Class 230 in Service on Marston Vale Line

The Vivarail 'D-Train', old London Underground trains converted to Class 230 have made their debut on the Bedford to Bletchley line (Marston Vale) so it was time to go down, take a trip ... and see them in action! And a quick stop to look around the lovely Ridgmont station too.
Vivarail: vivarail.co.uk/
Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership: www.marstonvalecommunityrail.o...

[@andrewholloway231]

I think upcycling is the way to go. Vivarail's D-Train proves that it can be done. Brilliant video.

[@MrStabby19812]

The Ilse of Wight proved that with the 1938 stock

[@tech4pros1]

Let's hope they don't upcycle a pacer next..

[@18Euston]

@@tech4pros1 Upcycle anything but the Pacer trains…

[@fin720s]

this hasnt aged well

[@CharlieFlemingOriginal]

​@@fin720s yep you're right! Train "manufacturer" busy and in the process of being broken up. Looks as if this line is going to get different trains for the line... 230 being unreliable and now no maintenance as Vivarail is busy. Looks as if the 230 may not sell.

[@bagvir]

YES MY DUDE, IM SO PUMPED FOR TRAINS AFTER FINDING THIS CHANNEL

[@princethe7]

Ditto i have always had a slight interest but this channel has made me even more interested

[@AussieRail]

Jagvir Sangha I hope you already found his other channel "All The Stations" - if not you need to look for it :)

[@robclarkson]

MK resident here, took my train mad 2-year-old on the Class 230 for a day out on Weds inspired by your video. Definitely gets two thumbs up from us! Keep doing what you're doing, I've been enjoying your content for years.

[@andrewphipps8103]

It reminds me of a modern pub with shabby-chic furniture. The old and new elements seem to come together beautifully well.

[@boskee]

I love everything about this. First of all, those D Stock deserve new life - not a scrapyard, but people travelling on the Marston Vale deserve high quality train, and it seems Vivarail has delivered. They didn't just put on new layer of paint, they've gone further and even provided USB sockets to charge your devices. Brilliant. Long live D-Train.

[@Lic021]

also I agree with tubes not having tables, they take up too much space that could be used by passengers during busy times I do like the USB charge points though, could definitely do with those on the tube

[@M1CAE1.]

Also the fact that many Tube passengers are not on the tube for long enough for table seats to be particularly useful. I myself have experienced this as I use the tube for all sorts of runarounds and avoiding crowds.

[@hypotheticlz]

Most tube journeys aren’t long enough to justify power sockets. Also, charging cables would get in the way and be a hazard at peak times; most tube lines have no signal underground anyways so it’s pretty useless. Books however, never run out of charge!

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Wild D-Stock appeared! D-Stock uses Mind The Gap! It's super effective

[@M1CAE1.]

@@fantasticfox175 Wild A-Stock appeared! A-Stock uses "You can't beat the old and clunky" ... It's SUPER effective! S-Stock faints!

[@alexleo172]

Wild 1972 Bakerloo Tubestock appeared! 1972 Tubestock uses Bouncy & Cozy! It's super effective

[@goatgamer001]

Xd

[@Sophiebryson510]

Wild HST appeared! HST uses Refurbishment! Its super effective IET uses techical issues! It backfired! IET panicks!

[@Spacebug111]

Class 142 uses temporary service, it’s not very effective

[@ianmcclavin]

3 years on, with the passing of Vivarail into administration, the operation of these has already been short-lived. At the time of writing, the entire Marston Vale service between Bletchley and Bedford has been replaced by buses until further notice. A real pity, I went to Ridgmont a few times on the Class 230's, and was impressed with them; they were actually quite an improvement ambiance-wise on the 150's/153's.

[@Inkubaszi]

I'm in MK... Maybe I will do in some.good weather time a trip on those... Nice movie, thanks !

[@Warpdrive2233]

I grew up in Dagenham, Essex. My nearest station was Becontree on the District Line and the D Stock has a special place in my memory and heart. Seeing these refurbished and still going is brilliant!

