The Windsor Line: From Eton Mess to Royal Railway

[@mattheweagles5123]

"Fall into sin and depravity" Simply beautiful.

[@Human_Herbivore]

Aka, government.

[@dvdvnr]

Agreed, but not sure "beautiful" is an apt word for the associated photo!

[@Alex-cw3rz]

@@Human_Herbivore no AKA Boris, don't fall into his trap of they are all the same

[@Human_Herbivore]

@@Alex-cw3rz well, at least include the whole Tory party. Operation save big dog is clearly still going on.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

@@Human_Herbivore true

[@Richardincancale]

3:23 “…Slough proved a little too tempting…”. One of JHs most brilliant lines to date!!!

[@steveharvey2001]

“Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough! It isn't fit for humans now”

[@pjgathergood6987]

@@steveharvey2001 Just as long as they give me heads up to get well away from the place first!! (I live in it's shadow, in nearby Langley, though try to ignore it's depressing existence).

[@comicus01]

I'm an American, care to explain a little more? I get most of his jokes, but this one I didn't even notice.

[@Richardincancale]

@@comicus01 It’s just that Slough is one of the grimmest towns on the planet. Even the name inspires images of skin falling off animals! So the thought of it being too tempting is just the height of irony. I did go for an interview there once - I looked on the internet for the best pub in Slough to meet in. The two guys I was meeting were a little surprised, they wanted to play safe and meet by the station so they could make a quick getaway. But we walked into the depths of some housing estate in Slough and to a grim looking pub. It really was one of those places where everyone suddenly stopped talking as three strangers walked in!! We had a quickie and left!!!

[@aw34565]

@@comicus01 ​ @comicus01 They named a level in the Doom (The seminal 1993 computer game) 'The Slough of Despair' for the town.

[@phaasch]

2:23 "... and fall into sin and depravity" (picture of BoJo) Hahaha! Love it.

[@zigzogoid4591]

Rather than just a curve into Slough from the south at the top end, it used to be part of a rail triangle. This allowed specials (and freight) to run to run from Windsor to out west. This triangle was used for 'turning' visiting longer tender locomotives, that the short turntable at Slough shed couldn't handle. Thought you'd like this bit of rail trivia from an old Slough resident.

[@delurkor]

When you call the track configuration triangle, I am assuming the North American term is "WYE", pronounced WHY. Now someone explain the British "loop" as opposed to siding. Thank you.

[@zigzogoid4591]

@@delurkor A loop is a short section of double track to enable trains to pass each other on what is mainly a long section of single track. That's how I understand it to mean.

[@andyalder7910]

Chalvey's pronounced Charvey isn't it?

[@librarian16]

@@zigzogoid4591 On a double, or more, track railway a loop is a short length of additional track which can allow a train to be passed by more important trains.

[@delurkor]

@@librarian16 If I understand, in North American terms a loop is a passing siding. Thank you and Zig Zogold for the clarification.

[@Blade_Daddy]

A very detailed look into this line. I never fail to learn something from you.

[@robertcollins106]

I took this line the night Windsor Castle caught fire. A spectacular view of the blaze.

[@hosedevil]

As an old Met relief signalman to a main line driver for SWT, I do enjoy your videos.

[@dronespace]

❤️ Met Line

[@peterjohncooper]

One of your best. A remarkably restrained discourse that, in a way, sums up pretty well all of the last two hundred years of British History. I would have given it both barrels.

[@KravKernow]

People may already know this, but just in case... If you've ever been to Cornwall you might have noticed all the palm trees here. Well that's down to GWR too. At the height of railway mania, GWR were very keen to promote Cornwall as an English Riviera. If you check out some of the contemporaneous posters you'll see how Cornwall is just horizontal Italy. And in fairness we do officially have a sub-tropical climate. But to promote the idea GWR bought a load of palm trees (they're actually a New Zealand species) and stuck them along the platforms at stations. They also gave palm trees to local hoteliers, or indeed anyone who asked. The palm trees thrived and now you can't move for them. I have one outside my window. GWR still keep up the flora tradition. The local stations can be quite pretty horticulturally. Although now they tend to go more for flowers.

[@isashax]

The Boris pic made me laugh out loud! When I visited the castle years ago, I wondered why there is not a direct train from London. Now I know! Also amazes me that this station isn't better served being auch a touristy destination!

