SWT Trains Using Former International Platforms at Waterloo Station

For three weeks in August 2017 British domestic trains are using the former Eurostar International platforms at London's Waterloo station.
This film shows Class 458 and Class 455 trains using these platforms in August 2017 plus also Class 373 Eurostar trains (in the mid 1990s) and more.

[@allan5919]

A very informative video with some excellent footage old and new. Nice to see the old terminal in use once again. Regards - Allan.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Thanks :-)

[@AlexMetroman]

Nice video, Simon! Just to let you know, they will close again after August and re-open permanently for the December 2018 timetable.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Thanks Alex. Yes, so I hear, from next year there will be four more platforms. But its a shame that this could not have happened in 2008.

[@waynerooo]

Great video, thanks!

[@RoscoTrain107]

It's good that trains are using the international platforms again although this was way overdue and should of be sorted a long time ago even after Eurostar moved to St Pancras international

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

My thoughts exactly.

[@Desiro360]

Good video dude. Nice to see the former international platforms at Waterlook being brought back into use again. A shame it took almost 10 years to do so.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Thanks. I agree with you about the 10 years. Its a scandal that they were left unused for so long. Even if they had only been used for rush hour services they would have offered much very valuable extra capacity.

[@Desiro360]

I know dude and yes they would have made it much more easier for more longer trains to run. The former Eurostar terminal underneath the platforms will be converted become a shopping centre.

[@roundel52]

After the 3 week SWT use of these platforms, Southeastern will be using both them and the old Eurostar flyover for a week whilst Charing Cross is closed.

[@michaelaldred6529]

Turning back the clock use to get the boat train from Waterloo to Weymouth for Jersey how things have changed since then.

[@Memorex62]

Platform 20 is remaining open permanently and the rest will reopen permanently by Dec 18. P20 to 22 were used by SWT for a couple of years prior to the start of the rebuilding works. I know this because I have been in there on SWT trains several times!

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Thanks for this info. I did hear about some trials a few weeks ago but only a few trains were involved. It really is a scandal that for a decade the place remained unused with no attempt being made to operate even a handful of rush hour trains.

[@comeng442M]

I remember when I worked in France and lived in London thankfully it was only a 3 hour journey each way

[@dtvfan24]

hope it will be good. turns the clock for me as i remember as a boy going on my first eurostar train from waterloo. i was in amazement at the train shed

[@someamazingpenguin8531]

3:00 that's a 508 middle carriage

[@Andrewjg_89]

I actually think that reusing the former Eurostar terminal at London Waterloo was a good idea. Because it meant that trains operating to Windsor & Eton Riverside and Reading can use the former Eurostar platforms. And to allow longer commuter trains to operate in and out of London Waterloo. As well as trains working on other long distance routes.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Yes it was a very good idea - but just a shame that it took so long to make the required changes for the Eurostar terminal to be used by domestic trains.

[@tobys_transport_videos]

How do the station staff and various security personnel react to people videoing and photographing Eurostar trains at their respective platforms? Is it a case of "once you're inside the paid area, you are to to go to your allocated carriage" or is it ok to wander along the platform and savour the moment with a camera?

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Well of course the Eurostar train at Waterloo was filmed many years ago - in 1995 actually. Nobody said a word, it was as if I was invisible! I was noticed when filming more recently, but did not have a problems. It helped that I was only there for a few minutes and then caught a train. At St Pancras (last week) I did not receive any hassle but suspect that the CCTV people would have seen me. Here again I did not spend too long at any one location.

[@grahamcutress47]

Hopefully you'll capture the one of the Southeastern class 375 Electrostars at the end of the month using the international platforms and the former Eurostar curve and flyover?

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

No promises but I will try to get the station. Where is the flyover? Do you know the places these trains will be going to? Lewisham? Hayes?

[@grahamcutress47]

citytransportinfo I understand they'll be Dover/SE coast services & only half hourly service, So Dover stopping all the way to Sevenoaks, up to Denmark Hill, where the train picks up a SWT route specialist, and they guide the services into WAT! The flyover is in Nine Elms between Queenstown Road and Vauxhall stations, this allowed originally the Eurostar services to cross over 6 SWT lines without disrupting domestic services, you might get good footage from Vauxhall as they pass!

[@gandalf7292]

Did you have some old footage of the TGV TMST with the old livery ? I gonna miss that train

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

Do you mean the orange livery? Sorry but very little.

[@gandalf7292]

citytransportinfo I'm sorry when I said TGV TMST I talked about the class 373 with the old white and gold livery of the Eurostar.

