A Cab Ride Through The Elizabeth Line Tunnels

Took another ride on the new Elizabeth Line - this time with a view from the cab! And whilst I did, I spoke to Keith Valla - a Driver Team Manager with MTR - to ask everything you wanted to know from a drivers perspective.
How does the signalling work? Where do the drivers book on? Why are there dwell times at some stations? Do trains really reverse themselves in the Westbourne Park sidings, and loads more …
Note: CBTC stands for 'Communications Based Train Control'.
Thanks to Scott / MTR Press team for access.
The Dull Drivers Eye Video from Abbey Wood to Westbourne Park sidings is here: • Elizabeth Line Drivers...

[@JackJolley]

Seriously experienced driver with an extremely relaxed nature keeping Geoff entertained hearing questions he's probably had lots of times.

[@spinnekopje]

As a train driver in Belgium I can tell many are just as relaxed while driving trains. I don't think he will be less relaxed when driving himself, but the rules probably won't allow to answer questions from Geoff in that case. By the way, I immediately recognised the etcs layout on the screen, I like driving with it as a safety system.

[@nabotherato5089]

belgium railways are embarrassing

[@DKS225]

Especially with one who drove the old Clacton Flyers aka Class 309's among other types of train.

[@guillaumemaurice3503]

Thank you for the video Geoff that was very interesting. Great information about the Elizabeth Line.

[@bene5331]

Geoff I bumped into you at Embankment on the District line this evening! I couldn’t believe it, I’m not even from London, I wonder what the chances were of us crossing paths! Shame we were passing it would’ve been great to chat to you. Love your videos.

[@rogerphillips7270]

Perhaps Geoff could do a series of riding all the MTR’s railways throughout the world.

[@林嘉霆]

That would involve going thru Hong Kong and some countries of China (Shenzhen Line 4).

[@robbiemorrison7085]

Another great video Geoff!

[@Transportationspotting]

Incredible Geoff

[@AaronD_]

quite interesting, relaxing video too!

[@jamestoyn9755]

i know that this is nothing to do with the new Elizabeth Line but i found a old episodes of The Tube - 24 Hours (Series 1 Episode 2) which was back in 2003 and i still remember watching Geoff Marshall trying to break the world record for getting around on all the underground lines . but do like watching the train videos he does as well

[@Whouk]

Great stuff!

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

Lol, funny typo in the description - with the unlisted video now added: apparently this one is a rather " *Dull* Drivers Eye Video from Abbey Wood to Westbourne Park sidings " 😄😄😃

[@kgbgb3663]

He won't get many more of those if he insults the video's donor like that.

[@davecoz4227]

nice one Geoff

[@Jacksonstrainandbusadventures]

Thats cool

[@markpasternack8682]

Please ask my local guy RM, how many decades between Toronto, ttc and unions this can happen here. Video Please. Thx 😊

[@Security848]

i have been on the line a couple of times last few days,kept on stopping central line would of been quicker

[@matthewsmith2787]

Which parts of the Elizabeth line are manually driven ?

[@mudchute4dlr]

Nice

[@transitcaptain]

How does MTR even think to ask him? He's so privileged and I'm so jealous as a kid who has no oppurtunity

[@keithkellogg6085]

Geoff! Very interesting video, I’m looking forward to the sidings one. I had 2 questions that popped up - one, Keith is a driver manager but he still drives himself, I’m curious as to why, maybe he still really enjoys being hands on? And two, a bit of crankiness in the comments saying the trains should be driverless - personally I like having a live human being present in case of emergencies, or even just monitoring security WHILE being a live backup to the automatic systems that have to contend with 3 different signalling types… I don’t buy that it’s about Unions or some such. Do you know the TfL reasoning?

[@Fobar90]

Yo Keith how do I get a driver job with you?

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Of all the things I’ve seen Geoff pull off, this seems awesome! Also, a great explainer on the signalling systems 👏🏽

[@zaphod4245]

1:13 CBTC stands for communication based train control, not computer based. It works by having trains communicate their position and speed to the control centre, which communicates to trains how fast they can go based on this. Pretty much all signalling these days is computer based, the signalling on main lines with lights is done by computerised systems, but that isn't CBTC.

[@SouthLondonRailwayPhotography]

I did want to point that out, I know it's not the worst thing in the world, I know plenty of tube drivers who get their signalling systems muddled.