[@blameless_hyperborean8638]

There are direct trains to Waterloo from the other station (Riverside)

[@isashax]

@@blameless_hyperborean8638 ahh thanks! Some years ago I had ro change in Slough. But I didn't buy the ticket so not sure if there was that alternative.

[@timw.8452]

@@blameless_hyperborean8638 Yes, it's a decent option if you have plenty of time on your hands.

[@iankemp1131]

It would make a logical western terminus for some Elizabeth Line trains, but the Slough track layout precludes it. GWR and Western Region were never very commuter-orientated; Windsor, Marlow and Henley are served by branch trains and you have to change. The Southern Railway put in flyovers so you get direct electric services from London to places like Hampton Court, Chessington/Epsom, Cobham, Kingston/Shepperton ... and Windsor.

[@bob56gibson]

Only yesterday I watched a recording of the excellent "The Architecture The Railways Built.". Presented by the always enthusiastic Tim Dunn and featuring both the Windsor Stations in Great detail. Then today you fill in the political blanks with your usual charm and wit. My cup runneth over.

[@martyonline1957]

I was trying to think I'd seen this line before, Mr Tim Dunn's excellent show on Yesterday channel. It rang a bell about the arches, 32 of them ? and there not big enough for the Eton erks to get up to mischief into. The arches at Windsor & Eton station are tall enough for the mounted guards to meet HM off the train back in the day

[@brandonb3279]

"Slough proved a little too tempting - as it so often does" 🤣 Your dead-pan delivery of such remarks is divine!

[@mdhazeldine]

I've never actually ridden on that line, although I have been on the SWR line quite a few times. What I do remember very well though was the exhibition. I was born in 82 and I remember my Mum taking me there. It was quite an impressive spectacle with loads of waxwork soldiers on horses etc. It was a bit disappointing to here it had been turned into a shopping centre, but I have visited there several times and I have to say, it was done very nicely and is a lovely place to walk around. At least it wasn't just demolished and turned into a modern mall with no character. We should be thankful for that.

[@TheKlink]

way too much has been lost of institutional architectural vandalism.

[@pmduk69]

I was living in Windsor at the time of that exhibition opening and remember being very impressed that some of the waxworks actually moved!

[@MattBrunton1965]

Upvoted for the line "cringe their way into the corner of the shopping centre". What a superb choice of word.

[@aoifeann1238]

This makes me so sad. I never knew that Windsor and Eton central ever had more than one line. I wish I could have seen it in its magnificence.

[@celtickhan6136]

We recently saw Queen Adelaide's royal coach in National rail museum in York the carriage was really tiny. We also went on the NYMR railway 🚂. Queen Victoria's carriage is amazing. Got to love the GWR for sticking two fingers up to Eton college.

[@tomwatts703]

3:35 a lovely combination of three of my favourite things: railways, malicious compliance stories, and sticking it to the rich and powerful

[@jtsholtod.79]

Ah Jago, we all know the shot placement at 11:17 was no mistake. Brilliant.

[@dronespace]

Lol

[@trumptontally3383]

While it’s fair to say I have less interest in rail than I do in the underground (but always interested in Jago’s content) this one knocked it out the park. Absolutely fantastic script! There are parts bordering on poetry!

[@phaasch]

Great video, Jago, loaded with trademark wit, sarcasm and irony. And a subject like this would be difficult to approach without those attributes. A royal station now turned into a tourist attraction and retail park, with the odd "cringing" DMU just to keep it real. And Eton college still holding the whip hand (no allusions there, honest) of the country's governance, as it is.

[@RichardWatt]

Some Etonians like being whipped, I've heard some of them will even pay good money for someone else to do it to them.

[@tt-ew7rx]

Agree! A brilliant episode full of gems. Great fun.

[@rosiefay7283]

No allusions to any Etonians at any rate.

[@phaasch]

@@rosiefay7283 😏

[@brucewilliams8714]

On a visit to Britain, one of my Windsor highlights was the Tussaud's waxworks re-creation of a Royal Family arrival at Windsor. The children alighting, the Indian servant in the royal waiting room, Guardsmen on parade. Even the loco's funnel was emtiing faux smoke. It was marvellous. So was the Castle tour. Thanks, Jago, for the details I didn't know.

