Northern City Line: Great Northern Trains at Old Street

Today’s film is the first of two parts filmed at Old Street Station in the London Borough of Islington.
Old Street is served by both London Underground’s “Northern Line” as well as the “Northern City Line.”
This film features the Northern City Line platforms, where mainline railway trains from Great Northern are running. This line has once been part of London Underground (in fact it has been operated as a branch of the Northern Line). Today, Class 313 mainline trains run through the tight deep-bore tube tunnels.
This station is rather quiet, and I was filming during off-peak hours, so not many people were using it.
Enjoy!
Filmed on Friday, 9th of October, 2015.
Part II: • London Underground: No...

[@ChoobChoob]

I had no idea this route existed until one day I was running late for work to Finsbury Park; I found my boss at Aldgate. He asked me why I was in a rush. We both got to work on time. I wasn't late for work anymore after that.

[@hakc97again]

Is it this empty even during rush hour?

[@waxingthenip]

Great footage. Worked pway over this route for many years at night. Moorgate is very creepy after traffic. The station felt sinister when the trains stopped.

[@SimonS44]

I actually visited the Northern City Line when I went to London in March, but Old Street station was closed because the station lighting had failed. I managed to go to the platforms through the interchange from the Northern Line and was surprised by the dim lights when a member of staff turned and told us to go. And on the way back from Moorgate, we rushed through the station - pretty cool ;)

[@CBTvideos]

Definitely one to visit next time im in London.. would love to see mainline trains coming through a tube tunnel!

[@sixftsenpai6172]

I'm absolutely stunned I've only just discovered this exists.

[@petercdowney]

Well, Moorgate, Old Street and Highbury & Islington tube stations are marked on the tube map as having interchanges with National Rail...

[@matthewb6916]

I think the Northern City Line should become part of the tube again. It'd be great to have a 12th tube line!

[@matthewb6916]

Definitely. Moorgate to Stevenage would be wandering way too far out of London, but as you say Moorgate to Finsbury Park would work just fine.

[@matthewb6916]

You're right. Plus the map itself would have to have a huge branch sticking out from North London.

[@gianmariocantatore223]

Matthew B o treni aerei veloci

[@Tylan_the_gamer]

I’ve heard that there have been plans to merge the w&c line with the northern city line

[@karimscaterovic5413]

Northern City line was part of the underground?

[@paulanderson79]

I love Old Street and Essex Road stations. Haunting and charming any time of day.

[@SpringhillRailfan]

This used to be the Highbury branch on the Northern Line. At Moorgate, the line ends in a tunnel just past the platform. It was the scene of a major accident with 43 fatalities in 1975 when a driver did not stop and the train hit the end wall at speed. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorgate_tube_crash

[@joesos]

wow i just read through it. horrifying! can you imagine that happening today? though not many tube terminus' are underground these days

[@KofelinaPL]

The Northern City Line should be modernised. P.S. What are the clicking noises when the train's at the platform.

[@omnicity43]

It’s a spirax valve, it basically releases moisture from the air system.

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

2:11 On Weekdays, during peaks, there was always a 313 running a semi fast service from Stevenage to King's Cross.

[@garply101]

I used to get this train to school in the 90s. From either Essex Road or Highbury & Islington to Old Street (and vice versa), where my secondary school was. I think it was a part of Network rail then.

[@anomalousoddity]

The platform branding is still Network Southeast, look to the top left in this video, one of the most iconic and memorable railway branding that this country has ever come up with

[@Mgameing123]

@@anomalousoddity Network Southeast must return!

[@VascoRoblox-yp5rw]

1:12 - 1:19 To 1:20 Love That Sound

[@jenniferwebster7924]

Great video on trains mate 😊👍

[@Shofia-vx7lb]

Class 313 doesn’t run any more to moor gate or other places only class 717 runs it

[@michaeltajfel]

On 28 February 1975, towards the end of the line's time as an Underground line to Finsbury Park, the driver failed to stop at the end of the line at Moorgate. Over 40 people died and it took several days to recover the driver's body. The reason for the accident is still unknown.

[@Wildlifesupernannyfan]

Great northan-line footage!!!

[@vulcangaming6734]

Awesome 👏

[@TheSearleFamily123]

Well, the 3 car class 313 trains have been replaced by 6 car class 717 “Desiro City” trains.

[@Mgameing123]

It is an upgrade. Well the seats are trash but your not using the trains for a long distance ride.

[@kylethemadman1]

Its like the Glasgow local low-level services.

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

TfL should just buy this again and make it part of the Northern Line again. It so odd seeing Great Northern trains in what is essentially a tube...

[@martynburrows7867]

Adam Smith the class 313 trains which run on this line were designed and built especially for these tunnels.

