Surrey Quays Station: Rock Around the Dock

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We’re back at Surrey Quays to look at the stuff I skipped over last time, which was most of it.
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[@willmill82]

You haven't mentioned Charles Tyson Yerkes for a while. I do hope he's ok.

[@eattherich9215]

As well as anyone who has been dead for 119 years can be.

[@willmill82]

@@eattherich9215 oh no! I hope he makes a swift recovery.

[@GooseWaffe]

@@willmill82 thank you for making me spit my drink out XD

[@clickrick]

I believe he suffered a strained moustache and is currently convalescing.

[@willmill82]

@@clickrick yeah, that'll happen UNLESS you also have a full beard to act as a counterweight.

[@sporkafife]

Honestly, I was just watching a video about the at-sea escapades of Thomas Cochrane, and am amazed at how he isn't nearly as widely known as he definitely deserves! Then he popped up in this video which completely surprised me!

[@clickrick]

"You might say it's quay." Nope, I might not 🤣

[@normanstevens4924]

I definitely will not.

[@jerrytwolanes4659]

I will.... Key!

[@ianthomson9363]

@@jerrytwolanes4659 And so will I.

[@eddiewillers1]

But do quays have locks? Why, yes!

[@alanclarke4646]

​@@eddiewillers1sometimes, anyway.

[@Damien.D]

3:25 this transition is seriously brilliant. I like how all of these goods-oriented railways are now, after a much convoluted history, a backbone for thousands of people everyday's lives. I wish we had repurposed more disused or in decline railways in France (cough-cough "petite ceinture" of Paris).

[@stephenjcuk7562]

The smoothest sponsor links on KZbin ever.

[@hairyairey]

I have only just realised that those beams and columns are holding up the station building!

[@DavidShepheard]

They do look very weird though. I always wondered why they were at such a weird angle, with the staggered beams and the diagonal raised walkway, instead of a big rectangular station concourse being built on top of the tracks.

[@hairyairey]

@@DavidShepheard A decent architect would have made something beautiful of them. It would have made more sense to build a bigger station building and rent out some of the space.

[@idot3331]

It's insane that despite how popular electrification was over 120 years ago, so much of our rail network today remains unelectrified, and somehow there are virutally no plans for future expansion. I know I'm in a minority among UK rail enthusiasts but I find diesels to be just depressing, they're a loud, polluting and inefficient relic that should have been forgotten half a century ago. At this rate the UK will still be running diesels on busy main lines in another half a century.

[@roderickmain9697]

Another quay development. Hickory Dickory Docks I need a new pair of socks Shoppings a breeze Down at Surrey Quays Theres even a choice of clocks.

[@FnafFanProductions]

HEY!!! THAT'S MY LOCAL STATION!!! (may or may not have just doxxed myself a little bit there...)

[@horchan1216]

doxing myself here as well (oh wait my profile is my actual google one🤣)

[@rickycunningham6368]

make that 3 of us lol, live pretty much 5 mins from there

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

Is Surrey Quays a bit of a one-horse town, then....?

[@suerhodes635]

Likewise 🥰

[@andydrew2003]

When I was a child we would often jump on the ELL from New Cross Gate (later moving to New Cross) to Surrey Quays to go shopping the Big Tesco in the shopping centre, or sometimes Canada Water for the BHS. Although sometimes we would get the DLR to Lewisham for the Marks's, or up to Limehouse for the markets there. I still remember the blue hoardings at New Cross and the boards on stations when they closed the line. Of course, by the time it reopened we'd moved so I only been on the line a handful of times since it stopped being under LUL. Sometimes I travel in to London on Southeastern, and you can still see the footprint and some tracks of the former New Cross Depot, I think you can still see the staff platform too. Also I'm almost certain some of the track still on the line has some whispers of the centre rail from the former LUL traction system. Something I remember from Surrey Quays station is that on the down line towards New Cross, as you exited the mouth of the tunnel into the station there was a sign on the cutting wall proclaiming "Welcome to Surrey Quays", similar to that on mainline junction stations. I wonder if any other LU station ever had a sign like that, and why Surrey Quays did. Sometimes I wonder had the course of history been different, would we perhaps have seen a variant of "S4" stock on the line?

