South Greenford - Least Used Station in London

[@musicmanfelipe]

BTP: There's some bloke walking around South Greenford talking to himself... oh wait, it's just Geoff.

[@hesterclapp9717]

Imagine if it was only the least used station because all the services failed to arrive

[@the1gip]

YI = This train has been stopped due to a flock of escaped Geordies on the line, man.

[@BassBusMusic]

Divn't ye tak aboot the Geordies like that, like. :-D

[@2Worlds_and_InBetween]

yi don't know

[@SprinterPlayz]

it's not the real reason, it's: YI: Late arrival of booked inward stock (inward and outward trains are operated under the same Track Access Contract)

[@emjackson2289]

I was a year late making that comment. . . . . just like a load of Tyne & Wear Metros LMAO

[@EdwardHitchon1993]

Way back I was involved in a project with Northern to "zone" their stations - essentially move posters around a label the poster cases such that each station had a standard (ish) layout. We did most by van and one thing we observed was that lots of stations had really terrible signage for anyone arriving on foot or by car - as you won't be on trains it might be interesting to have a look at how easy the stations are to find, park at, get to other than by on trains.

[@mukrifachri]

Will be interesting to see the figures in 2019/2020 and 2020/2021...

[@jamesdavison1786]

Luke Up The North that’s still a 4 month differencd

[@blockvidsmore5316]

Did you steal my comment?

[@jamesdavison1786]

@@blockvidsmore5316 I don't think he did, more than one person can think the same thing you know.

[@mukrifachri]

@@blockvidsmore5316 It only makes sense to think what's the impact of one event to the other... and actually I've been wondering if you can guess what happened simply based on random statistics.

[@kicksledkid]

Passengers per day: 3

[@JLBodhran]

Reason Code "YI": Geordies on the line.

[@denelson83]

YI oughta...

[@vanillasplash6198]

RE alan partridge

[@matthewfield2958]

Hooray! Geoff is back doing what we love to see and what he likes to do too. Thank you geoff!

[@catheadfisher]

‘YI’? Think that means it got diverted to Newcastle

[@harrymiles2652]

I'm embarrassed that it took me a min to get the joke

[@adamkhaliq5572]

@@axelkennedy1940 WHY

[@RailwayvideosbyMrN]

Hi Geoff, thanks for the stats, I live in the housing estate behind South Greenford, it was a shame when GWR saw the need to truncate the services at West Ealing, the bigger pain was getting to here from Paddington, which normally results in a mad dash off of the connecting Crossrail service from Platform 3 at West Ealing over to Platform 5 unless you get the Heathrow Airport local stopper, with that I no longer use this line as the service isn't as much use to me anymore, and the majority of rail users around here feel the same. The line the curves off outside of Drayton Green, is used for freight trains only but only 1 uses that line per day during the weekdays,this joins Drayton Green junction to Hanwell. Any other information you need I'll be happy to help

[@geofftech2]

presumably also, you could just go one stop up to Greenford and catch the tube for Central London, easier that way? thx for Info!

[@RailwayvideosbyMrN]

@@geofftech2 Yes that's the other route to go via as well, although the Central line isn't the best to travel on at this time of year

[@mrkipling2201]

Railway videos by NL I think I would avoid the central line at this time of year as well!!

[@K1054201]

@@geofftech2 I sometimes do this when the train times align to when I leave for work, instead of walking 15 minutes to Perivale Station (I also live in the houses nearby)

[@metamodernbarbell]

It's also worth pointing out how narrow Platform 4 at West Ealing is at the bottom of the stairs. There is no way this is safe, but of course railway stations do not come under normal HSE rules. GWR were originally pressured into ensuring services connected reasonably well, but when TFL took over the mainline services GWR shrugged and said they couldn't maintain connections with other company's services. I used to be a CBP user and the crappiness of the service has been compounded by the reduction of services at Hanwell to 2tph in either direction. I quite like the ride between CBP and SGN though; it's quite a nice elevated 2 minute ride.

[@whoeveriam0iam14222]

always nice when they try to make something step free but it seems like they started with the right idea and then had to go steep to make it fit

[@andreww4473]

Reason code YI was just asking for some Geordie puns in the comments. This is excellent Geoff!