[@bingbong7316]

The L&SWR, though, were sneaky enough to build the "Staines Chord", enabling direct services to Ascot from their Windsor station.

[@mdhazeldine]

The doesn't exist anymore does it? When was it turned into a carpark?

[@bingbong7316]

@@mdhazeldine I haven't been that way for 10 years and I vaguely remember the structure still being there. Good question though, somebody knows!

[@RJSRdg]

There was also a west-facing chord at Slough.

[@snich63]

As a Kiwi who lived in Windsor and worked in Slough in 1999, I was very much looking forward to this one. Your footage brought back a lot of memories of what was a very nice commute. I note it also included one of the MANY jets on final approach to Heathrow. I don’t have such pleasant memories of those.

[@ianhelps3749]

The roof at the station can be seen from quite a distance outside the town centre. As a boy, I imagined that the station would see lots of express trains hauled by Warships and Westerns. Quite disappointed to find that there was only one platform and just a DMU pottering on a single track line to Slough.

[@davidpage8223]

Ah, happy memories. I lived in Winsor in the 1980's and recall vividly the 'Royalty and Railways' exhibition. (late re-named, I think, to Royalty and Empire) It was a wonderfully conceived piece of Tussauds work. Immaculately done. I remember sitting on a station bench next to a Chelsea Pensioner who could have been very real! It was the first time in the UK I had seen animatronic figures...the figure of Queen Victoria spoke from the stage and rose out of her chair!! O often wonder what happened to those Tussauds figures. Thanks Jago for another great video.

[@aoifeann1238]

Oh I wish I could have seen that. Born too late sadly

[@andyjay729]

I wonder what Victoria would've thought if she could've seen about 150 years into the future, with jumbo jets on approach to Heathrow passing almost right over the castle. Probably would've found trains rather peaceful by comparison.

[@RJSRdg]

It's said that the present Queen can identify any modern airliner passing over the Castle from its sound!

[@ginganinja93]

Wow, I thought I knew all there was to know about this section of line but I knew almost none of this!! Fascinating, and sooo glad Windsor remained as it was a key line for me for half my life!! Never knew it had more than 1 platform, makes so much sense 😂😂

[@ginganinja93]

But actually I worry they're running it down again, the trains used to be incredibly regular: 6 mins each way, and it would only wait at each station for 5 or so minutes, so would run every 15-20 minutes. Last time I used it I assumed nothing had changed, and was furious to realise that now its more like ever FOURTY minutes!! Of course, I'd JUST missed a train so felt the full brunt of the change... why reduce something so popular?!?! Its always busy!

[@RogersRamblings]

An interesting story that encapsulates so much of British industry and life, NIMBYism, "rationalising" (which is so much easier than building and increasing trade) and general negativity.

[@pjgathergood6987]

Knew you were on my home turf, JH, when you stuck up a couple of Windsor photos on Instagram (I'm Langley/canal based and often head into Windsor, by power of foot). Despite local history being my big thing, I had never consciously realised Eton's opposition to the railway - when I saw the video title I wondered/assumed if it was similar to how the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal was originally planned to go considerably further and even join with the Thames at Windsor, but it was the vast pockets of land owned by Eton College on all sorts of technicalities (for that read: "Old school tie brigade") which prevented it. Then again, Eton College seems to have always maintained a them-and-us, "we look after ourselves" closed doors attitude with adjoining areas throughout the ages - friends in high places quite literally. (Plans to indeed join the canal with Windsor occasionally resurface to this day, but given all the stuff in the way nowadays, it's exceptionally unlikely IMO). Either way I do find the Windsor line a charming and quite "old fashioned" feeling little route (even if, on my first job working in Windsor, it used to take best half of an hour to train it from Langley to Windsor thanks to the change at Slough and the half-hourly run train needed for the connection always scheduled to leave four minutes earlier than the connecting train was timetabled to reach the station...!), and have always found it odd more isn't made of the line (and potentially very charming station) nowadays to incorporate it with the main line out of Paddington, given Windsor's tourist-driven status being so high that many/most "walks in London" guide books include Windsor by default!

