Rush Hour Trains at: London Kings Cross, ECML, 04/10/19

An excellent evening spent at London Kings Cross which is the southern terminus of the East Coast Mainline where we see plenty of services from London Northeastern Railway, Grand Central, Thameslink, Great Northern and Hull Trains
Kings Cross has a huge and varied history behind it. I can't possibly go through it all but I will try and include as much as possible without going over the top.
The station was built and opened by the Great Northern Railway in 1852 and served as their London terminus, this was the fifth station to be built in London.
The stations named derived from a nearby building which was called Kings Cross building. This was a monument to the former King of England King George IV.
The actual design of the station really hadn't changed all that much abeilt with small changes having to be made to accommodate bigger trains and everything else that you would expect of a station serving the nation's capital. The design of the station came by the hands of several people including: Lewis Cubitt who was the brother of Thomas Cubitt whom designed the Bloomsbury, Belgravia and Osborne House. Sir William Cubitt who was the chief architect of Crystal Palace.
The main features of the station included two brick arched train sheds covering the platforms, there would be a brick structure at the end of the station which would reflect the archways throughout the station, there was a large clock tower reaching 34 metres in height. The inspiration for this impressive structure came from the Moscow Riding Academy.
When the station was opened it was officially the biggest in the country. When it was first built it had one departure and one arrival Platform with space in between the two for a carriage sidings.
The station started gaining much more attention when the following stations were built: Holloway Road, Wood Green and Severn Sisters Road which is now known as simply Severn Sisters. These were opened in order of date, 1850, 1859 and 1861.
When the Midland Railway began operating there services from Leicester via Hitchin and Bedford they used Kings Cross as their London terminus which meant that platform 2 had to be lengthened and platform 3 was built to help with the growing traffic.
In 1866 the Metropolitan Railway made a connection to the line which then meant that the London, Chatham and Dover Railway could reach the station. The result of this caused a new suburban station to be built at Herne Hill.
As I'm sure many of you are aware there was actually a line that went around and under Kings Cross station and the tunnel entrance of this can still be seen opposite the end of Platform 1. This was known as the Kings Cross Mainline Local Station and was opened in 1875 and was followed 3 years later by the Metropolitan Railway making a further connection in 1878. In 1893 a further two platforms were built to cater for the growing demand, these are the current platforms 5 and 6. Because of the size of the station a new iron footbridge was built to connect all the platforms together. Because at the time there wasn't much in the way of long distance trains it meant that by 1880 almost half of the traffic that was serving the station was for suburban use. A rather interesting feature of the station is the Gas Works Tunnel that you see quite clearly in front of the station which has a rather sharp incline. This hadn't seen any real attention since it was first built and was all most forgot about which meant it was the sight of countless bottlenecks. Especially with freight traffic trying to get past the station. Inevitably an accident did happen between a light engine and a coal train which was caused by combination of signal man error and poor weather conditions.
When the LNER took ownership of the station from 1923 to 1948 there were an all manner of changes being made to the station to try and simply make life somewhat easier for everyone. These included adding toilets and dressing rooms beneath what is now platform 8. The lines going through the Gas Works Tunnel were redesigned and signalling greatly improved which would make things so much easier for managing the growing number of trains.
Now we think that overcrowding these days is bad. I think we have it easy when you look at what Kings Cross went through during WW2. Because of where the line travelled it meant that it became a major player in the transportation of civilian and troop traffic. Because there wasn't enough trains to cover the demand it meant that people were being crammed onto suburban and regional express trains with an average 2000 people per train!!!!
My next rush hour film will be from London Paddington.
You can now find me on Facebook through the group Tornado922, there you will find regular updates, videos and photos from all of my goings on throughout 2019.
You can also find me on Instagram through the name tornado922

[@y0ungmarsipan]

I have no idea why but I’m obsessed with these train spotting videos

[@alooga555]

"It's a Mark 4, you burk." LOVE IT.