[@demarkay5262]

Wow, Geoff! Welcome back to the Borough of Ealing. So great to see a video about a station that's fifteen minutes away from me!

[@robertdewbery1361]

Hi Geoff, just to say, I was really glad South Greenford was there in the millenium, as my son and I were on our way to the Dome for the Millennium Exhibition on the X90 bus from Oxford, and there had been torrential rain over night, traffic on the A40 was at a standstill because of flooding, and the driver kindly let us off by South Greenford, against the regulations, so we could see if we could get a tube into central London, and on to Greenwich, which we did.

[@bjornhattan6026]

Did they not let you off at Hillingdon back then? I use the X90/Oxford Tube all the time and get off there to avoid the A40 traffic and because the tube is usually faster

[@jcrailwayvideos6588]

*Everybody else:* Crossrail | Elizabeth line | Purple Train *Geoff:* Cross Liz Purp Liz Purp Liz Rail cross

[@JakePetrolhead]

I commented on the Purple Delay video about how I was looking forward to seeing the next LUS video with himself as the guest. Geoff never disappoints.

[@pwhitewick]

Back on the Least Used Trail, cracking stuff. Looking forward to more.

[@jamesc1199]

"YI" seems to mean that the inbound train was late / cancelled.

[@anarcho-pingu]

fyi

[@wilfbm9067]

10:52 even the ambulances are needing rescued now!

[@johnmurray8428]

At last after 13 weeks isolated I have a least used station to view. Thank you please stay safe .

[@davidprout9094]

When the service was cut back from Paddington to West Ealing, it was supposed to be increased from x30 to x15mins. In 2016 there were no spare trains available, and building work was not complete at West Ealing, so it temporarily stayed x 30. 4 years on, it's still x 30, West Ealing is still not complete, and Crossrail, the reason for the reduction is not open. This article mentions the increase in frequency www.londonreconnections.com/2013/price-oranges-dft-ask-tfl-take-greenford-upminster/

[@georgeprout42]

Sorry, I have to comment just because of your surname. It's incredibly rare to see 😉

[@icecranberry2148]

4:31 Geoff randomly saying "Wiiiii" is the best thing I heard today.

[@awkwarddSP]

That split screen you did was easily one of the most impressive, seamless ones I've ever seen

[@SquirtyBertie]

3:24 YI means late arrival of booked inward stock.

[@sprklfaz]

What does that mean?😂

[@sprklfaz]

Thanks for the explanation!

[@wintrwunderland]

Checking the root cause actually, looked back on RTT and figured it was probably recorded on the 28th May, where 6 trains have been cancelled around 2G36. 5 trains have been cancelled with the code YI, and the first train was cancelled with the code M0, which is a problem with the safety systems in the cab.

[@anniejk1]

Hi, I live next to that line between Castlebar & South Greenford. The train doesn't stop unless you hail it or the driver sees you on the platform (sometimes they ignore you unless you stick out your arm!!) Also, no locals ever pay on the pull & push, so your figures may be a bit off!! No ticket office, no guard on train & very often no one on duty at Greenford or on platform at West Ealing.

[@trueriver1950]

I used to use that station when it was not called a station. It was South Greenford Halt. For you youngsters, a Halt was like a station but was unstaffed. If they had kept that definition there would be many many halts and not many stations at all. In those days the line ran a train between Ealing Broadway and Greenford. This consisted of one or two carriages pulled from Ealing Broadway by a tank engine, tender first. The loco then pushed all the way back to Ealing. At each halt the guard got out to collect tickets from passengers. The entrance/exits are still exactly where they were in the early sixties. Those houses were not there then. Obviously nobody in the railway thought to add more friendly access when the houses were built. That footbridge has been rebuilt since, but there was always one exactly where it is now. Geoff: they must have known you'd be wanting a good shot for you tube. There was a lovely gantry for semaphore junction signals just beyond the platform heading towards Greenford. Of course when we travelled it was always the left signal that was off, because only goods trains took the other line. If I remember right, the stops were Greenford South Greenford Halt Hanwell Castle Bar Halt West Ealing Ealing Broadway One last point: the platform at Greenford used to have a long outdated British Rail sign that was maintained by London Transport not BR. Consequently Network Rail never replaced it when they took over. When I last visited in 2013, yes, still a BR sign. Anyone know if it's still BR today? In fact there are two signs: one each side of platform 2, a bay platform between the two Central Line platforms. And I claim you could still see the soot from the tank engine... though some spoilsports say it's from the newfangled smoky diesels

[@janscattergood7294]

So good to see you out at a station looking happy! x

[@anniesoernym]

It's wonderful to see you out and about again (even though your lock down videos were great!)! I would very much enjoy more videos about lesser used stations!

