Cab Ride - Victoria to Dorking

Back to passenger workings now, with a cab ride aboard a class 377 Electrostar from London Victoria to Dorking, via Clapham Junction, Mitcham Junction, Sutton, Epsom and Leatherhead.
All stops have been edited for time purposes - I'm sure that will upset some of you, but it's saved nearly 20 minutes off the video

[@davidwaters4449]

As a retired Dorking signaller it was lovely to see my old box again. When I was learning the box, I used a cab pass to do that route between DKG and VIC via SUO. My manager didn't expect me to go on past Epsom, but I wanted to take the opportunity to glide serenely into a big terminal station. On the way back I got a cab ride to Horsham via Gatwick and then took the lovely backwater line between Horsham and Dorking.

[@emmo999]

I find it amazing boxes like Dorking even still exist, when they’re surrounded by the all-encompassing T and W ASCs. But it’s much appreciated that they do. I often wonder what’s left inside these buildings in places such as Horsham, long abandoned

[@davidwaters4449]

@@emmo999 When Horsham Box closed the S&T removed the diagrams and all the block instruments etc so that all that was left was the frame with levers in and out all over the place. That was probably 15 years ago so goodness knows what it’s like in there now! Rats and dust will be prominent!

[@Cinemadamenic]

@@davidwaters4449 Could I ask if you you happen to know what the signal box on the up platform of Holmwood station controls - or used to control? The crossover between up and down lines? (Was it not all controlled from Dorking?)

[@davidwaters4449]

@@Cinemadamenic Holmwood SB ('CBL') was abolished decades ago but was one of the two boxes in between Dorking 'CBK' and Horsham 'CBP'. The other was Warnham 'WM' which was abolished in 2005 or thereabouts. In my days as a signaller Holmwood was a historical artifact, with the box retaining its frame and kept as a listed building. Holmwood Station (according to its Wikipedia Page) was, on occasions, where trains from Waterloo terminated and started back, so it must have had a crossover prior to the mid-60s, but afaik the only crossover now in existence between Dorking and Horsham is the clipped and padlocked one at Ockley, used only during engineering work. Until it was abolished, Warnham SB worked trains between Dorking and Horsham between 0600 and 2000 after which it was switched out. When I was on the relief, a late turn at Warnham was much to be prized as the last train to be worked (from DKG to HRH) was at about 1830! Warnham also had the distinction of, at the time, of being one of three Sussex boxes with crossing gates, brown levers and a large wheel (the other two being Littlehaven and Plumpton). The posts and gates at WM though were so dilapidated that we were instructed not to open them for road traffic as they might fall off! After some years, the S&T decided to sign them out of use, and I had the pleasure of being the last ever signaller to open those gates to road traffic, fortunately with S&T in attendance, just to see what would happen. Two of them dragged badly on the ground and had to be helped back to the closed position before the gate wheel and rodding was removed. The line from Horsham to just south of Dorking is now controlled by Panel 7 at Three Bridges, until it moves over to the ROC.

[@davidwaters4449]

@Cinemadamenic I've just recalled another snippet of info about the line between Holmwood and Dorking. We had a problem one day and one of the older platform staff asked if the up train from Horsham had passed Northwood. He had to explain to me that this was the location of a level crossing where the railway crossed what is now the A24. I was astonished, but on driving home that way after my shift going south from Dorking just after going over the skewed road bridge over the line, if you look very carefully there is (or was at the time) a house sign saying 'Northwood'.

[@rogercarrell]

As an ex-SR fireman (70A & 70D) in the 1960s, it was a pleasure to take some old journeys again. I emigrated to NZ in 1967 after the end of SW-ern steam but crossed the Tasman to West Oz in 1977 to drive iron ore trains in our NW. I'm now retired and write anecdotal introductions to SR steam railway albums while modelling the West London Line in Protofour gauge. I took this journey because my remaining cousin lives in Dorking. Well done with the guiding literature along the way also, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@emmo999]

Thank you for the comments. Glad you enjoyed the ride

[@martinmarsola6477]

A great and interesting video. Always enjoy them. See you on the next!🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸

[@jennibale1831]

I take the train from Cheam to Victoria and back fairly regularly but what a treat it is to experience it from the cab.