[@rainyfeathers9148]

Many things on London's transport networks could remain mysteries🕵🏾‍♀... The Desmond's theme keeps playing in my head when I hear 'docklands'😂

[@hairyairey]

Just for reference, you can see Canada Water station from Rotherhithe station. I think they are the closest two stations on the Overground.

[@willmill82]

Ooh, Penge West and Anerley tho...

[@tantive4]

Recommend everyone goes to the Brunel museum in Rotherhithe. Lovely people, an open air cocktail bar in thr evening and a Monkey Puzzle tree for the Araucariophiles

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The wordplay in the title. (Chef’s kiss)

[@AmazingAonYT]

Ah, I'm glad there is another video of one of my favourite areas in South East london

[@aquilarossa5191]

When I see an Overground roundel in the Underground style in these videos the Wombles theme tune always comes to mind. 1970s kid. Tooting Bec was our local station. Then it was Milton Keynes Central when we became London Overspill. I guess that was one of the solutions for the economic downturn in London. New towns.

[@caw25sha]

I've got a book by Andrew Martin called Underground Overground and every time I see it on the shelf a certain tune pops into my head. (Good book btw.)

[@paulhaynes8045]

"You are the second entrance to my little station"?? You are rapidly becoming the king of the 'was that an innuendo?, non-innuendo (or was it?)' To coin a phrase almost as confusing...

[@keithmeredith9156]

A good and interesting piece. In 1979-1982 I lved in New Cross and it occurred to me that it would be good for through services to be provided again to central london. I wrote to the Greater London Council suggesting this.They replied,saying that such through services ended in the early 1940's and that today the main demand for passengers was for connection to stations furhter East on other lines -and my idea was not taken up. Perhaps now there is this starting vast new residential development of the Surrey Quays area it would be useful to reinstate the link to LIverpool Street ,as an addition to the existing Northbound connecitons. Keith Meredith

[@bertspeggly4428]

"Delapidated in the sixties"................That's when it was at its best. Water dripping down the walls of Wapping station, Shadwell station a corrugated tin hut. Wonderful!

[@neilbain8736]

There was something of an architectural enlightenment in the 80's. Even as a kid when I knew no better, I could just feel the oppressiveness of Brutalist architecture even if i didn't know what it was. Then something went 'ping' with society and when Falkirk Grahamston's original station was demolished something amazing went up. Suddenly there was hope. That footage in the tunnel is a rare thing.

[@DavidBrown-lv6ox]

There was a silly story that the station was renamed Surrey Quays as a joke at the expense of the the then Minister of Transport.

[@RogersRamblings]

After your brief reference to this station a couple of weeks ago, I was quite quayed up waiting for a deeper investigation. Good work.

[@ChristopherDraws]

Thanks for the video! Re. your last comments about future plans for Surrey Quays station, TfL definitely needs to work out how to increase frequency of trains or make way more room/better access to the platform level; even now during peak times, it becomes incredibly choked with masses of people using very narrow stairs and corridors to exit - and even once you get out to the street the pavement area is insufficient.

[@bradweber8761]

American here. I’m an EastEnders fan. I was wondering if you could make a video about which tube stop is mythically nearest the mythical Albert Square or which stop most resembles the stop as seen on the show. Just a thought

[@t.p.mckenna]

It's a good question. I can't be certain about this, but I think the model for the Eastenders set was York Square Gardens in Limehouse which still has a pub on the corner (Old Ship). When the series started it was without a railway station, I think. So much of the locale was destroyed by bombing dropped ahead of the target - the docks. Till Jago makes such a visit, you can always a wander round on Street View.

[@ukuleletyke]

I’ve got Anthony Burton’s biography of Trevithick, and that suggests that, far from declaring it impossible, Trevithick thought tunnelling under the Thames was eminently possible- he wasn’t a man given to self-doubt, after all. I believe it was his investors- who never seemed to have enough engineers on board to assuage their nervousness- who got cold feet and pulled the plug on the first tunnel attempt.

