Secrets of the Cable Car

Geoff Marshall explores the little-known past of the London transport link.
(Please note - This was an April Fool's joke we ran on April 1, 2015. Don't take this too seriously!)
Outakes and Extras on Geoff's channel: • Video

[@JovanLemon]

i am ashamed by the fact that i didn't realise this was an april fools joke until the world record for all stations was mentioned

[@somax1259]

same oof

[@TroyVan6654]

You take the Cable Car every day?

[@Ser_Xav]

It is a April fools joke not real

[@HjjMemes]

It was an April fools 😳?!

[@TheAnimystro]

I finally get the "15 storey building" joke...

[@stefantrandafir1099]

When?

[@lngvly22]

Explain...

[@antharro]

Here is your answer... You need to watch more of Geoff's videos! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnO3p6Coh6yfmKc

[@Cpr1234]

The original 15 storey building joke comes from Covent Garden station, which is actually the equivalent of 15 storeys. It has 193 steps. Hearing it as a fact at any other tube station is just a funny joke - don't get offended

[@hanstheexplorer]

312 steps ~ 15 stories. Google it

[@francisburgess4006]

even as a blatant parody, this is still incredibly interesting

[@peterbuckley265]

LIES AND UNTRUTH ARE IRRESPONSIBLE AND OUT OF ORDER AND FAR FROM INTERESTING, PLUS THEY ARE BORING AND CONFUSE PEOPLE, THE TRUE FACTS ARE INTERESTING THOUGH. TIS STUPID GUY NEEDS YOU TUBE TO GIVE HIM A BIG ROLLICKING OR KICK HIM OFF YOU TUBE ALTOGETHER, TOTALLY BANNING HIM FOR GOOD FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL.

[@Trek001]

+Peter Buckley - what the hell are you on about? Its traditional for broadcasters to do jokes

[@peterbuckley265]

NO, THIS IS NOT A JOKE, BUT TAING THE P, PLUS CHILDISH AND IRRESPONSIBLE WHILST CONFUSING PEOPLE NOT IN THE KNOW, GEOFF NEEDS KICKING OFF YOU TUBE IMMEDIAYTELY.

[@Trek001]

@Robert Baker - Yeah... I know. Depending on how comments come up for you, the guy under mine types much the same way under the name "graham lea" and yet signs off with "Peter" so i suspect he is one and the same person causing trouble under different names

[@Sophiebryson510]

JUST STOP IT OR I WILL START peter Buckley

[@olivergray1367]

Love how you open up with “like me you probably use the cable car every day” 😂😂

[@davekirwin]

"...different shades of red rectangles" hahahahaaa..

[@alextheo965]

I thought it was Germany s flag

[@youtube-kanal2606]

What's so funny. It's true

[@alextheo965]

@@youtube-kanal2606 nothing Edit: just realised you weren t talking to me

[@lawrencemartin8102]

A *_fifteen storey_* building. Well played, Geoff.

[@TheAlbinoskunk]

It took me a second, but once he started talking about a ghost station in the middle, I cottoned on and checked the date. Good on you, Londonist.

[@cameroncook2048]

March 31st

[@davidbull7210]

What laughing stock is currently being used on this service?

[@TheAngryPheonix]

XD

[@denelson83]

+TheAngryPhioneEggs Not XP?

[@QuarioQuario54321]

David Bull Cable car 2012

[@LJW1912]

That's brilliant XD

[@dopplerfox]

MaXtreme TrainsLP - Nah I think they use the CRH380A.

[@FreekyFreezer]

Actually, if you take the cable car with an Arsenal shirt, you have to pay four pounds. The price resembles Arsenal's position in the final league table every year.

[@joshdean9105]

Robin Brockhusen you do realise hes a spurs fan

[@FreekyFreezer]

I have never said that he's an Arsenal fan.

[@QuarioQuario54321]

Donald Trump People NDUK don't play sports. Instead Dey torture w/D underground

[@didierdeweille1722]

😂😂

[@oats9922]

that explains a lot

[@Jaxymann]

"If you look at them *really* closely - zoom in - and look at the design, you can see what they are. That's right! Different shades of red rectangles." Just the heightened excitement of the line delivery followed by the complete deadpan explanation at the end fucking killed me.

