Visiting Every Station - The Abbey Line

[@one42chrisp]

You’re both wrong, it’s “clickety clack”!

[@PeterHochgraf]

Or both right... but yes, "clickety clack"

[@JohannaInTheCorner]

Yup, agreed... clickety clack

[@trevorbaker2225]

I am for "clickety clack".

[@alexleo172]

I disagree, it's clackety click

[@roderickjoyce6716]

@@alexleo172 Only when the train is going backwards :D

[@paulgracey4697]

It has always been Clickety-Clack for me, and that is, again for me, scientifically accurate due to the doppler effect taking a click as the train approaches and making it into a clack as it passes.

[@bryan3550]

Quite So! My daughter used to come home from Child Minding when she was little and came out with a curious imitation of a noise. It took us ages to figure out that the Minder used to take the kids out to watch nearby trains pass. The noise was a falling "Weee-Baaa", exactly the Doppler noise our single-toned train horns make! 🤔

[@Jeagles]

Nice to see you do my local line, a few facts for you: -The 319 is liable to break at any moment (and component failures are often referred to as the cab door falling off) -319005 and all the LNWR 319/2s except 319216 are in TL white, and all have a mix of or are entirely FCC moquette. -With the condition of the track and wheels of the 319s, the track noise is always “bang bang bang” -Trains run peak hour Monday-Friday and Saturday off-peak -319s are scheduled to leave the Abbey Line in December and be replaced by class 350s. This will mean that St Albans will at last stop being served by 319s, having up until now been the only place served by 319s for the entire 33 years of their life, from 1987 until today

[@williamg209two]

you say that as nothern has most the 319s, least we have the newer trains too

[@parrotyee]

When are they going to show the train leaving? I NEED TO BE THERE!

[@Jeagles]

@@williamg209two I’m talking about the Abbey Line and LNWR 319s specifically

[@Jeagles]

@@parrotyee I have no idea when the last 319 out of St Albans will be, rumours are simply as vague as “by December”. 319s will remain on peak hour Euston - Tring/Milton Keynes Central for a while after

[@ianmcclavin]

319's (including the 319/2's for a while), were also seen at Watford Junction before their use on the Abbey Flyer and Euston services, whilst still in service on Southern. The Gatwick/Brighton to Rugby/Watford Junction/Milton Keynes services (now just East Croydon to MK) also used 319's before the Electrostars took over.

[@theprior46]

Well, nice video and a real eye-opener as I can reveal my age now at 77 and I used to take my little sister on this line when it newly opened back in the early 1960s - I was about 15 and my sister just 6. We sat behind the driver's cab (very different style trains now) and you could see and hear the driver change gear as the train sounded like it was powered by a lorry engine with about 6 gears. Never heard anything like that from Bakerloo or Metropolitan line trains. It never broke down. Passing Bricket Wood made me smile as one often wondered if there'd be a glimpse of the well known Nudist Camp there! None was ever revealed hahah. At St Albans no point climbing Holywell Hill we had nowhere to go so waited and took the train back to Watford. The handing over of the key at one of the stops was always a mystery to me how it worked to prevent a head on collision with 2 trains using the same line and only one passing place. Such days eh? My sister remembers nothing of it at all !! Oh well nostalgia ain't what it used to be !!

[@bbmikej]

I always would say "clickety-clack"

[@Fadhiil5112]

Along the track.

[@toolchesst]

Surely it has to be "clackity-click"

[@reggiebuffat]

Ah I wasn't the only one. 😃

[@ianmcclavin]

The train is one of the five that were extensively refurbished for the fast "Connex Express" services from Brighton to Victoria in the early 90's, hence the 2 + 2 instead of 3 + 2 seating layout in standard class. The seats, since moving off that route, have been re-upholstered in different moquettes over the years, but the seat frames remain..

[@billyshearer1]

I remember those trains, they had a coffee lounge (always closed when I used it!)

[@ianmcclavin]

@@billyshearer1 Yes, I never thought when they were rushing up and down the Brighton Main Line in a million years that any would find their way onto the St Albans Abbey Branch!!

[@TheAlfsterino]

"We're visiting all the right stations...just not necessarily in the right order."

[@2H80vids]

Thank you Mr Preview.