[@DanBen07]

13:57 Video suggestion. Maybe you could do a video about station entrancies & exists. Like which one has the most & the least.

[@richardeyers322]

my old working area,not now,when they shut the station down,the roads were bad,and still are.

[@CarolineFord1]

ARRGH at the key/quay pun.

[@ulicnik24]

Thanks Jago, I used to travel from this station when I lived in the adjacent area.

[@d33w]

Kinda shocking to see footage of where I live, Mr Jago could be next to me on the Overground station and I wouldn't know!

[@caw25sha]

You would because he looks like the child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. (Assuming his profile pic is a good likeness.)

[@crazoatmeal1854]

@@caw25sha I thought he looked more like that Harry Beck guy.

[@telhudson863]

Back in '76 we had a customer that was close to Surrey Docks station and I had to work on site. Since I lived near to Blackhorse Road, commuting by tube was obvious. The journey to the East London section of the Metropolitan line was awkward. Several times I chose to drive through the Rotherhide Tunnel because it was easier and quicker.

[@MCBjoernar]

40 seconds old and a banger

[@horchan1216]

Should have come to the actual quay and say hi!

[@neilforbes416]

Hmmmmm...... Surrey about that, Chief! LOL😁

[@matthewbarratt4935]

Were the East London Line's freight trains the last freight on underground Underground lines?

[@adaptandsucceed6875]

To me, the name of the Station will always be Surrey Docks.

[@alexisdespland4939]

now all this video must be sung to the tune of rock around the clock. lol

[@robinjones6999]

One of your best videos - many thanks

[@DavidMartin-ym2te]

When I lived round the corner by Russia Dock in 1997/8 there was a feeling of emptiness to Canada Water and the surrounding area at odds with the massive number of flats. Maybe it's changed a bit now.

[@bridge_studio]

This is a quay video to watch to understand the history of the area.

[@brettpalfrey4665]

It is so good to see London's railways getting a decent makeover, and revitalising the places it serves in the process..Long may it continue! (Come on Mr Khan, now you have got re-elected, let see TFL reach even more of its potential!)

[@MrGreatplum]

Excellent, Jago. One of my regrets about my brief time working in London around 2004-2006 is that I didn’t travel on the old east London tube before it closed and was rebuilt

[@barneypaws4883]

I'm surprised you didn't say that your investigation into the special de-icing vehicle went cold

[@michaelcolllett9082]

Enjoyed the history lesson, as like history, of publiç transport

[@cigmorfil4101]

12:15 Not just the ELX but also the ELT bus route which ran from Surrey Quays, stopping as a normal bus to Rotherhithe, then went through the Rotherhithe Tunnel and stopping at Wapping, Shadwell and finishing at Whitechapel. It was run using Starrider midi buses out of Catford bus garage, though a Mercedes Wright was occasionally used - that had a very tight fit through the width restriction for the tunnel. PS Thanks for explaining why the ELL was in Metropolitan(ish) colours on the tube map.

[@radiosnail]

Briefly used the old East London line from New Cross to Whitechapel for a few months from 1984 into early 1985

[@japanesetrainandtravel6168]

@11:29 there is a pic of the District Line D stock. Were these used on the East London Line? I remember using A stock trains

[@Tevildo]

The East London Section used D78 stock from 1985, reverting to A stock in 1987.

[@stefansoder6903]

What a coincidence! Was in London 2 weeks ago and walked the area and visited Brunel Museum!

[@TootlinGeoff]

The revamped ELR is very useful when I'm visiting my daughter in Sydenham. From Kings X via the Hammersmith & City to Whitecapel. Much easier with luggage than going via the deep level tube.

[@Anonymoususer_2023]

Love how it said’s Quays and not Keys. Which does sound exactly the same thing but in a similar way. Is Surrey Quays station also near to Millwall FC The Den stadium as there are plans for a new London Overground station to be built close to Millwall FC stadium in Bermondsey.

[@LeeSmith-cf1vo]

Something I've never really understood is why the line closed for such a long time during overgroundification. What modifications were actually required? Removal of the centre rail, and resignalling. Did I miss something?