[@nickytanner]

Brilliant thanks Geoff, I've just submitted a PHD dissertation on London history, it's my life work and I've added a lot of this at the last minute because to be honest I'm embarrassed I didn't know it!!!

[@xanderthomas8707]

@@theswedishrailfan3675 he knows he just tricked you

[@harryfoley2294]

This was an April fools joke

[@gezatherton1071]

Absolutely hilarious! It starts out as a subtle parody and gets progressively less subtle! Brilliant!

[@peterbuckley265]

NO A LOT OF IRRESPONSIBLE, CHILDISH CRAP AND FAR FROM BRILIANT.

[@gezatherton1071]

peter buckley Each to their own I suppose.

[@peterbuckley265]

NOT BRILLIANT, BUT STUPID, IRRESPONSIBLE AND CHILDISH, SUITABLE FOR YOUNGTERS SCI FI COMICS ONLY.

[@lrp_745]

ITS AN APRIL FOOLS GAG

[@yorkshireball_animations]

@@peterbuckley265 ew

[@stewarthills9344]

I’ve heard they are planning to increase the number of cars per set and also the platform length. Also, I heard of an outlandish project to extend the cable car to Waterloo to help with congestion, with the cable car going underground to meet directly with the Jubilee. However, the platform is curved, so you really must mind the gap there.

[@rikufryderyk]

😂😂😂

[@ThatGirlWithTheCoffee]

I laughed at the 15 storey thing, that's Geoff's joke calling card

[@mrfweeis]

1:16 Thats mocking how TFL just gives a random number of stairs and just says "OH ITS A 15-STOREY BUILDING!" Lol love how that was part of the vid

[@MCookies21]

You forgot to say that it used to be part of the circle cable car line, going through Bank, Reading, Inverness, Dubai and the moon XD

[@christopherpowell7014]

Exactly

[@neobe195]

And Ben Nevis, the biggest mountain in the UK

[@Larryberry961]

And before Brexit, it was forced to do a loop around Brussels, Strasbourg, Maastricht and Berlin, before we took back control.

[@merlinsbeard-_-1749]

Best comment I've seen in a while hahaha

[@westcheap]

Did you hear about the recent expansion plan that’ll take it all the way to Sydney with just two towers at either end? Naturally they need to be pretty high but TfL promises they’ll only have to be about fifteen stories tall.

[@nightw4tchman]

Thought this was genuine until I heard "If you're like me you'll use it every day".

[@Londonistvids]

+nightw4tchman but we do use it everyday! don't you?

[@charliefischer59]

This video was honestly almost believable to someone who has never been to London and doesn't know the history of the cable car up until the part where you show us the super secret footage of the cable car going through the loop

[@speedbird1598]

Oh, its an April fools XD

[@Londonistvids]

+Speedbird :-D

[@tnzl3058]

+Londonist Ltd good one, I will take off the dislike and give your video a like. Sorry :D

[@awesomeeverton7111]

love your channel name

[@hanspetzelius8335]

jj

[@alanaabibe254]

B

[@MrFantasnick]

I loved all the references to the past episodes and facts, like that 'secret loop that no one knows about' which is a nod to Kennington loop, or the incorrect numbers of steps at the 'ghost station'. It's also fun to see you again on video :D Thanks for the laughs friend! :P

[@Londonistvids]

GentlemanlyNinja thanks Mr Ninja! that was always the plan, to gently poke fun at our our series of videos .. a nice reward to all those that have watched the entire series. thanks!

[@madone7583]

GentlemanlyNinja The 189 steps sign is a reference to baker street i believe

[@volvotrident4835]

***** Yes good videos especilly about the Met Line and the secret stations are youdoing the Tramlink?

[@DavidFrankal]

I spotted a reference to the labyrinth, like that of Warren street. :)

[@londonundergroundfan1563]

+GentlemanlyNinja There´s also a reference to the Metropolitain Railway, because they wanted to build the Met from Manchester to Paris.