[@kezkai]

It's really sad to see the amount of people in the comments here who massively misunderstand the importance of fair pay and adequate safety and training etc for these workers, and how essential the jobs really are. You're watching KZbin videos about the intricacies of the British tube system yet you still somehow have the view that the drivers do nothing? Arguing over whether McDonald's staff deserve more.. Making direct comparisons to bus driving, because the hazards etc are different.. Are you all mad? Why are you taking your anger at austerity and inadequate wages out on these people? Like someone else much more articulate than me said in the comments themselves, do we give pilots the same third degree? Willfully misunderstanding the reason for recent strike action, who it affects, and why unions are continually striking as well. You're a disgrace. Pick up a book

[@kezkai]

And from a non political standpoint its just sad and embarassing to see so many ignorant people watch a video of a man who's clearly very good at his job try to explain and give insight into how it all works, leaving comments acting like he's some lazy tosser who doesn't actually do anything. That's genuinely quite pathetic.

[@bentilbury2002]

Hear hear! There's too many ignorant, spiteful, petty-minded people in this country and we need to stop indulging them.

[@brettpalfrey4665]

WOW! I was impressed how Keith the Driver casually pushed buttons and let the computers do all the work, while he answered all your questions!! Modern technology at its very best! Good vid, Geoff!

[@benjaminsmith3625]

And although he was looking fairly casual, the CCTV was very good and clear for when he was checking.

[@stephensaines7100]

I was thinking: "This guy seems to be a bit too sharp to just be a driver" (apologies to drivers, some love it so much they decline offers of moving up the ladder) but it turns out he is management level, and still drives trains. I would too!

[@dfross87]

@@stephensaines7100 If I couldn't still reuglarly drive the trains, I would decline any offer of promotion.

[@sarahjoyholden7856]

He still has do three things manually as well as security and be in a dark, confined space.

[@highpath4776]

Would have been interesting to know what problems in the test running were simulated ( presumably evacuations / sick passengers ) and what were unexpected - line code bugs in software - what if linespeed exceeded by the computer, or put into manual and overspeeded - does/ did computer braking etc kick in

[@a1white]

One thing about traveling on the new central section, is that it’s difficult to get a feel for the speed you’re traveling at, the track is so incredibly smooth compared to the tube lines.

[@howardbradley5548]

Keith was excellent giving detailed answer to your questions, very interesting. Keith really know Ed his job.

[@TheTransitDiaries]

Awesome job, Geoff! Can’t wait to finish the video! I am always excited for your new videos, they make my day❤!

[@Sim0nTrains]

Epic Interview! Surprised there is another Elizabth Line/Purple Train video but always welcome.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

Actually CBTC stands for *Communications* -Based Train Control. The point is that the train receives its movement authority (i.e. how fast/far it can go) via direct communications (e.g. radio) rather than via signals at predefined locations.

[@billcook112]

Great to see and hear Keith Valla. I had the pleasure of joining him in the cab from Stratford to Paddington, through to Westbourne sidings and then back to Shenfield. A lovely gentleman and very entertaining, as was Keith Baker, my chaperone. We also experienced a failure coming into one of the station in the central core. The train stopped short of the stop point and I witnessed Keith contacting control, explaining the situation and receiving authorisation to draw forward under manual control. Keith explained that he has to be very slow and delicate, there is only a margin of 150mm to stop or the doors willnot open. If he had gone past that point the train would have had to continue to the next station. It was very interesting to then see the operation from Stratford to Shenfield, where Keith's experience of main line running comes into it's own. Really enjoyed this video Geoff, cheers.

[@mattjackson9859]

"Alexa, apply the brakes." "OK, playing 'The Breaks'. " (Plays "The Breaks" by Kurtis Blow...)

[@iiExplosionz12]

Awesome video! It’s very interesting to see the drivers perspective on driving the 345, more of a life as a driver. Looking to complete the full part of this journey video!

[@davidsixtwo]

I'm thrilled that we have CBTC spreading to more lines here in NYC -- the trains really do run better that way.

[@gdok6088]

Great video and a great interview with Keith - he clearly knows the whole system like the back of his hand. Very reassuring to see the knowledge and professionalism of the drivers.

[@emmaslater7927]

I really liked the video Geoff.I love the way how you filmed.This video is the best video you ever filmed.Your such a great person I love watching your videos.I love the view as well.💕

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Fabulous interview, on the move. 👏👏

[@railfangig6699]

We all hope that the technology is fool proof anybody who works with it knows it’s not 100% reliable, I wonder who will end up in the dock following a future accident as they can’t automatically blame the driver now.

[@scullytawoody4852]

Very interesting about the Elizabeth line . Thank you.

