Rush Hour Trains at: Potters Bar, ECML, 07/06/19

A fantastic and slightly damp evening rush hour period spent at Potters Bar station on the East Coast Mainline where we see countless services from London Northeastern Railway, Great Northern, Thameslink, Grand Central and Hull Trains.
Potters Bar was one the original stations opened on the East Coast Mainline by the Great Northern Railway in 1850, 2 years after the line was officially opened.
In 1923 the station was renamed Potters Bar and South Mimms due to the close proximity of the two towns. Now they are all but joined together with the A1 acting as a split between the two. The station was later renamed to Potters Bar in 1971.
The current station was built in 1955 which was the third variation of the station. The previous two were simply unsuitable for the growing network and the lengths of the trains stopping there.
Sadly this stations main claim to fame happened as a result of a terrible accident that took place in 2002 when a West Anglia Great Northern service came charging up the line from London Kings Cross bound for Kings Lynn entered the station area at 12:55 at a speed of around 95mph, as it passed over a set of points they suddenly changed due to the force of the train thundering over them, this then caused the rear bogie of the third carriage to derail along with the entire fourth carriage which then subsequently sent the train hurtling into the air and proceeded to mount the platform and slide along it's length before finally coming to a rest at a 45 degree angle.
Unfortunately seven people were killed on that day. Six were onboard the train and the seventh was a result of being struck from debris coming off the bridge and onto the main road below.
The following investigation found that the cause of the crash was due to poor maintenance of the points, the bolts which hold the stretcher bars in place had become lose and as a result of this it was only a matter of time before a derailment was going to happen. The force of the train passing over the points at that speed was enough was dislodge the points and cause them to fail which then sent the train into the platforms. Fortunately as a result of this immediate works were taking place all over the country and a massive change to the health and safety scheme saw that all track work was done to the very best standards at the time. Less than a year later it was decided that Network Rail would take on all track work as having private firms doing this was evidently the wrong way to do things.
A memorial garden has been created at the front of the station to remember those that passed away. There is also a plaque on the ramp at Platform 3/4.
My next rush hour film will be from Milton Keynes on the West Coast Mainline.
You can now find me on facebook through the group Tornado922, there you will regular updates, videos and photos from all of my goings on throughout 2019.
You can also find me on Instagram through the name tornado922.

[@Simonskilamb]

Thank you for all your videos! My 3 year old son is obsessed with trains and is missing them really badly at the moment during the pandemic - your videos have provided a lot of much needed entertainment!

[@ClaretBlueTrainspotter]

Great video. Been so long since your last video it feels like a new series.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I do try and keep things as constant as I can but sometimes there will be long gaps between films coming out

[@brucebennett5193]

I have never really introduced myself, I am a retired train driver from Arkansas U.S.A. I DO ENJOY YOUR WORK!!

[@Tornado922]

Well thank you kindly for saying so :) I love having people from all over the world watching and enjoying my vids :) I'll have plenty more throughout the rest of the year :)

[@gerontius34]

Indeed, great to have you back. I well remember the Potters Bar incident.

[@Tornado922]

It's a massive shame that this stations claim to fame is an accident

[@manchestercityfanclub9740]

Absolutely fantastic videos love them all my favourite loco has to be a class 37

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I do love the 37

[@secretmantiis6464]

Class 800s

[@dankstuff6127]

Class 800s aren't locos the demu

[@alextrainspotterhd6444]

I have just been there yesterday myself really good variety of stock

[@chrisatrailway7573]

Nice video

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@Wirralspotter]

Fantastic!

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@thomasnorton2679]

I've started doing my own little series of rush hour sessions here in Northern Ireland, but I do photography, can't wait to see the back of those 313s, they're dogmeat, thumbs up from me Jarred, thoroughly enjoyed watching.

[@jefflloyd7308]

There not dog meat been good in their time railways move on. Oh still available on the coast away line

[@drummerboy1390]

You had your work cut out for you there at times. They were coming at you from all sides at once. Well done and thanks.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, they certainly know how to keep me on my toes don't they

[@beanie9040]

Thank you for this! I love trainspotting. You captured the trains really well!