[@gandalf7292]

TMST means TransManche( Channel in french ) SuperTrain but you the brits are more often to call it Class 373 or e300

[@james123212]

as far as i know we've only ever referred to it by its TOPS classification in the uk

[@CJT80]

My understanding is that from 2018-2019 the former International Platforms will be returned to permanent domestic use!

[@tag2412]

In 2023 they’re still in use so…

[@tomsmith5584]

Is it me, or does the color scheme on Southwest Trains match the color scheme used by Southwest Airlines in the United States?

[@RoscoTrain107]

Tom S. In most ways yes however it won't be for along because MTR / first Group South Western Trains Will be taking over from this weekend.

[@thelonesculler]

I think I did get the Eurostar from Waterloo in 2005

[@davidtanycoed]

Are these staying open after the other platforms have had work completed? or just temporary?

[@gazzyp]

They will close after this 3 week period, for a year or so for works to be completed (there is retail to go into the 'pit' area). Then they will finally re-open permanently for domestic trains.

[@andydrew2003]

Hey Simon, are you going to be doing anything for the last day of the Stagecoach franchise? Maybe a montage perhaps?

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

I've not though of that... yet. I think its now very soon, I need to think about this, hopefully there will be a train or two in the new operator's livery.

[@maimadha]

Great video

[@SaucyULTRA]

Was this cause by the derailed train??

[@roundel52]

TheMiniGamer no. This has been planned for ages. The derailment was caused by the engineering work that needed the platforms reopened!

[@SaucyULTRA]

John Smith oh

[@eurostar3739]

I still prefer seeing class 373s in this platform

[@chris-io1ki]

Thanks for the video. I am very disappointed Stagecoach lost this franchise. Any new liveries planned for the new South West franchise yet?

[@universaltrainsstudio8534]

chris217 Yes 444040, a class 158 and 450111 are in SWR Livery now

[@Rudder9576]

I still don't understand why the former Eurostar platforms weren't used by SWT not long after Eurostar left for St Pancras.

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

I suppose the simple answer is that the railway system did not value them enough! Admittedly the platform access from the station forecourt was convoluted and the tracks leading to these platforms were designed for a comparative few trains per hour, but nevertheless especially at rush hours the ability to run extra trains and therefore provide a better service to passengers should have seen these platforms being used for domestic services 'ages ago'

[@SprattyHeath]

I wonder why did it take so long to reopen the ex-Eurostar platforms, not enough funding???

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

I suppose the simple answer is that the railway system did not value them enough! Admittedly the platform access from the station forecourt was convoluted and the tracks leading to these platforms were designed for a comparative few trains per hour, but nevertheless especially at rush hours the ability to run extra trains and therefore provide a better service to passengers should have seen these platforms being used for domestic services 'ages ago'

[@SprattyHeath]

citytransportinfo I see thanks.

[@Nitroblast]

I believe the platforms were privately owned and it took years of negotiating to actually use them.

[@slendermanRblx]

Is there anything left of the Eurostar days at Waterloo?

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

I have not been there since filming this, and when I was there the areas below the platforms were still closed.

[@dustybroadcast6035]

I will miss the 458 when it's getting scrapped ;( ;( ;( ;( ;( ;( ;(

[@SOSOwner]

Those Trains Are Still Usable.

[@james123212]

there not getting scrapped why does everyone think that since there not going to be on south western in a few years they will be scapped

[@leifliltorp3277]

hurrah!!!

[@TitanSound]

Typical British efficiency, the railways are overcrowded so they wait 10 years to convert them for domestic use.

[@matthewalbery8827]

at 2:49 its a 315 not 450

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

this cannot be as the 315's are only able to operate under 25kV AC overhead wires!

[@kimjonguunnn]

Yeah I believe the video stated it was 455 721 & 913 which is accurate considering it is a class 455 not a 315 or a 450.

[@matthewalbery8827]

hmm, ok then I thought 455s were part of the desirio series. Not sure that I understand why the first two digits are not displayed on the end of the unit, if anyone can help?

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

I know that it is confusing but Classes 450 and 444 are part of the Siemens Desiro family whilst the 455's are 'PEP' trains and were built by British Rail. Some Class 455 trains also have trailers which come from the Class 508 trains that were originally used in southern England but later sent to Merseyrail. re: the missing first two digits, all I know is that leaving them off is a 'Southern' thing. I think this dates from the time of the Southern Railway as existed prior to railway nationalisation in the late 1940's.