[@UnderGr0undErnie]

South Greenford, places of interest. Around 30 + years ago Perivale Maternity was open and was the main place for births in the borough. Unfortunately it had a bad death rate and closed with a housing estate built on top of it. Now in 2020 there is a nice peaceful park next door to the station or a 15 minute walk to a shopping center where Hobby Craft is.

[@huxby]

I was born in that hospital and I survived!

[@zejarra]

I use this station frequently and i love it - very quiet (apart from the a40) - and i love the trip to West Ealing as crosses a lot of Brent Valley golf course so there is a lot of green scenery. I remember when the train to Greenford used to come straight from Paddington as opposed to West Ealing. Sometimes you can catch a fox crossing the tracks. I really hope they dont close the station

[@johnmurray8428]

Why would they close it? I know stupid question from a guy who has not lived in the UK for 45 years. But GWR or whoever runs it now have minimum overhead, no station staff, no cleaning, little to vandalize except that unexplained gate. No toilets/bathrooms (depending on your side of the Atlantic), not even a bog roll to change. Any income is gravey!

[@thetallguy182]

Great to see you out and about again Geoff. More quiet stations sounds good!

[@tonylevene8475]

When I was a young trainspotter, South Greenford etc were halts. It used to go to Ealing Broadway, much more useful than West Ealing

[@johnrafferty5284]

Perevaile Hospital was just next door. closed in the 80s. I WAS BORN THERE!! Blue plaque coming soon I'm sure. another great Video Geoff

[@CraftySam11]

I think of the deleted footage where he’s walking back to his camera

[@Itsgaryjerry]

Great to have you back Geoff!

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Geoff: Welcome to London's new least used station Me: *cries in Angel Road*

[@joesos]

angel road is closed now anyway lol

[@TomKellUK]

Shame Indeed 😭

[@JalanBax]

The reason why Angel Road is no longer the LUS in Greater London is because it’s closed.

[@legowagfles7287]

Chris Johnson He knows, hence the crying

[@francislawson3523]

Cries tears of Meridian Water...

[@goughrmp]

Glad you can get out and somewhat do these videos again.

[@neilwilson5785]

Good to see ya back.

[@kaduteixeira]

I'm glad you've came back. I was missimg your videos about the transport.

[@theecumenicalchurchofoccit2439]

I used South Greenford Halt daily from 1958 until 1971. My father usec it from 1955 until 1980.

[@MattGoshert]

This was great Geoff! Thanks for doing it. Would love more.

[@chriswilkes236]

Thanks for doing this, Geoff. Keep safe.

[@warrentimothy2276]

Geoff, have you considered exploring the stations between Guildford and Leatherhead. London Road, Clandon, Horsley, Effingham Junction, Bookham and Bookham. These surrey village stations are super quiet at the best of times - partly due to their physical location within their settlements, but right now there are literally no people using them. I travel this line every day to work, and it's quainter and more surreal that ever.

[@autitrain]

I was waiting for your new video. Happy to watch it. Stay safe!

[@railwaybuddy]

Great to see you out and about again and hear that music!

[@johnstilljohn3181]

Nice to see you back out...! Last week, East Croydon was the least used...!

[@hellelujahh]

I kind of expected you to be dancing on top of the running train in that last scene, with the music used and your previous editing trick in the video 😁 Thanks Geoff, this was a good one!

[@the_fg_owl121]

Hi Geoff, can you explore Woodgrange Park Overground station in East London. It is surprisingly the least used station in the borough of Newham, and only gets around 200 passengers a day.

[@highpath4776]

Thats low, if the trains ran reliably then it would be useful. If you want to go to somewhere near Leyton. It must be one of the stations nearest to Cemetaries.

[@the_fg_owl121]

@@highpath4776 Yes very low, I was shocked when I saw the 2018-19 statistics on ORR!