[@jacktaylor-stoakes3636]

Nice doubled up hull trains

[@Tornado922]

It was a nice sight to see

[@jacktaylor-stoakes3636]

You got very lucky

[@Mildenhall_Planespotter]

Great video :)

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@Desiro360]

Superb video, well done. Was surprising to see two Hull Trains Class 180 units working together as a 10 coach train. :)

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I wasn't expecting to see two 180's working together so it was a pleasant surprise

[@Desiro360]

@@Tornado922 You're welcome. It's nice when unexpected surprises like that happen. :)

[@amjkodaz]

Man I'm so glad I came back to these

[@Trainspotter11_]

Another fantastic video here Tornado922! I really Enjoyed this :)

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@britishairwaysfan6235]

Another GREAT video my friend. Great to see Potters Bar again,It would be great if in the future you could do Finsbury Park. Keep up the great work as usual. T.T.P.F.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much bud, I really enjoyed my time here and the station hasn't really changed all that much since the last time I came here. I can certainly look into Finsbury park one day

[@maimadha]

Great video

[@Tornado922]

Thanks

[@Kwebbel48]

Very nice video. Right away after your vacation back to your normal spotting life lol. Hope you enjoyed your vacation. Saw a lot of beautiful pictures on instagram from your significant other♥

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, had to get back into it very quickly when I came here haha, I had a great time away with the other half and we just cant believe how quickly it went :) We would love to go back there

[@lrp_745]

@@Tornado922 I went there last year

[@keiranclarke2955]

The 313s are knackered

[@Tornado922]

They were certainly used haha

[@grahamyeates4789]

A great film and not a location l would have. Chosen myself but the film team did a fantastic job of identifying the through trains that were really shifting. If it had not been for the voiceover I would have left it after a few minutes as there was no chance in getting these through trains no's. In addition the state of the stopping 313 XXX body condition was rightly commented on. Well done.

[@Tornado922]

I always challenge myself to try and catch the numbers of the trains passing through at speed, sometimes I can't keep my on where the numbers are located because some of the trains will be passing through just to fast for me, But I loved filming here and I will definitely be coming back later in the year

[@agoogleuser8170]

Nice video. LNER is my favourite train company if I’m honest and I’ve never had a problem with them before. Also, every time I hear potters Bar it always reminds me of the rail crash in 2002, so sad

[@Tornado922]

thanks very much, LNER are a very good company I have to agree with you. I've certainly had no issues with them. It is sad that the station is mostly known for that tragic accident

[@anthony_reacts]

This is my 2nd fav station

[@ghighlandchieftain4462]

Brilliant video tornado 922

[@Tornado922]

thanks very much

[@blkpig6664]

Pure tragedy, a shame. But from that improvements and accountability were implemented. R.I.P. to those lost. Okay... Great speeds and sounds from all ladies, they really fly through here. Film was Brill' love the sun breaking out at the end. Stay well, and thanks! B.P.

[@1crafter176]

Congrats on 6K

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@mermaidfan2420]

It happened in 2002 first capital connect started in 2006 so the company was wagn

[@chxrliethompson]

Brilliant video! Also congrats for reaching 6k subscribers! At 3:41 did you mean 313047 by any chance? Also can you film one of your rush hour films in the morning rush hour

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I could very well have meant 313047 :P No I cant film one of my rush hour videos in the morning as I work at 8:30 so it wouldn't happen unfortunately

[@joshuamacdonald7702]

Why not 18:00-19:00

[@TheGWRailfan]

It's been a while! Nice to see you back. Thanks for a nice hour of relaxation! Also I am Jasper topham if you remember me 🤣

[@Tornado922]

I was away on holiday for a week hence the inactivity haha, hopefully in the next few days things will be back to how they should be

[@sydwoods.woodsendjunction9492]

fantastic video you worked hard to get some of those numbers plus a nice bit of waffling on mmm vry goo I like your style where are you next ? syd

[@gdcraig4wr843]

syddy woods what?