[@emmo999]

I’m glad you enjoyed the ride

[@darkside421]

The train tracks are so magical it amazes me how there build so a train can switch from line to line one direction to another I keep forgetting how handy it is to have trains in this country

[@richardgriffiths5920]

Just finished watching the return trip to Dorking from London Victoria and enjoyed both videos immensely. Must add how much I admire the beauty of the Surrey countryside and these videos certainly prove it. Thank you and hope to view more of your lovely cab rides.

[@emmo999]

Thank you for the nice comments. There will be more to come soon!

[@37Class]

These videos are excellent. The stop edits are not upsetting at all. It's heartwarming to see how many people relate to these films, especially those whom used to tread the same tracks. You can see just how much genuine affection people have for our railways. Thank you for providing these magnificent films.

[@ollie-t7862]

Great video, I’m from cranleigh which unfortunately doesn’t have its train station anymore. Used to run from Horsham to Guildford but was axed under the Beeching Cuts. Would have been used extensively today if still open but there we go

[@kevinvincent7971]

I liked this train journey back in the 90’s knowing what stations were approaching

[@michaeldupree5801]

Thank you for this video, I really enjoyed it. I was following the signals on this route and at 8:39 I mistook the signal for a double yellow aspect, it was not until about 8:46 that I realised it was a single yellow aspect and it was the signage above the signal from a distance that caused this confusion - I hope that it is a lot clearer for the real train drivers!!

[@emmo999]

It’s what drivers have to route learn extensively for. So they know where these traps are. In various places you have to be careful not to mistake yellow street lamps for signals

[@Spookieham]

Great video! Used to travel from Leatherhead every day until I buggered off to Oz 15 years ago! Still taking the train here in Perth but very different more like light rail but with VERY good air conditioning 😄 I always remember how good the staff were at Leatherhead they got to know all their regular passengers.

[@emmo999]

Think that’s possibly true of most suburban stations

[@zulkiflijamil4033]

Simply the best cab ride. Thanks for uploading. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@emmo999]

Thanks for the comments. Glad you enjoyed it

[@slyowusu99]

Lovely videos. And looking at all the lovely countryside passing by is an excellent sleep aid. 👍🏾

[@kevinvincent7971]

I used to do this journey every weekend back in the 1990’s , used to travel on the thamelink classed trains , good to see this route again

[@patmoore1875]

The ‘CA’ prefix stands for ‘Central Automatic’ which refers to the old SR Division that the signal came under, so you had ‘WA’ for the Western Division lines out of Waterloo, but the Southeastern Division Autos were given a plain ‘A’ . Excellent quality ‘video’ and nice to see a clean window for a change !

[@emmo999]

Ah thanks for that. I’ve always been told it was for “co-acting”. There are some signals prefixed A in the SE division, I’ve been told this designated “automatic”. Is that even right?

[@NigelHill-l6h]

I took the Leatherhead to Victoria train daily from '84 to '87. Before that I used the Waterloo line. My favourite train was the Horsham flyer with Headcode 84 and proper doors and windows. It was the fastest train on the line. Viva the 3rd rail,

[@DeckerLondon]

I really enjoyed watching this video. This has really giving me an insight of how what it is really like to be a train driver. I am currently working full time as London Bus Driver here In South London. Just hoping I will have that great oppertunity to apply as a trainnee Train driver shortly

[@emmo999]

I’ve done bus driving too. A few of my friends have also made the change from buses to trains. There are similarities. But I do find train driving much more mentally intense. Good luck with any job application you make

[@mikemidulster]

Enjoyable video! I stayed on a farm near Ewhurst in the 1960s and at that time Dorking was considered to be in the countryside. It was only when watching this video that I realised that this is no longer the case. I was surprised to only see one field when the train was approaching Ashtead, so I had a look at the map. There is only 2 miles of farmland between the outskirts of London and Dorking. If development continues at this rate London will soon stretch to the south coast.