[@rjjcms1]

Thus,if you're where the Slough Branch comes off the Grand Union Canal and you want to go to Windsor by boat it'd have to be via Brentford (places along the way include Hayes,Southall,Hanwell with its rapid descent of locks,Syon Park + House,Kew Gardens,Twickenham,Teddington,Kingston,Hampton Court,Shepperton,Chertsey,Staines,Runnymede).

[@pjgathergood6987]

@@rjjcms1 Indeed. With the infamous Hanwell Flight en route. Which is always fun when they're all set against you.

[@rjjcms1]

@@pjgathergood6987 haha,yes. Heading downstream there's that long,long stretch without any locks from Cowley to Norwood Green - and then 12 of them close together in the last bit before the canal feeds into the Thames including those 6 in a row at Hanwell,with that big,tall old brick wall running alongside,the outer bound of the Victorian hospital that used to be an asylum. Having first travelled that way on my father's boat as a child,I number them 1 to 12 going downstream,making them numbers 3 down to 8,and I heard the dozen of them called the Bull Locks though they might have been jesting there. The 9th or 10th ones are called the Osterley Locks,before the couple of dual ones beneath Brentford High Street and just before the exit into the Thames. At the top of the Hanwell Flight there is a piece of engineering and architecture I've always admired: the meeting of three bridges at one point,carrying road,rail and waterway coming from different angles,intersecting and going their separate ways again. Apparently it was one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's accomplishments.

[@pjgathergood6987]

@@rjjcms1 I know it well - I'm based in Cowley and often enjoy the walk up to Brentford and back; or Paddington if feeling a bit more urban. Boat-trips wise we generally take people in the other direction into the Colne Valley as it's a bit more picturesque ... lesser shopping trolleys. :)

[@rjjcms1]

@@pjgathergood6987 We don't have a boat any more,unfortunately,but in the mid-70s our was moored first at Harefield Boat Yard and then,by 1976,outside the Swan & Bottle pub in Uxbridge,where my sister and me would put some of our pocket money in the fruit machine. We travelled up to Batchworth,and later to Croxley,Watford's Cassiobury Park and a bit beyond past the paper,etc. mills. In the other direction we went up the Thames nearly as far as Henley,mooring overnight at an island that had cows on it before turning back on our way home (2 day dash after 12 leisurely days). I managed to fall into the Thames off the outer (starboard) side just past Hambleden Lock. In 1988-89,when I was working in an office which had been taken over by a horrid boss and their even worse stooge,I used to unwind after a taxing summer or early autumn days with toepath walks nostalgically retracing the route,from Harefield up to Batchworth,Rickmansworth in one direction and then in stages down to Brentford and a short way up the Thames.

[@nik67502]

I grew up in Windsor. It was a small pleasure back in the 70's to buy a First Class ticket for this 5 minute run.

[@jknelhams]

Thoroughly enjoyable Jago, interesting to see your take on a line I’m involved in the day-to-day running of. Couple of follow up bits of pedantry for comment readers:- Through services from Paddington to Windsor did last on a once-daily basis into the early years of the 21st century; I think it was the May 2004 timetable change that finally saw them succumb. Typically on a weekday it is a 2 carriage diesel unit, 3 carriages provided on weekends to help with tourist loadings. Despite appearances, 3 carriages isn’t the maximum the line can handle - the fence across the end of the platform at the Slough end of Windsor station is designed to be removed; and longer trains can be run if platform staff are provided at the station (up to 5 carriages) - such arrangements were put in place for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018; and would likely be revived in the event of other, perhaps more sombre royal occasions. The Platform at Slough is 5 carriage capable without modification.

[@marlenevermeulen5355]

I am enjoying listening to you.

[@robertweissman4850]

Jago- Thank you for this excellent video. It will help viewers who value knowing about history, royalty and railways. The Great Western Railway (surely one of the finest of all railways anywhere) came out of this with honour.

[@peterhunt5523]

My grandad worked at the Royal waiting room which became the office of the signal and telegraph dept. at Windsor Central.

[@dubliner1100]

Brilliant, informative and witty as usual. You are probably the most erudite and eloquent presenter on KZbin

[@hpot53]

Many thanks, Jago for all your videos. They are a bright spot in my day. Cheers!

[@harbl99]

"It has become, in a way, a museum of itself." Sir Christopher Wren's epitaph applies.