[@the_fg_owl121]

@@highpath4776 Yes you were right, its near Forest Gate cemetry, this might explain why it is so least used.

[@TheoHiggins]

My biggest mystery surrounding those stations is why Wanstead Park station is in Forest Gate, and isn't even near the park!

[@el_dee_cee]

Geoff, we need our lesser-used stations fix in these relatively train-less times

[@jamiehawker7345]

Yay! I like how you return to a station in this episode and do a least used station video even if not boarding a train.

[@lbowisdom1516]

This was my station as a child, I used to come with my grandparents every weekend and go to Paddington and sit to watch the trains.

[@torspedia]

The housing estate, on other side of the road, is where my old High School’s sports field used to be, so this brought back a few memories of waiting for the train back home :-)

[@ESFvideo]

It's so great to see a new video operating within our new normal 😁. I'd definitely love to see those videos of lesser-used stations!

[@trainsandx7207]

I live really near this station never knew it was London’s least used station

[@trainsandx7207]

Tony in SOUTHWARK I only use it when I need to take the central line from Greenford or if I’m going to West Ealing to change for a train to paddington

[@aaronvandam3409]

It used to be angel road

[@trainsandx7207]

It didn’t it’s always been south Greenford

[@calldfwp2230]

@@trainsandx7207 it was angel road then it closed down and now it's south greenford.

[@trainsandx7207]

Aaron Van Dam I thought you meant this station use to be called angel road I know angel road got replaced by meridian water

[@charanjit7427]

Around the corner from my house! It used to be busy, back in the day!!

[@andersf2798]

Great video as always. Keep it up and continue to visit as many places as practically possible.

[@ltaproductions7989]

It's always interesting every time I go to the UK. I work for First here in Canada as they operate the School Busses in my city!

[@alanwest7773]

Thanks for another interesting and fun Least Used Station videocast (or whatever it is called?!). Thanks for making a sterling effort doing this.

[@AprilFool91]

Delay codes starting in Y denote that the train has been delayed by an incident on another train. The first train will have a code saying exactly what the delay type was. Any following services will have a Y code of some description.

[@BRMdrivingschool]

I thought Waterloo was the least used station?

[@anarchodandyist]

During lockdown possibly 😄

[@trainsandx7207]

Only on geoff’s April fools joke

[@BRMdrivingschool]

Geoff doesn’t do April fools jokes, he’s always given us the facts

[@gregkiteos1936]

Maybe in a parallel universe

[@trainsandx7207]

Breakfast I went to Waterloo yesterday I didn’t board A train I just looked around it’s pretty much empty

[@honeyfugle]

I live locally and can't imagine any of the stations on that branch line get a lot of use. Castlebar park is in the middle of a housing estate and probably only used by its residents and those living very close. In fact I lived a few minutes walk away from that station at one point and never used it even once. I took the bus to Ealing Broadway instead! Drayton Green another one, it was next to my old high school and I know some of the kids took the train into school at the time but even then it always seemed fairly empty most of the day and that was years ago.

[@CharlieFlemingOriginal]

Has the train been cancelled? Y I Man!

[@peterbrookwalker5591]

Your videos are always great.

[@paulyh4531]

Nice to see you out out , I drove past faygate last week remembered your video with your mum hope she's alright 👍

[@Sim0nTrains]

Think the lesser quieter Stations would be a nice addition, I remember my trip to South Greenford once and there was this person came onto the platform and asked if there was a ticket office, think it was to top his oyster card up, I replied there isn't one and he could not believe that the station in London had no ticket office! As for the Greenford Trains, think it one unit which does the 30 minute, if it was 28th, the first train was cancelled at 1237 due to T'his service was cancelled due to a problem with the on-board safety systems' according to Realtime Trains and then the late arrivals due to inbound service so there was no trains running for nearly 3 hours! also a great video. nice to see you at a least used station.

[@hundredpoundphotography]

When I used to work at Ealing Broadway we had to change the posters on the Greenford branch, it took a bit of planning to get it right in order to not be out there all day.

[@Mainline421]

I think most people would understated that as this is your job you could still do normal videos (avoiding busier services). Some other travel vloggers are already back working after all.

[@ianker7143]

Didn't always run into Paddington from Greenford (if they ever did). Back in the 1950/60s (and probably later) used to shuttle backwards and forwards between Greenford and Ealing Broadway - where there was a siding between the fast and slow lines for the train to reverse.