[@emmo999]

Such is the rate of development. New housing is constantly appearing in the suburbs to cope with demand

[@TheTim59]

Being Epsom born and bred I can shed light on the approach to Ashtead. After Epsom and the 30s built housing the line crosses Epsom and Ashtead commons. Which are now protected. There has been change s in how the commons are managed being extensively grazed into the 60s but thereafter were left to form oak scrub lands. Not without local concern. When I was a kid the common was still open. 50 year I still ride on the common but now through maturing woodland. When I was baptised 60 years ago Epsom Christchurch had open areas in front and around it. Now it's woodland all around and hidden in the trees from the e cottage where I was born

[@dukenukem5768]

It is disturbing. Will there be any countryside left in 50 years time outside mountainous areas, apart from some depressing little "country parks"? Why should we need all these new houses?

[@sambrookes4497]

Fortunately, that can't happen because of the green belt.

[@iankr]

Great video - many thanks.

[@vindales2611]

Another brilliant video, well done. Having done the journey untold times as a passenger have always wanted to see it from a drivers view from Victoria to Portsmouth Harbour.

[@emmo999]

I’ve previously shown Horsham towards the south coast, but appreciate Dorking to Horsham is missing in my recordings.

[@sussextrainspotter328]

@@emmo999 just subscribed

[@sideburngthepeacebringer27]

@@emmo999 What about Bognor Regis to London Victoria and vice versa?

[@bobbrooks266]

Absolutely brilliant

[@hassanelahmar6848]

Good job, Congratulations to you sir. I use to take the 7:27 train to victoria station,it was a very fast train in the early morning. Love from Morocco 🇲🇦

[@emmo999]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the trip. The return journey has also been uploaded

[@TheGateway37]

I travel on this route from Victoria to Dorking whenever I have a day out up in London. Thanks for the explanation of travelling on the fast track through to Streatham I have never done that on this service before. Greetings from Dorking.

[@emmo999]

The next video I upload is the return trip from Dorking to Victoria

[@jonathanphelan6627]

where is the explanation ? Why are they on the fast line ?

[@TheGateway37]

@@jonathanphelan6627 The slow line was blocked by a broken down unit.

[@jonathanphelan6627]

@@TheGateway37 Did we see it in the video ?

[@TheGateway37]

@@jonathanphelan6627 Yes very briefly.

[@sylviaelse5086]

If I were a driver, I'm sure I'd keep passing stations I was meant to stop at.

[@ollo1968]

Believe it or not, that happened at Wolfsburg station (home of Volkswagen) several times now. We're talkingICE's here, so passing the station at 165mph with passengers waiting at the platform.

[@cloverisfan818]

You’ll get arrested if you do that.

[@sylviaelse5086]

@@cloverisfan818 I rather doubt that, though fired is clearly an option.

[@Flightsimmovies]

me waiting for the train for an hour: wait….is that my train!!?

[@dettrains]

@@cloverisfan818no you wouldn’t you would get a big telling off

[@Cinemadamenic]

Many thanks for another superb video. Great to see this under-rated route (and the Streatham Reversible Fast Spur was an added bonus!). If you ever have a chance to record the line from Dorking to Horsham and back I'd certainly enjoy watching it - but I'm not complaining; you are already spoiling us!

[@emmo999]

It is on the list to do as soon as opportunity arises. Thank you for the kind comments

[@Cinemadamenic]

@@emmo999 I'll look forward to it!

[@martinfamily2013]

Nice to see videos of trains going past my place In Mitcham at 13:00 on the left . Still remember when the station was being built. They were planning it for years and was needed.

[@emmo999]

Eastfields is clearly a handy station for many!

[@ДмитрийЗапЕвропа]

Very interesting video, thanks! I like watching railway videos and virtual trainspotting very much.

[@emmo999]

Glad you enjoyed the journey

[@moulianaaa]

Thank you for all your videos. I am from Greece, i had come to London last year and was surprised by your train network. Unfortunately in Greece we do not have so much variety of trains. I had done this route from Clapham junction to Batersea park.

[@emmo999]

Thank you for the comments. I enjoy making the videos, and it’s nice when people appreciate them

[@wentonmastermind]

Me thermos heretismous! Warmest greetings! I went from Athens to Kalambaka two years ago. Athens to the Palaeopharsalus Junction was very comfortable - the branch to Kalambaka less so. But Meteora made up for it!

