BR in the 1990s Kensington Olympia Station (West London) on 12th September 1995

[@LostsTVandRadio]

As a teen in the 70s I was always intrigued by the Brighton to Birmingham service via Kensington Olympia - I always wanted to travel along the whole of that particular cross-London line but I never did. Sad that the route has been repeatedly pared back. Just a Southern service now from East Croydon to Watford Junction, at least as far as I can tell.

[@spompey]

I bet you wish you could turn back the clock......Many thanks and best regards....Mark

[@LostsTVandRadio]

@@spompey Indeed!

[@flippop101]

Nice video of happy diesel days. Much appreciated!

[@spompey]

You're most welcome and many thanks...Mark

[@g3ges3]

47 heaven

[@spompey]

It was a little Heaven like for the 47 enthusiasts then....Many thanks and best regards...Mark

[@AndreiTupolev]

Your feller standing on the rail at 7:36worried me for a moment, but he must have known it was going to be turning into the platform loop. Still, he was worryingly close to the live rail 😟

[@spompey]

With rubber boots on they could stand on the live rail Never tried it myself......Many thanks Andrei as always appreciated...Mark

[@paullbennett2923]

That Inter city set i believe headed North via Reading and Oxford , possibly coming up from Brighton or Ramsgate. Like everything that was good on the railways they no longer run. Love the Smokey old DMU . Remember there used to be one out of Paddington at about 1 o'clock in the morning that would stop at every stop to Reading.

[@BigJoeChrisLewis]

On the other hand, the station does now have a genuinely useful service with frequent Overground trains north and south. I used to live round the corner from it but hardly ever used it, except for the occasional trip to Gatwick on one of the North-South intercities. Having Mark II stock and a buffet car was a novelty on essentially a local trip.

[@paullbennett2923]

@@BigJoeChrisLewis Yes i do agree the London overground service , although very busy at times is a great addition to the London network.

[@spompey]

We used to run an hourly service from Paddington to Reading and V.V. throughout the night. Many thanks Paul and my sincere regards...Mark

[@nickrockall2845]

Brilliant

[@spompey]

Much appreciated and my best wishes to you....Mark

[@markcf83]

The Class 117 units were among the most reliable of the First Generation of DMU trains. It is little wonder that many survived into the early years of this century.

[@spompey]

I wish they were still in service...Many thanks...Mark

[@CarolineFord1]

What was the guy doing crossingthe tracks? It looked like he was trying to flag the train down, or something

[@spompey]

He was a Permanent Way Worker, probably the lookout person....many thanks Caroline and best wishes to you....Mark

[@paulbaker916]

They provided a means for the 73s to couple with the class 373 Eurostars.

[@ianpark1906]

I wondered if that was the case . Thank you for clarifying ☺️

[@spompey]

Answered for me....Much appreciated and best wishes....Mark

[@spompey]

Much appreciated and best wishes to you Paul....Mark

[@AndreiTupolev]

That was pretty rare, catching the Eurostar 73s on the move. Did the District line run to there all week then, or was that a Saturday?

[@spompey]

Yes Andrei the District had a frequent 15 minute service there all week, unless I am mistaken, but I did see the tubes running on week days....Many thanks as always...Mark

[@ianpark1906]

What were the waggons in front and behind the 73s ? Anyone know . Thanks

[@markcf83]

Think they're a form of coupling wagons. Not sure though.

[@spompey]

They were to couple to the Eurostars and were heading for North Pole Depot opposite OOC....Many thanks and best regards....Mark