[@eattherich9215]

Big rail reconstruction projects and multiple contractors, tend to elongate the time and budget.

[@batman51]

@@eattherich9215 And the demands of English Heritage (the line was closed for several months before work started because they changed their minds about preserving the original just a few days before planned closure and it all had to be redesigned, but the alternative arrangements had already been signed up so the bus service ran and nothing happened below ground)

[@vorpalteaspoon8904]

Photo-bombed by both Overground trains and buses!

[@mickeydodds1]

Actually, Richard Trevithick did commence work on a Thames Tunnel, which made good progress - until the point water breeched through the tunnel roof, and Trevithick narrowly escaped with his life. At that point, the tunnel promoters withdrew funding.

[@mickeydodds1]

Apparently, freight train workings through the Thames tunnel ceased as recently as the early 1960s.

[@Noddydc]

This is my local station, really enjoyed this one thank you! 🤩

[@Payteer]

Can you do the overground line out from Waterloo to Twickenham via Richmond? I always feel this part of South West London gets overlooked.

[@berillyispog]

Lovely to see the brunel tunnel, I presume it was in december 2023 ish on a hidden london tour?

[@AFCManUk]

I'm kind of glad Mr. Yerkes hasn't been mentioned for a bit. I'm pretty sure the 'Charles Tyson Yerkes Drinking Game' is slowly giving me alcohol poisoning.

[@clivey1001]

You mentioned that the shopping centre opened in 1985, that is not correct it was July 1988. I know because I moved to Surrey Docks just before the station was renamed Surrey Quays, in 1987, and the following year the shopping centre was opened by either Leslie Crowther (Price is right) or Ted Rogers from tv show 321 with Dusty Bin. Im leaning more to the latter, but my memory escapes me. in July 1988 Surrey Docks was rebranded Surrey Quays. I left the area in 2001 due to my block of flats being knocked down. From there I moved to Lee Green, Lewisham then Chatham in Kent and now Harwich in Essex. Was 19 in Surrey Quays, aged 55 now!😮

[@sheltie777]

I am going to dock you a point for that Key/Quay pun.

[@meijiturtle3814]

Excellent, excellent video.

[@kidmohair8151]

whatever happens, *I hope* the line of columns between the two tracks is *kept*

[@DavidRGray]

Always fun to come out off the Rotherhithe Old Road side on a Saturday afternoon and watch the pretend hard men of the away teams support suddenly getting concerned over the journey on foot to The Den. #Miiiiiilllllll

[@jackmartinleith]

Looking at RailMapUK alongside a 1914 OS map, it's interesting to note that [1] the railway only served Deptford Wharf - near what's now Enterprize (sic) Way - and the south side of Greenland Dock (why not the rest of Surrey Commercial Docks?), and [2] there was no connection between this railway and the East London line, which it crossed near the present Myers Lane before continuing towards the former Old Kent Road station. Can anyone provide an explanation?

[@defender1006]

'Are we clear, I'm certainly not', well me neither!

[@nickbarber2080]

It seems that quite a few connections with the BR network were severed in 1966...did something change for this to happen? Policy or ownership or something? There might be a film to be made about the continuation of BR freight services on LT metals well into the 60s...

[@colinlittlewood9613]

My old stomping ground, lovely stuff

[@AndrewG1989]

There were plans for a new station to be built close to Millwall FC The Den stadium called Surrey Canal Road or New Bermondsey. Whether it will happen or not.

[@teecefamilykent]

Fantastic video sir!

[@neuralwarp]

They really ought to upgrade the Overground to DLR.

[@user-xh3lz9xt4l]

But how did long did it take for the Channel Tunnel or Chunnel take from at least 1815 or earlier. M

[@AndreiTupolev]

13:39 it certainly seems popular enough there; was there something special on?

[@JagoHazzard]

The marathon I think?

[@seanbonella]

Trevithick and the two Brunels...... geniuses

[@fadedspace]

Another pleasant video to enjoy this evening. Many thanks Jago!

