Aldershot Station, or How I Won the Bet

[@TartyVesthandle]

"Aldershots I needed' 🤦‍♀️

[@tomconneely1361]

Great pun!

[@citizenlost]

It's wonderful. I love it 😅

[@miguelbarreira5005]

Outstanding pun

[@Dedubya-]

Reason enough for making this video

[@someonebald2022]

Yes, the kind of "Groaner" we've come to expect and love from Jago. 😁

[@peabody1976]

The existence of Aldershot suggests the existence of Alderscold. It's very nice to see a station not in the London area get a highlight. Thanks, Jago!

[@CplBurdenR]

Or Alderstabbed?

[@rlwelch]

Ah yes the one in Ontario

[@Amadeus_Phoenix]

I'm alderscolding you for that pun

[@PianoKwanMan]

My friend who had family in the military called it Aldershit

[@Maltloaflegrande]

If it had been culled in the early 60s, they could have called it Aldershut?

[@PaulMcElligott]

“You can’t make an interesting video about my local station.” Jago: “I took that personally.”

[@LikeItOrLumpIt2107]

Aldershot is the town of my birth - the station and the town has changed considerably since I moved away in 1974. I used to travel to Winchester from Aldershot, changing at Alton onto what is now the Watercress Line. I can also boast that I was on the last steam train to run from Alton to Winchester and also on the last BR train that ran from Alton to Winchester.

[@highdownmartin]

You'd remember the mynah bird in the market, the arcade , a and b boxes the old turntable well and the headshunt up under 3arch bridge. The jersey bakery selling the cylindrical milk loaves wrapped in a sheet of paper. My granny lived at two Frederick st. Used to stay with her1968 to 75 Archers was over the road with a big neon sign. Had been a BSA dealership but then they sold outboards and speedboats. Happy times. My dad was born there, I went back a couple of years ago, almost unrecognisable. All the interesting shops had gone, surplus stuff, radio spares. Sad. Don't revisit your youth!

[@alexandraclement1456]

With military precision, I think you won the bet.

[@oldgittarist]

Nice one Jago - 'Aldershots' I needed!!

[@cjf97]

🙈

[@PenryMMJ]

Hmmm, that's got me thinking. Dear HS2, we in the north are going to build our own high speed railway, so you won't be getting any of our fair money. Got to be worth a try. 😁

[@paulsengupta971]

Do it!

[@1258-Eckhart]

Speak to Andy Burnham.

[@googlesucks6029]

It would be hilarious if you guys managed to build a high speed network that joined all parts of the UK from Wales, the Midlands and Scotland and even a tunnel to Ulster. And just exclude London completely.

[@batman51]

Sounds "fare" enough to me.

[@radagastwiz]

No less prestigious is Aldershot station in Ontario, Canada. Located in the town of Burlington very near its border with the city of Hamilton, it sees regular commuter service to Toronto along the GO Transit Lakeshore West Line; as well as intercity services towards Windsor on the VIA Corridor, and to New York City on Amtrak's Maple Leaf. The current station is a complete rebuild, as the original Great Western Railway (no, not that one) station of the mid-19th century was closed and demolished in the 1980s. GO built the existing facility in 1992.

[@gmcnewlook]

I was hoping somebody would make a quip about our aldershot ;)

[@mr51406]

I too thought of it. I had no idea “no not that” Aldershot existed until it appeared on VIA schedules. It would be interesting to make a list of common names between Britain and Canada, whether VIA or other trains or rapid transit. A project if Jago ever comes to Canada.

[@hysterics8011]

​@mr51406 the VIA train through Aldershot goes to Stratford and London as well as Windsor

[@jerribee1]

It sounds as though Canada is actually Britain in an alternative universe.

[@radagastwiz]

@@jerribee1 No, just settled by Brits who were nostalgic for place names back home.

[@kelvinhill9874]

My great grandfather joined the Grenadier Guard as a teenager in the 1880’s. He went to the training camp in Aldershot. While there, he saved another teenaged boy from drowning in the Basingstoke canal that ran past the barracks and was awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal in 1887.

