London's Lost Railways Ep.8 - Hammersmith & Chiswick

It's Episode 8 of London's Lost Railways, and I'm in west London on the trail of a long forgotten about line that used to run from Acton over towards Hammersmith and Chiswick. But the clues are there if you look for them ...
Download the London's Lost Railways map here: www.geofftech.co.uk/downloads...
More station info:
Hammersmith & Chiswick - www.disused-stations.org.uk/h/...
Many thanks to illustrations by David Kirwin.

[@ViktorKucharski]

I'm not a huge train nerd. I've been to London once. For a week. Almost 25 years ago. Nevertheless, I find many of your videos oddly satisfying. Soothing. Especially in these difficult times. Thank you, Geoff.

[@geofftech2]

thanks Viktor, very kind. hello!

[@briansivley2001]

For me personally being in Chicago it's both easy and hard to find lost railway or stations being some of them are obvious to see being the station house and platforms are still there today. A good example is on The Blue Line on The Eisenhower Expressway where there's 3 stations that are closed but the station house and platform are still there to this day.

[@LtKernelPanic]

Similar story here too. Only been to London and the UK once in 2019 but after finding Geoff's channel while looking for info on the Tube I've been enjoying his content since. Now if the human malware would go way so I can go back to the UK and mainland Europe again...

[@icecranberry2148]

Oh, I am a railway fan. (Underground especially) But I agree too that Geoff's videos are all you described. I love how he narrates things as if he is doing this for his entire life. He is also a really nice person. I don't regret for a second subscribing all those months (maybe it has been a year? I forgot) ago!

[@rohinshingadia6120]

Best railway content on YT by a long way

[@sea80vicvan]

Amazing that any reminder of these lines still exist after over 100 years. Geoff has done a great job filming and editing these videos.

[@SamSitar]

easy to see it on the map too.

[@knightsj]

Just watched your video. I was a scout and more recently a leader at the "scout hut" you mentioned. The building isn't actually on the alignment of the railway, the railway went where the back alleyway and the "orchard" is. I have a picture I have found from the 50's/60's showing the building next to the railway.

[@heckmacbuff]

As an allotment holder at Emlyn Gardens, I’m reminded of the railway every time I dig up a shovelful of stones where there should be earth for my spuds!

[@tardismole]

I noticed this one while doing research for a book I wrote several years ago. I could clearly see the line on Google maps, but I could never find any informaiton. So, personal thanks from me. It's answered some huge and long-held questions.

[@pjday6195]

I can just remember the terminus as a coal yard. Coal wagons were often seen there, but I don't remember ever seeing them being shunted - perhaps they were only worked during school hours! To the right of the yard and fronting onto the street was the office of the coal-merchant. Both the coal-yard and Stamford Brook were / are in Chiswick. The boundary between Hammersmith and Chiswick is Goldhawk Rd. running North from Youngs Corner; Stamford Brook, being on the West side of the road, was in Chiswick.

[@geofftech2]

ah, great memory and story, thank you!!

[@edwardfrancis9310]

I remember them being shunted when at the little wooden church by the crossing in the 1960s

[@JagerLange]

Someone will have been stood at their window: "Is... is that Geoff Marshall standing in our car park?"

[@maplady572]

I'm surprised he wasn't overwhelmed with mothers running towards him with overexcited 8 yr olds....especially as he has been doing them over the Easter period !

[@eva1234penny]

Great little vid, I remember the train, used to see it as I played in Southfield park as a tiny child, around 1965... remember the level crossing on Bath Rd too.. as we crossed over on the number 88 bus (94 today).. thanks for posting 👏👏👏

[@frglee]

This small branch line was opened in 1858 through a then rural area, and had quite an interesting early history being built by the North and South Western Junction Railway (N&SWJR) and operated using their sole locomotive, with some odd services using a detached carriage to and from Kew. After the South Acton interchange station was opened in 1880, it became a quiet little branch line with connecting services by the North London Railway (NLR) to Broad Street and Richmond.

[@christopherbicknell8849]

BEST SERIES EVER. Seriously keep making these.

[@duno6090]

Who gon tell him

[@t.bfisher5855]

Well originally there are 12 episodes but surely there has to be more

[@raybolasco9457]

Love them , al wsys

[@clemrumley9691]

Have lived in Chiswick for more then 50 years..... thanks for the info..... great to see

[@hamjazz]

Back in the 1940/50's my uncle used to live in Hatfield Rd: and I remember the small branch goods running past the end of the garden. Also,occaisionally, there would be a screaming howl as they tested a jet engine in the old Napier works the other side of the line.