[@Cactus732]

My heart sank when I heard LNER Azuma on my trip to Leeds, it was booked as an HST but was a last minute swap 😥

[@Tornado922]

Sadly this will now be quite common up and down this route as the year progresses

[@NotDavidTrains]

@@Tornado922 Me 3 years from the future theres only a few class 91s left and all HSTs are gone

[@AndyHudgell]

🎉 Ben before printing off 📴

[@liamashcroft2893]

7:53 the thameslink service to Leeds wow Thameslink have extend the operations to Leeds now lol😂😂😂

[@JackJackProductions]

And uses Azumas which are in LNER Colours

[@Stary-gq7rx]

I was actually 7:45 but yeah amazing thameslink got an azuma

[@valentinocristallini2272]

Is a azuma

[@blkpig6664]

Great Historic Summary, loved it. I just want all these beauties you've shown in this film, in my TSW 2020 so I can Pilot them. Such gold this time around, with yet more Memorial Liveries. Nice one man, long live The Night Trains. Pure Prime-time!

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much bud I'm glad you enjoyed watching this, I had a great time filming this there was so much happening right from the word go, a few slip ups here and there but that's all part of the fun!

[@M1CAE1.]

You are the perfect representation of what us British people are like, knowing the most randomly brilliant things, then insulting yourself when you mess up. 5:09 Is my prime example of this, and I have never related to anything more when it comes to representing Britishness, thank you.

[@camotech1314]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sctrains3687]

KC certainly looks lovely when the light is fading

[@Tornado922]

It has a certain charm to it

[@iangrant3895]

lol

[@rjedge54]

A wonderful video, thank you. In fact I liked it so much I watched it twice. 😋 You Brits don’t know how fortunate you are with so much passenger rail service. Here on the west coast of Canada it’s mostly freight and very little passenger rail. I can’t seem to get enough of watching the many KZbin videos from British rail fans and this one was definitely worth a view and subscription to the channel. Looking forward to more of your videos and if I ever get back to Britain again, King’s Cross will one of many visits.

[@Tornado922]

Well thank you kindly for saying so and thank you for subscribing to my channel that really is greatly appreciated. I love knowing that people from across the world enjoy watching what I produce, I would love to have the chance to come over to Canada one day and see the rail network that you guys have

[@ridwanahmed1388]

Poi mother woman mother husband top

[@lovefive5733]

I really enjoyed watching this video. Thank you for uploading. Hope you are well

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed watching this, I'm doing very well thanks. Hope you're also keeping well

[@sydwoods9686]

mmm great vid great station really look forward to paddo next week thanks for sharing SYD

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed watching this

[@Trainspotter11_]

Another Fantastic video here Tornado922! I really enjoyed this :)

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed watching this

[@DarthCoco]

This video is so satisfying, hilarious, odd, funny, and your knowledge definitely stands out. It's what makes the many of us, British obsessives.

[@evanswoodcentral315]

Superb video from a superlative station. Kings Cross delivers yet again. As you say the station won't seem quite the same without the 91s and HSTs. Keep safe, regards Gary.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, this was a great evening spent here. It is a massive shame that the older stock will soon be nothing more than a distant memory

[@Martin_TrainSpotter]

What a wonderful station King's Cross is.

[@jslasher1]

Enjoyed your video very much. Greetings from Australia.

[@Tornado922]

Thank you kindly :)

[@alanmolyneux5957]

Another very good video. Good job you weren't there last Wednesday (9th). I was at Doncaster and the ECML was in turmoil due to a train fire at Darlington and someone committing harikari at Newark. There were heavy delays and cancellations galore!

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, that would have been a very different environment if I were there on that day. Hope that everyone affected got home safely in the end

[@charliejkitchener379]

Ive been trainspoting here recently. But my gosh did you get a much busier day and your commentry is amazing! “Its a mark 4 you berk!” - made my day. lol. You have a new subscriber and thanks for these amazing videos!

[@Tornado922]

The best time to get here is during the rush hour period if you get the chance, the sheer volume of traffic is incredible e as you can tell from this. Thank you for subscribing to my channel it's greatly appreciated

[@charliejkitchener379]

Tornado922 No worries, You deserve it :)

[@bruggenenspoorwegovergangen]

Great video!