[@artistjoh]

You can tell your friend that not only could you make a video, it proved to be an enthralling story that I loved. More please, about so-called uninteresting stations.

[@gpm19591961]

My granddad worked in Farnham booking office and my dad worked as a booking clerk a Aldershot so I used to travel on trains between those stations to go and watch Aldershot at the Rec from a very early age. Happy days indeed!

[@flyingscotsman_a3]

There's quite a lot of history on the Alton branch, I recommend you make some videos on the other stations along there!

[@John-by2oq]

Hmmm. Aldershot. Used to have a nice A&N, M&S and Timothy Whites. And lovely arcade with unforgettable model rly shop. Nice public gardens with fountain. Saw films galore at the Palace, Alexandria Cinemas etc. that was from 1962-70. Used go with family on Aldershot&District Number 3 bus. Last went there is 2019. Oh dear. What a hole. So very, very sad. Nuff said 😢

[@Robslondon]

Good video Jago, you're going to get people throwing all manner of stations at you now!

[@johnmurray8428]

Balham, gateway to the south!

[@kevinm3586]

"Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a station!" Duck, Jago.

[@bordershader]

Exactly what I thought, with a dose of whining and lack of manners to boot, typical of social media nowadays. Still and all, it might be fun to allow the donors on Kofi, Patreon and here on KZbin a free vote once in a while to pick a random location. I'd enjoy it regardless!

[@Play_fare]

I got a bit excited when I saw the title, my boyhood home of Aldershot, but I quickly realized it was not the same Aldershot as in my youth. My Aldershot was named after this one in your video. It was very similar in some ways: rural/suburban, plenty of natural greenery, railways, and a non industrial economy. The main difference is that my Aldershot never had a military base, there were plenty of market gardens that grew melons, apples, peaches, pears and cherries, and you could catch a train to London (or Paris) but it would be a 1 1/2 to 2 hour journey.

[@hannastewart1051]

ontario? I feel ya

[@StairStealer]

Oh hey, I visited Aldershot just last week! I got off the train from Niagara Falls there instead of continuing all the way to Toronto

[@mikeuk4130]

As always, Jago, you have risen to the challenge. Elton John wrote “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” about Aldershot. Thanks so much for giving me a platform from which to say that; you are the Ash Vale to my shadow of death.

[@robotx9285]

Your channel is one of the few able to make these lesser intermediate regional and commuter stations sound so intriguing.

[@ajs41]

Aldershot is one of the few big towns in the UK I haven't visited so far. Thanks for the video.

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

If you do - check out the Jeremy Kyle Street Theatre company usually found outside the 'All you can eat Chinese Buffet.'

[@Kierandimmick]

I'd not bother...you're not missing much. 😂

[@paulsengupta971]

The cinema there is a lot cheaper than Guildford.

[@HarryWessex]

Aldershot isn't a big town, it's just attached to 11 others across 3 counties

[@Kierandimmick]

@@paulsengupta971 and Farnborough is cheaper than that. It's also a nicer town.

[@MrAsBBB]

Jago you got me through a difficult week. Why? It’s because of the way you present history in such an mesmerising way. What I mean by this, is when we watch we want more! When you touch on places we know it is fabulous. I have no idea how you have the energy to be so consistent. Just a big thank you. All the best Alex

[@elwisuntemp7199]

So you’ve won the bet, but this was genuinely so interesting, makes me really want to pick a random station and delve into the history of hit

[@jgodfrey546]

My Dad trainspotted at Aldershot 1911 - 1924....& subsequented passed his love of trains on to me. His funeral was 33 years ago yesterday. This has become my fave Jago video. Thx sir.

[@footplate0]

Wow my old stomping ground. I was raised just outside of Aldershot in a village called Mytchett. It was between Aldershot< Farnborough and Camberley, what a lovely place to live but as with life, so many changes. I remember on a Saturday we used to go to Aldershot market and my dad used to bid for our Sunday lunch from the meat van (never seen that since those days). Thank you for taking me back to those days, I left in 1970 and have not been back since.