[@sooz7256]

What is not mentioned is the marshalling yard of Wilkinson Sword The factory was to the west of Southfields Park and the yard was north of this beside the line from Acton Central Wilkinson Sword made millions of bayonets for WWI and also ceremonial swords including the Sword of Stalingrad, a gift to Russia in WWII Of course there is no factory here now and it is also just housing like a lot of this line. I am old enough to rememer goods trains on this line and even one day a Deltic loco, perhaps the old steam loco was out of commision on that day.

[@ratef42]

Recently discovered I live on the old LSWR railway from Olympia to Hammersmith grove. So not far away

[@anniesoernym]

It's shines through how much you are enjoying this series yourself, Geoff! Thanks for the excellent video as always!

[@ItsFozzy]

Short and sweet, but fascinating nonetheless! I love this series, and urban exploration at that. I find these little reminiscences of past lives and infrastructure really interesting

[@flynnhogg8101]

Loving the series Geoff! You can tell you take the time to make these.

[@geofftech2]

thanks Flynn, i do indeed spend a lot of time on them!

[@Dave_Gw]

The addition of the 3D Google Earth view is brilliant. It really gives a sense of scale to the line map. Thanks Geoff!

[@JimTLonW6]

I've some recollection of passing over this line on the Underground in about Oct 1967, and seeing a load of wagons in sidings which may have been the Hammersmith & Chiswick station. They may have been either stored there, or there as storage!

[@MrGreatplum]

Another excellent walk, Geoff - thanks for showing us the route, even if not much survives today.

[@johnthomas5966]

Yes - the London's lost railways is one of your best Geoff. In a funny old way bits of wall, bridge abutments and repurposed stations are more interesting than a modern least used station

[@hamg002]

Can you do the Brentford Dock Railway? Nice work and thanks for this upload. I never knew this railway even existed even though I have been in that area numerous times!

[@Xxchesyboixx]

Loving the content Geoff. Hope your well

[@DaVane]

You should definitely compile these into some sort of booklet so people can follow these routes. It's not so easy to watch a video to find where you need to go...

[@anniesoernym]

I like the idea of a book! You could still also try to follow the routes by writing down important bits of information from the videos, screenshotting some visual indicators, and using google earth or maps! 😃

[@bkjimena11]

I enjoy watching your videos from Canada's capital, Ottawa, even though I haven't been to London, England before.

[@neilboulton9813]

@Kevin Jemina - come over and visit when you can. You will love it and be very welcome.

[@stephendavies923]

I used to live around the corner from the old line and never knew it had been there. Thanks for sharing.

[@sixtysecondvlog]

another fascinating and interesting video about London's lost railways. It's my birthday today as well..... 21 yet again!

[@Evemeister12]

After watching these types of videos, i love going on google maps and checking out the outline left behind long after the railway lines are uprooted.

[@alfiestewart6312]

You should make Lost Railways for all over the country when restrictions are lifted. You'll be very busy.

[@ThatCoalSoul]

Nah, the Whitewicks will get twitchy!

[@MrMaxd81]

Hi Geoff. Very happy to see the video on the Chiswick depot. The enormous former Tram depot is located next door to that terminus, now a standard bus depot but because it also was the power station for the trams it was a very good place to put a train terminal with connections to the docks and coal supply for the gas works at Brentford. Now all long gone. Also, there once was a loop at Kew Bridge to the south which connected that Waterloo main line to Gunnersbury. You can see the scar of the curve on google maps, but that was for a line to connect Brentford to Finchley through Acton. Brentford is also very interesting because the huge railway yard has been flats for decades, because of the Brentford gas company which once supplied the entire of north London’s gas. I think the gas works moved to southall, and the former line is visible running up from the yard over the a315 behind pets at home, over the A4 to southall. Edit. If you walk the former track by the a4 there is a very strange concrete structure by the canal next to the large waste disposal site. I’d love to know what it is

[@JBFlytography]

Really enjoy these👌🏻😁 one of the best railways series on YT. Would have no chance of knowing about these not being from London.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Geoff: “How many Car Parks can you have in one city?” The City of London: “Yes.”

[@OneKnifeYeHand]

LOL. What I find particularly interesting is that they specifically turned the station yards into car parks. Every single one of them. No houses built on top of it or anything. Only car parks.

[@marksinthehouse1968]

The crossing gates where Stamford Brook road W6 becomes bath road W4 were there until 1971 locked open the housing estate which goes up to Chiswick high road was built in the late 70s ,I think a coal merchant used the sidings .

[@edwardfrancis9310]

Correct

[@jbwasted]

So short, sharp, and sweet that there wasn't even a little bird in the title card!

