Crossrail Explained In 2 Minutes

What exactly is London's new railway? Where does it run to and from? When will it open? We explain everything you need to know about Crossrail in this handy video. There's more Crossrail videos in our dedicated playlist, here: • Crossrail
Also, GOOD ON YOU! if you've clicked 'Show More' to reveal this part of the description. Most people don't. Confuse those who haven't by leaving a comment that says "SO MUCH PURPLE!!", below, so that we know you are - it'll be our private game!
(And now you're wondering how many other previous videos we've done this on, aren't you?)

[@richardede9594]

Explained in two minutes. Delayed for two years.

[@AhtNFG]

Richard Ede decades*

[@joevogli1055]

very fitting for london public transport.

[@navkh2790]

80 years later No one remembers what crossrail is

[@MrRevika]

No

[@MrRevika]

For three years.Good try

[@CoastalWizard]

Well, those timings aged really well 😭😭

[@spalftac]

Still waiting….

[@CoastalWizard]

@@spalftac oh wow, this really does continue

[@platinumturret]

Abbey Wood extension coming in few weeks

[@platinumturret]

:)

[@therandomidiotontheinternet]

@@platinumturret WHERE DID YOU GET THIS INFO

[@James-vk6cu]

Watches video in January 2020: "Well, this is awkward..."

[@gurditrehal3348]

Watching in August 2020: "Just got even more awkward"

[@stephenbeckett6377]

July 2035: Still Awkward!

[@hoopster68]

Still seems a long way off kzbin.info/www/bejne/laO4eKZpbtKfg9E

[@BobaShakeMallow]

I hate the way he says it as two thousand and twenty instead of twenty nineteen

[@nicomonkeyboy]

Happy new year 2021... oh.

[@IR._]

Ah yes, been a brilliant 3 years of Crossrail. Really made an impact on my commute!

[@c-kingdodo]

XD just came out like 4 days ago now, lets GOOOO

[@IR._]

Just got off it actually haha. Better late than never

[@Hamishislive]

The timings are so on track! Never been more punctual

[@AgnostosGnostos]

I like crossrail for two reasons. Taxi is expensive from Heathrow to the center of London. Heathrow express doesn't ends on Paddington and not the center of London. Piccadilly line is a solution but it's slow and the station doesn't permit elder people with luggages to climb so many stairs from the old piccadilly station. Crossraill is luggage friendly, it goes to the center of London, it's cheaper and fast.

[@madebykame]

May 2017 right - we are in September 2019 and nothing is done

[@arw2008]

Julia Murray due 2021

[@blueguest222]

November 2019

[@haroonrasheed11]

Now!!

[@vinceiswatchingyou]

Heathrow link is live

[@1BarnetTE.]

Well the Reading part is the Shenfield part is and that is probably it.

[@cozzie49]

I have no idea why but I literally get so excited when I see a new Londonist train video pop up. Am I a closet train nerd?? Oh god haha! Please keep them coming Geoff! Loving it

[@LongHaulPilot]

You are, I am, Geoff is only fascinated by the history

[@kolonizednetworks]

The year is 2022, and still have NO crossrail yet.

[@sgl0d10n]

Are you gonna keep updating the years forever?

[@kolonizednetworks]

@@sgl0d10n Yes

[@HexagonPlanez]

It’s in 2022

[@Ishak_2013]

Crossrail is TFL rail

[@Cloudrak]

almost there hopefully

[@carneyalan]

Funny to watch this now in July 2020 and still no services running in the new tunnels.

[@davidwilliams1208]

Funny to watch this in November 2022 with still no through running from Shenfield to Reading without changing trains

[@DefoNotMe128]

SO MUCH PURPLE!

[@pedersundnes]

Daniel Adamovic jhhh

[@theotrain745official]

Yes

[@jaylakayalah5798]

if there's any GCSE people here - we have to know: 1. it will bring an extra 1.5 million people within 45 minutes of London 2. It is planned to complete in the near furutre (whatever that means) 3. it links London to Reading and Heathrow in the west and London to Shenfeild and Abbey Wood in the east. and then we have to discuss the pros and cons of that

[@donaloflynn]

What subject is that knowledge tested under?

