Elizabeth line Trial Operations | Hidden London Hangouts (S05E06)

In this special episode the Hangouts team take part in the Trial Operations of the Elizabeth line. They take a ride on the new trains, meet fans of the show, and talk to Transport for London's Commissioner Andy Byford, Chief Operating Officer Andy Lord and Crossrail CEO MArk Wild about what this moment means to them. In the studio, they are joined by Emma Sewell to disocver the inspiration behind the unique Elizabeth line moquette.
With special thanks to the team at Crossrail and MTR for special access, and to Chris Bevan Lee for the camera work.
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[@unittaskforce]

Great episode, I really enjoyed the excitement you all bought to this. Good fun.

[@reneerowling5130]

I stumbled across your videos and absolutely love them (especially the cameo appearances by Laura and Chris' cats)! A trip to London just to ride Lizzie Line is now back on my travel plans - the trains are so boring here in Perth, Australia. And I really want a moquette cushion (or two)! Alex - what is the secret tip to making your Monstera look so amazing? I've loved watching it growing in the background!

[@alexgrundon2346]

Thanks so much to Emma Sewell from moquette designer Wallace Sewell for her generosity and time. We loved welcoming you back. So glad to meet so many of our lovely viewers that day too - and to the TfL management for being part of this episode too. Hope you enjoy it.

[@mozdickson]

Just wanted to say how much I loved the way that the gentleman in the excellent red, check shirt laughs with his whole body; I'm going to try that, as it looks tremendous fun! Who would've thought a Vlog and some spiffing moquette, and a brand spanking new tube line would make someone book a flight from Auckland to Heathrow --- I CAN'T WAIT! My Oyster Card is primed. "Relieved!" "Proud!" "Exceited!" - indeed and so you all especially the - 75 THOUSAND - should be. GREAT Britain!

[@alexgrundon2346]

@@mozdickson I LOVE the way you write! Spiffing! Shout via Instagram when you are heading over and we’ll meet you for a drink! So glad you enjoyed it. Tim’s the laughing man and we love his gusto x

[@marksmith334]

Siddy, never disappoints, steals the opening sequence with the casual hand on hip. Having Tim on board is a welcome bonus, he is doing great works on the TV.

[@alexgrundon2346]

Siddy is indeed a star. I’ll let her agent know her hand and hip are stars of the show. I’m sure Tim will be back sometime too. Thanks for watching

[@Shalott63]

Thanks again, guys! It was especially fascinating looking out at the Elizabeth Line track from the cab. I quite often look at cab-view videos of the regular Underground, and two things immediately struck me looking at your one: first, the tunnel is not absolutely filthy (or not yet anyway) like the older tunnels, and second, there are only two rails in view, unlike the four in ordinary Underground tunnels (I realise that's because the power is delivered overhead, but it still feels strangely odd looking at it).

[@Wagnerian197901]

Fantastic episode, so interesting to get a first glimpse of the Elizabeth Line in action, can't wait to travel on it when it finally opens! Good to see Tim Dunn in there too! Thanks to all of you.

[@davestyx1642]

So good to see the Fab 4 back in harness again and on the amazing new Elizabeth Line. What a fantastic piece of engineering and design it is!! The enthusiasm and smiles on your faces at being on board was a delight to see. Can’t wait to see the other stations on the programs to come and hope you can manage to be there too Laura.

[@MartinBrenner]

10:13 How these custom shaped wall panels curve around the edge is amazing!

[@paulgiffen6836]

Hi team, superb episode these 345's are so amazing, great to see Tim he is so funny you must get Geoff Marshall on the show. I have several cushions in my collections, love them to bits, looking forward to the next show, cheers team 💖

[@scottglenn7715]

Fantastic video! Great to hear the broadcast volume at a normal level. I've been watching the Hidden London Hangouts from the beginning but always had to crank up the volume on full and even ended up hooking up a Moki speaker to my laptop to hear the episodes properly. All the best and look forward to many new videos during season 5 !!!

[@alexgrundon2346]

Pardon? Only joking…

[@scottglenn7715]

@@alexgrundon2346 Yeah I got a hell of a fright when the episode started !!! I'm sure it's a minor technical issue with You tube but keep up the good work, I really enjoyed your episodes during the Covid Lockdowns, watching from Southland in New Zealand.