[@geofftech2]

Finally, someone's noticed! ;-D

[@billyfisher1539]

Thanks Geoff for this brilliant series and all the hard work you always put into making such brilliant videos!! Continuing to enjoy it :D

[@anomalousoddity]

I absolutely love your videos - this is a fab series

[@TropicalP456]

Great thanks Geoff, love these videos take care, stay safe

[@ColonelBandit]

Cant believe how ridiculously excited I get when I see a new video from Geoff 😀 thanks Geoff another great video

[@besforra1234]

Thanks for this review, I used to live in Chiswick and it’s great to know this ‘hidden’ history. Looking forward to the next instalment 👍🏻

[@McMieke]

Loving this series. Thank you

[@gavin1342]

The penny just dropped that my grandmothers house backed onto the terminus. The coal yard had been filled with old tyres. Loved her house partly because of the sound of the District Line in the distance.

[@ampersand.]

Very much enjoying the series, thank you Geoff. I keep wanting you to round a corner and discover a lovely bit of rail or concrete post! More please :)

[@imranzazai7404]

London really is a fantastically beautiful city.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Evening Geoff. Always a fantastic informative video on the list railways of London 👍🏻🤩

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Love your new series Geoff so interesting. I bet it is so nice to be out explorering again.

[@DAFPvnk]

Not much of a train/rail nerd, but I love old abandoned infrastructure, For me personally it's motorways, as sad as that is. the A3220 in Shepherds bush is great along with most of ringways, but also finding clues from back when the A102 (blackwall tunnel northbound) was a motorway, there are a few signs and hints of it's motorway past. For example leaving Woolwich westbound there is a solo sign referring to the A102(M). But then roads have always been my fascination, probably how I ended up a trucker :P

[@DAFPvnk]

+ I am well aware I just rambled on a completely off-topic matter... My bad.

[@TheTransportHub17]

Great video Geoff. Throughly enjoying these.

[@Bloodknok]

Great video - loving the series

[@maplady572]

Was looking for the little black bird in the intro! Loved this series Geoff. Thanks for doing them. They have brightened up my days recently and given me inspiration 👍🏻

[@geofftech2]

it moves around in every episode!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Thank you for these videos, Geoff! I like a nice video on the history of London.

[@petermc7098]

Hello There, this is a great video, thank you for sharing this, it's much appreciated. It was very interesting to see how times have changed over the years and although there was no remaining track, it was still good to be able to hear some of the history of this lost railway. Cheers Peter :)

[@fToo]

that Bath Road sign must be pretty old - I haven't noticed that old LB Hounslow design when passing through my neighbouring borough!

[@ChaysVideoVault]

Loving this series Geoff!

[@JimTLonW6]

I read an article on this line a few years ago; it stated that right from the outset there wasn't much traffic, so much so that a shareholder wondered why they ever built the line.

[@jamesbusenthusiast9439]

Amazing! I live in East Acton so I'm pretty near Hammersmith

[@olivermansfield8341]

London always seems so much different through geoff's eyes, gives a new perspective

[@JimTLonW6]

Camille Pisarro, while living in London, painted a picture of a train on this line (1897).

[@MartinAhlman]

I love this series!

[@Cowman9791]

Can you make lost railways beyond London at some point, this series is EPIC and Geoff is easily like the best transport youtuber

[@stevieinselby]

Check out "Paul and Rebecca Whitewick", they have a whole channel about visiting abandoned stations and railway lines.

[@k.r.baylor8825]

You can also check out the YT channel, "Rediscovering Lost Railways", available here: kzbin.info/door/50JKMM_ke2yzyt8y_djYBg They have tons of history about lost British railways in the rest of the country.

[@timsully8958]

Well, that was short, sweet and brief...which by the sounds of it was a good summary of the line! 🤔 Cheers Geoff, interesting stuff on another line I knew pretty much nothing about 👍🍻

[@markellis6413]

Love that Geoff is almost apologetic at the end. It was a bit of a Ryanair line - not quite reaching the destinations it claimed to serve...

[@HenrysAdventures]

I'd never heard of this one! Interesting video!

[@insignificantaftermathPROJECTS]

Funny how I hate trains in the UK as they are noisy, smelly, expensive, often limited, late or overcrowded and yet here I am once again anticipating another of your videos.

[@Neoku71]

Thats a Blast from the past, Hatfield & Rugby road was on my route when I walked to school 23 years ago - I was also a member of the the 14th Acton - It had railway sleepers in the yard at the rear!

[@k.r.baylor8825]

That's a terrific YT handle you have there. Shades of Baghdad and Marine Recon...

[@soundhobo]

Really enjoying your lost railway sleuthing on this series 👍

[@travelswithjess]

Fantastic video Geoff! I love watching your content :)

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

Great video about a seriously obscure branch line!