[@Patrick-ef4pm]

Hi from New Zealand, really enjoyed this, one of the London routes I am not familiar with, thanks a heap

[@emmo999]

No worries, glad you enjoyed the journey

[@gerrymckenna4878]

Great video. Around the 28 minute mark is roughly the site of the original Epsom station opened as a terminus 1847. Closed 1929 when additional platforms were added to the existing Epsom station.

[@emmo999]

I didn’t know about this, but a quick Google and looking at the video, the back of the old station building (Epsom Town) is clearly visible! Every day is a school day…!

[@TheTim59]

Approaching Epsom Town on both sides were extensive goods siding and coal yards where the 70,s built houses are. On the right was also Longhurst was mill. Friend of mine worked there before it closed.

[@ramonwilliams5721]

I enjoyed your video very much,your lives are very different to my days on the footplate, in the 1950/60/70’s Kind regards.

[@emmo999]

Thank you for the kind comments. Times change with regard to rolling stock and the lineside. That’s why I like recording the history, so in the future there’s something to look back at

[@graalianlife78lim23]

Thank you for driver's eye video between London and Dorking included details about other routes goes to names.

[@emmo999]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. The next video will be the return journey back to Victoria

[@Nice_Person7379]

The aventra will never be as iconic as the electrostar

[@2H80vids]

"Iconic" might be stretching things a wee bit far. A Deltic or an HST might qualify but a plastic EMU falls short of iconic for me. 😁

[@stevehornsby7727]

Awesome video. I was wondering why the class 455 was on the fast line. That wasn't usually it's route

[@rubyait]

Great video. Thank you. Been a while since I’ve ridden with you and this route was a surprise. I have been on the ends (Vic, obviously) but never in the middle. Places I never heard of.

[@emmo999]

It’s been a while since I’ve uploaded! Life has got in the way! Got the return trip to upload next, and then two more passenger runs. After that is still to be sorted

[@RichardFelstead1949]

G;day from Australia. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@emmo999]

G’day! Thanks for the kind comments, glad you enjoyed it!

[@djtdub1]

Beautiful day.

[@emmo999]

Not going to lie, I do get quite lucky with my filming days!

[@stevehornsby7727]

Loving this

[@london5876]

Those platforms are Sutton are huge!! Bet they can fit 12 carriage trains

[@blueb0g]

Great video. But why no speed limit boards? I was expecting one before Clapham Common and one between Wandsworth and Balham... did I miss them?

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Excellent drivers eye view

[@emmo999]

Thanks for the comments. Glad you enjoyed

[@gordoncanham9920]

Good video often wondered the route from Balham to Mitcham, now revealed

[@emmo999]

It’s quite a nice route, in my opinion

[@stevehornsby7727]

You have gained another subscriber.

[@johnairs2735]

Thank you for the station stop edits. Great video.

[@emmo999]

It saves so much time and is - I think - largely irrelevant

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

thank you

[@emmo999]

No problem

[@prafter7]

Excellent video. May have missed it but has the old Balham box gone. As a South Eastern man we had a project to collect redundant rails and scrap. There seems to be plenty on the Central side looking at this video. Thanks for your work.

[@emmo999]

Thanks for the comments. There is no box at Balham, all control in that area has been VC for many a year. However between Balham and Streatham Common that changes to TB ROC, which has assumed a load of VC work (signals now being prefixed TVC)

[@johntyjp]

The ride on these trains is so smooth now, I could almost believe I was on a trolleybus !!!😮😆

[@emmo999]

Agreed. They don’t have the same charm as an old slam door!

[@leslietingey3873]

nice video used to travel from victoria to sutton for work early 1970's ,nice to see how mitcham junction tram was intergrated

[@emmo999]

It’s very different to how it used to be!

[@MervynPartin]

Very enjoyable. The views are so much better with 3rd rail electrification. Much less clutter, especially when compared with the GW ironwork.

[@emmo999]

I heartily agree!

[@LingLiu2014]

I just wish the 3rd rail would be used across the whole Network Rail instead of the overhead lines. I often wonder why they don't do it for major routes Paddington to Cardiff for example it's all overhead lines whereas Waterloo to Reading lines uses a 3rd rail

[@paull2613]

Brilliant thank you

[@Crepello100]

Fascinating to see the cab view of a line I used so often in the past. There used to be quite a large yard (about 10 sidings) down on the left from Streatham Sth. Jn. going most of the way to the level crossing, roughly 10.40 to 12.15 on this vid. When I first saw it around 1963 it was full of really ancient rolling stock but then gradually emptied and must have closed sometime around 1970? Then for about a decade nature reclaimed it before the housing estate was built on it. I've no idea what it was called or what it's initial purpose was. Seems there's no record of it anywhere. Shame.