[@Wildcard71]

In the right order, you would lose more time.

[@MikeWillSee]

After browsing the comment section I feel relieved to know I'm not the only one who thinks it's 'clickety clack'

[@Saturdaykid1972]

I’m behind you at the start on the bike (with girl in the pink) thought it was you!

[@thegrownupgapper3221]

If you are a commuter, in the evening the train noise is a relaxing "takin' you home, takin' you home" in the mornings its a more tense "bringing you back, bringing you back"

[@DanLoudShirts]

Clickety-clack is the phrase you’re looking for.

[@hellion1973]

we did a pub golf even (a drink in every pub with a par on mouthfulls for finishing it) with watford rfc stopping at every station for a drink in nearest pub then a pub crawl up st albans hill.

[@alastairwood1745]

Great video Geoff, a few things to point out: a) the Bricket Wood passing loop was originally there but got removed a long time ago and plans are to re-instate it b) the line used to connect to the now abandoned St Albans to Hatfield Line (which is now the Alban Cycle way), in fact I think I saw the abandoned platform for that at the end of the video c) it has been suggested the line be turned into either light rail or a guided busway but in recent years it was decided to keep it as a railway line.

[@Jeagles]

@@geofftech2 Unfortunately the Alban Way will never be a railway again, a key bridge has been removed and in many places there are obstructions (for example the local Morrisons)

[@lotsofspots]

@@Jeagles And the A1(M)!

[@Jeagles]

@@lotsofspots that is rather a major factor, yes

[@alastairwood1745]

@@geofftech2 No worries! I was lucky enough to be on your Highgate Hidden London tour a couple of years ago, so it is nice to finally give you some information back :)

[@anthonylloyd6094]

I rode the Alban Way via Sustrans Route 61 from Langley to Hertford. There are still platforms and signals there.

[@peteryoung4957]

When I lived in the Garston area, I often walked along the platform has a short cut.

[@HenrysAdventures]

At 09:20 you walked across a disused railway then also side its trackbed. When they built the Midland Main Line a short branch was built off the Abbey Line at How Wood to take constriction materials to the work site on the Midland Main Line. Now the branch is largely forgotten, although the bridge abutments still stand where it crossed the A5183.

[@ianmcclavin]

And of course, How Wood Station is a lot newer than the rest of the line, opening as it did in October 1988.

[@HenrysAdventures]

@@ianmcclavin I'd love by a ticket from How Wood to Howwood in Scotland! Howwood is another relitivly new station opening as recently as 2001.

[@ianmcclavin]

@@HenrysAdventures Yes, I've often thought about getting the "namesake" collection of tickets, Earlswood (West Midlands) to Earlswood (Surrey), Gillingham (Kent/Medway) to Gillingham (Dorset), etc. I'm not sure Charing Cross (Glasgow) to Charing Cross (London) would be possible. And internationally, having lived in Crawley for many years, there's a station in Belgium called "Trois Ponts." (Three Bridges)!!

[@HenrysAdventures]

@@ianmcclavin There was once a steam hauled railtour from the Mid Hants Railway to Clacton but it was marketed as possible to travel from Arlesford on the Mid Hants Railway to Alresford in Essex!

[@ianwhite4821]

Born in Watford. Watching this video has brought back some memories

[@GaryB007]

I live in Park Street near How Wood Station. Good to see the line getting another moment of fame. That foot crossing also leads to a lovely area of lakes. Worth a visit if you ever come back this way.

[@MartinAhlman]

There's was a feeling of apprehension there, will it go, won't it... Loved it!

[@howardkey1639]

Bricket Wood station was a favourite location with film makers and appears in many old films, it also had an old cold war railway control centre located next to it that still exists today.

[@raylikethefish]

The fantastic 1957 film The Night of the Demon has a couple of scenes shot at Bricket Wood and the original Watford Junction facade was featured in the finale of the film also.

[@Grimthorpe]

Nice to see the line from my childhood. I used to go to Park Street School and would walk home along the path that now goes past what is now How Wood station on my way home, which was a full level crossing at the time. When I went to secondary school one of the options for getting home was to catch the train from St.Albans Abbey to Park Street, which I’d do if I missed the 361 bus from St.Albans high street to the How Wood shops. Sometimes I was unable to pay for my ticket as there were no machines or ticket office at St.Albans, and it often took longer for the conductor to get from one end of the train to the other than it took the train to get to Park Street.