[@Tornado922]

My next rush hour film will be Milton Keynes Central

[@MrTudwud]

The Potters Bar derailment was not quite as you described. There was a lot more to it than what was publicised. How do I know? I was one of the team that investigated the accident that should have been avoided if appropriate action had been taken on the previous night. That it wasn't was the real crux of the inquiry and that detail has been suppressed leaving reports similar to your own as the explanation.

[@Tornado922]

Ah right ok, to be honest when I was talking about it I could only go one what I had remembered of the accident and if there wasn't as much details publicised about it then it certainly makes sense that I would get my facts wrong :) I can only imaging how hard that must have been to try and solve at the time

[@MrTudwud]

@@Tornado922 The only reason I mentioned about the accident is that I am not sure if the case has ever been closed. I may have come across as disputing your dialogue - some of it is correct but the circumstances leading up to the accident throw a totally different complexion on it. Because I am not certain of the status of the inquiry, I can't say anything more at present. That said, I love watching your vids - keep 'em coming please!

[@Tornado922]

In all honesty I always welcome comments from people who know way more than I do, it only helps further my knowledge of things so I certainly didn't think that you were trying to dispute what I was saying. My knowledge of the accident and the events leading up to it were very minimalistic so anything that can be added onto that is more than welcome :) But I'm flattered to hear that you enjoy what I produce :) Many thanks

[@nationalrailfan3902]

cool video HST's are the best

[@djk2509]

Got a date for the journey videos yet ?. And could you film at Finsbury park. The fast nonstop service will be going through there slower as its really close to kings cross so hopefully you wont be able to miss any numbers that's the best thing about Finsbury park station.

[@Tornado922]

I will probably bring them back when I start my SWML series later this year. I haven't thought about going to Finsbury park before but I can certainly look into it

[@FJx36]

13:13 you rarely see a coupled Adelante, Its sad that theyre going

[@transportationuk7656]

Tornado922 it wasn’t First Capital Connect that crashed. It was a Network South East Class 365

[@Tornado922]

Please read the description

[@transportationuk7656]

Oh I see.

[@ItsAllAboutTheJourney]

Potters Bar is a station that I pass through almost every day. Was this taken on Friday 7th June?

[@Tornado922]

It was indeed

[@ItsAllAboutTheJourney]

@@Tornado922 I was there 10 MINUTES BEFORE YOU WERE-I got on the 17.08 Moorgate train

[@eurovisonfm]

First!and congratulations on 6k!

[@prodbymj.]

We don't care!

[@djk2509]

Now now people play nicely.

[@eurovisonfm]

@@SionsTrainVideos SHUT UP Lol

[@harrygrieves6812]

Hi mate. I've been there, before.

[@Danny-mv9qj]

Lovely video as usual Why did no trains stop on plt 2-3?

[@user-zs3ns2px1f]

Only used for Express lines but at night they stop on pt 2 3

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

That's true lol 😂😂

[@jacktaylor-stoakes3636]

I passed potters bar on an London north eastern railway 225

[@brucebennett5193]

Most of the pantagraph and shoe dirt is the carbon on the pickup surfaces wearing!

[@Tornado922]

I'm glad you know haha

[@1crafter176]

POTTERS BAR POTTERS BAR

[@alanmolyneux5957]

"The West Coast Main Line never fails to disappoint". I take it that wasn't what you intended to say at the end?

[@Tornado922]

I said it because I am going to be on the WCML in my next film, so I was saying it in reference to that :) Unless I went and said it as I was talking about the ECML which wouldn't surprise me

[@tsguyoldchannel2691]

Do any trains ever stop on platforms 2 or 3? They seem a bit pointless, like those at New Southgate/Barnet.

[@Tornado922]

They aren't usually used for stopping services, they can be used should another platform or line get blocked for a lengthy period of time

[@tsguyoldchannel2691]

@@Tornado922 Probably that. I suppose you can also have more facilities on the platform if you have two large island platforms.