[@gerrymckenna4878]

I think you are referring to Eardley Road Carriage sidings. Refer to Joe Brown's excellent London Railway Atlas 5th edition. The Woodland Trust also have a small site there as well.

[@shaunwest3612]

Great video emmo, nice journey, nice imfo, thanks 😀👍👌

[@emmo999]

Thanks for the comments 👍🏻

[@phwbooth]

Excellent video, for which may thanks.

[@emmo999]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻

[@mohatchett8001]

Many years ago we used to travel from Sutton to Chichester catching the class 411/2 to go on our Hols to Selsey great times

[@emmo999]

Oh yes, I love a 4CEP!

[@valfaulkner648]

WOW loved that journey! I lived in Leatherhead and worked both in Dorking and Epsom and to see how much it's changed! WOW thank you! now on the south coast I don't go up to Surrey to see for myself! Now you are passenger trains, where to next?

[@emmo999]

Just because I’m filming doesn’t mean I’m driving 😄 I just like to try and vary the videos I’m producing

[@naturerelax7892]

Keep them comming i enjoyed every second!

[@emmo999]

Glad you enjoyed it. More videos are recorded and being prepared for upload

[@SubTroppo]

More than twenty s ago, Monday to Friday, I cycled from Surbiton to Epsom, and then got the train to Warnham, (north of Horsham). It is interesting to see some of where I was going all those mornings. I miss standing in the guards' van with my bike on the old fashioned trains with the wind and noise. Modern trains are relatively boring and the constant public announcements on the suburban trains here in Brisbane Qld drive me nuts. If I had to commute on them here I'd have to wear ear defenders.

[@ace-paidinfull5240]

Cant wait till part of this route comes to TSW2 before the sunmers out

[@stephenchampion9835]

Nice vid, It's weird seeing Clapham Junction & Epsom from the Southern side (train driver at SWR). Often wonder what it's like going this way to and from Dorking rather than via WImbledon.

[@emmo999]

Thanks for the comments. The next video I upload is the return journey

[@AndreiTupolev]

Pouparts Junction. One of my favourite ever junctions. That and Stoats Nest Junction

[@emmo999]

Any particular reason? I wouldn’t have said there was anything special about them?

[@AndreiTupolev]

@@emmo999 Just the names have a certain charm

[@2H80vids]

@@AndreiTupolev Have to agree, especially Pouparts.👍😁 Maybe an idea for a thread: silliest/best/most descriptive junction names? I'm sure there are 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑦 more, just can't think of any good ones right now.😁

[@jamesbaker2958]

Occasionally drove this route 20 odd years ago out of Redhill depot. Writing a note for the TCS. I need a route refresher.

[@emmo999]

After 20 years, I reckon you do 😆

[@markpunt9638]

How empty the car park at Ashtead is - was always chockablock before Covid struck.

[@Mortimer50145]

Interesting that there is no physical rail connection between the lines that go to Waterloo and the ones that go to Victoria northeast of Clapham Junction. I wondered whether a ladder crossover might have been installed so trains could be diverted from one station (in case of closure) to the other. The 1:25K OS map makes it look as if the down lines from Waterloo and Victoria merge, but that's at too small a scale to show invididual tracks. I see what you mean about the smallness of the engineer's platform between Grosvenor Bridge and Battersea Park: it's about half a carriage-length ;-)

[@Gregdotgreg]

There wouldn't be the capacity or the route knowledge to divert from one terminal to the other. Plus all the maintenance that the extra points would need!

[@donepearce]

@@Gregdotgreg A friend of mine became a driver for South West, and it was my job to test him on his rules. I guarantee I could pass any check ride on that network that an examiner could throw at me. I may be among the 0.0001% of people in the UK who understand SIMBIDS.

[@z00h]

@@donepearce "I may be among the 0.0001% of people in the UK who understand SIMBIDS" But do you understand brrrap skrrrt peng?