[@axolotlgamer615]

exclusive fare evasion 🤣

[@stephenmcculley7]

Reminds me of when Northern had a couple of Class 319/4.s which still had the First Class seats at one end. It led to come very comfortable journeys at zero extra cost.

[@baconbreadwithbacon]

My dear mum lives in Garston. I use to use the line back in 2018 when I moved to St Albans for a year from central London. Now I use the bus as I live two towns over from St Albans. There was a period of time where there were talks of removing the line and making it into a heritage pedestrian road to Watford. There was even make shift drawings from architects. It looked nice but I prefer the trains. It feels like an adventure.

[@StuDean12230]

ROGER! Love yah Rog. Best trio ever... my fav vid is the John'O Groats to Lands End! Hello all the way from New Zealand 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@nutsnproud6932]

Hello Roger, I used to work at your bus company. Roger is a very nice man.

[@danielangelov5070]

Nice video Geoff Yesterday Me and Mum went to the London Transport Museum in Covent garden we got moquette face coverings your book and a tube train we went on the tube the tube is quite Noisy

[@OfficiallyCharles]

Lovely to see another new video Geoff! I love your content!

[@Potionette81]

I used to ride this service from Watford Junction to St Albans when I was a charity volunteer; this brings back memories.

[@pascalfarful952]

Love the Class 319's, always happy to see them running around still~

[@parrotyee]

They should be swapping them for Class 350 this December (don't ask me for event date I just read it from another comment)

[@pascalfarful952]

@@parrotyee That's a shame, though no good thing lasts forever unfortunately.

[@parrotyee]

@@pascalfarful952 319s weren't good on the abbey flyer; it was always a gamble. However, they make me nostalgic and I'd love to know about the event date when it's due.

[@rosswatkins8428]

I really hate these trains. As a shift worker I would be going into London on the first train or home on the last and they are freezing cold and made so much noise they I couldn't sleep the hour long journey home.

[@stephenmcculley7]

There's now only one Garston in the UK. Previously the other Garston was on Merseyrail (now moved to Liverpool South Parkway).

[@jamesrobinson9194]

Beat me to it!

[@GuyChapman]

The Abbey Flyer! I used to use that all the time, as did my school chum Eddie Knorn (the bloke who had a Class 101 in his garden). We both lived in Park Street, but Eddie was closer to How Wood. We went to St. Albans School. Eddie also owns (or owned) a Leyland National. At the end of the walk through at the foot crossing is my old doctor’s surgery.

[@marthaanderson2656]

Clickity clack per Merriam Webster and Harold Arlen ( Blues in the Night)

[@zgsproductions4808]

At least you could travel on this line today unlike last time with roger 😂😂😂

[@TrainFanTV123]

Yes Right

[@yousraidrissi9908]

Yes St Albans, my hometown. Great to see it back involved on the channel Geoff

[@maelysmay1406]

My local line! Thanks for showing it some love 😊

[@77smp]

that pub behind you hides a training kitchen for one of the largest pub/restaurant companies in the country. I did not enjoy my time in Watford but I did get the sleeper there so silver linings and that!

[@Darkreibows]

It is nice that my home line is getting some recognition after what happened last time. I remember it being unrealiable, but a great way to go to college

[@icefahrer]

Nice Video and Roger is back! Cool👌

[@robertrogers564]

Hi Geoff I traveled from Watford Junction to St Alban's Abbey in December 1964 or 1965 , the return journey was in the brake end with both driver and guard of what became test car Iris 79900 happy days keep videoing Geoff.good stuff,

[@markcastle6651]

Love it when I see my old boss Appearing on one of Geoff’s videos, The place at work still not the same since he retired. We need to see more Roger

[@royblackman8778]

I have heard that a lot,he was very well thought of in the company.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Brilliant adventure on the Abbey Line. Defiantly a like.