[@Tevildo]

For "All the shots".

[@JagoHazzard]

I thank you!

[@Tevildo]

@@JagoHazzard No problem. _Without_ that joke, I would be compelled to remind you of kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3SwlJ2YotOceZosi=iSu6gsgPVZt2dot4 .

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks Jago, bet well won ! Years ago I used to board at a school in Frensham & so used that line of transportation.

[@chrismaynard994]

Thank you for the video of my hometown railway station when i was much younger

[@andrewmasters5020]

The goods area became a bus station, which was very convenient. The bus station recently closed: a perfect illustration of British joined-up transport policy. 💩

[@jerribee1]

Well, Britain has long had a policy of diversity in employment. We don't just promote the brightest and best.

[@andyholmes7901]

Watch and enjoy all your videos. Spent my childhood in Aldershot and Farnham. Huge memories of the line. Great to see🖖

[@highpath4776]

I thought the military camp at Aldershot was much earlier than 1854. Thanks for informing me I was wrong. While not from there my family came into London from rural hampshire probably as the railways arrived. They had been in the miltary too, but much earlier with connections to Woolwich and other UK land barracks accross the country

[@MrTimothybee]

A famous and widespread graffito, no doubt largely down to disqruntled sqaddies used to be the addition of "except at Aldershot" to the notice about not using the lavatory when the train is in the station.

[@benk7849]

Thanks for this video. That whole area between Aldershot and Farnborough etc is fascinating with the number of cross-crossing railways. I always assumed this was largely because it is a military area but some more context here.

[@birdbrain4445]

Looooooool expertly done, sir! If anyone could make a video about the most seemingly unassuming station, it would be you. Great video!

[@ianhutchinson1783]

Like others, my birth town. Born at the Aldershot Military Hospital where matrons with flowing red capes held the rank of major. I hope my salute was up to inspection!

[@esjay2011]

My Grandfather was a porter at Aldershot between the wars. The open air bridge was built to replace a covered wooden bridge that fell down during those years the exact date I am not sure of.

[@chubbylegend]

Up till recently, there were 2 direct routes to London Waterloo; the main line via Ash Vale & Woking, or via Ascot and Virginia Water, until the TOC franchise switched from SWT to SWR. Now the latter trains just shuttle between Aldershot and Ascot. If you included the now defunct route to Charing Cross and Cannon St, with links at Reigate for London Victoria, Blackfriars, Holborn Viaduct and London Bridge then Aldershot would have been one of the best served commuter hubs in the region.

[@PhilEadie65]

There are still a couple of direct trains in the morning into Waterloo and a couple returning in the evening via Ascot, Virginia Water and Richmond.

[@iankemp1131]

In fairness most of the Aldershot-Ascot services have terminated there for many years, since the route to London was indirect and slow; bad news for Camberley and Bagshot passengers though. I have a Rail A-Z timetable from the 1970s when there were half-hourly fast services from Reading to Ascot and Waterloo and half-hourly semi-fasts for Guildford/Aldershot via Ascot to Waterloo, but the latter disappeared soon afterwards.

[@PhilEadie65]

@@iankemp1131 Probably because there is an alternate half hourly service to Waterloo through Virginia Water from Weybridge and if they kept all it would be 6 trains hourly and another 2 from Windsor so would mean 8 an hour through Staines /Ashford / Feltham stretch.

[@iankemp1131]

@@PhilEadie65 That's right, and I believe that was the service pattern in the late 1970s. And they were joined by 2 trains an hour round the Hounslow loop and 2 trains an hour from the "Kingston roundabout", so it was pretty intense through Richmond! At peak hours I think they sometimes diverted the through Reading expresses via Hounslow to free up some paths.

[@PhilEadie65]

@@iankemp1131 They occasionally still divert Reading trains via Hounslow loop - when Brentford play for example.