[@donepearce]

@@z00h that must be from some other region. I only know South West.

[@z00h]

@@donepearce that's from London, so not that far from you.

[@martinberzins7478]

Re: Victoria lines having to cross over Waterloo lines. Since so many Waterloo services travel S.W. and many Victoria services travel South, with Waterloo being further east wouldn't it be easier for Victoria station to handle most of the South Westerly heading services?

[@emmo999]

It’s just the way it has developed historically with competing companies building their respective lines

[@土浦乗り鉄]

Nice train video.from Japan.

[@emmo999]

Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed it

[@ACELog]

When I'm sitting as a passenger on a 377 in a station, just before the train pulls away I hear a short, feint squeak. Would that be the brakes releasing (by a stepper motor?)

[@johnpro2847]

where are the passengers ?

[@noyonb1483]

Really enjoyed the video! Thanks for taking the time to record and upload for us. If its not a secret…what makes the “sneezing” sound when you leave the station(s). Is it a window or door closing? Thanks again and looking forward to your next journey. Cheers

[@emmo999]

The cab entry doors on these are held secure by air when the train is moving. So it’s just the air mechanism doing its bit to keep the cab door shut

[@Andrewjg_89]

London Victoria to Dorking doesn't seem to be a long journey. Half hour or 50 minutes. Depending on the service and if there are delays or disruptions to the service amongst with other services being affected (ie signalling problems and much more).

[@southerntransport466]

Mitcham Eastfields is my local it's awesome when you see ur local station in a video I don't like how the lines connect coming southbound into Epsom and how trains have to wait for services going in the other direction and how Southern services that terminate at Epsom have to use one platform 1 if I remember correctly also as someone mentioned it's interesting how if Victoria is shut Southern services have to divert into London Bridge because there's no link into London Waterloo branching off at or near Clapham Junction also great video as always carry on with taking chunks out of the video where you have w8

[@jonathanphelan6627]

Laziness from the signallers apparently, not good if you are rushing for a Victoria train on the London bound platform only to get there and see it about to go back to London from the southbound platform

[@mjohnston1986]

I though the CA prefix was Central Automatic for those two. As Co-Acting signals are usually in the immediate vicinity of the main signal due to poor sighting.

[@BTTT-c9q]

Can you do a cab tour :-) I love the 377

[@BTTT-c9q]

Do you or the guard release the door for passengers nowadays ? and if so do they still use the guards buzzer to communicate as I didn’t hear it on the video, thank you for uploading! :-))

[@emmo999]

Drivers open and close doors on 377s. Southern do not have traditional guards, they have on board supervisors to assist passengers

[@DAY-ky2qb]

Nice video, hopefully the video from Dorking to Horsham will come soon.

[@emmo999]

I’ll see what I can do

[@AtheistOrphan]

I filmed a cab ride from Horsham to Dorking back in 1994. I was on the platform at Horsham dicking about with my new camcorder and the driver invited me into the cab!

[@emmo999]

You wouldn’t get that invite nowadays, unless it was all official. I hope you enjoyed the ride that day!

[@SteveFTW5]

I can’t wait to drive the Victoria to Brighton route on TSW2

[@geoffbarry9540]

Was there something going on that day? A stopper on the up fast at Balham and passengers clearly waiting for something similar on platform 3?

[@emmo999]

The 455 seen at Clapham Jn was broken down. All trains were diverted onto the fasts so fitters could work on the broken down unit

[@counterraidz6245]

what i needed

[@Rob_33]

Another great video. Are you permanently back on passenger workings?

[@emmo999]

I just like to try and get some variety if I can. Note my videos are not necessarily me driving at the time

[@Rob_33]

@@emmo999 thank you

[@drdoolittle5724]

Brilliant, thank you! You Guys have been, one would think, successfully operating the 3rd rail for centuries, why all the fuss in the rest of the country about trillion pound electrification costs and lines which will possibly never ever be electrified?