[@shazia6907]

Dónal O'Flynn geography

[@galactic_nerd-sk4747]

@@shazia6907 Oh sick, I'm doing Geography

[@evie2665]

Jayla kayalah you’re amazing thank you!!!

[@amelie574]

thank u sm

[@surreytrainfilms5688]

The first time I heard the "Elizabeth line", I cried.

[@thegrowl2210]

+James Demetris Hambis They'll probably think of that.

[@surreytrainfilms5688]

Marshell George XD

[@surreytrainfilms5688]

***** I agree.

[@jesusoflubeck9278]

James Demetris Hambis And now an aircraft carrier

[@TheDavidLiou]

Maybe it is because of the purple? :P

[@nicfripp4159]

So much purple! I feel like running a book on whether the line will open while the monarch after whom it is named is still on the throne...

[@davidwilliams1208]

It did open, but was not fully completed as intended. I think that would count as a forfeited race with bets returned.

[@MikeClarke85]

They should focus on building / connecting more stations South side instead of being so far out of London. You can get everywhere North of the river by Tube but have to use buses in South. If they opened more in South it would bring wealth to area and mean less traffic.

[@briane5706]

On a train to Liverpool, we passed an Crossrail/Elizabethan Line train in a siding outside Crewe. I know they are being built in Derby, so there must be some testing being done prior to delivery to Crossrail/Elizabethan Line.

[@RonCombo]

Good stuff, nice and clear. And thank you for saying scheduled and not skeduled!

[@leapoffaith20]

So London gets yet ANOTHER new line and the North can't even get the Leeds to Manchester line electrified.

[@therealpapsy]

Leap Of Faith Because we r worth it

[@riverhuntingdon6659]

If they were going to reuse those D78 trains from the District line, rather than convert them to diesel electrics using Ford Transit engines, (!) I'd electrify the lines using third rail. At least then there'd be a dependable stopgap until newer kit could be acquired. The D78's were VERY reliable sets, and with the addition of a loo on each 3-car, acessible of course, might've done very well. There could have been 6-car sets, and 3-car sets. Another stage of field weakening coupled with slightly upping the drive ratio might;ve seen them hit 70 or 80 without trouble. In the meantime I expect the push for "all new souless plastic new crap foreign-built trains" will see perfectly serviceable electric stock scrapped. The scrap will end up in China. Just like it did when the Southern Region got rid of the reliable slam door sets. Cynical ? Me? Well let's just say I spent many years working for the railways, and I'm bloody glad I retired.

[@zareh7740]

What about if they used the S7/S8 stock for the Cross Rail Network, at least the trains look more modernized and futuristic. They are less expensive than the current British Rail Class 345 that they plan to use now. What do you think?

[@aweatherstone9503]

Leap Of Faith this is being built by TFL (Transport for London) because the believe it will reduce Londons traffic and eventually make them money back. It might not be being planned in the North because maybe the traffic isn't that bad or it just isn't a good investment that will pay back

[@bjornmundt5801]

You have no gambling City Boys...Englands North is just - Labour Area.

[@nige-g]

How do you remember all of what you said. I'm not from London but have added this to my bucket list, can't wait to see everything when the project is totally complete. I have been following the progress on TV and through your video's. Massive massive British engineering feat, just shows the UK at it's best. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧😁👍

[@andypark3221]

Good idea and it’s good that new area are being connected. Another good short documentary.

[@Borgify123]

I love your videos. keeps me up to date!

[@rd3ster]

Thanks. Well done. Concise and clear.

[@ZeyuHu]

It is finally open!!

[@davidwilliams1208]

Called the Elizabeth Line, seems a pity this new rail link does not develop to also serve both Windsor and Henley directly from the City and West End. Windsor and Henley are major tourist destinations and does not seem insurmountable to terminate some trains each hour using other branch lines than just the one to Heathrow.