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

Great video as usual! :]

[@doublea06]

👍🏾 Surrey Quays!

[@doublea06]

(And the shopping centre next door. Also, there should've been a bus station neighbouring!)

[@highpath4776]

Surrey Quays station looks a bit like the new Thamesmead Bus Garage did

[@GeorgeChoy]

Well researched and informative, thanks Jago

[@michaelwright2986]

I just thought: were some of I.K. Brunel's wilder extravagances an effort to outdo his father? Didn't happen in the Stephenson family.

[@tazareal]

It's like every English newspaper article or KZbin video has to be 50% word play or puns by weight ;-)

[@GeorgeChoy]

good morning Jago

[@anthonylloyd6094]

Jealousy strikes at 3:30 .... Would love to be able to walk the tunnel too.

[@eastlancsesteem]

Canada Water was named after the big pond next to it.

[@btuckervideos4705]

Though it was never in, or located near, the county of Surrey, the county gave its name to the Surrey Commercial Docks, apparently (from Wikipedia) because the Docks are on the south bank (the Surrey side) of the River Thames. Find that slightly weird, as was Surrey Docks ever located in the county of Surrey? I don't think so

[@kgbgb3663]

Actually, Surrey used to extend as far east as Deptford, so the Surrey Docks were, indeed, in Surrey until the formation of the London County Council.

[@darganx]

Wasn't there a Northern Electrics line or was this just a warp in my timeline? If so can I suggest a video on it?

[@DavidShepheard]

Say, Jago, do you have any idea, from your research, why those low arches on the northbound platform wall (visible at 9:40) are there? It looks like TfL had to fill them in (and there are also a ton of circular things holding the wall up). Is that part of the station wall part of a viaduct or something similar to that? You did say something about another bay platform. Would it have been a raised up line that came up to what is now the level of the street? I went to Surrey Docks once or twice, before it was rebuilt (and back before Canada Water existed) and was really struggling to remember it. So thanks for the old pictures. If you look above the exit sign (in the 9:40 still) and pan left a bit, there is a break in the brick wall, where you can see a wooden wall with windows in it. Is that a surviving bit of the old Surrey Docks station, or someone's house? If that is someone's house, they sure have a weird view out of their back window!

[@Christopher125]

That platform looks like an afterthought so presumably they're just part of the cutting wall - the station and approaches are clearly designed for four tracks, two through tracks on the west side presumably for freight and two on the east side serving an island platform. It seems only two were actually laid down the middle - OS maps suggest the dock connection was never completed? - with passengers using half the island platform and a new platform where the northbound freight track would have been laid.

[@carddamom188]

13:59 => Did he just make an rear reference? 😮

[@alanbudgen2672]

Excellent video. Do you know what the siding at the northern end of the station was used for? Between the station and tunnel?

[@brianfretwell3886]

Makes me wonder what would have happened if a real life Harold Shand (the Long Good Friday) had brought in American money to redevelop the area earlier.

[@1258-Eckhart]

Deliriously happy that you didn't use the silly new name.

[@Keithbarber]

Nor just late on parade, it's a.w.o.l. almost

[@seanbonella]

JH legend

[@John2Ward]

Bearing in mind its original name, one might reasonably ask: Who's "Surrey" now?

[@Marinkaasjes]

Ahh yes, a draft video 😂

[@hairyairey]

Published then renamed, not the other way round!

[@neuralwarp]

Why is that Overground train running on DLR track?

[@ianpatterson6552]

Call the Brunei’s, they might have some ideas for the place.

[@sirmeowthelibrarycat]

😲 Who you gonna call ?

[@ianpatterson6552]

The Brunel’s.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Brunels. They’d certainly know the correct use of an apostrophe.😀

[@paulsengupta971]

What electrification do they use?

[@randomidiot24563]

could do one covering Kings cross thameslink on pentivile road?

[@AtheistOrphan]

Pentonville. (And he’s already done one).

[@UK.RoadsCyclingandTransport]

I love these, fantastic stuff Jago

[@YargNayrod]

Maybe it's my hearing, but these two sentences sound the same as sorry kiss to my ear 😅😁😘