[@insertnamehere5660]

@@martynburrows7867 That is a complete lie mate, if they were designed for the tunnels, why wouldn't they be tube shaped like other tube stock? They were designed to serve the south of London on the bits between London Victoria and London Bridge etc, but then got bought by other rail companies like First Capital Connect (now Great Northern) and they ran the 313s down the tunnels

[@wclifton968gameplaystutorials]

This line was originally intended for mainline rail usage when it opened its just that it's operator was nationalised to help form the LPTB in 1933 where London Transport then sold it off to British Rail so that it could be reconnected to finsbury park and replace broad street station. the Northern Line branch was disconnected so they could use the tunnels for the Victoria line and all British Rail did was reconnect the line to the rest of the rail network. If the Northern City Line hadn't been taken over by British Rail then LT probably would've closed the line because of low ridership or massively cut services to peak hours only...

[@TheArkamedBat]

London's last creepy railway

[@Santiago-lb5md]

That is creepy af

[@MS46532]

SantiGoma Think its creepy look at old street station. ITS MORE CREEPY

[@millercool21]

This is old Street tho

[@MikeyCondon-kv7cy]

now the 313's have been replaced by 717's

[@CaseysTrains]

I heard Transport for London may take over this line again and brand it part of the Overground network in the future.

[@joesos]

but its underground...

[@Maunico0809]

But it’s cable of fitting Main Line Trains

[@Mgameing123]

@@joesos Most of it is Overground actually as most of the line is on the East Coast mainline but ye Underground branding would be more cool.

[@borkyyy7942]

They have stolen our Merseyrail trains 😐

[@karimscaterovic5413]

They haven’t, these are 313’s and 317’s Merseyrail operate the class 507 and 508’s

[@alexleo172]

@@karimscaterovic5413 Yeah,the class 507/508 looks similar to the 310s

[@helloiamsamuel]

Also, the only reason why class 313's are only allowed on the Morgate branch is because the class 313's have an emergency access door on the front of the trains!

[@rebekahsegun8319]

SM - Real Life In 2018 class 313's to Moorgate will be replaced with brand new class 717's. They look similar to the new Thameslink class 700's. Can't wait to see them in service!!!

[@matthewmiddlehurst8976]

They look and sound similar to the merseyrail class 507/8's

[@millercool21]

Because they are part of the PEPS

[@TheArkamedBat]

#pep

[@karimscaterovic5413]

Old underground station? If so, what line operated it?

[@paulanderson79]

This is the Northern City Line. It was part of London Underground network until the mid 1970's.

[@Luftschlange]

Elikem Amuzu, I cannot directly reply to your comment for some reason, so I'm posting your answer as a general comment. I have already filmed at South Ferry, check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaivnq2Bm7VmgLM Have fun :-)

[@Thelegendofyoutubeking]

i live in new malden and is there south west trains in new malden station

[@universaltrainsstudio8534]

+Luftschlange cool video :-)

[@chrisrowe7503]

Class 313 is not mainline stock and never has been. They are built specifically for Metro services such as this one and Merseyrail.

[@agent_605]

It's stock that operates on the National Rail network, as does the Merseyrail 507s and 508s. You can see their fellow PEP stock operate out on the mainline on the Southern Coastway route (313s), Glasgow suburban services (314s) and the Shenfield Metro (315s) and the Lea Valley Lines (315s)

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

Most of them aren't. Some of them are

[@elia8576]

Can u do south ferry when u come back

[@daviddroid5865]

What camera did you use to film?

[@hdgaming1591]

I wish there was underground subways in Miami and you should go to Miami because they have an above ground subway

[@Luftschlange]

I have actually been to Miami, but I never rode the Miami Metro, maybe next time.

[@bhigdaddymark]

+Luftschlange You haven't missed much, it's okay but nothing exciting at all.

[@CaseysTrains]

+bhigdaddymark Eh I disagree. I rather see the scenery from an elevated line then being stuck in dark tunnel but that my NYC bias talking. Then again, Nothing is interesting about the underground NYC subway stations outside of the newer ones in Queens and West Manhattan and soon to open 2nd Ave Subway.

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

Miami can't have underground subways due to it's high water table which would make digging all the tunnels outrageously expensive.

[@SuperNeontrix]

Those platforms look like they could do with some TLC.

[@Luftschlange]

+SuperNeontrix Do you mind me asking, what is “TLC”?

[@SuperNeontrix]

Luftschlange Well it means 'tender loving care' - the platforms look a but tired and could just do with getting a repaint or a clean.

[@Luftschlange]

+SuperNeontrix Ah thanks :-) Yeah, they are a bit creepy and moody. I just didn’t know the abbreviation TLC.