[@Spacebug111]

Im so lucky my closest train station is on this line

[@ianmcclavin]

It looks like the ones on the Isle of Wight will remain, as they're not reliant on Vivarail for the maintenance, and some could return to London on the West Ealing to Greenford branch, as GWR has purchased some of Vivarail's assets, but at the moment it looks doubtful that they'll return to the Marston Vale line.

[@G1NZOU]

I'd seen one of these at the Woburn Sands crossing a few weeks ago while coming back from Band practice, and looked it up, now this pops up in my recommended list. Fantastic trains and I love the idea to completely rebuild using old stock in a way that's not a half measure.

[@timblaker7138]

Geoff, I always look forward to your new work. Love your enthusiasm! You spoke of overhauling trains , then repurposing them. Beech Grove, In, next door to Indianapolis, Amtrak rolling assets go there, and also a yard in Maryland for overhaul. They exit as good as new and ready for more use, modern and passenger cars are up to date and welcoming, part of the modern age. I'm so glad you spoke of repurposing in this video. i enjoy and appreciate your work. Thanks Geoff!

[@nicksrailchannel3822]

What an amazing transformation from how I remember that line when I used to travel on it in the early 1970s and the terminus was at Bedford St. Johns. Dirty DMUs, empty stations apart from the occasional signalman or crossing keeper and you bought your ticket from the conductor/guard on the train.

[@dozenazer1811]

I like the way this train is refurbished

[@GavinCameronWriter]

I like that stations selling tea and coffee are always given a shout-out on these videos. It's important to be hydrated while ticking off platforms.

[@TheSUBWAYZ]

So glad they still sound like themselves! can't wait to ride em, hopefully 2022

[@t.vanoosterhout233]

"Aspley Guise known for.. (talk talk talk)..." me: NOOO, known for being serenaded by the Aspley Guys! One of your best vlogs!

[@robclarkson]

Weirdly, I went to school with Dan from that video, near Southampton, and now I live just round the corner from the Marston Vale line!

[@egpx]

Rode on an up cycled train a couple of months ago. ScotRail is taking on ex-GWR Class 43 Inter-City 125 trains and putting them to work on its Inter7City services. Some people were less than enamoured at ScotRail taking on 40 year old stock but I’m all for it, especially with such an iconic train.

[@Sandrock313]

From what I've heard the only reason as to why people are complaining is that the trains are taking too long to get into service but regular commuters who travel between Edinburgh and Inverness/Aberdeen would take the LNER HST over a class 170 if they could

[@johnmurray8428]

I like this word upcycling. Next time I al in the UK I will have a railway adventure on this line. Thank you.

[@jxck_xy]

3:16 Aww, isn’t she so funny and nice? Bless her 😆❤️

[@TheTransportHub17]

Cool video Geoff and Vivarail have done a fantastic job and you would never know these were 41 years old and I like the mixture of high back, tip up and the original underground style seats. The maps are very nice and I like the green which resembles the district line and very good it's accessible.

[@M1CAE1.]

Me, a D-Stock child: *NOSTALGIA 100*

[@ligasinica6109]

That lady (in 3:17) is such a character, often can see in Bedford 😊

[@MrStabby19812]

Nice to see chirpy people unlike moany old gits like myself

[@stephendines1936]

I travelled on this service a couple of weeks ago, very impressed.

[@icdgyixify]

Vivarail should be given a lot more publicity for the good work that they do.

[@beverleyriddell7951]

Yes we should always upcycle as much as you can..as always great video 👍👍

[@abdullahi4545]

I love you videos, I am interested in trains and buses as much as you do but you have an amazing knowledge about it. KEEP IT UP Man

[@Fluteboy]

3:14 - Her accent changed during her bit! She went all Brummie in the end!

[@Maxibon2007]

A lot of folk from Birmingham came to Bletchley & Milton Keynes in the 1960s/1970s it’s definitely affected the local accent!

[@RussianSevereWeatherVideos]

06:02 That old electric engine sound is so dang familiar from my years in the USSR on our old EMU trains. Love it! Our first rail buses were built off of a subway car design as well, before they evolved.

[@johnlaw3323]

Great little line with lots of interest. Many thanks.