[@mrcellophane99]

You need to redo this this updated opening date - "eventually" should cover it.

[@liambleasdale1707]

Awesome animation.

[@liambleasdale1707]

+Geofftech thanks for making it easy to understand.

[@johnbenton4488]

Limitles amounts of money helps.

[@alan8943]

Brilliantly explained.

[@jezzam2034]

Will you be able to use Oyster out to Reading?

[@Londonistvids]

Yes you will!

[@lucinum9012]

Can u make a national rail trains but the one in london

[@QuarioQuario54321]

Londonist Ltd what zone will it be in? Zone 9?

[@timaamelinsios8862]

Jezza M yes.

[@timaamelinsios8862]

QuarioQuario5432, I think Crossrail will reach Zone 10 and Zone 11.

[@goatgamer001]

Crossrail EXISTED 6 YEARS AGO???? Finally crossrail will open this/next year

[@roberttaylor9296]

Can’t wait for this. Will cut my travel time to Arsenal down to 40 minutes from 90!

[@Smart1529]

Thanks for the vid Geoff, cant wait for it to be on full service and Im still sticking to the Crossrail name

[@mischaprice]

😢 when Crossrail fully opens in December of 2019

[@marinarualex]

Mischa Price no way... december 2020... maybe

[@galactic_nerd-sk4747]

@@marinarualex No its gonna be later. They said Spring 2021 at the earliest.

[@Pit-jt3lw]

everything_is_depressing_123 nope late 2021

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

@@galactic_nerd-sk4747 nope it will be in 2029

[@Gregobars]

Good sir I think you meant 3029

[@i3link92]

Glad to see another line connecting to East London.

[@danielorozco42813]

Awesome as usual.

[@johnpro2847]

Crossrail is to be renamed the Elizabeth line when the new high-capacity metro service opens through central London in 2018.

[@mccheyne007]

Designer must of been a Prince fan! Purple everywhere.

[@Inkyminkyzizwoz]

*must have

[@tinypenguinhk]

Wow, so much purple!

[@G1NZOU]

SO MUCH PURPLE!!

[@jimthorne304]

It's certainly a nice idea to make passengers walk between stations underground. That will reduce congestion on pavements at ground level...

[@highpath4776]

Does it cost ?

[@portofabio5]

SO MUCH PURPLE!! greetings from Portugal.

[@michaelvandromme]

Purple train, purple train! See what I did there?!

[@michaelvandromme]

Never mind.

[@yelnats9641]

Michael Saxman I got it. 😂😂

[@bananaellingford]

no

[@kieranoglesbee9395]

Helped me pass my geography mock exam 🤗🤗

[@KasabianFan44]

What's with all the "so much purple" comments?

[@andrewsebastianrothgarnant350]

Read the description ;-)

[@KasabianFan44]

Oh for fuck sake xD

[@ObviousSchism]

So much purple!

[@TheOfficialDaxx]

Can we have an updated version of this video please! 😁 I cannot wait to ride in the new tunnels.

[@metropod]

The renaming only really works if TfL intend to use the Crossrail name as part of a larger service brand name. Just as an example, if they take over Thameslink and build the Chelsea-Hackney Line and brand them together in the same vein as "Underground" and "Overground", then having a distinct name for the line makes sense. But to just name it "the Elizabeth line" with no method of indicating what it is, then you're going to confuse people. I'd bet you someone is going to get on this thinking it's a tube line and get upset when they end up in th wrong place and het charged differently or some other stupid issue. If they insist one using the name, then Crossrail needs to be part of it.EG"Crossrail Elizabeth line" "Crossrail Thameslink link" "Crossrail 'insert name here" (crossrail 2)I absolutely hate it when they change the name of something, renaming it after a famous person, when it has existed under another, older name and been in the public's mind with that name for a long time.