[@2H80vids]

Even if we ignore the cost of the catenary, third rail means no problems with raising tunnel/bridge clearances. The aesthetics are less intrusive too. Historic bridges, such as the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick have been spoiled by overhead equipment and these concerns have halted progress towards the Forth Bridge (and rightly so). As far as I'm aware, it's purely "Elf + Safety" that won't consider any new third rail electrification outside the old Southern Region. If London, one of the busiest railway systems in the world, and Liverpool, which does suffer from a fair bit of trespass, can cope with it, I really don't see the problem. Accidents, usually fatal ones, happen with the overhead system too but, to be perfectly honest, if someone's going to dance on a live rail, it's Darwin Award territory and banning third rail outside the Southern will just force them to find another way to remove themselves from the gene pool. Unless there's a specific operating reason for OHLE, I'd make third rail the standard for all our electrified routes, current and future.

[@drdoolittle5724]

@@2H80vids Thought so, glad 1 other person in the Universe agrees, thank you. 3rd legs have helped keep humans going and yes, there have been some serious accidents there too!

[@stevieinselby]

@@2H80vids *Advantages of DC third rail* ⚡ easier and cheaper to install and maintain *Advantages of AC overhead electrification* ⚡ less danger to track workers, pedestrians using foot crossings, passengers in the event of an emergency evacuation, and wild animals. ⚡ fewer substations needed, and much more efficient transmission of power with less loss/leakage, especially over long distances. ⚡ higher power much more suitable for high speed services and heavy freight trains. ⚡ continuous wiring across junctions and level crossings means no risk of locomotives being stranded in a gap. ⚡ can be used at more than 100mph without the risk of the collector shoe losing contact with the conductor rail. There is a good reason (lots of good reasons!) why AC OHLE is the preferred method and why DC third rail can now only be installed in very limited and specific circumstances.

[@jeffhirst1403]

great video thank you.

[@emmo999]

Thanks for the comments. Glad you enjoyed it

[@pajotero4219]

Which model camera did you use? Also when did Dorking services start running on the down fast? I remember them being down slow via Balham, Mitcham Jct, Sutton and Leatherhead. 4-SUB's or 4-EPB's iirc. Mind you that was in the 70's :(

[@emmo999]

It’s a GoPro hero 7 black I think. As for the down fast, all services were diverted onto the fasts due to a broken down train on the down slow at Clapham Junction

[@MrAndybye]

what is that little hiss as the train moves off?

[@emmo999]

The cab doors are air operated. I believe it is just the train isolating them, so they can’t open while the train is moving

[@rninrvr]

Very enjoyable cab ride video. Add you to Ben and Don for watching.

[@emmo999]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the comments

[@michellebell5092]

That’s interesting . Im a regular commuter from Victoria or Clapham Junction and I’m not sure I have ever been on the reversible fast spur to Sutton:

[@emmo999]

It’s definitely one of the rarer moves

[@SiVlog1989]

Sutton's 3 letter code is "SUO", I wonder if it's because of Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands having "SUT"

[@emmo999]

And SUN is Sunderland, STN is Stonehaven. There is very little choice

[@Rtt-d5m]

It was watching your freight videos that gave me a reason to buy the Track Map booklet no 5 to see the layouts of the routes. Interesting books

[@emmo999]

I love looking at a track map. It’s quite an intertwined network in Kent and Sussex

[@AndreiTupolev]

Interesting use of the reversible spur at Streatham. Is that a normal use for down trains?

[@emmo999]

No, normally they’re on the slow and go up and over the flyover. It’s just because the train was on the down fast

[@DarrenChilvers]

Such a shame it wasn't a horsham service

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

1:28 I can see the chimney of battersea power station

[@mdhazeldine]

Great to see more videos! I know I've asked this before, but is there any hope of getting any videos on the Windsor/Reading or Kingston/Hounslow loops or the Shepperton line? Not sure if you make these videos from a Tamper or passenger trains. I know SWR are a bit funny about can rides, so not sure if it's even possible?

[@emmo999]

I try and get out to wherever I can. Now (hopefully!) life is returning to normal it is easier to get cab rides

[@mdhazeldine]

@@emmo999 That's encouraging! Looking forward to whatever you can get 🙂

[@emmo999]

I have a few more already recorded, but when I get chance to get towards the SWR, I will

[@dukenukem5768]

Ironic that the main line has a tight double curve at Mitcham Junction to accommodate with the earlier and less important Wimbledon-West Croydon line, which goes through straight and is now a tramway that could turn on a sixpence (nearly).