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

Yes they do need a remodel, hell they still have Network Southeast branding...

[@alexleo172]

@@AdamSmith-gs2dv New signs replaced them

[@bhigdaddymark]

I noticed that's quite a step up into the cars and with the exception of the last train, it was three car trains which probably means that this particular line isn't that busy with high ridership. Nice video!

[@thegardener6342]

I use it daily and it is very busy in the peaks - you would not be able to film like this at, say 8am or 5pm! Outside the peaks, usage is light. The reason for the step up is that the line used to be used by tube trains, which are smaller, and the platform height has not been altered since. It is also not shown on the Underground map, meaning that many non-regulars don't know it exists.

[@bhigdaddymark]

@ The Gardener, Thank you for that information. I enjoyed this video!

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

Semi fast class 313s to and from Welwyn Garden City during rush hours go to Kings cross

[@nobby3265]

Do tube trains stop at these station?

[@adriandalangin2799]

The Northern line stops there

[@bfapple]

Adrian Dalangin It used to be a 'branch' of the Northern but since 1978 it's been Great Northern.

[@bfapple]

Yeah I'm aware of that.

[@agent_605]

Moorgate & Old street are also served by the Bank branch of the Northern, Highbury & Islington is served by the Victoria and Finsbury Park is served by both the Northern and Piccadilly, as well as other National Rail services to/from Kings Cross. Essex Road and Drayton Park are only served by the Northern City line

[@Espxce]

Search for MTR MLR and u will be happy

[@SuperOpticJ]

would a class 315 fit down here?

[@Luftschlange]

They might fit physically, but Wikipedia claims that the only certified stock for this line is the Class 313, which has to do with emergency regulations due to the tight tunnels.

[@universaltrainsstudio8534]

+Luftschlange why cant they fit class 365

[@andison627]

Hasnat Ahmed Simply too big and not fitted with emergency end doors. Also, while designed to run dual-voltage, the third rail shoes would, even retracted, destroy trackside equipment and get ripped off by infrastructure on the West Anglian parts of their running area. That's why they have always been single voltage for their lifetime.

[@blackman-bp4tq]

Class 315 works on pantograph not on third rail

[@enlightenedsoul8897]

Didn't this use to be a part of the Northern Line Route?

[@shofiaarul5094]

1:00 1:01 1:01 1:02 1:03 1:03 1:04 1:04 1:04 1:05 1:05 1:06 1:07 1:07 1:08 1:26what is that sound

[@MikeyCondon-kv7cy]

they couldve tried 319's

[@SpartanBunzer]

0:48 Is that a pooey class 315?

[@agent_605]

It's a class 313, which is basically the 315 but has dual voltage capabilities (since it operates on third rail south of Drayton Park yet on overhead north of drayton park) and is only 3 cars rather than 4 cars

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

The 315s have more electric power than the 313s

[@harrystrains3227]

that lad who spat was disgusting but good vid

[@alfietheg4m3r2ndaccount7]

Class?

[@alfietheg4m3r2ndaccount7]

@@retrotechnology3909 Thank You.

[@Qball10]

Class 313

[@animeOfDarkness405]

oh my god I'm from Stevenage

[@rebekahsegun8319]

Carol Mulhern HATFIELD!!!!

[@notebookwong2223]

0:19 cancelled train

[@FuzePRD]

NO THIS IS FIRST CAPITAL CONNECT!!!

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

Are you dumb?? First capital connect has been taken down

[@FuzePRD]

No I’m not dumb and I know fcc was taken down but that’s the livery for it and i dont know why they took it down

[@Mgameing123]

@@FuzePRD Because the trains were due to be replaced anyways so whats the point?

[@jakoblink5434]

is it a diesel railcar?

[@Luftschlange]

+Jakob Link No, it is electric.

[@Batuyazar]

This film should be taken between 7-12 in the morning then they would show clearly why this should be turned back to a tube with modern trains. Everyday people are getting smashed just to get in and if you cannot get in then though luck next train in 10-15 minutes and I assure it will be full as well. There are times people just wait 30 or more minutes in the stations in the morning just to be able to get into a train... This video really reflects a wrong picture. Saying oldstreet is so empty at 2pm... I would dare the video recorder to go to Old street at 8am and 5.30pm and record it again... if they can find space in the platforms...

[@bluesteamiestudios5395]

Thank god those disgusting 313s got replaced by those nice modern 717s cos 313s are ugly

[@millercool21]

No 717s are stupid and ugly

[@millercool21]

And dull as fuck

[@Mgameing123]

The 313's are not bad at all they aged well.

[@GMDpowerman11]

Ngl, That station sucks