[@EleanorMortonable]

I absolutely love your videos and I'm so happy I found them - it's EXACTLY the sort of random tube history stuff I want to know!

[@Cloudrak]

I hope we see some Class 769 units running to Windsor, the platforms have 4 car markers. Could also allow direct services into London while using electrification from Slough onwards.

[@hectorthorverton4920]

There is a difficulty however. The branch enters Slough beside the fast lines, so that any through service would have to (a) stop at Slough on the up Fast, where it would as a result take up multiple timetable paths, and (b) cross the down Fast to get there, then cross the down Relief to gain the up Relief, taking up paths on these other lines. With the tracks being as intensively used as they are, I can't see that being contemplated. Sorry about that.

[@timw.8452]

@@hectorthorverton4920 Agreed. There are other branches with this problem. One is the Bromley North to Grove Park shuttle (only about 2km) . Many schemes have been proposed to make it more useful, such as connecting it to DLR or London Overground. But the fact that it joins the main line on the fast lines makes these schemes unviable without massive investment.

[@GothicSteamEngine96]

I used to live local to this line, as Windsor was my local shopping centre, Slough being not so popular as far as I can remember. I was always fascinated by the steam locomotive on display when commuting there.

[@demonmonsterdave]

Slough is one of the most wonderful destinations in the world.

[@charlieOkeene]

Of all your brilliant videos, adding up to hours of viewing, 2.15 to 2.25 of this video are the best 10 seconds you've ever produced! 🤣🤣

[@stephenpegum9776]

When I first moved up to London in the late 70's & before we owned a car, my wife & I did travel to Windsor by rail for a day trip. I must say I had delusions of grandeur when we arrived at the station, having been aware of its Royal connections !! 😎😱

[@flyentity]

“Sin and depravity”. Very well put Jago…

[@RJSRdg]

The viaduct appears in the Norman Wisdom film "On the Beat" - in the scene where Norman is arrested some of the police come through the arches of the viaduct. Although the field Norman was arrested in has been redeveloped, the adjoining street where the football match takes place can be seen from the train and looks little different to how it did in the film.

[@andrewmarch7891]

Nice piece of story telling Jago thank you.

[@davidjohnson00001]

Great video, Jago. So convoluted I expected Chuck Yerkes to appear.

[@WolfmanWoody]

I moved to Windsor in 1981 staying in a hotel for 6 months until house selling business was completed and remember them starting on the Royalty exhibition. Later when my f-i-l visited we went to see it. Quite nice, but very typical of a Tussauds display. The kids enjoyed it. Today, our fishing association enjoys the angling rights on the Thames from the railway viaduct upstream with permission from Eton College. Note: We did ask them first!

[@whyyoulidl]

Thx Jago for another fantastic well researched and delivered mini-doc. And my contribution to this masterpiece? 05:22 This guy Prince Albert has eyes like Lemmy!

[@PeterGaunt]

Jeez that's changed a lot from when I was last there for the Windsor rock festivals in the 1970s.

[@johnburns4017]

I recall in the 1990s taking a _direct_ train from Paddington to Windsor.

[@birdbrain4445]

14:00 I think the only reason this line survives and various rural branch lines do not is that royal association and any sort of tourist money. But it is... rather a shame to see the line reduced to this state - no doubt there would be a scaling back of some kind over the years as times change but, you wouldn't think to quite this extent. Fun fact: this line is in London's fare zone, though in the contactless-only zones (internally, those are zones 10-16 and are blue on the map.) The Reading branch of the Elizabeth line means those stations out west are all a part of it, but it also extends to Windsor and Eton Central, even if it's not on the map. Great video!

[@gordanmilne7034]

Nicely put together.

[@modelrailpaulcee]

Excellent video, young sir - in fact, I may even say, one of your best!

[@sweetdude1298]

I live in a town between Nottingham and Chesterfield, literally never beneath near London or even Greater London in my life, yet these videos are always interesting to me 🤷‍♀️

[@IBRailVid]

There still is royal trains from both stations, mostly the using the GWR branch, but they don't want people to know about them for security reasons and tend to be at night so Liz or Charlie can get some kip aboard before a strenuous day of ribbon cutting and the like.

[@MrGreatplum]

One of your very best, Jago. Fantastic!