[@paulwheeler4283]

You're all very to lucky have been able check out the Elizabeth line(cross rail) trains in there full glory I'm very jealous but for the best part of the episode was the interview with the hugely talented and wonderful 8, 2, Emma Sewell I love her moquettes and hearing the insightful way there created and why each colour and pattern is chosen and thank you again to all of you for another brilliant episode ps Alex I love the décor in the room behind you x thank you again x

[@alexgrundon2346]

I’m a cross between Judith Chalmers and Sarah Beeny. Thank you for the kind words 😉

[@paulwheeler4283]

@@alexgrundon2346 that's definitely a cross between that I would be proud to be and you're welcome good sir

[@timothyp8947]

Another super episode. The team's total enthusiasm was so infectious that it bought a big smile. The number of times throughout the show that I 'reached' for the Like button, only to see I’d already done it. The new line looks like it will be a real boon to those able to use it. At some point after it opens, I will have to take a trip to my old home town to try it out.

[@alexgrundon2346]

❤️

[@gazritchie6077]

Another great episode guys. Emma and Tim too! Keep up the amazing work. Hang Outs are the highlight of the week.

[@alexgrundon2346]

❤️

[@henryandfriendslive]

LRV ! Love it

[@daveharris7224]

Thank you for a fabulous episode of the Hangouts. I now can't wait to catch the train across town from Canary Wharf to Paddington.

[@philipgrundy8530]

Another fantastic episode the new Elizabeth line looks great. The four of you were in great form and the ever enthusiastic Tim Dunn was a bonus. It’s times like this I wished I lived in London 👏

[@stuartbusdriver2038]

Missed the live due to work but just caught up and OMG what an awesome time you all had and Chris i totally agree that was the word i would use to describe this episode yet again thanks to all involved in this mamoth project i still have the Network Southeast Crossrail bag from the early days so to see this come to fruition all these years later.. WOW just WOW thanks again FAB4 and Mr Tim...

[@alexgrundon2346]

❤️

[@James_Inflames]

This is so exciting, NIce to see you all on a train! and yes, we'd all LOVE to see Geoff Marshall and you guys on a special show - please - Keep up the good work, amazing!

[@alexgrundon2346]

It needs to happen. And we’d have Timmy off the telly back on any time. He’s my tigger. Just keep me, Siddy and him away from the bar together. Terrifying 🤣 Nix and Laura will have to control us!

[@James_Inflames]

@@alexgrundon2346 ha, Timmy's a legend!! Maybe we can have a livestream of that potential carnage, or better, an invite...:) I'll write you a theme tune as swapsies! You're all brilliant and have so enjoyed the streams I accidentally ended up in the bowels of Aldwych last week - was better than I could have hoped for! Cheers

[@alexgrundon2346]

You’d do us a theme tune? Seriously?

[@thickernell]

Could someone tell me who Timmy is and provide a link to his channel? I’d like to check it out. Thanks in advance.

[@kevinreed9232]

Great Episode.when Crossrail opens.it will transform the way people travel in London. in a nice way I am jealous because I live up in Sheffield. People will be in awe of the beautiful stations and Trains.it is an engineering marvel. To All the people who have worked building Crossrail. have done a tremendous job. I can,t wait to explore the stations and have a ride on the trains. when it opens of course.thank you Fantastic Four and the people in this episode.

[@alexgrundon2346]

❤️

[@ericadodd4735]

Great episode! I was supposed to be there at the trial ops day but couldn’t make it :( so I cheered myself up by purchasing some Knightsbridge tiles!

[@alexgrundon2346]

Hello! We were talking about you then other day! Hope you’re well and happy! And thank you for your loyal viewing x

[@ericadodd4735]

@@alexgrundon2346 hope it was all good things you were saying :p! I'm good thank you, life has just got rather busy but I'm still loving the hangouts. Thanks so much for all your work. I hope I get to meet you all again soon x

[@alexgrundon2346]

We’d love to see you too. X

[@daveharris7224]

Looking forward to my late night viewing of this.

[@dansoper]

Next time you have Emma Sewell, I’d love to know if they were involved with the “New Tube For London” moquette, whether it has a name, and how many different landmarks it has on it (are they all stations?). (See Geoff’s latest video). I’ve gained a huge fascination in moquette thanks to this series!