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@CasperTrains]

Amazing video

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@keiranclarke2955]

No doubt this video is one of my favourites hands down. Brings me good memories of before the dreaded year 2020 came. I certainly want the HSTS to come back to LNER and the 225s to stay with LNER but im sure that will be denied

[@keiranclarke2955]

Not going to lie i like the LNER Azumas but I prefer the older trains as they are faster and have more character.

[@thomasnorton2679]

Wonderful film as always Jarred, we'll gradually see the rush hour videos becoming darker but there's something nice about that, keep up the good work and a thumbs up from me as always

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, this was a great rush hour film to do. Made a few hash ups along the way but that's just path of the course with my films haha

[@awomansfriend5784]

@@Tornado922 Hey 👋 could you do me a big favour and check out the prices from kings cross to Edinburgh Thank you 🙏🏼 xx

[@Desiro360]

Superb video at London Kings Cross Station. Looks like you had a great time. :)

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I had an amazing time there

[@Desiro360]

@@Tornado922 You're welcome. Glad to hear you had fun. :)

[@chrisatrailway7573]

Great video 👍🍺

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@samuelwhite92]

Great video

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@Kwebbel48]

love busy stations thanks for this video(Visited this station had a hotel near the station;)

[@Tornado922]

You're more than welcome I'm glad you enjoyed this :) I had a great evening here

[@lorrainepotasnick2973]

Great film mate nice to catch some 365 running a bout

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I loved the amount of variety I got during my stay here

[@RobsPublicTransportVideos]

Awesome Video Bud :)

[@Tornado922]

thanks very much

[@171trains]

Love those Hsts 225/DVTs and the happy trains and those adelantes with those squeaks not much of a fan of the azumas tho.. Oh yeah at 8:09 the thameslink service to leeds lol and the MK3 not its a MK4 you berk! L0L that was funny! Great video

[@scotlandtrainspotter4223]

Amazing video tornado

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@gdcraig4wr843]

Ahh yes love this station seen 2 Azumas on test and a few tones as well

[@Tornado922]

This is a great station to come to

[@Jeagles]

Do you think you’ll see the class 313 farewell? Also 7:47 Thameslink Azuma?

[@Tornado922]

I very much doubt I'll see it. And I totally knew that I said that Haha, it's a new service they are rolling out lol

[@YorksLancsTransportHub]

I know I heard that. I am confused.

[@dragonboy9506]

i think if there is one it will be for the one in southern as they are the last operating in normal service

[@journeysofjames1116]

@@Tornado922 It's a joke isn't it

[@daynanewby8199]

@@Tornado922 lololol

[@ghighlandchieftain4462]

Amazing video tornado 922 I love hst train

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@mreogromsdal415]

6:22 love the engine noise

[@Zuuu40]

Me 2

[@rajbahadurverma6762]

Very Nice Train Service

[@Tornado922]

I'm glad you like it

[@thebirminghamtrainspotter8657]

Nice video mate

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@siuoleht]

Was going to take an LNER class 91 up to York, but it just so happened that I was travelling on the 9th of August.

[@Tornado922]

Well best try and get them before they all go

[@robloxboi6243]

7:48 LOL 😂 Thameslink Azuma?!? Since when? And to Leeds aswell? ok then I never knew thameslink got the azuma and went to Leeds now o_o No joke though I actually saw a 700 once and on the last carrige it said LNER instead of thameslink lol

[@Tornado922]

It's a new service that came into operation that week haha

[@wildwest3240]

love your vids. But when the LNER was departing at 7:50 you said its thameslink😂. But its okay everyone makes mistakes. Keep it up Mann I love your vids sm

[@jigarmehta8206]

thought i was the only one who spotted this

[@RyanHenson]

oo great to hear Thameslink are doing long distance journeys to Leeds …. Looks like they've borrowed a class 800 too! *dies laughing* Jarred …. i think you need a nap! xx

[@Tornado922]

Well you know how these companies work ;) Throwing out new services all the time haha!! I hadn't even realised that I had said it until everyone in the comments starting correcting me haha, I can safely say a rather long nap was taken that night!