[@metropod]

+Geofftech There are two things about it that bother me.#1. "Crossrail" just sounds so much cooler. It's got a modern "pop" to it. "look at me, I'm new. I'm exciting. I'm everything you want in 21st Century urban rail transportation". "Elizabeth line" sounds less "modern downtown city" and more "Downton Abby" #2. "Elizabeth Line" sounds like they are trying to just lump it in with the rest of the TfL network. The project is such a monumental undertaking. It seems like it needs a monumental sounding name. If they want to name it after the Queen, fine, but go with something like "The Queen Elizabeth Railway".

[@bryntownshend6528]

My GCSE geography teacher showed us this video in class for the UK infrastructure development topic.

[@9cjl]

SO MUCH PURPLE as instructed! :-)

[@Nayandzac]

SO MUCH PURPLE! Purple is my favourite colour...

[@liyuelin997]

And I like all of your videos

[@catelinakennis8690]

Excited. Really.

[@PGATProductions]

frequencies have changed ever so slightly. there are still 24tph in the core, and 12 each on the eastern branches, but there are 6tph to heathrow (2 T5, 4 T4) and 6tph to maidenhead (4 continuing to reading)

[@RyanTheHero3]

I have to say though crossrail is a very good idea considering the fact that mainline services are not allowed inside greater London. Which is why you find a circle of termini around London. Now you can cross London from as far as reading without having to change lines or paying for another ticket!

[@ravindersembi3955]

thank you so clear helpfull

[@k_montana7770]

It’s finally here !!!

[@martinroper6692]

By the time it opens, it should be the Charles line.

[@worldwidelibra]

I would love to see a video on proposed extensions for tfl rail services and a quick bus video

[@patrickbishop2376]

Nice! Do Crossrail 2 explained next :D

[@spamwarrior8469]

Crossrail 2 is still a proof of concept.

[@user-kp9rc8qc6j]

It seems so good. I want to get on quickly. Crossrail

[@everytechtube7056]

Nice video :)

[@thephoenix3155]

It's like the district line running from west to east

[@emmo999]

Oh my goodness, there's so much purple!

[@russell7926]

Really interesting graphic at 0:55, that's interesting that there won't be as much service to the west, while to the east all trains will operate to the very end of their respective branches. I wonder if it makes sense that Reading won't have any direct trains to Canary Wharf (not to mention that Reading will get all of 2 tph!) I would imagine that as Crossrail services begin, the demand will be such that there would be more service added to the western sections.

[@iknowuwanted4926]

so much PURPLE!

[@luk3c1ary]

What do you use to animate? love your videos by the way!

[@caver1]

So much purple :)

[@Edmundyu1995]

5 years later…still waiting for it to open

[@oluka7767]

Hello to my Geography ppl - hope youre enjoying this

[@z6__]

Finally opened but called as the Elizabeth line

[@strafrag1]

Great system.

[@oevspotteryan]

Welcome to the Elizabeth Line

[@cpsedmonds]

Can't wait for 'Secrets of the Elizabeth Line' in 2019!

[@crazysharkgaming8947]

+CraigEdmondsHimself WTH is that?

[@TransportFan378]

+Geofftech But what if it DOES!?

[@metropod]

+TransportFan378 then Geoff's expression would probably be somewhere in the ballpark of "James May having to go to the North Pole". Then again, I find it hard to figure how the line would have "secrets" when it's brand new.

[@multiplio2924]

I liked this video but there was so much purple...

[@jacksearle5485]

in case you wondering there are 41 stations on Crossrail one

[@metrofilmer8894]

Happy 48th Birthday Geoff🎁 (As of about 1 hour after this comment is posted) Hope you enjoy despite the Crossrail tunnels still not being open

[@david.tlrave3559]

I ws trying to watch 1 of yr video's about cross rail when suddenly during an advert break this video changed to another, and i pressed back with no Listing of that video that i only got as far as watching where train approaches tunnel fr Heathrow.!!!!