[@johnjephcote7636]

I am out of touch now, but there used to be the old London and Birmingham railway station on the north side of the St.Albans Road bridge at Watford. There were steps there known as 'Queen Adelaides's steps' as ashe had used the L&B to visit the Duke of Buckingham's estate at Cashiobury. (there were also stone block sllepers built into the retaining wall opposite). This was when I left Watford in 1968. Perhaps the building, steps and all, have gone the same way as the later LNWR station and engine shed that I used to know.

[@martyonline1957]

Watford Junction marks the present limit of the suburban area and of electric traction. The station in its present location dates from the 1850s, the original- the first "Principal Station" out of Euston on the L&B - having been situated a little further North. Parts of the original station are incorporated in the District Engineer's depot (up side). The flight of stone steps leading down to the lineside at the depot is still known as "Queen Adelaide's Steps" having been provided for the Queen Dowager when she made train journeys to or from Watford. An "Up Third (Goods) line was opened between Watford and Bletchley in 1859; this line was gauntletted with the Up Fast Line through Watford Tunnel until the completion of Watford New Tunnel (carrying the Slow Lines) in 1874 The fourth track between Watford and Tring was passed for passenger traffic in November 1875. Approaching Watford Tunnels the Slow Lines bear away slightly to the East to traverse the New Tunnel. The Old Tunnel gave some trouble in its construction, due to the looseness of the chalk, and ten men were killed by a subsidence of one of the shafts.

[@adrianrutterford762]

Wonderful stuff

[@neilbain8736]

The diplomacy involving Brunel and everyone else must have seen very interesting things going on behind the scenes. Pity that its fall was engineered while it was doing so well. There must have some very dodgy things going on behind these scenes too. What a fine picture of Boris you found after the Met found and fined him.

[@zetectic7968]

What has been done in the name of progress: recently I mean. Ernest Marples commissioned Dr Beeching to do a hatchet job on the railways that has set the country back, causing many problems as Motorways were not the answer & have brought congestion & pollution rather than the "freedom of the open road" One day enlightened people will realise that railways & trams should be paramount in the 21st Century

[@DavidMartin-ym2te]

First time I have heard Marples declared as corrupt - well said, he most certainly was but got away with it. Makes the current bunch look like amateurs.

[@oldgittarist]

Beautifully done, Jago!

[@rowanmorgan457]

Best video you've done JH. A hat-tip to you.

[@Mudkip0408]

Another great video Jago!

[@PtolemyJones]

A fun, but ultimately sad tale. All the talk of the important trains running thru there put me in mind of a delightful episode of the old spy show The Avengers, with Steed and Mrs. Peel entitled A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Station. Worth a watch if you are a train fan, which I assume we mostly are here. Thew talk of the corrupt minister who profited from the building of roads reminds me of the story of the loss of the trolleys in Los Angeles, because powerful forces that sold tires for buses wanted them gone. Another sad tale.

[@yorkshireball_animations]

You made it! The video about my town’s line!

[@SynchroScore]

Well, never thought I'd see boys wearing top hats marching with Enfields, but there you are.

[@rodjones117]

Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles

[@SynchroScore]

@@rodjones117 Now that you mention that, I've heard that unit name before. Just thought that they'd have a more appropriate uniform.

[@rodjones117]

@@SynchroScore What chance have you got against a tie and a crest?

[@TadeuszCantwell]

Shuttle Service to Slough is the name of my new post-punk metal band.

[@Tevildo]

There was a band, in that very genre, called "Hooton 3 Car", active about 30 years ago. I'm pretty sure they did a couple of John Peel sessions, and were reasonably popular locally.

[@tomasjones3755]

I appreciate your rational explanation, to this unrational story

[@grumpyoldman47]

Another good video Something you didn't mention was the the funeral trains of both King George V and King George VI went from Paddington to Windsor; George V's was pulled by Windsor Castle, and when it came to George VI's funeral train, Windsor Castle was in Swindon Works being overhauled and so its name and number were transferred to another Castle class loco - I think it was Bristol - specially for the occasion. George VI died at Sandringham, and although it was known that he was very ill his actual death was unexpected; I don't know if there're all coincidences, but as well as Windsor Castle being in works the Great Eastern line's Royal Train engine, Royal Sovereign, was also in works - were they both being prepared for duties which were known to be on the way but arrived sooner than expected? The Eastern Region didn't do a name and number swop like the Western though - the back-up engine (Ford Castle) hauled the train from Wolferton to King's Lynn, and then Britannia onwards to King's Cross