[@poggs]

Ah, the memories - I commuted on that line for about a decade in Silverlink's era

[@TheDaf95xf]

Morning Geoff. Hope your ok 👍🏻 It was great seeing you on tv lol 😆 love the 319s as we’ve got then up north now hehe 😂 Take care until they best time cheers Stevie 😎

[@jasonk9779]

Ah, Watford Junction. My "home" station when visiting from Canada. Fun fact, this is the station we left from when heading to Corrour for our honeymoon. After watching your All The Stations Episode on it we decided we had to go and when we mentioned this to the staff up there they proudly showed us where you signed their guestbook :) Hope to get back next year, COVID willing...

[@parrotyee]

I didn't use this line much but it's super useful for getting around to my friends and such; the Abbey Flyer line is super nostalgic to me!

[@leewilson2140]

Many teenage memories,going to Watford and St Albans,going from Garston.

[@hueyevergreenofficial]

I remember this train line. I live in ST Albans and when I was little, I used to get this train a lot.

[@MrGreatplum]

Another excellent video - always good to see lines that I’m very unlikely to ever go on :)

[@benh2807]

I grew up in St Albans and sometimes my mum would take me to Watford on that line (this was in the 80s)... I once got to ride in the cab, change the chain gears and do the horn. Was AMAZING!!! Wouldn't happen now though sadly.

[@davidgoodchild7152]

Great video to come home to. Thanks Geoff.

[@TriSamples]

Used to live in park street, the train was always abysmally slow and unreliable. I spent many days squashing 2p coins at the end of the platform, but the hour long wait meant we had to come back to pick them up. I used to cycle to watford instead, it was quicker by far. I'm amazed it still runs, it connects to nothing either end and is empty always.

[@luxwray4878]

Well can it be called a train line at the moment when it is mostly a bus replacement service

[@richie4775]

Geoff. You were going to tell us more about a passing loop. There used to be one at Bricket Wood before the 1970s (anyone know when it stopped?). There was also a signal box opposite the platform at Bricket Wood. The foundations are still there at the bottom of someone’s garden I think.

[@zacm.2342]

There's another comment explaining it

[@jamesmee4227]

Love it, Live in St Albans, and traveled on that pile of rubbish loads to Watford! such an odd line

[@4623620]

I've lived near a railway line for many years and can tell you, it's definitely Clickety Clack, although I know a guy that claims it is Clackety Click (but he can't be right, he lives at the opposite side of the line). Don't panic and wear your Mask. 🖖😷👍 ❗

[@Awdbp_]

Finally the abbey line!

[@greatbritishentertainmentl5636]

I lived in Bricket Wood (1957-72) and use to travel by steam train to St Albans Abbey to school which was a fantastic experience. In those early days there were two platforms with a passing loop and a footbridge linking the platforms plus a siding for coal and building material deliveries. It's the obvious station to replace the passing loop with a rebuilt platform as it was before. A little short-sited to have removed it in the first place?

[@GeekGamerTV]

Oooh! A fresh awesome video! So envious of all the trains you have there in the UK.....the United States of America could learn a few things from you guys.... Can't wait to visit....someday... :)

[@caw25sha]

We'll teach you how to do passenger trains and you can teach us how to do freight trains.

[@brucewilliams8714]

While you're near Europe, go to Switzerland for a great rail experience.

[@axolotlgamer615]

The usa would learn how to make sh## trains from us

[@TDlovestrains]

Imagine if the train got cancelled before they got to park street. Great video geoff

[@Lynxfan2]

Hello Geoff, the proposed location of the passing loop is to be at Bricket Wood, the halfway point on the line and NOT at Garston. Best wishes and tale care. Kind regards, Peter Skuce. St Albans. Hertfordshire.

[@RingwayManchester]

Roger is such a nice bloke!

[@fussyboy2000]

You could have done the St Albans inter-station walk. There's a nice pub just up from Brickett wood station, and a nice chippie at Park Street. I walked How Wood to Park Street when I did the shacks on the line.

[@eatinghealthy2893]

I grew up in Garston to it's great to see the line on KZbin always wanted to video it it but never seem to get round to it Family still living Garston

[@rupertprice5508]

I am a bit old and senile but I remember a Neil Diamond song called a beautiful noise that had in the lyrics something relating to clickety clacks of the railway tracks .

[@caw25sha]

It's got rhythm to spare.

[@rupertprice5508]

@@caw25sha That's the song . Must listen to it again and work out the railway connection.