[@adampeacock8867]

Another fantastic video. You were in good company with Keith (I know him) he is someone who definitely has the knowledge for the role he has. As he told me, he started on the railway back in British Rail days.

[@duncanarrow]

So it's a piece of cake to drive these trains. No wonder the Unions get all agitated...

[@metropod]

It’s “Communications based Train Control”. I would know as I’m riding on a CBTC-ATO equipped train to go to work spending my day as a crew member on a CBTC-ATO equipped train.

[@matthewsmith2787]

I did a cab ride on the jubilee line and ATO bored me. Manual driving is much more interesting

[@LasseGreiner]

Apparently, merging systems is a complicated/complex systems. Thanks a lot!

[@Emily_20095]

Yes! A much-needed Elizabeth Cab Ride. A highlight of this channel. Well done

[@RichardWells1]

Great interview @Geoff Marshall More secrets of the Purple Train!

[@lisakaz35]

Nice to hear the voice of experience here. Wonder if he has a favorite and if that's unique to individual drivers or what. Thanks.

[@tonysheppard5457]

Geoff that was an awesome video. Nothing like talking to people who run the trains .... More!

[@johneyres3045]

Great insightful video. I have one minor criticism in that i found both Geoff and the driver talked over each other quite a lot. I understand this may be to fit a lot of content and questions into a small manageable video but sometimes just breath a little! I've noticed this in one or two other videos too. Otherwise keep up the good work.

[@Robslondon]

You lucky boy Geoff! 😉

[@Pikaling3408]

Those markers are kinda the same of those on the TVM 430 on the HS1 and LGV lines in France.

[@htrainspotting]

It's in-cab signalling

[@tgm9991]

Yes and ETCS Level 2 markers as well

[@paulhaynes8045]

I was always told that driving an Underground train was one of the most stressful jobs - because of the potential for suicides and accidents (people, not trains). But here we have a driver so relaxed, I assumed at first that we weren't going to see the train move! Personally, I dislike the new platform doors intensely, as (for me) they take the whole 'train' experience away - it's more like getting on a horrizontal lift! But if these doors make this much difference to the job of driving a train, how can I argue against them?

[@geoffreycoan]

That was a lot more interesting than the title implied it was going to be. I thought it would be just the tunnel walls rushing by, the chat to the driver made it much better. Thanks Geoff

[@WIZARDA-yl7fx]

3:10 anyone else notice the person miss their train in the cctv

[@sara.othman]

This is the most creative and intriguing interview I have seen, Geoff, you’ve done it again 👏🏼❤

[@sarahjoyholden7856]

What a lovely friendly driver Keith is

[@MrGreatplum]

You lucky so and so, Geoff - looked very interesting

[@timothyleberl1202]

Awesome video as always Geoff. Was soo awesome to watch this Elizabeth Line cab ride! Definitely should do more of those if you get invited into the cabs! Keep up the awesome work and videos #purpletrain 😁

[@Kj_Gamer2614]

lovely guy of course, but they dont really drive anything they just monitor some screens all day, and still go on regular strikes because they expect that it would pay them loads. wonderful.

[@bobsteryt]

They do drive it. Its just the Abbey Wood to Paddington section that is automated. The much larger Paddington - Reading/Heathrow and Stratford - Shenfield sections are all manually driven.

[@jasonk9779]

Vancouver has an entire network of trains that all run entirely driver free at all times. (Skytrain).

[@Xipheas]

Have you heard of DLR?

[@kentmccroskey3712]

In 1967 the Victoria line was built to run driverless trains. why didn't it you may ask, Unions have controlled the London underground for too long. this is why when the DLR(Docklands Light Railway) was built in 1987 it didn't come under the Underground banner, therefore it could operate driverless trains without the unions interfering.

[@productjoe4069]

@@kentmccroskey3712 citation? I ask because there are many possible commercial and historical reasons for the DLR to be operated as a concession, and as a systems person I’d love to see documentation of the decision making process that happened

[@kentmccroskey3712]

@@productjoe4069 during the 80s Thatcher wanted to put an end to the mountain of strikes the unions were putting upon the country, this was one of those situations. and even today most cities have driverless underground/metro train systems. it only can't be done here due to union interference. I can't offer any documentation on this but is common knowledge, google it and you will find plenty of debates. as to the system design of the DLR you'll have to ask Behshid Eftekari, a systems programmer who worked on the project.