[@camotech1314]

Those 313s always seem to have a flat wheel

[@hamshackleton]

The auto-waffle was working well on this one :-P

[@Tornado922]

I think it went into overdrive on some occasions haha

[@n1thmusic229]

I'm already saying great video though I've watched only 13 seconds of it because everything else is fantastic so why wouldn't this be

[@jamesc1199]

Those Great Northern trains are slowly being replaced by newer stock.

[@Tornado922]

They are getting replaced by the new 717 stock. Although I'm surprised at how long it is taking to do so

[@jamesc1199]

@@Tornado922 Yeah, it's taking quite a while.

[@benhorridge9533]

i know I'm so late to this video but how do you know where the trains are coming from and going too? keep up the good work!

[@railwayadventureswithleigh6040]

Hang on a minute when the dual pairing of 313's came in at the very start of the video you accidentaly said 387047 instead of 313047 by accident

[@itsonlybabak8188]

In 3:41 you said 313047 wrong you thought it was a 387. 😅😅😅😅

[@Tornado922]

Nothing new there then

[@nrgswaz3774]

I had that once on a 319

[@mtbrailenthusiastowen5124]

Great vid love what your doing will you be at Tyseley on the 22nd or 23rd of June for the open weekend

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, sorry for the late reply I've not had the chance to check back on all of my comments on here

[@jacktaylor-stoakes3636]

man.. IETs are all over the place! They are on LNER Hull Trains Transpennine Express GWR.. WHATS NEXT?! Scotrail? Avanti West Coast? Grand Central? Cross Country?

[@Tornado922]

Well oddly enough Avanti West Coast will be getting the 800 series coming onto the network to replace the 221 super voyagers. AS for Grand Central and Cross Country I wouldn't be surprised if they bring in that rolling stock over the next few years

[@jacktaylor-stoakes3636]

I heard about the 717s on great northern but I never saw theme I also saw an lner iet passing Finsbury Park

[@Tornado922]

Times are changing

[@jacktaylor-stoakes3636]

I know

[@leccystar]

Tornado, will you be doing Brighton soon?

[@itsonlybabak8188]

Cobra's Trains He never went to Brighton before.

[@leccystar]

It's recommendation.

[@Tornado922]

I will be going there later this year

[@leccystar]

@@Tornado922 Yes!

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Tornado922, why is it delayed from Scotland (Edinburgh) to London Kings Cross

[@Tornado922]

There could be any number of reason why it was delayed, it may have stuck behind a slower train or it was held up in a station

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

@@Tornado922 LOL 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@adamhiley2308]

is it me or do LNER's 800's have a better livery than GWR shame the HST's have gone

[@ryanstransport7574]

32:07 91108 seen it today at York

[@Tornado922]

Thanks for letting me know

[@clairemurray5247]

Can you do Inverness

[@Tornado922]

Not this year unfortunately. Maybe one day

[@blackman-bp4tq]

Potters bar kind of looks like Romford

[@Tornado922]

I can see the similarities

[@secretmantiis6464]

43 over of like a 225

[@n1thmusic229]

3:40 You said 387

[@leonfasil6944]

How u know where they from

[@Tornado922]

I use an app called RealTimeTrains

[@joelcooper8013]

3:41

[@MrRobertecas]

3:41 you said 387 when it is a 313

[@Tornado922]

I didn't realise at the time I said it :)

[@MrRobertecas]

lol ok

[@phillipanthony956]

do Motherwell

[@joelcooper8013]

13:13

[@itsonlybabak8188]

In 20:42 you also said 387 wrong again it’s a 313. 😆😆😆

[@Tornado922]

Well it makes sense

[@jacktaylor-stoakes3636]

Wasn’t that an adelante operated by grand central

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

@@jacktaylor-stoakes3636 Yes

[@tristansmithrailwayphotogr2730]

Nice video

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much