[@bokhans]

As a Swede that visited Farnborough 9 minutes away from Aldershot for the first time in 1971 for a whole month and then been back visiting my English family and touring the area numerous times throughout the years this was familiar still interesting as all your videos. Thanks. ❤

[@thefareplayer2254]

I kinda love how the old South Western Railway livery looks oddly like Southwest Airlines’ livery.

[@Dave_Sisson]

There is potential for a April Fools article or video there. Claim the airline is diversifying into trains and show pictures of planes and trains in the same livery, both with 'Southwest' painted on them. Most Americans have never seen a train, so I suspect many people would believe that it was happening,

[@tsungiraichiramba]

Class Jago. Love the Aldershots I need

[@kruador]

At 2:33 you gave the name as the "Farnham, Aldershot and Woking*ham* Junction Railway". When you first mentioned the name it was "...and Woking Junction". Woking is in Surrey; Wokingham is in Berkshire. They're about 17 miles apart. I can see how the confusion arises, because both join lines built at different times. Woking connects the original London & Southampton line to the Guildford Junction railway. Wokingham is where the South Eastern Railway's Reading to Redhill line [now operated by GWR] was later joined by the LSWR's line through Ascot (the Staines, Wokingham and Woking Junction Railway) [now SWR's route from Reading to Waterloo].

[@iankemp1131]

But actually it sounds right, because Farnham-Aldershot-Wokingham would have been the route for it to join the SECR Reading-Guildford-Redhill line, whereas when the LSWR took it over, they diverted it to Farnham-Aldershot-Pirbright Junction-Woking, with the branch from Ash Vale to Frimley and Ascot (which was originally accessed by a Brookwood-Frimley curve).

[@adamdapatsfan]

I remember going to Aldershot a few rimes while visiting family in Farnborough - another place with not very much going on until the military showed up. Neat to see a video!

[@Eddyspeeder]

The instantly legendary word play aside, what I took from this video is that the 19th century must have been pretty awesome with people being able to plan their own train line. That, and the fact that in his private life, Jago’s apparently has friend encounters where the obvious topic of railways ends in “you might be a hotshot KZbinr and all that, but I bet you can’t…” Looking forward to the next inevitable instalment in the new series “Jago proves his mates wrong” 😂

[@hublanderuk]

I like the fact I have been to this station but for visiting the Football club since my team (Dagenham and Redbridge) was playing Aldershot.

[@capabilityred3606]

Nice one Jago. I see who will cAldershots in that friendship!

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

I spent nearly 2 years working in Aldershot and in my experience the mainline train service was 'not ideal' Quite often would arrive and depart via Guilford as at least that had more frequent service. The town has definitely seen better days - but the new housing development and the major demolition of shops in the town centre should revitalise the area.

[@JacquiRosenberg]

Alton Line is my local line ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ And great job on the amazing video

[@geekandguide]

Best Aldershot pun I've ever heard. I will, however, devalue that by saying "only Aldershot pun I've ever heard". That was though, very interesting and I'd say you won your bet fair and square (whatever "fair and square" actually means- I'll need to look that up).

[@bertspeggly4428]

Love your witicism " Waterloo (not the Battle of)" Your best yet!

[@DollyRotten]

Back in the early/mid 80s, the guys that worked Aldershot station were lovely. I know this because when my uncle visited from Ireland, it was the station staff who made a day trip to London possible at all. My uncle used a wheelchair, and there were no lifts. So when we got back, a station guy would take him down the end of the platform and push him along the trackside a bit to a crossing, then back up the other side. In those days the Army used to use their abandoned sidings (where the Goose Green estate is now) for the bonfire night family shenanigans, and it was weird to stand on the platforms and play on the tracks.

[@BoraCM]

I bet you can't make one about Staines Railway Station (potentially including some history about the old Staines West and Staines High Street stations, plus the branch line to West Drayton).

[@punkywozza4330]

You would enjoy Brookwood Station, Not the most exciting Station you'll ever visit but has a brilliant history of how why it came to be.

[@martinmihkay8100]

Every station has a story. My old local Leuchars, has a long and varied history for a station serving a small village in North East Fife.

[@hx0d]

Great video. I've always wondered about the (now) branch line in general actually. It used to go past Alton it seems, that would make a interesting video!