[@ClaretBlueTrainspotter]

Great video. 7:47 Thameslink Azuma.

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Lol

[@Tornado922]

Well you know how it goes haha

[@madtrainspottermacrae6744]

I have been to Cambridge and it’s a very nice place to go

[@Tornado922]

The town and train station are both equally as good in my opinion

[@prime6134]

I just realised that the class difference between the 2 ends of the class 153 on has it headlights up than the other

[@kiwitrains]

Enjoyed very much, surprised there is not a Thunderbird loco at the station.

[@Tornado922]

I'm glad you enjoyed watching this, the area where the thunderbird loco would sit has been torn up. I don't know as to why that has happened

[@Wirralspotter]

Wow I can't believe I was literally a few meters away at St Pancras International

[@Tornado922]

It's a small world

[@Wirralspotter]

Tornado922 it certainly is 😁

[@JackJackProductions]

When the 365s are retired from Great Northern, I think that they should be converted to mail trains and move to Royal Mail to replace the 325s and/ or boost capacity

[@busandtrainboy1747]

that grand central 180 was going to Sunderland via Leeds

[@keiranclarke2955]

This video was fantastic. I think the Azumas are ok ish but I prefer the LNER HSTS and LNER 225s. Coz they are faster and they make better noises.

[@stelladaqueenplayz9247]

Now departing is a Thameslink service to Leeds. Wow never knew they extended the line. Dont you mean LNER haha

[@chunyiupang2063]

Wow a lot of 225s

[@michaeltaylor1869]

You do travel around a lot. Very nice camera work as usual bye for now Philip

[@djk2509]

Nice stuff could you also film at Finsbury park.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I will be going there at some stage

[@samharrison8016]

I never knew thameslink had 802s and go to Leeds thanks for the information

[@greghilton7797]

Good on you Momo. Its just as well he's not commentating on the football 'ey.

[@Tornado922]

Well you know how it goes, live commentary has the tendency to have a few mistakes thrown into it. That's the beauty of doing things on the fly, if you make a mistake then it's going to stay in there. I don't even like football so it would be very interesting to see me take on that challenge

[@madtrainspottermacrae6744]

I have been doing train spotting since I was about six years old

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

R.I.P the old southern kings cross concourse, 2005-31 October 2012

[@Olivers-trains]

Can't wait to next go to Leeds and see a Thameslink service. They must have been suspended when I last went. What next Grand Central to Edinburgh

[@NaenaeGaming]

48:53 Yay, Hart of the North!

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Naenae Gaming - AdelanteGuy that's my stalker

[@leccystar]

Great video! Sad the vid was delayed

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, what do you mean by the vid being delayed?

[@leccystar]

You did a post saying because of weather it was delayed.

[@Tornado922]

@@leccystar oh yes I remember

[@JackJackProductions]

Really Thameslink operates Azumas that are in LNER colours to Leeds

[@Dissmash]

There is now lumo trains

[@Bobslogistics001]

i really like the 800s on LNER and GWR... what is everyone's favourite company for the class 800 LNER or GWR?

[@trainsimproductions_]

either LNER or Transpennine Express

[@dragonboy9506]

transpennine express or hull trains for me. TPE is more striking, hull trains is more soothing.