[@juliebrooke6099]

Like the clickety clack of a train on the track it’s got rhythm to spare.

[@whatdoyoumeanbro4964]

Seeing that class 319 in the ex Thameslink livery and the old FCC seats man I do miss them 😔

[@cannyexplorer5357]

Travelled on this line when I visited Bletchley Park. Great day out.

[@nitehawk86]

I always love the Les Stroud "Survivorman" style walking away from camera shots. I have done some of those, and always feel like a complete dunce when walking about to pick up the camera while it is still rolling. :)

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

An interesting line that i have only been over diesel hauled!..... With a DMU before the wires went up, push-pull with a class 33+TC set on a Network SouthEast running day, and a railtour top & tailed with a 47 one end and a pair of Southern Region class 73s the other! I'll have to try it with an electric one day......

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

The perfect sequel doesn't exi-

[@Whiggism]

hii

[@TDSWar]

I’ve seen you everywhere on KZbin

[@telquad1953]

It's clickety-click in summer when the rail gaps are shorter, but clackety-clack in winter when the gaps are wider!

[@keycontroller1]

Clickety-clack is I believe the correct expression. Except when the train crosses points at speed. I love your channel by the way

[@jayzo]

I've got the _blankety blank_ theme in my head thanks to clackety clack.

[@skritchesdeath5752]

Back in the late 90’s, I remember there was a small period where the overhead cable would discharge a mini lightening bolt down to the line at Watford North. I was frequently intrigued / concerned by this 🤦🏻‍♂️😂

[@1987TimeLord]

Its actually Clickity-Clack. Thats what coaches did in Thomas The Tank Engine, therefore its the correct phrase. Great video as always, Geoff.

[@norbitonflyer5625]

Thomas's carriages have quite a big vocabulary: for example "We're coming along", "You're going too fast" or "We mustn't be late"

[@KH73637]

Did anyone know that on rare occasions that a LNER every wednsday pulls into Sunderland ( Virgin and LNER itself also ran * Spirit of Sunderland * until they got rid of HST ( none probs wanted to know that )

[@daviddent8822]

Enjoyable video as always Geoff. Have you ever thought of doing the Hertford East Branch? A very well used line but a very interesting early history.with a clash between the railway company and turnpike trust.

[@nathanwulf]

Might check this line out for fun at the weekend! I always hated the 319's on thameslink, however I like the sound they make and the novelty of a single track railway in the Greater London area is too good to resist.

[@matsui90]

We’re technically outside the Greater London area. Once you get off at Watford Junction with your Oyster / contactless card, don’t forget to buy a traditional paper ticket to ride this line!

[@PfhorShark]

Closest I've been is the abbey station on a Sunday; the tracks look disused, I love it. Bit of a memory jog seeing though FCC carriages, it's been a couple years.

[@YTLaenir]

What is being said around 12:57 ? Something not being noticeable? Just random background noise maybe. The voice reminds me of Claire from the Many A True Nerd channel.

[@OffTheRailsUK]

2:11 Oh my god the hum the 319 brings back so many memories..

[@diamarker1004]

13:12 Why could I hear GSM-R in the background there?

[@poggs]

The line is controlled from the Watford WestCAD at Wembley Mainline SCC, but since there's no train detection or TD berth stepping on the entire branch line (save for signalled moves from platform 11 to the main line, and from the main line in to platform 11), the driver has to set the GSM-R radio up with a wildcard. The two beeps is the registration request being accepted.

[@La_Ferrari_Games]

Im local to st albans well really im from harpenden and travelled to watford sad i missed a shot of seeing you hope come across you some day Geoff i work alongside your friend Matthew streeton

[@danwiddon3854]

Bricket Wood is the only Abbey Line station I have used outside of WFJ. Little did I know my preferred rail and ride (through the woods) route to BRE Garston for years uses the most architecturally special platform of that branch.

[@johnjephcote7636]

Wow, what a change! I left Watford in 1968. What happened to the old station? I worked there in the hols. I remember the engine shed; the arrival of the early AC Cars diesels to replace the tank engines; the gas work sidings at St.Albans, the big station at Bricket Wood. I even travelled the connection (GNR) to Hatfield!

