station . Memories. Keeping London, English is always beautiful.

Great, but confusing. One of Geoff Marshall's maps would have been handy. Keep up the good work!

Years ago, when I wore a younger man's clothes, ( as the song goes ) I'd take a train from Shepherds Bush Metropolitan station to Hammersmith on a Saturday night, and walk around the corner to the Hammersmith Palais de Dance. What memories!

Loved watching this, hope you post more videos about London Underground!

More fabulous railway history. Brought back fond memories of stations from my student days. I recall the kerfuffle when they built that hideous shopping centre.

I knew about three (the two current and Grove Road) but not the other two. Really interested in your take on the N&SWJR, certainly a fascinating outfit with some strange working ideas. Excellent videos, thanks for posting Mr Hazzard.

Very Good I would agree the Hammersmith & City station is along with Bromley North my favourite small London Terminus. In the late 1970's I was at university in Roehampton and I explored the various locations that you have mentioned. Also I would agree that the subject of the lines between Clapham Junction and Wilesden Junction aka "Mr Punch's Railway" is well worth a long video. As it has everything!

Wonderful! I was born in Hammersmith and never knew these things! I still remember the old Piccadilly and District line station with a ‘real’ station atmosphere and that J Lyons restaurant! Glad to see the Metropolitan station hasn’t changed much. I love how you dig out the detail.

Bit unrelated to the video, but I love the Hammersmith area. It's such a great microcosm of London. I would love to live there.

Lovely informative video cheers Sir.

Watching this passing through Hammersmith station (district line)

I watch Jago’s videos because I’m interested in trains, history and London. I don’t live in London so I’m not familiar with Hammersmith so I don’t know the places Jago mentions. As Jago mentions each station and where each lines goes, I’d find it helpful and interesting if a map was displayed showing the line in question. I know some maps are displayed but I’m thinking one map showing the same geographical area so we see how it developed and where each line was in retaliation to the others.

Superb videos. Very impressive work.

This is why I like Jago. As the video commenced, he says we'll start with the Hammersmith station servicing Piccadily and District and I immediately thought "oh that's a shame, the other one is much nicer".....then as the video progressed, I find validation for me view. That's Jago, another top video!

I like your understated enthusiasm. I like how informed you are. I like rail- and metro systems (actually the business I'm in). I like londoniana. I liked this video. I subscribed to your channel. I thank you for this!

Thanks for this intriguing piece of research. I had never heard of Hammersmith Grove Road Station, so I've obviously been reading the wrong books. Perhaps some kind TFL subscriber could tell us why they don't rename Hammersmith (Piccadilly/District) as Hammersmith Broadway to avoid the confusion of two stations with the same name. It seems such an obvious thing to do.

I work in Hammersmith so these are familiar views 😅👌🏻

Yep...years back went to Hammersmith on one line from central London...made the mistake of getting on another lone to go back, thinking, obviously naively, that the station I walked into linked to the other somewhere underground...and found myself heading around the circle/district...very frustrating...!!

The Hammersmith & City Terminus and the Hammersmith Roundabout can be seen during the opening credits of Bottom.

Many thanks for this. As a young boy I had a mad interest in level crossings and I recall the level crossing gates for the Hammersmith and Chiswick branch (I can’t remember whether the track had been lifted) on the Bath Road between the present-day Abinger Road and Emlyn Road. You can easily follow the line of that railway on today’s street plan as it curved round from today’s North London Line through the site of Beardsley Way to run parallel to Greenend Road and then Abinger Road, eventually to go under the viaduct of the District and Piccadilly Lines just west of Stamford Brook. Likewise the branch to Addison Road can be traced, outside the curve of Sinclair Road, Minford Gardens, Sulgrave Road and Grove Mews. The underbridge on the Shepherds Bush Road is still visible, next to The Grampians just south of Shepherds Bush Green, as are the abutments of the railway bridge over Trussley Road (visible from the Hammersmith and City Line). It’s fascinating to see how the lines of old railways are preserved on today’s street plans.

I've had many good nights out in Hammersmith, however you can be sure if friends are meeting there we will often be in different parts, stations and once even at different venues... oh those heady days of youthful ignorance, what fun they were 😊🙄🤪

I too love the little Hammersmith station. It has lots of old world charm. I used to always wondered about the history of the viaduct to Hammersmith when I went passed it. Testament to those who built it that it’s still there after all these years despite not being in use.

Love it. Excellent

Thank you, I use the H&C station without reserving a minute or two to look more closely. Though I lived around the corner, I never knew about Ravenmede Way's history.

heyyyy I've been to Stamford Brook station when I was in London in Sep '19 ! loved Chiswick and its vibe !

I thought the shot at 5:24 was a proper drone shot then, it's probably the top of a bus, but still a great shot

I enjoyed the video Jago !

*I Don't Like It When The City I Live In Has Too Many Hammersmiths*

I use Hammersmith to get to Liverpool st station from heathrow. As travel with about 30 +k of baggage I take Piccadilly to Hammersmith, lift to street level, crossover to met and circle line. What's great is I do from point a to point z without having to lift my bags off the ground.

Interesting, and well researched. I knew nothing much about the N&SWJR until now, and I lived in the area for many years. So please delve further.

Really interesting stuff!! Would be good to know more about Waterloo station. Just found out recently that there used to be a cinema next to the station where people could catch a film while waiting for their train. Keep up the good work.👍👍👍👍😉