[@ashleyhoye]

nice video tornado 922 I loved the 225 sets my favirote 91 is 91117 what is yours? and the 377s and 180s cant wait for the next video

[@Tornado922]

I wouldn't have a favourite 91, but the 225 sets are pretty cool

[@carlwatson9947]

82229 try 82219 great video again

[@Tornado922]

I totally knew that :P

[@carlwatson9947]

Tornado922 that’s good just testing

[@lorrainepotasnick2973]

Can you do the caladonion sleeper plz

[@Owenjedi5000]

Nice to See You Going Back to London kings cross but the government said they are going to ban snacks from trains because of obesity

[@agent_605]

Owenjedi5000 No they didn’t, a doctor did as a suggestion which as far as I’m aware hasn’t been adopted

[@russouk]

800`s are nice but 225 still looks cool as ...not nearly HST,quality but damn near.....365`s looks good im sure they design em to smile... 12 set may suffice if ur stuck lol...btw saw u filming in cardiff last week...missus dragged me off tho as was going to say hello...man ur taller than I thought..im 6ft 6 so most sre people seem short lol

[@Tornado922]

The older models have a sense of character to them that sadly a lot of the newer trains seem to be lacking. Next time I'm down that neck of the woods you'll have to pop over and say hello haha, how tall did you think I was?

[@alisonrawlings6679]

*claps* ThAmEsLiNk HaS aZuMaS

[@robertabroadbent1156]

He mentioned LNER

[@robertabroadbent1156]

Ment*

[@alisonrawlings6679]

r/wooosh

[@rlproductionsyt]

How many Stations have you got left to do on the South Western Mainline

[@Tornado922]

I have a fair few I have to get done before I finish off the series, however because of continuous engineering works taking place all over the network it is making things very hard for me to get the series done

[@keiranclarke2955]

I wish I saw your videos as often as I used to.

[@DKS225]

@2.14 Interestingly 91110 holds the unofficial speed record for a British Locomotive at 162 mph set in September 1989 Jarred. Just a little fun fact. But it's sad that even The Class 91's are on borrowed time as well as The HST's. Although i don't really see them as a freight locomotive somehow even with two or three Class 91's making their way to Bugaria to do just that.

[@Tornado922]

I didn't actually know that about 91110, but thank you for telling me. It's a shame that their lives on the British network are coming to a close

[@Class43]

@@Tornado922 well here still in service in 2022

[@cazz3130]

What has been the first ever station you have filmed at and uploaded to your channel?

[@blkpig6664]

Good question!

[@Tornado922]

It was at Leighton Buzzard filmed in two parts

[@lisawatton1173]

Is this busier than London Paddington station

[@jakebu293]

7:47 My new local London link... THE THAMESLINK AZUMA

[@Tornado922]

It's a best thing ever haha

[@jorgedasilva2054]

What services do Great Northern operate from this station?

[@MrRobertacusYouTube]

Are you dumb obviously they do

[@jorgedasilva2054]

Rob'sTransportPhotography I was asking about the peak services. Don’t talk to me like that please. Have some respect!

[@MrRobertacusYouTube]

Jorge Da Silva same answer to what I put

[@vlu855]

I thought it was a problem for photographers to be on a platform. Have times changed?

[@Tornado922]

I'm not aware that there was ever an issue here. I simply went to the Network Rail office and asked to some train spotting. I signed in at the desk and was on my way

[@timdaugherty5921]

How long has Thames link been around ?

[@Tornado922]

The concept of Thameslink has been around since the 90's, this company came into operation a few years ago

[@deanplaystv5068]

Cracking video as always mate I love Kings Cross myself, and I'm going on the new class 800 from Newcastle to London King's Cross on the 30th November if your in London if you would like to meet me feel free to let me know.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much I'm glad you enjoyed watching this, I should be in and around London on that day. Where abouts were you planning on going? Or will you just be Kings Cross?

[@deanplaystv5068]

@@Tornado922 I'm wrestling in Morden South London on the 30th November but it's not till the night time however I'm due to arrive in to Kings Cross around lunchtime so can have an hour or two to spend around Kings Cross or something like that?

[@camotech1314]

7:48 Thameslink changed it's livery 😂

[@tristanbeck6478]

7:47

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Is the 16:48 to Sunderland is not going bounds Green depot

[@Tornado922]

If you listened to what I said later in the video you will know that I found that out

[@transportationuk7656]

I heard someone say Oi!