[@pav504]

Geoff I cannot thank you more for your videos especially this one. I've always wanted to see what the driver can see when he drives the train. I have always loved buses and trains myself so this video was really helpful for me so thank you. Looking forward for the future videos man. 👍👍

[@metalmicky]

Button job…..

[@uu78kk]

CBTC? When use advanced CBTC? MTR drives and opens itself for decades already even though they not using CBTC

[@addLDN]

not me refreshing every 5 minutes to see if the link to the video is there 😂😂

[@regulate.artificer_g23.mdctlsk]

And people criticize this for being "over budget". What about the tens of BILLIONS spent on roads/highways/automobile infrastructure?

[@stevethebusman]

You should do a video of Keith's heritage bus collection a man of many talents

[@axolotlgamer615]

Congratulations on 300K Subscribers Geoff!!

[@grahamcroucher5251]

Sorry Geoff, had to break off from watching this to photograph a blue necked Tanager in Ecuador! The colours thereof remind me of the Elizabeth line colour scheme.... see, there is a connection!

[@IainShepherd1]

I would've liked him to talk about the risks that are on his mind. For example there was something at Bank DLR where someone on platform got their coat stuck in the door and the train did not detect it and drove off. I'm sure this kind of thing is on his mind but I would feel reassured if it was obvious :D

[@sw5018]

That’s why DLR needs/has staff on the trains most of the time

[@miniaturesteamnick]

@@sw5018 all the time. Every DLR train must have a member of staff on board

[@highpath4776]

Something was giving here in the cab the right away, which had to be button pressed acknowledged, there are also (supposedly) platform staff on the elizabeth line but sometimes they hide themselves away

[@blueb0g]

Running ATO, the driver checks the doors are clear and then tells the train to depart by pressing the ATO go button, so he is fully in control of this not happening.

[@Daytona2]

Love Keith's driving history, from driving first generation electrics, with no protection, where you could burn the traction motors out, to this spaceship. I play Train Sim World and have the same tastes - steam, first & second gen diesel & electrics for the challenge and LZB automatic driving just to watch the tech being aware of the hazards ahead and constantly adjusting the braking curve.

[@offichannelnurnberg5894]

For a moment I was like OMG this is magic this is so sophisticated. Then I remembered we have driverless subway for over 10 years now. Edit: Should you rather use the present perfect "have had" instead or is the present tense fine? Just asking as I want and have to improve my english language skills (I'm studying this language and culture after all).

[@RichardWells1]

You're correct: ...we have had...

[@edc1569]

Probably doesn't operate on a load of legacy infrastructure and have to to deal with four different signalling systems tho

[@edc1569]

@@hairyairey what's the DLR then?

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

And as I am sure you know, a subway in Britain is a pedestrian tunnel under a road, or a sandwich shop. Bonne chance with learning the lingo.

[@offichannelnurnberg5894]

@@JP_TaVeryMuch Not in Glasgow, where Geoff accidentally went into the wrong subway ;). You know, I've written assignments in English, I give students tuition in English etc etc. Trust me, I know the language. But "have had" just sounds kinda odd if you're not a native speaker.

[@DavidJones-kn9zb]

Great video Geoff. This is a fascinating view of what goes on in the driver's cab. Also your interviewing skills are excellent.

[@mikeranson3381]

I had the pleasure of being part of the siemens team on the installation of Trainguard, the CBTC system in use.

[@danielspencer6174]

Shenfield to Paddington Abbey Wood to Heathrow Airport madinhead & Reading Is very good service on elizabeth line?

[@kanejahankane5572]

Uk rail infrastructure is quite complicated nothing stays the same . In summer and in winter sudden drops in temp transition brings allot of issues. Leaf season causes many issue too. So if the infrastructure stays the same for whole 365 days you can relay on computers but signal failures derailment. Spads damaged rails work force on tracks. S.S incidents animals on the tracks .fire smoke snow . You need a driver to overcome on these issue. Autopilot introduced in 80z but we still need a pilots in case of emergency. DRL is not considered as a high speed rail . And most of the issue drivers encountered is due to high speed.

[@nevillegreen135]

Geoff that was absolutely amazing and so interesting.

[@nicholasroberts6954]

TFL missed a trick on the driver psychological welfare front . . With less to do on the underground sections, other than monitor the screens and push the occasional button, . . .boredom, and associated stress, could become an increasing factor. A mild distraction of pleasant outside views, short of live view murals of "Above ground" on the tunnel walls, perhaps via a colour in-cab display to keep the sense of isolation and mechanical repetition minimised ? Also, given the intensity and speed of operation and the concentration required shouldn't the drivers at least have the opportunity of a post-shift de-stress session i.e. gym/pool/steam bath/massage on the house ?