[@RJSRdg]

Watching some old footage recently of the King waving off Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on their plane to Kenya in 1952, I got the impression that he at least wasn't sure he'd still be alive when they returned. I also understand that Prince Philip had packed a replica Royal Standard in the bottom of his suitcase for the eventuality that the King died while they were away. However I doubt that Princess Elizabeth knew how ill her father was, or she would have cancelled the trip - I believe the King hid the full extent of his illness from her (and therefore from the rest of the nation) to ensure the trip went ahead.

[@JamesPetts]

I remember the "Royalty and Empire" exhibition at Windsor as it was called by the mid/late 1980s..

[@jonstout9236]

Thanks Jago, interesting story! I wonder if you might consider a mini-series touching on the green spaces of London, such as Victoria Park and so on... ?

[@whyyoulidl]

I think I remember Jago doing something on the fountain in the park. Maybe I should re-word that sentence, but you get my drift...

[@jgodfrey546]

Most interesting! Made a day of a visit to Windsor a few years ago; down on the LSWR, up on the GWR. Great fun indeed..

[@keithorchard3137]

Excellent as always, Jago !

[@christown2827]

Station was featured in 'Carry On Loving'.

[@stuartmilerosborne]

Although it is obvious the reason that the line was run on the long viaduct was that Old Father Thames had a tendency to flood and the meadows were quite low lying ....clever chap Brunel.....

[@ianb9103]

Thankyou Jago.

[@waltertomashefsky2682]

I say! Quite Interesting. One of your best history videos. It reminded me of my visit there some years ago.

[@elizabethspedding1975]

I've done this journey many times.💞

[@Roblilley999]

Being a slough resident I use this little quirky line often.

[@shaunwest3612]

Great video jago, very interesting, thanks 👍👌😀

[@tonywise198]

I last travelled this line in 1957, on an ex-GWR Railcar. I used to live near Burnham Station down the line. A bit changed from then, I see.

[@SimonRML2456]

A fantastic episode as these stations were always fascinating to me, if you look at Google maps, which I am sure you have, you can see how the station would have looked with all the lines that ran from it, sad to see its just one platform ops, as Windsor is not a quiet town... No future thought by BR... Well done on thus episode Jago... 😊👍🏽👍🏽

[@baxtermarrison5361]

It is a surprise that both Winsor stations survived the ravishes of the good doctor and his corrupt master. Sufficient traffic to both Slough and Staines I guess. It is a shame that the two rivals were not a little more cooperative given that both terminus are within spitting distance, a direct service from Slough to Staines and beyond...?

[@highpath4776]

Didnt the GWR have a station in the Staines area too ?

[@baxtermarrison5361]

@@highpath4776 Indeed, but the LSWR were there before the GWR. Clearly the GWR preferred to work from the 'forbidden fruit' of a station that was Slough.

[@Dionpitman]

I quite like the idea of connecting the two railways by a short tunnel - the Windsor Link Railway

[@Dionpitman]

@@redcuillin Apparently the idea was to have the railway descend into a railway just after Barry Ave in the vicinity of the carpark; build a new underground station next to Central; and then continue the tunnel underneath Datchet Rd until it emerged back to the surface on the current alignment in the vicinity of the Romney Lock carpark. Both the current Riverside and Central stations would close and a greenway would be built on the now disused portion of the viaduct between the tunnel portal and Central.

[@petercourt]

Really enjoyed this!

[@peteregan3862]

Given the heritage landscape around Windsor, rail embankment and viaduct should be done away with from north of the M4 and be replaced by a pair of TBM bored tunnels that pass well under the Eton playing fields, with Windsor and Eton Central station receiving underground platforms, the line passing south of Windsor Castle to another underground station at Datchet then coming to the surface to connect with the existing line 800 metres south-east of Datchet station.

[@RJSRdg]

That has been proposed - the Windsor Link Railway was similar in concept to this, albeit using the existing viaducts.

[@R.C.A.F.V.R.]