[@Tornado922]

They probably did

[@johnmatthews8172]

You said The Thaneslink it Was LNER Azuma

[@imaperson9693]

Wow Thames link have a 800 now And they go to Leeds

[@Tornado922]

I know right! Totally something I didn't cock up hahaha

[@imaperson9693]

:) What is the link for your face reveal

[@catrinamoy8101]

Have you done March yet?

[@Tornado922]

Not yet

[@pantographproductions1888]

Are you going/have you been to the Great Electric Train Show?

[@Tornado922]

I was there yesterday

[@teabag21again11]

@@Tornado922 My son saw you there - it made his day! He was too shy to say anything though. He really enjoys your films, thank you

[@Tornado922]

@@teabag21again11 please let your son know that should he ever see me anywhere he is more than welcome to come over and say hello I would be honoured.

[@teabag21again11]

@@Tornado922 thank you! That's lovely of you.

[@teabag21again11]

My son really enjoyed meeting you at the Milton Keynes show in February. He's really missing the shows at the moment but enjoying the videos thank you. He would like to ask if you are going to carry on with the simulator films now that you are able to get out more. Thank you

[@tristanbeck6478]

5:10

[@TeethSongByJamesTorthenhill]

7:48 u sure it's Thameslink bc to me looks like an azuma

[@reecefoster5855]

7:49 not tameslink lol

[@vinkavinka-bf5uk]

24:08 you said the Thameslink train was a class 800

[@EastMidlandsTrainspotting]

vinka vinka1010 yeah it’s a thameslink azuma lol

[@Tornado922]

New service that they have introduced haha

[@rlproductionsyt]

33:00 it was like it Pause by its self.

[@Tornado922]

That is where I have put two different films together. It's something I can't avoid unfortunately

[@rlproductionsyt]

@@Tornado922 You and KTV Videos are the best Trainspotters and KZbinrs

[@fredplayzking3228]

Hi the uk transport guy, I am one of your subscribers, we met on roblox remember? I was fredtheamazing1

[@rlproductionsyt]

@@fredplayzking3228 1 Month Ago we hardly knew each other xD

[@fredplayzking3228]

Ik

[@Cactuspowerhousey]

I didn’t know thamslink had 801s 😂

[@Tornado922]

The things you learn 😉

[@Cactuspowerhousey]

@@Tornado922 😀

[@jamesbottomley2246]

@@Tornado922 dsx❤❤😂😂🎉🎉🎉😢😢😢😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😢😅😊

[@jamesbottomley2246]

Lk

[@Nooneanymore550]

Anyone else spot what he said at 7:48 😂

[@lorrainepotasnick2973]

Can you do letchworth

[@Tornado922]

I will try and get it done at some stage for you

[@lorrainepotasnick2973]

Will you miss the hst and 225s when they go

[@keiranclarke2955]

I certainly will. Bloody Azumas Repalcing them

[@dankstuff6127]

Yep hst and 225s are sick like the 365s

[@BobaShakeMallow]

@@keiranclarke2955 NOOO!!! How could you say such a thing 🙁🙁🙁

[@maimadha]

​@@keiranclarke2955it would be better if LNER kept the 43s and 91s instead of replacing them with Azumas

[@keiranclarke2955]

@maimadha I agree with you. They should never have replaced the HSTS and the LNER 225S.

[@dianecooper9932]

48:53

[@Eurolex43]

7:47 what but Thameslink don’t operate Azumas

[@jakebu293]

Craft or Mine Trains why you so serious?

[@Great_WesternTVFan]

It's a joke lol

[@gooldowen8811]

Are you aware that you the first azuma that departed you called out as thamslink

[@Tornado922]

At the time I wasn't aware I had said it, only after everyone started to point it out to me did I realise I had said it

[@sammy5464]

Thameslink Azuma for Leeds is now deport London kings cross

[@Matthew_Webb_2023]

7:49 thats not a thameslink service just to correct you

[@mreogromsdal415]

4:54

[@keiranclarke2955]

I like the BTP announcements that were in the video as well. The middle aged Yorkshire guy and the old Scotsman or geordie as well.