[@iankemp1131]

They look pretty good! Variety of seating, mainly transverse, better than the longitudinal-only tube/Overground arrangement for country lines. Seats look more comfortable than latest GWR long-distance stock and Thameslink. Seem smooth, judging from Geoff easily standing upright as it rolls along. And the ambience seems good.

[@geoffjelly4959]

Fold up seats at the tables looks so useful. Difficult getting my guide dog under the table this would make it much easier. Accessible!

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Looks as if they have done a good job with refurbishment, will have to have a trip up their soon.

[@davidfazakerley3407]

All thats missing is "MIND THE GAP" 😁

[@Danokoten]

It's just been announced that the Isle of Wight is getting these trains as an upgrade soon to our 1938 stock.

[@williamwildcat]

?

[@chubbylegend]

Do the Class 442s on SWR next. They've had a hard life since the NSE days and their service as Gatwick Express trains. Now the "upcycled" 442s are plying their trade between Portsmouth Harbour and Waterloo via Haslemere and Guildford.

[@ianmcclavin]

Too late. The 442's have all been scrapped now.

[@MontytheHorse]

Love these trains. Have traveled on the battery version and it is brilliant. I must take a trip to Bletchley soon so I can travel on these trains in service.

[@oforid2227]

So they've gone from Richmond to Ridgmont

[@palermo8179]

South West London Bus Enthusiast LMFAO

[@railman8454]

Love the way that Ridgmont sounds a bit like Richmond, where the D stock trains serviced on the District.

[@dawid5401]

BTW on the old trains on TFL rail Liverpool Street to Shenfield route, the upcycled those trains and changed them into overground.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Brilliant video! we need more D trains and more heritage centres like at Ridgmont!

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Once the Pacers are retired from the National Rail network, can we have them

[@tartansimmo7147]

You're more than welcome to have them

[@paulgrant3749]

The pacers woulb be brilliant they made 96 of them and since they enterd scervice around 30 years ago only 2 142 pacer trains have been scraped

[@UnbelievableEricthegiraffe]

@@paulgrant3749 How do you Scrape a Train were they scraped While being cut up by another train ??

[@bobbobby9798]

🤣🤣🤣

[@transportandtheatrekid2298]

Have class 357 and 379 they are a lot nicer

[@Fieldsonyoutube]

Used to live in Milton Keynes, so glad they got the new trains, and surprising they even sound like the underground trains even though they disels

[@celovity_747]

I like the new 230s! This made LNWR better, awesome video Geoff!

[@kpurban1310]

Love the Stewartby chimneys in the walls.

[@majorpygge-phartt2643]

What on EARTH is that woman doing playing a guitar on a TRAIN?! That would stir up raucous hysterics which folk like ME absolutely DON'T need!

[@thetrainkid3177]

This video aged well. RIP Vivarail.

[@transportenthusiasticman26]

The Ex LU D Stock's new life begins, one day, I am planning to ride the D Train Class 230

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Cool little train!

[@JaapFilius]

What a beautiful little Diesel Electric train converted out of old London Districtline stock. I did read somewhere that an all electric version of these trains is ordered to replace the 1938 ex-London Underground Stock on the isle of Wight.

[@alfies.trains]

Brilliant i went on them last weekend

[@Lic021]

the isle of wight trains that you've definitely never been on? :P (also hi, I'm the islander who bumped into you the other day in a spoons in cornwall :) )

[@1chish]

You will soon be having these 230s .. congrats!

[@owenchuarbx]

I'm so happy the D Stock is back (Yep I know they're called D-Trains)

[@michaelpoole587]

Went to see them today,overall very good and very quiet. Overall good,staff very nice. Seen the RAIL report in the magazine out 3 days ago but Adrian is not giving anything away how they will fit in Ryde tunnel in the Isle of Wight. They run well on welded track but the Isle of Wight track is about the worst anywhere i have been,Hope it works out well as they are 2 " higher than the Mersey side tube trains and about 7 " higher than the existing 483 stock . The tunnel floor was raised due to flooding about 10" so well ,see what happens over there.