You noted racing and vocalizard the train use for racing at ascot but missed the fact that in the 70's the train was packed for evening racing at Windsor racecourse and was a hive of passengers from bookies to punter traffic My late uncle would meet me from school in reading we train to slough and then to Windsor racecourse most time the final.leg was standing room only

[@tombullen5676]

get bent............joufully hilarious! thank you jago.

[@send2gl]

Fascinating video.

[@daveconyard8946]

Thanks Jago Spot on NICE one Keep safe. 👍

[@groovydonkey]

Sin and depravity while showing a pic of Boris....How true somethings are....lol. Great video and really informative

[@ianb9103]

During weekdays there are only 2 carriages and during the rush hour periods very crowded . Weekend they put 3 on and are less busy

[@harrypenn611]

Oh I was there today , only down the road

[@highpath4776]

Slough and Windsor sounds like the out of town Waterloo and City

[@paulhaynes8045]

Excellent! I much prefer these longer videos - although the short ones have their place. My only other comment is that I would have preferred far more about the Riverside station to be included (although I appreciate that would have made the video even longer). For modern day travellers, unaware of the history of these stations, it must seem odd that such a popular tourist destination has two small stations, rather than one big one, and that the lines don't even connect. From this perspective, the history of the Riverside station and line is as much part of the history. Even more so when you consider that it is actually on the Eton side of the river!

[@michaelwright2986]

Why are certain private schools called "public schools"? Because, for the rich and aristocratic who thought their sons needed educating, there were two possibilities: instruction at (stately) home, by private tutors; or, for those who thought the experience of abuse (of various kinds), drunkenness, and intense competitiveness would be broadening, schools that were open to those who could afford the fees--that is, schools that were in this sense public. Public in the same sense as public transport, which does not mean state-owned, but transport that is open to all (like, indeed, the "omnibus"--look it up in Wiktionary) rather than being a private carriage or these new-fangled motor car thingies. All this happening in England, the name stuck after it had become misleading, and became rather narrowly defined so that only the right schools got counted as Public Schools, that is the sort of school that entitled an 18 year old in 1914 to get a commission and die within a month or two of getting to the front, leading troops into battle.

[@ktipuss]

Very good. I recall a BBC drama series of the 1970s based on the Royal Flying Corps in WW1 - called "Wings" I think. In one episode a Flight Sergeant going for promotion to Flight Lieutenant went before the Promotion Board. He was asked what Polo club he belonged to, what Private School he attended, how many horses he owned, etc etc. I can't recall if he got the promotion.

[@michaelwright2986]

@@ktipuss I remember reading (but don't remember where) an account of a boy joining the Army early in WW 1 who was interviewed for a commission. He had gone to a small fee-paying school; his interviewers looked it up, and apologised that it wasn't on their list as a Public School, so sorry, no commission. That changed of course, and promotion from the ranks was always possible--though William Robertson (private to field marshall) was unusual. The definition of a Public School in this restrictive sense is a school whose headmaster is a member of the Headmasters' Conference. I don't think they've made the language inclusive because they're all boys schools, though now some admit girls to the 6th form. Makes sense: you segregate the sexes until just that point when puberty strikes at its most volcanic. But possibly gets better teaching in some subjects for the girls.

[@blameless_hyperborean8638]

@@michaelwright2986 It currently describes itself in this way: 'HMC (the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference) is a professional Association of heads of the world’s leading independent schools.' The term 'Independent School' has been preferred to 'Public School' for a while now as a high proportion of member schools are day schools (mostly ex-Direct Grant grammars). Most are co-ed, though it is now possible for single-sex girls' schools to be members of both HMC and GSA.

[@michaelwright2986]

@@blameless_hyperborean8638 Thanks for the correction. I knew I was out of date, mostly talking from my experience, long ago, of getting a scholarship to a direct grant school, which also counted as a Public School.

[@channelsixtysix066]

Here's another one of Jago's line diagrams again. Important : Remember the disclaimer from the last video. 00:54

[@markbarker6739]

i remember the royal exhibition thing it was good you could see victotia and her party arrive then see them sitting on the train strangely there was a model of john brown i recall seeing as well on the train they had a full set of soldiers there it was impressive i must say now its been done up into a cash cow its lost something

[@bluemayim]

every video you put out is a royal excursion Jago!