[@alexgrundon2346]

Dan you’re so lovely. Emma is coming back and we’re also booked to visit the factory where the moquette fabric is being made. So glad we have inspired you a little. Keep watching and the LT Museum shop is great for moquette and gifts made of it too!

[@jamesthompson4062]

This is such an entertaining channel. When working from home it is nice to have you guys on in the background. Your smiles are infectious 😎

[@Blade_Daddy]

Emma should repaint the basket(?) that man behind her in the painting is handing over redone in the E line moquette.

[@jeremybuck1818]

Just to say that Silvertown was named after a rubber factory owned by Samuel Winkworth Silver that opened in 1852, rather than the sugar factory...

[@alexgrundon2346]

This is fascinating. I was told the sugar story by someone from the factory years ago. I wonder if it’s an adoption.

[@damiagunbiade]

Thank you for this eposide. Apart from Abbey Wood and Custom House I've not seen any of the other stations other than video and pictures. It looks like I won't be able to see the line until it opens whenever it does. No way I didn't realise Alex lived in Woolwich?

[@alexgrundon2346]

If you see me on the 53 bus please come and say hi 😉

[@damiagunbiade]

@@alexgrundon2346 I will Alex! Didn't realise you lived in Woolwich. Will definitely say hello if I see you guys.

[@damiagunbiade]

@@alexgrundon2346 Also I think I saw you one time on the Elizabeth line. You got on at Canary Wharf I think and I got off at Custom House. I did wonder is that Alex from Hidden London. Next time I will say hi.

[@alexgrundon2346]

Dami pleasssse do. Would be great to meet you!

[@j616s]

But the big question: What does the keystoning on the 'liz line tiles look like???

[@alexgrundon2346]

Little faces of our Queen….

[@jacksugden8190]

Looked like a normal commuter train, Blankety Blank theme tune by the late Ronnie Hazlehurst - that cheque book and pen 🖊.

[@alexgrundon2346]

Was blissfully normal and so much fun

[@jacksugden8190]

@@alexgrundon2346 I used to travel through that Connaught Tunnel on the Silverlink Metro 313 EMU’s to North Woolwich from Highbury, I remember the rebuilt station at Silvertown + the long gone Silvertown Flyover with all those trolleybus traction standards.

[@daveharris7224]

@@jacksugden8190 I used to travel down that way as well for work, when the trains ran! It was an awful service until the line was taken over by TFL. I was always having to find alternative routes by bus! The 69 bus came in for a lot of use between Stratford & North Woolwich.

[@jacksugden8190]

@@daveharris7224 I started using the line in 1985, can’t think of the operator or rolling stock, was using the line to Broad Street at the time, not all of the scheduled trains went to Woolwich, only ever getting as far as Stratford LL, thought the section between Stratford and Woolwich was rough, lined the Connaught Tunnel ride, it was Sid missing the return train to Highbury at Woolwich, which meant having to wait, be interesting to find out what’s now at the Woolwich station all those years on. Best regards..,

[@daveharris7224]

@@jacksugden8190 I used the service regularly between 1983 &1987. I was actually down at North Woolwich just before the pandemic. There was the old station building there and a little bit of track, but nothing else that I could see.

[@danielspencer6174]

It overground going few stations under ground central London.

[@ACELog]

At 15 minutes 20 seconds, Andy Lord asks where else can you hold a conversation, on a train in a tunnel, at 60mph? Well, the javellin train out of St Pancras, when it leaves Stratford International, accelerates up to 140mph in the tunnel section before it exits on it's way to Ebbsfleet International. During that time, the ride is also almost just as quiet and smooth.

[@alexgrundon2346]

Yeah but it’s above ground. Give him his moment of pride and joy 😉

[@damiagunbiade]

Slightly difference. This line is underground and the section they were in was underground

[@ACELog]

@@damiagunbiade The section of HS1 Stratford International to Ebsfleet International also runs underground. That's why they're a similar comparison for Andy Lord's comment "..a train in a tunnel"

[@DarthTrotter]

Anyone spot Jago Hazzard?

[@alexgrundon2346]

Who? 🤣

[@ACELog]

@@alexgrundon2346 kzbin.infovideos

[@damiagunbiade]

@@alexgrundon2346 Haha he's such an spy haha. The guy can't be found

[@RWL2012]

38:50 just men and women?

[@danielspencer6174]

It overground going few stations under ground central London.