[@KingofGamingAndTrains456]

1:12 That’s literally almost the length of an NYC Subway train. (600 feet / 200 metres)

[@joshuachan468]

1:55 The cross rail to Shenfield opened in May 2015, not 2017.

[@TravelEurope-j3e]

If it gets busy, they may extend it's length as it is capable of more than 24 coaches, in tunnels underground.

[@samuelgresham6912]

SO MUCH PURPLE

[@SomeBritishGal1]

I think the Pocket Tube Maps should be made taller with only Underground services on the front and then have the Overground, DLR, Tram and Crossrail services on the back. Would be so much less clustered.

[@nightavenger375]

1:54 April 2018 still called TFL Rail

[@busspotting8266]

Reading-Heathrow- Shenfield-Abbey Wood

[@coyotelong4349]

So... much... PURPLE...

[@finleycastello6512]

I live in Reading and when they announced the construction of the crossrail, property prices in my town increased overnight.

[@Zak00]

I live near Taplow, prices have gone up over here, and they've made new homes right next to the station too

[@tweakgaming636]

I’ve been wondering where crossrail 3 will go. Please do an episode about it

[@joelcolyer2240]

So much purple!

[@QuarioQuario54321]

I feel like they should open the stations one at a time, in order of how complete they are.

[@AdurianJ]

Crossrail trains are about as long as the Commuter trains that run on the regular rail network here in Stockholm Sweden. Regular Stockholm tube trains are just over 133m

[@michaeld5888]

I expect the lines can run double decker trains also. Not in backward Britain though which runs on Victorian infrastructure standards. Nothing is ever truly re-engineered here but bodged in to the existing ramshackle structures to save costs.

[@aucourant9998]

2020 and still another year to go.

[@mrredblob]

2:33 A brand new design of more complicated coloured lines.

[@kwv4865]

So much purple, just call it the purple line?

[@timaamelinsios8862]

No.

[@RyanTheHero3]

kwv4865 can't they just call it the cross rail line.

[@buksi6342]

Ryan Harte-Stovell NOT A LINE. ITS A RAILWAY

[@edinshealtiel3754]

the burnice lee line......

[@dx_ream9277]

edin shealtiel not a line, a railway

[@Alexandraofficialproductions]

Epic Elizabeth line moment

[@danielspencer6174]

Is it same price as GWR service from to reading & Slough as stopping service Elizabeth line?

[@zakrosenbaum9440]

What animation or software do you use to make this video?

[@anthony.m5432]

What’s so different between cross-rail and overground except for cross-rail going underground in some areas

[@hydromerkzz1698]

Watching in 2021 and still not opened

[@Starrcade]

Was meant to open 2018. In that time Spurs have been to two finals and lost. I wonder if Spurs will win a trophy in the time construction started in May 2009 until when it opens.

[@neddyladdy]

I was thinking this could be about a choo choo line getting all cranky.

[@worldwidelibra]

@Andrew Bulman agreed cant wait to ride this train

[@daanwillemsen223]

Crossrail is the British interpretation of the French RER and German S-bahn

[@agent_605]

+Daan Willemsen The London Overground is probably closer to the S-bahn than Crossrail

[@daanwillemsen223]

Alasdair Clift Thanks. If you don't mind, I have an little question; do you now what the difference is between the Overground and Crossrail? I never figured that out... :)

[@agent_605]

+Daan Willemsen The overground is what TfL are naming the network there making from taking over some old national rail lines and refurbishing them. Cross rail is being built entirely from scratch except for west from Paddington and east from Liverpool street where it is taking over some old lines

[@daanwillemsen223]

Alasdair Clift Thanks for the information! Here in the Netherlands we have or own little Crossrail and Overground projects. We have the North/South Line in Amsterdam, who looks like Crossrail and we have the now finished Randstadrail project between Rotterdam and The Hague, who looks a bit like the Overground. Only your projects are off course a bit larger :)

[@Inkyminkyzizwoz]

*they're making