[@rickoneillable]

Ah I was thinking wow it ran that far and then...I realised

[@susanh4388]

Rick Oneill q

[@jeffeffery8181]

4 years later Im laughing even harder at this. This is some top teir satire!!!

[@Camzy84]

This is an amazing payoff to those of us who have enjoyed the rest of the genuine series, in the way it parodies itself. One of the most original April Fool's jokes in a long time.

[@Dollarx]

when to the Cable Car in an Arsenal Kit. asked for a free ride. guards soon came and had me on my knees in handcuffs. a lady then walked towards me and whispered into my ear "Spurs FTW". I am never taking the cable car ever again!!

[@marcuspotter5590]

You are joking right?

[@Dollarx]

Marcus Potter its all a true story

[@marcuspotter5590]

Thanks, what happened when the Police turned up, did they nick you or have the cuffs removed?

[@ax2bxc]

This was an april fools joke.

[@marcuspotter5590]

If you're refering to ShengJun101's comment I'd call it quite a late one! :P

[@matthewfield2958]

I can't decide whether if this instead a subtle nod to the fact that many Londoners rather dislike the Emirates Air Line and that Geoff dislikes it too or if it is nothing more than a April Fools Day joke. Either way, it was brilliantly done. I was laughing loudly to myself on the tube this morning while watching it.

[@mhapigeon4026]

Friend: Let's get across the Thames with the cable car Me: No I'm not an arsenal fan lets get the DLR

[@jacobshaw7767]

Thanks londonist i got on for free because i was wearing my arsenal shirt TFL took this video seriously :D

[@QuarioQuario54321]

THEGAMINGBADGER You used a currency more that 100x worth than than £1

[@martinbigg2029]

I wouldn't brag about wearing the "scum shirt"of the Arseholes

[@fadimesaridas1878]

Arsenal fan #COYG

[@jpbdude4223]

Adam T beat me too it

[@jpbdude4223]

Jacob Shaw xD

[@irvalfirestar6265]

Ah, British deep sarcastic humor.

[@omfgmouse]

+Irval Firestar Satori

[@irvalfirestar6265]

satori bes, but flan bester

[@Craig.E]

Can't belive Geoff, as a Spurs fan, would wear an Arsenal shirt even if it was for an April Fools joke.

[@markstott6091]

I'm so glad this was an April Fool, because a genuine video would have been 15 seconds of Geoff saying "It's a complete waste of money and it's shite!"

[@aaronfidelis3188]

I’m rolling in the floor laughing. This broke me when Geoff focused on the Moquette design.

[@Quasihamster]

"Wait a second, Alexandra place, that's some 10 mi... DAMMIT! Got me!"

[@sturovision3363]

That'd be some hardcore blackout sheltering!

[@skifan32]

The maquette seating and the 'disused station'. Superb :)

[@michaelmonn9308]

Had to come back and rewatch this after the big win. Brilliantly done 😂

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

This is fantastic. Amazed so many people were/are taken in.

[@HenrysAdventures]

I told my Mother for a joke that the cable car ran from Crystal Palace to Alexandra Palace, she didn't comment until we were on the DLR and finally realized I was joking! Thanks Londonist for the idea! :)

[@Thoomas2001]

I was confused when I couldn't find any information about it. I looked at the date in the description, which says 31st of March... Oh, wait, that's followed by...?

[@Thoomas2001]

***** I normally read the description but for whatever reason I didn't there.

[@Thoomas2001]

***** That explains a lot :P

[@QuarioQuario54321]

It's not an April Fools joke actually because it was uploaded on March 31, 2015

[@gnair840]

QuarioQuario54321

[@RealistikDash]

Robert Baker I'm in gmt +1 and it still says march 31st

[@Muzer0]

Amazing video. One of the funniest April Fools' Jokes I've seen...

[@GorgeDawes]

Something tells me this video required more than Geoff’s usual number of “takes”……

[@TheDodgerville]

I just looked at the date this was posted and I'm dying right now.....well played, Geoff.

[@MulleMap]

I litterally began researching about the ghost station before i found out

[@OrechTV]

Omg this is so british, to make April joke and regular helpful video with straight face :D loving it!