[@nielspemberton59]

With Thameslink and the Overground it is the London RER.

[@AliS-ec2tk]

The issue is the cost of actually making the UK railway automated. You have to understand, countries that have autonomous trains their infrastructure eitber never existed or was destroyed during the WWII etc & they had to rebuild it from scratch. Decades ago it was cheap, but the system worked.

[@danielspencer6174]

Jeff Marshall i like you talk about maidhead sidings when stops hear when does go further to reading?

[@rchatte100]

So why do we need all these striking train drivers then on huge salaries? Get rid of them all and automate all trains.

[@MadCatPerson1977]

Nope, even if the drivers were removed then TfL would still be talking to the unions. It's just that they would be different unions. For that and many other reasons, automated tube services probably will not happen in my lifetime or yours. Search 'London reconnections driverless trains', read the article and you will then get a better idea of the many, many hurdles that would have to be overcome.

[@glyntomblin7950]

Because no system is as responsive to the unknown as a human

[@Martin_Adams184]

Excellent video Geoff! I've read around the Elizabeth Line signalling and control features in Modern Railways, the Railway Magazine etc.; and there's so much detail in all that. But nothing shows the general nature of the line as lucidly as this does. Thanks!🙂

[@fastbike9845]

Are the speeds in mph or km/hr ?

[@Matty12333]

Mph

[@JohnStokes-c1o]

Very Cool Geoff. Very Cool. 😀

[@retrorevival1]

When I read the title, I genuinely thought you were going to be in a black taxi cab, oh dear 🙃

[@htrainspotting]

[insert confuse here]

[@Jess2abbie1]

So did I. Quite dangerous if you ask me

[@andyclarke9589]

There can't be a better job than that!

[@angelfern9]

Not me reading the video title and thinking this was before the train tracks were laid and Geoff took a drive down the tunnels in a taxi cab 😅🤭

[@LookingForLocos]

Cool! I love your videos, Keep it up!

[@seanmcerlean]

Thank you Geoff. Good to meet you the other night at PDX. Take care & be safe & will continue to follow you despite now leaving the railway next Saturday night to return to my profession in aviation. Sean,MTREL CEA.

[@malachimuhammad-dy2ow]

So, does the Elizabeth Line act like a subway?

[@GustavSvard]

Great video as always. But there's one question I realized I was missing at the end of the ride: How many trips back & forth does a driver do on a regular shift? Maybe someone here in the comments knows?

[@bennyceca]

I heard they do around 33 hours per week normally, excluding overtime.

[@GustavSvard]

@@bennyceca Sounds about normal for train drivers, I think. But how many trips is that?

[@bennyceca]

​@@GustavSvard that depends on which line, as they're not all equal in length, even on the same line, some terminate few stations before the last station for operational reasons. Heard first hand from a driver that they do around 3.5 hours of driving before a break few years ago (unless things have changed recently), so depends on the destination, usually when the train reaches the end station, they tend to walk to the other side and leave within few minutes, and repeat, until they get relieved for their break or finish their shift, which could be a station in the middle of the route.

[@duncanbeaumont7121]

I would have liked to know what all the various bleeps meant and what he was doing when he pressed various buttons.

[@grantwarner9642]

Geoff, how long before these guys do not have a job?

[@steamymemes7946]

Geoff you should’ve left out the music in the full video 😢

[@danielspencer6174]

It can go to oak common depot from Paddington as well.

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Thanks: an enthusiastic and informative video, which captures a "point-in-time" which was rendered "out-of-date" on November 6th 2022. Once more, the complexities of knitting together three (and more) signalling systems was explained clearly. Thank you for the hard work which brought us this interesting view of "the world beyond the cab door". Mike

[@jacquelineharrod6386]

Brilliant . Thank you.

[@harry_stw7424]

I can just see that a future Geoff video called “catching the few Elizabeth line trans that still depart and arrive at mainline Liverpool Street station”

[@danielspencer6174]

Drivers 🚘 auto in central London that cool.

[@paulhutchins6019]

Amazing!

[@robbiemorrison7085]

I had a cab ride in 2019 on the eastern section, luckily got to go in a 315 and a 345

[@frazer3191]

Very relaxed but professional driver. As a train novice I find this all fascinating. Why are there not sliding doors on all the platforms to prevent accidents and excess wind? Can’t cost that much ? Great video. Thanks.

[@wysitsani]

It's costs alot actually