[@Hiro_Trevelyan]

"There's nothing interesting here" Jago : Or is there ?

[@jimfrodsham7938]

Like many ex army I have mixed memories of Aldershot Station. The most vivid being when I arrived there to start basic training in '68.

[@skilletsmasher99]

Nice to see a familiar station on a channel like this

[@CharlesTysonYerkesOfficial]

About Time I gave a TED talk to the LSWR. If you build it, they will come. Look what I did with expanding UERL to the middle of nowhere, and look at the routes now. Long term investment chaps, longterm investment.

[@CoolTransport]

haha yess 😂

[@iankemp1131]

The LSWR actually did pretty well on that, as did the Southern who followed. Hence they developed a large and lucrative outer suburban traffic and Waterloo became an extremely busy terminus even before the early 20th century rebuilding.

[@nickfarrow9032]

Never thought I'd see a video about my own town! Did a double-take when I saw this.

[@neville132bbk]

Lord Jago, Sir... LeviNZ begs to suggest that the mere existence of Aldershot station demands the making of at least one video, as a mark of respect.

[@sheltie777]

What an attractive station building.

[@2112pk]

if you know where to look, you can still see the spur (with track in situ!) for the army base on the approach to the station also worth noting aldershot hosts a wonderful model railways show every october! the farnham and district i believe. WAY out of the town though, honestly a pain to walk to from the station, but well worth it!

[@fredericksaxton3991]

At 3:54, Power station.. at Aldershot? I had to go look that up. Every Jago video in an education lesson.

[@brettpalfrey4665]

Well done, Jago, what did you win in the bet? Now come and tell everyone about the Quarry line around Redhill!

[@pras12100]

I am still waiting for Jago to cover the Croydon, Merstham and Godstone Railway.

[@CourtMcCheese]

It would be interesting to see you cover the great western branch lines

[@matthewmurnaghan2583]

Aldershot is a good station. Next you should do something about the two Farnborough stations, or anything related to my local branch line, the Ascot to Guildford Line. Farnborough is my local London Bound station.

[@nickfarrow9032]

Three Farnborough stations you mean! North Camp, Farnborough Main and Farnborough North 😁

[@matthewmurnaghan2583]

@@nickfarrow9032 Yes I've not forgotten North Camp as it's quite close to Ash Vale too.

[@tutscifriscale]

I’d love to see this too

[@IMBlakeley]

Bought my first house in Aldergrot as it was known locally cos it was cheap then commuted to Guildford by train for a bit. One of those journeys that was cheaper to buy a ticket to the next down station Farncombe but hop off at Guildford.

[@HuggyBob62]

My local station is Brookwood, just up the line. I'm surprised you didn't say anthing about Aldershot being on the route to Winchester via Alton and what is now the Watercress Line (and a bit more).

[@JagoHazzard]

I’ve done Brookwood! Or at least, the Necropolis.

[@WillKemp]

This could be the start of something big - the "bet you can't make a video about [whatever], Jago" challenge!

[@fndjfgsdk]

How to get Jago to make a video about your local station:

[@thomasm1964]

Aldershit looks even worse today than it did when I last lived in the area some 20 years ago. I didn't think such a thing possible.

[@emjayay]

I think we may have found the local disparaging name for the place.

[@Kierandimmick]

@@emjayay I've been using it for years. It's where Aldershit ends up.

[@tonys1636]

At least you didn't Avershot & Riskit with a bus. The Aldershot & District Motor Traction Company for those unfamiliar with the nickname.

[@Andrewjg_89]

South Western Railway should start introducing the Class 701 Arterio trains especially to Aldershot and Alton or to use the Class 458/4s on the Alton line. I personally haven’t been to Aldershot before.

[@isashax]

I'd never try to bet you about anything and even less trains! You would ever win!

[@polyvg]

The hours I've spent waiting there, usually on Sundays. Having to change on the route from Winchester, Alton, Alresford, Aldershot, Guildford. And the dreadful time got on the wrong train and ended up in godforsaken Ash Vale. Still, enjoyed your video despite the shudders. How about Winchester (Chesil) station? OK - so it has been demolished, but... I just missed ever using it.