[@samjone9359]

I remember about a month ago I got on a train from Bedford to Farringdon our train broke down at Luton and they said the train will terminate at st. Albans it was a Thameslink class 700 so we terminated at st. Albans and we got on the next train that was a Brighton train when we got to Farringdon all the trains or most of them cancelled all delayed because someone got hit by a train at East Croydon I was getting a train to Peterborough to do some Trainspotting But the thing is the Peterborough train was cancelled for the next train we can get on was a Cambridge train and get off at Stevenage when we got to Stevenage we got off and waited for an LNER service for York and then got off at Peterborough we should have got there by 11:00 But I got there at 14:00 and on the train back to Bedford I got on 700 155 the rainbow train

[@Cars_and_adventures]

Should have took a bike and cycled the rest of the line to Hatfield. All the old stations are still there and it's a loverly ride !

[@Lulu-jl5zd]

When I used to travel on this line it had a conductor with a bus conductor's ticket machine who used to collect the fares on the train. Oh and when they built the Abbey Line they should have built a funicular connection up that ridiculously steep hill (Holywell Hill) from St. Albans Abbey station to the clock tower so that people would use the line... the Victorians missed a trick there... just sayin'

[@andrewhardy3639]

The level crossing at Watford North is a bit of an oddity as when the train is going towards St Albans Abbey, the driver has to get out at Watford North and press a button to operate it yet coming back towards Watford Junction it is fully automatic

[@robbiemorrison7085]

At least you made it to park street geoff!

[@TheTransportHub17]

Great video Geoff and nice to see they have an ex Thameslink 319. Another thing to note is that it was London Midland when you last went on this line.

[@TheSpectreN8]

In a past life I used to have to commute from Harold Wood to Watford North and back every single day. Seeing Watford Junction & Watford North again was (strangely) very nostalgic... I don't miss how unreliable that line was and most shifts I would just do the 30 min walk to Watford North/Watford Junction before continuing my commute. I think they were operated by London Midland when I used them I remember a grey/green colour scheme but it has been the best part of a decade so I might be mis-remembering Also maybe mis-remembered but when I used the line the train(s) was maintained at the Ilford depot

[@clickrick]

Electrified? What is this madness? It was still a diesel unit last time I rode that line, and Park Street was my home stop! All before How Wood opened, too, which I remember well as my girlfriend at the time lived close to where that now is, and I had to walk each way. Ah, happy days.

[@Nayson]

It was electrified in 1988.

[@ianmcclavin]

@@Nayson I remember one Saturday after electrification, when class 117 diesels returned to the route for some reason. The wretched thing broke down, leaving a two-hour gap in the service. After about 20 minutes waiting at the Abbey Station platform, I adjourned to the pub over the road!!

[@SiVlog1989]

If it was at Garston, the service frequency would like it is for the Island Line on the Isle of Wight, where the service frequency is a train every 18 & 42 minutes

[@ianmcclavin]

Hopefully that should be sorted soon, they're planning to put the passing loop back at Brading next year..

[@jgodfrey546]

Looks like you had an enjoyable day! Curious if you considered a circle trip, returning via St Albans....?

[@johnstephens649]

Interesting about a passing loop being put back in as can remember them being removed! Going back to the ‘60s my parents had friends in St Albans and took the train to visit. I remember most stations had passing loops and were immaculate with flowers and two platforms. Run by DMUs with windows behind the driver which small boys fought over! St Albans Abbey had a big yard as well as station, I think for coal traffic to a gasworks?

[@isabelalexander6381]

i’m aware you’re going to every station but it’s still such a surprise when you’re at my local!! feels like a glitch in the system somehow

[@SpareroomWoodworking]

In South Africa its neither. Either the cables that power the tracks have been stolen or the trains have been set alight by the taxi operators. So (c) Fire Engine or Police siren sounds.

[@mercilessmage7300]

A woefully underserved station particularly in the evening with the new timetable.

[@mazdaman2315]

Geoff is immortal he hasn’t changed one bit in 4 years

[@ElectraProductions225]

I'm local to this line and when I went to Park Street all the trains were cancelled!

[@likklej8]

When I was a youngster an ex LMS Ivatt 2-6-2 tank loco used pull the Abbey Flier.