[@activatepornforme]

Still my favourite Geoff video of all time!

[@eddiewillers1]

Just saw this in 2017 - but nicely done, sir! Nicely done!

[@EightThreeEight]

This was basically 3 minutes of passive-aggressive roasting, and I love it.

[@wiix2695]

"If you look at them really closely, zoom in and look at the design, you can see what they are. *That's right, different shades of red rectangles.*

[@toddhunter3137]

Another good video Geoff. Thanks. 👍👍👍

[@crazypilot7577]

This is great, so much sarcasm! I love it.

[@countshrubula5997]

I only realised this was an April fools ten seconds before the end. I'm sad now

[@trainzguy2472]

if the dangleway went zigzag, it would probably be the slowest way across the Thames...oh wait! it already is! :D

[@elijahjoel537]

I can't wait to share these facts with my friends and family!

[@brutussmithicus]

Best one in the series so far :D

[@milsteadonmovies]

AAARRGGH! I've been well and truly had with this one 😭

[@airplaneplustrainguy8143]

Geoff thinks that backing up to the station that you from is brilliant

[@camerastooge]

Awesome! Thanks for giving me a morning laugh!

[@Elise-qi9tm]

You're so funny Geoff, You sound so believable 🤣 The funniest part was the beginning "It's time to do secrets of the cable car"

[@FrancisCWolfe]

All distressingly believable.

[@dwayner901]

I wore an Arsenal shirt with Fly Emirates on it but I didn't ride for free. I spoke to the customer service advisor she pretty much laughed me off.

[@dwayner901]

@@disappointingmarbleraces9028 Yeah, I did find out in the end 😉🤣😂

[@Trockenshampooleopard]

The deadpan delivery of "different shades of red rectangles" ist just perfect.

[@silverliteway]

I am tickled by this video - a big smile on my face

[@Cheeseeatingshark]

I never realised this was a joke for YEARS

[@matthewfield2958]

Wonderful stuff! Though I do think the Emirates Air-Line gets far too much stick for what it is. Yes it has relatively low passenger numbers, yes it was expensive to build but It is a unique way to see London's skyline. It is much, much cheaper than The Shard, which I love, and Up at The O2, which I loathe.

[@88fredmcfred]

Red rectangles. Love it!

[@SB22animations]

I would suggest secrets of the tramlink

[@Londonistvids]

Stephen Boyle There will not be a Secrets of the Tramlink video.

[@aarongaming100]

***** Dammit

[@anonymousanonymous7250]

***** How come?

[@Medic26898]

Hello again.

[@SB22animations]

BassMaster hello wub pony

[@derekstuart5234]

Watching this 11th August 2021, I managed 47 seconds before shouting 'what the eff is he on about.' Very nicely done, but does need an April Fool's warning now- some people won't get the joke and others, who don't read the description, will think he's mad.

[@londondisneyfan]

This was a great video!

[@jaypeg49]

If you zoom in and look close you see different shades of red rectangles. Fantastic. I love this April fools video 😂😂

[@andrewmorrison510]

FABULOUS! thank-you : D

[@grim-upnorth]

Equivalent to a 15 storey building!! love it :-) I now say that to my family whenever we have to climb the steps at the shopping centre car park, they have no idea

[@Deltic55-mw4bo]

'' they wanted to build it in a zig zag line, but they found plague pits, so they had to build it in a straight line to avoid those plague pits'' Thats brilliant, that is.

[@jskwk2424]

Cool thats also my nearest cable car station, only 2317km away.

[@Ass_Burgers_Syndrome]

"Different shades of red rectangles". I lost it at that point hahah

[@daviddiplodocus1952]

This cable car goes via Cardiff Inverness and Stratford international

[@elijaha773]

It's interesting that those 2 stations are the only ones without escalators.

[@SportyMabamba]

This is funny as feck, well done Geoff ;)

[@safiyahotelwala]

Yeah Amazing experience, I never forgetting in my life most beautiful Moments, I had Cable Car visit started new year in 2017 n' wid lotz of rains but I'm enjoyed full of fun also I took some beautiful pictures of my gud memories. ..I keep always in my heart.