[@RogersRamblings]

An excellent shot at a history of an apparently historyless station, right on target one might say.

[@Tgbec]

Just off of North Lane next to part of the old camp there’s still some disused tracks, heavily overgrown but still there.

[@robertbelcher6713]

Aldershot is a mere backwater compared to those of us across the road in Farnborough with our three stations! Aldershot town center has suffered from a bankrupt shopping center, lack of demand and investment. There are many new houses springing up on ex army land but the town center just decays. The army presence continues to shrink, back in the 80's you would have barely made it out alive when the Paras were in town on a bender!

[@aw34565]

Come to Havant and make a video on the Battle of Havant, the frog war between the LSWR and LBSCR.

[@TartyVesthandle]

After the "Aldershots I needed" pun, I Havant the will for any more.

[@ClovisSpearhead]

He's probably Woking on one now.

[@adrianbromfild8624]

Maybe Jago might like to do some more videos like this as I am sure that there are many stations on the SWR with an interesting history and if this is an appetiser for more we will be spoilt!

[@aviewfromtheinterior]

Ahh, never thought I'd see my home town on Jago's channel.

[@teecefamilykent]

Brilliant video sir, I bet you can't do a video on Dagenham Dock Station??

[@SmudgeThomas]

Tbh an interesting snippet about a place I never really thought about

[@jameswoods7276]

I live in Nova Scotia, we also have a town called Aldershot. Also has a military training center. No train station though.

[@PontiacS.]

"Put On The Juice" Lol!!!! Nice One Jago.

[@thebagfather4633]

nice one .could you do one on alton and the watercress line cheers

[@malcolmgibson6288]

Challenging Jago is a fool's errand.😊

[@AliGroves450]

Eyy! Nice to see the best line in the world on your channel!

[@Adhrit_Gupta]

Nice one Jago - “Aldershots I needed”

[@georgebirchall4281]

Well done Jago! BETter than I expected!😅

[@tankmicr00man]

Classic Jago pun, and now there's enough 'fuel' to keep you going for years!👍👍👍

[@MarkUKInsects]

The gas works were not fed from this line. There was a spur a 100 yards west of Tongham Station as was. The Coal yard was south of the A323 Ash road, roughly where Aspen Grove now is. There was a conveyor over the A323 to the Gas works site where KFC now party occupies.

[@ClovisSpearhead]

How do you get to Tongham? I normally start by buying 'em a drink.

[@Razzileful]

Never thought I'd see my local station in a Jago video!

[@julianaylor4351]

All the rivalries of the original railway companies, seem to have had some interesting outcomes, with unusual platform and siding arrangements at many different station. Are there any station furnishings at Aldershot, that remain from its original owning company?

[@neildolan7177]

What about a video featuring the Barnsley stations LOL. The main station, court house, was close when I was born & this year, someone posted a photo on Facebook. It was quite a grand affair. The station that is left is more like a hault.

[@Saint_Dan132]

my sister was a corpral she lived one stop from aldershot great memories

[@landyowner]

Aldershot has some history and some past prestige from it being "the home of the british military" for almost a century

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Is it anywhere near Corrour? Asking for Geoff Marshall.

[@PhillipBicknell]

Back in the days of the slam-door stock, I well remember the loos having the injunction, "Do not flush the toilet whilst in the station" to which a local wag had appended, "except in Aldershot"! In other news, the curry I had at Johnny Gurkhas remains the best I've ever had. And the football match at Aldershot's home ground remains the only professional match that I've ever seen. I think I was in Scout uniform for the trip.

[@rachelcarre9468]

You won as soon as you said “I got all the shots i needed” 😂

[@williamwildcat]

What’s your favourite tube line Mines the Piccadilly line

[@teecefamilykent]

Mine: Waterloo and city!

[@sillypuppy5940]

Metropolitan

[@highpath4776]

The photo pun was over in a flash