[@emmo999]

Yes, absolutely. Funny how things change. Presumably there’s a reason the station was laid at the angle it was!

[@dukenukem5768]

@@emmo999 I forgot, the route of the line between Mitcham, through Mitcham Jcn, to Croydon, was the route of the Surrey Iron Railway built in 1801. The SIR went bust and the trackbed used to build the conventional Wimbledon and Croydon Railway of 1853, worked jointly by LBSCR and LSWR. The LBSCR eventually took over, so Croydon was the "Up" end of the W&CR line despite being further from London than Wimbledon. So the bit of line through Mitcham Jcn is one of the oldest bits of railway route in the World still in use.

[@bb-3653]

Oh so you joined southern aye!? And your taking charge of the second gen electrostars. Its a bummer that electostars typically don't have motors in the driver cab area. Would have been cool to hear them scream!!!

[@emmo999]

They’re not the loudest things in the world to start with

[@bb-3653]

@@emmo999 indeed ,but if you've ever sat on a bogie their very audible, i mean especially second gens. But yeah man good for you!!

[@ace-paidinfull5240]

Lovely horn at balham random but lovely ✌🏽

[@AndreiTupolev]

Because of the people on the narrow part of the platform

[@SimonLiddo]

Brilliant

[@emmo999]

Glad you enjoyed the ride

[@MrSkruffy82]

On the approach to Epsom at 27:41 you can see the old abandoned station on the left

[@emmo999]

Abandoned station at Epsom? Didn’t know there was one

[@DavidMartin-ym2te]

@@emmo999 It was in Upper High Street. Cannot see much from the road but you can from the railway.

[@MrSkruffy82]

@@emmo999 it was the LBSCR terminus and was renamed Epsom Town when the main station was built. You can just see it poking above the shops on Upper High Street

[@paulmark63]

Great 👍 video

[@emmo999]

Thank you for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed the ride

[@crownjulesgaming542]

Hi, nice video! Do you know what them rails are for inbetween the tracks in some areas? I see them a lot on the railways and was just wondering. Maybe they are to help dampen the effects of a derailment or prevent it altogether?

[@emmo999]

There could be a variety of reasons If they’re just generally laid about, short lengths are generally scrap awaiting removal, whereas long continuous welded lengths would have been placed there ready for a track renewal coming up However, sometimes they do put them on viaducts, so that should a derailment occur it does lessen the effects and possibly stop a train going over the side

[@crownjulesgaming542]

@@emmo999 Interesting, thank you 🙂

[@jonathanphelan6627]

@@emmo999 someone said they are just left there as they are too heavy to move, but the value of all these rails left laying about must be enormous in scrap value

[@emmo999]

Got nothing to do with them being too heavy. They would get cut up into shorter lengths for removal and then hoisted off by a TRAMM (Track Repair And Maintenance Machine) which has an onboard crane deliberately to hoist scrap off the line)

[@jonathanphelan6627]

@@emmo999 that would make more sense, the scrap value must be enormous

[@mikec9810]

How do the drivers manage to stay awake and focussed? I enjoyed the ride (shame so much of the track and infrastructure coming out of London is so drearily dirty and unkempt looking), but it must be so tedious to have to sit staring at the track ahead .

[@emmo999]

It’s part of the initial driver aptitude tests to pass a concentration test. This is a long session looking at a flashing square on a screen to test your ability to concentrate for a long period on a monotonous task

[@mikec9810]

@@emmo999 Thanks for that.

[@emmo999]

No worries. Happy to explain!

[@pablorobertodurso8892]

Great video .At the minute 4:11 you said that the south west lie doesn't conect with the other line , what 's the reason .

[@emmo999]

Who can say 🤷🏻‍♂️ I guess there’s no need for it

[@ollie-t7862]

Two different rail operators, why would they need to cross over?

[@Southerntrainspotter315]

I love this video and i new the train cLass when i heard the aws (automatic warning system) sound its a 377 i hope you can do brighton-portsmoth soon

[@emmo999]

I’ll add it to the list…!

[@Southerntrainspotter315]

great video to watch while i eat 🤣

[@emmo999]

Nothing wrong with multitasking!

[@Southerntrainspotter315]

Could you try and get a cLass 313 pep emu for the video please