[@shaunwest3612]

Great video Geoff, very interesting 👍👌😀

[@tonywallow964]

Nicely done

[@horrox3]

Another great video, Geoff. This one is very close to home for me. I can see the bridge at 1:13 as I write this in my living room!

[@mickmcdonagh1557]

Love your videos

[@mallardtheduck1]

The point where the line passed under the District Line is the large bridge that covers part of Stamford Brook Pay & Display car park. That's probably the largest and most obvious remnant of the line still in existence...

[@transporthub7206]

Keep up the 4k good content Geoff!!!

[@stephendines1936]

Short and sweet Geoff.

[@jimobasa525]

London's most recent lost railway. West Ruislip to Paddington passing North Acton tube

[@edwardfrancis9310]

I am interested to know about this!

[@Leonards-leopard]

Come and expand your series to east Anglia Geoff, there’s a great lost railway here, the Waveney valley line, with lots of remnants to be seen

[@maidangela734]

I was stopped at the level crossing at the end of Bath Road when the last train went through. It was a passenger train run for railway enthusiast.

[@redsnapper1959]

Geoff, not sure if this is on your itinerary, but Newbury Park to Ilford may be worth a look. The service was withdrawn in 1947 when the new Central Line extension diverted the tube trains down a tunnel to Gants Hill.

[@AB-xo7zw]

Great content!!!!

[@matthewflanagan9097]

I love these Geoff, I get into the Big Smoke a lot (for a northerner lol) and I try to find these things when I'm there

[@MainlyTrainsVideos]

Very interesting

[@trainman305team]

Beautiful

[@christinaburton9297]

Thank you!

[@jeffwiseman3840]

It seems amazing that there are so many bits and pieces of unused real estate that could be put to use in a crowded city, but they are just left to return to nature. Are there zoning bylaws that protect the spaces that have gone undeveloped?

[@KinzleySnow]

I’ve never even been to London but I’ve got a fascination with lost bits of architecture, particularly train stations - I’m from Sydney and we have a lot of unused tunnels, platforms and all sorts of things, interesting to see how it is in other places! Thanks Geoff for a fantastic video as usual 🙂

[@neilboulton9813]

@Sarah Lewis - if you are interested in lost architecture and railway stations, check out the stations which used to be part of Chicago network. These were shockingly demolished, and you may already know about the old Penn Station in New York.

[@KinzleySnow]

@@neilboulton9813 Ooh I’ll have to check it out, thanks for the tip :)

[@paulbeauchamp504]

There is actually an old station halt within the allotments that was on this line

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

Could have sworn you said Southampton, not South Acton! Figured you were being rather adventurous... Loving the series. Mill Hill took me back to my commuting days between High Barnet and Hendon, and shopping trips further afield. With the car, I would go down some back roads and some of the sites you showed were familiar. That was a long time ago!

[@birdsbayes]

This one seems not to have the bird that's been moving around between the different title screens! I've been enjoying looking out for him. Hope he returns.

[@stephenquinn6485]

Stay safe Sir love your vids

[@phil2544]

Yay, I suggested this line 😁

[@williamrubinstein3442]

My favourite abandoned London railway- it went backwards to where anyone would want to go. The first time I've seen what it is like now.

[@Thenexusmodels]

When you do ones out of London you should check out the Nickey Line which used to run from Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden

[@Jimyjames73]

Very good Geoff 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@maidangela734]

I see some comments about the yard where the line stopped. It was a very large yard and clearly had been used for coal. At time there was the odd coal wagon in the yard but I never saw any being moved.

[@iandraper8554]

In the 1970's when the allotments first opened the people whos houses backed onto the Railway were given first refusal on them.

[@itsafroz4594]

I watch your video always . Nice videography

[@geofftech2]

Thank you so much 😀

[@itsafroz4594]

@@geofftech2 Can you make a vlog Cyprus park or xcel area (yacht hotel) . I stay close to it .

[@michaelXXLF]

I really would appreciate the odd old picture of those places - if they exist at all.

[@mrose5736]

Loving this series! Maybe adding old photos to compare with current day would be a good touch

[@geofftech2]

would love to, but you're not allowed to use other people's copyrighted photos without their permission which can take a long time to get, and/or they may not grant!

[@mrose5736]

@@geofftech2 Ah yeah my bad didn’t think about that 🤦🏼‍♂️ keep up the good work though! Better to get the videos out than wait around for approval

[@philclennell]

Excellent content and as an ex-Londoner a fascinating subject. How about a feature on the old Hainault loop line whereby there was a connection between Seven Kings GE line and the now LU Newbury Park, I'm told there's a little infrastructure left?