[@twixieshores]

Took me 50 seconds to realize this was an April Fool's video. Which I feel is about 35 seconds too long.

[@AllThingsRailways]

I had to watch it again!!!

[@MGIC21]

1:58 thats kind of a "you dont day" moment

[@nicolasblume1046]

"15 story building" hahaha I see what you did there 😂 brilliant

[@Raminator137]

So if this is an Aprils Fools joke? Does that mean none of this is true!? ;n;

[@tbarasmussen]

King of Transport The one about the red shaded rectangels seems true.

[@wharris302]

+Thomas Bjørn Aalstrup Rasmussen And how it loops around

[@iainmacn62]

+King of Transport a lot of the "facts" are references to bits in other videos, e.g. plague pits, the loop at the end etc

[@pdrg]

Oh very good, you had me for a while thinking "Oh, so when did it close and reopen?"

[@pigammon7843]

This was the first video I saw by you guys, and I was very confused.

[@alisavdagic8116]

Wow, London is just great city. I didn't know it has so many forms of mass transportation. And yet that vast network is ever expanding. I recon it is really easy to access all parts of the city thanks to it's huge and diverse transport network.

[@Deltic55-mw4bo]

Do you realise this is an april fools?

[@njcummins]

Hahah this is great! So many facts I didnt know!

[@Petter-xb1kg]

Was watching this high as a kite, found the secrets extremely interesting

[@conorbakhuizen4061]

I fully believed this video and told my friends about Crystal Palace and Alexandra Palace being old cable car stations 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@northernidaho5750]

Can’t believe both stations make you walk up a 15 story staircase to get to the cable cars

[@Shyguythesmartstickman]

189 steps, equivalent to 15 floors Don't be a hero, you'll get knackered after 30 seconds Just be like everyone else, and wait for the lift Wait, do they even have lifts?

[@ItsMrFresh]

So many jokes I love it xD

[@basictransportenthusiast4386]

lol Im sure Geoff takes the cable car everyday. The loop part is hilarious lol

[@TheMightyKinkle]

I honestly thought this was real up until about 1:30 in. I thought 'I didn't know it was that old, I thought I was built in the past few years'. Very well done though

[@lewisclark1122]

Talk about commitment to the bit! (Geoff is a Spurs fan, and here he is wearing an Arsenal shirt).

[@Mortimer50145]

It doesn't matter whether or not the "facts" are true. It's whether you *wish* they were true that matters :-) I'd love to have seen the cable car going over its full route from Ally Pally to Crystal Palace and I'd love to have seen the opening ceremony with the banquets (including butlers and waiters) in each cabin. Ah well, I'll just have to imagine those. Thanks for a wonderfully humourous end to your excellent "Secrets of" series about each tube line. Maybe you should do one about all the DLR lines and one about the Croydon Tramlink. And then maybe one about each of the mainline terminus stations. PS: I loved the "here we go all over again" split-screen edit at the end of the Circle line one.

[@Londonistvids]

+Mortimer50145 we did Secrets of the DLR here! : kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnTRlYqNgJiYjas

[@Mortimer50145]

+Londonist Ltd So you did. I'd missed that one.

[@TheClunkingFist]

+Mortimer50145 LOL, the views on the "original" route would have been absolutely amazing.

[@KasabianFan44]

I kinda wish the zig-zag bit was true as well... :'(

[@mseven1]

There wouldn't be much point if there was to be a cable car between Alexandra Palace and Crystal Palace. If there was there would be stops between as well because there is quite a distance and it would probably be cheaper having a shuttle train if they really needed to link them

[@daniellarkin2247]

Yessssssdssssds a real video

[@halishrailways2003]

Love it!

[@Norlink]

I loved the idea about the cablecar between Alexandra Palace and Crystal Palace. I was liek...woowwww great idea!

[@Zenith_95]

Hope we get a least used Air Line station video.

[@davidrenton]

another lesser known fact, they used to have a dinning cable car, but it was hard to get to mid journey

[@390h8er]

I must take a ride on there one day, if only to get a closer look at that fascinating red upholstery(!)

[@lawriem7747]

This took me way to long to clock that it was an April Fool’s joke