[@michaelvidstv2860]

I cant wait to do it

[@plsrafa]

I met you in Victoria on sunday!!!! :D

[@SadLivingPerson]

This trains have definitely gone through a lot of work, making sure it’s not recognized as a London Underground train anymore

[@damienmanu117]

Earlier, when they announced the work they would do to the D78's I was thinking about how they would be messing up what the train was designed to be and making it something its not, I looked at the early concept photos just laughing at how desperate they were to almost electrostarify them, over time, I got to understand and remember that the D78's left london at a time they were almost still fresh from their refurbishment, the C69/C77/C08/A60 and A62's made it pretty much over 20 years over their refurbishment, I will always like the D78's, so now after the work they have done and seeing how surprisingly neat the production 230's have come out, it's honestly great how they have literally managed to upgrade its already intensely modern looking refurbishment and managed to take even more years off the D78's, it is also grear to hear the D78's LT118's singing freely again from how it use to before it's very limited runs in its later london years after refurbishment, so honestly, great work and welcome class 230s :)

[@benhartley7474]

From living within 10 miles of Ridgmont I often see these trains running between Bedford and Bletchley

[@djlawlz4041]

The new orange line train that runs between Forest Hills and Oak Grove here in Boston is supposed to have those fold up seats for bikes and wheelchairs. We already have that on the Commuter Rail lines ( otherwise known as purple line) and I find that they are really beneficial.

[@darkchia00]

Bought your book at the Transport Museum the other day. I will be reading it on the flight home next week. :-)

[@HardyBunster]

Class 230 superb idea. 👍

[@petermc7098]

Hello There, great video Geoff, What a fantastic refurbishment, really well done and thought out throughout, looks great throughout. Cheers Peter :) P.S. It's good to see how much emphasis that they have put on accessibility as well. P.P.S. They are converting some old D78 Stock into x5 2 Car Sets which will be extensively refurbished and known as class 484's on the Island Line in the Isle Of Wight, which is promising.

[@lauppfrosch]

Upcycling. It IS possible. There should be more such projects!

[@paulredling8683]

Good video fella.

[@middlegrounduk]

Thanks for another great video. Took a ride on 230004 on Saturday just gone from Bletchley to Bedford and Back. They are great. Quite lucky as a Class 153 was operating the other service. Heard the conductor say that he explained to one of the enthusiasts on board that the reason that only one was running was due to flat batteries or something... Thought I was going crazy as was sure that I saw your original video but couldn't find any more than the thumbnail on google images. Guessing it needed some bits editing out :-( Keep up the good work.

[@dodge2322]

I can’t believe on the coney valley in wales our beloved class 150s are being replaced with those in TFW Livery

[@MalteSpieltYT]

ive missed the D-Stock so much

[@JAMamation]

There’s been a bus replacement service for months now. Can’t wait til it is fully back in service again

[@audigex]

The 769 are definitely an instance of upcycling too, if not in quite the same way

[@jennyhouse6748]

I went on this line yesterday, stopping for an hour at Ridgmont, having been inspired by Geoff's video. The scenery on the journey is interesting and I got a personal tour of the heritage centre. Unfortunately their are reliability issues with the upcycled trains with frequent cancellations and delays at the moment. The trains are also very hot and need more opening windows but the guard said that Vivarail are working on improvements and these improvements have to happen before the trains will be accepted on some of the Cardiff Valley lines. I would absolutely recommend using the line for your 'Have an Adventure Day' but don't travel on a really warm day like I did!

[@tamtdc]

6 months later, they still break down .... >>>> A LOT

[@paulyh4531]

Those seats remind me of double diamond beer , am sure you remember that Geoff lol 😉🍺👍

[@GilbertTV]

wonderful...

[@class_50_enthusiast]

I cant wait for the class 484 on the isle of wight

[@richardwager283]

Off topic but related Geoff, why are the new S-stock district line seats going thread bare already. Nice to see the D-stock in its new home 👍🏻

[@mickd6942]

Just hope people use them , the old use it or lose it comes to mind, hope all that effort pays off. Think the snow plaugh is a bit optimistic though lol

[@scottpeacock5492]

I saw the class 230 at Bletchley a few weeks ago and havent had the chance to board the service yet from Bedford as the service has been reduce due to the Pandemic. But i hope this train will be use on the reopen line to Oxford in 4 years time.

[@vladcopeti1357]

Island Line will get an ex D Stock train for testing this month

[@leonciohernandez]

This upcycling is incredible what made with this stock.

[@williambarnard420]

Sad you didn’t go to Bedford 😔 we all use that train to get to school everyday and I miss it now

[@djdougmanstar]

I took a London Northwestern train from Birmingham to London Euston (May 12). Rode in the First Class section for only 17GBP single journey. Only complaint was there is no luggage rack in that part of the car. But a fantastic journey all round.

[@rjc0234]

The strangest thing about Vivarail trains, is Richard Hammond talked about them on the Grand Tour. seemed so odd he mentioned them!

[@rjc0234]

@@AllThingsRailways It was one where they were doing an episode about pickup trucks, and Hammond mentioned that the ending in his ford truck was the same one they used on the vivarail xxxx series. really put into perspective how efficient trains can be. the engine can either move one truck with 5 people in it, or a train with 60 people!

[@petermostyneccleston2884]

Every train in the world should have a table, for every seat, and every station should have its own ticket office, to sell the tickets from. I know that is my opinion, but it made life a lot easier, than it is now.

[@x0katiexo00]

I saw this train going to stop at Lancaster Railway Station, I live near there.

[@jameskingsford7794]

4:25 yesss they kept the old metro cammell logo treadplate

[@anthonymathias4043]

I remember so much less space on these carriages on the district line

[@theodorbean2604]

I love living in the past

[@nathantzhang]

EIGHTEEN MONTHS? I remember that video like it was yesterday!

[@OfficialRyanx]

Yes. The green moquette was absolutely planned to a t to be an homage to the District Line... 😒😅😂

[@shawfield]

I wonder if the footpath rail crossing is still there between Bow Brickhill and Woburn Sands, which we used to run across, on our way to the woods, on our daily lunchtime runs from Wavendon Tower in the 90's ?

[@BassBusMusic]

Upcycling trains has been going on for years. They're called the Intercity 125. Some of the GWR examples have a new life in Scotland. 40 years on and still being reinvented.

[@norbitonflyer5625]

Further back than that. Most of the old Southern Railways pre-WW2 suburban units used secondhand bodies from redundant but still fairly new steam-hauled rolling stock - after the war, the bodies were replaced with new steel ones to become the 4SUB and 4EPB units. The Class 442 units about to re-enter service on the Portsmouth line use traction equipment originally from the old 4REP stock, which was itself converted in the 1960s from hauled stock dating from the 1950s.

[@Selous_Scout]

South western railway have brought back the old Wessex electrics ( class 442 ) to run between Portsmouth and London Waterloo ....pity there not running between Weymouth and Waterloo but it’s nice to see them back none the less and it’s a good idea that these train companies use older stock and get some use out of them

[@paultidd9332]

Great Geoff, I would never have know of the place. I would be interested to know what the price difference is between building a new train for the line and the refurbishment of the ex-tube stock? See you in York!

[@ShoummaShams]

I feel like the table arrangement is less efficient in terms of maximising (standing) space available, the Tube arrangement makes perfect sense considering how busy it can get.

[@jimmorey8252]

Viva-Rail will be doing a similar job repurposing D78 stock for the Isle of Wight line, whose existing units are over 80 years old and really conked out (there is only one set currently in operation on the island) The D78 stock destined for the island will be 3rd rail electric and will be classed '484'

[@threeleggedshrew]

Great video - Is this the same kind of D stock that will run between Nuneaton and Coventry?

[@stevedable]

Amazingly quiet. Couldn't be playing music on a Pacer, or standing up for that matter without holding on with both hands!

[@peebee143]

Yet to try them out, I only live a few miles away so need to get that sorted. Pleased to see they have USB charging points available. What's not to like.

[@rickyzuc]

This video has been ironically ‘up-cycled’. Will make sure I visit the museum at some point this year, probably in the summer!

[@unniFI]

yesss