[@jeremyzorek]

Love the G train shirt, Geoff! As someone from New York, seeing that pop up in one of your videos put a smile on my face!

[@SimonPain]

The Matrix and cameras at 8:12 I saw as a googly eyed creature. I had to go back and check if you'd added that in!

[@rickyzuc]

I love the Greenford branch line. When services to Paddington were cut I was gutted - the first and last service of the day I believe still run to and from Paddington. The branch line has been known to be used to divert around railworks or delays on the network.

[@t.vanoosterhout233]

Has a certain air of being forlorn about it, visiting the places you used to travel through with one of your big loves, a train. Hope to see you back on one soon!

[@BlaiddLlwyd]

You actually drove a car through London to do this?!?!?!?!? That's some real dedication.

[@justme-hh4vp]

Although the station is little used that branchline is very hand connecting the Great West and Chiltern line into Marylebone. Sometimes a HST might use that loop to change the train ends at Paddington. Last time I crossed under the A40, a steam train was heading over!

[@anarchodandyist]

I do love your videos. Never did I think I would be so interested in transport.

[@DevinZA]

So happy to see more of these.

[@gabbylane-spy]

Geoff, would love to see you doing a new series on Renaissance Stations - stations closed under Beeching in the 60s that may be re-opened under the new railway expansion plans in the next few years

[@bloookie2349]

Thank you for posting these great videos!

[@keith79mod11]

Geoff Marshall I used to live in North Greenford and was about 10-minute walk from Greenford station. When I was a kid back in the 70s and entered my teens in the 80s the push and pull service because that's what they used to call it was from Greenford station to Ealing Broadway. Unfortunately I don't remember what date did they changed the service (possibly late 80s early 90s) so it went through to Paddington. I'm sure if you check this out you'll find I'm correct.

[@trainsandplanes6801]

Great video Geoff, you deserve more subscribers and more views!

[@pauldicken5223]

I used to use it daily to Paddington when it was still called South Greenford Halt. It was always bleak and deafening!

[@stephenc2022]

After doing some research, code 'YI' is just that it was withdrawn due to being late. As I was born in Newcastle, the Newcastle references gave me a good chuckle, it must be said

[@TheStevenWhiting]

Never thought Drayton Green was used much. We lived in Park Road with a track passing at end of garden heading to Drayton Green. It was very rarely used. This was in the 80s and 90s. Only time it was used would be rare freight trains and very very very rare, the odd passenger train. And I think once a year a steam train. Hanwell is a really interesting station to visit. Not Going Out was filmed near by.

[@errolhsh]

Hi from Hanger Lane! I shall try to walk to South Greenford in one of my daily walks soon!

[@RogersRamblings]

Before running to/from Paddington, the Greenford Car terminated at Ealing Broadway. At the up end of the island platforms (2 & 3) between the Main and Relief lines there was a reversing siding known as "The Car Park". When it ran as a class 121 double ended power car (Bubble Car) with a trailer in the peak, the trailer was left in the car park during the mid-day off peak. In 1960 we moved into the road running parallel to the railway from Castle Bar Park Halt (as it still was) towards the Ruislip Road. DMUs had taken over the passenger service but there were still steam hauled goods trains. I was about eight and went with my younger (six years old) sister to the station to watch the trains. The platforms were still the original timber and when a GWR 57xx pannier tank came through with a short goods train the whole structure shook. Sister took off down the road screaming. Years later I had a powerful stereo system and played recordings of steam locos. One day I threw the windows open so that everyone could enjoy. One of the neighbours heard and dragged his granddaughter into the garden to watch the train go past. He might still be waiting. On occasions an HST would arrive at Paddington the wrong way round, ie, with the first class coaches at the country end. The set would be run round the Greenford Loop (as the line is known) via the Greenford east curve back to Old Oak Common. Greenford signal box is the last mechanical box in the WR London area.

[@sxmmieftw]

Used to use this stain alot when I grew up in greenford I'm surprised it still running!

[@Ollielollie]

The housing estate mentioned next to the station used to be Perivale Maternity Hospital where I was born!

[@JohnnyPendleton]

This line could be used as a part of the Central Line. It could be a kinda similar loop like the Hainault-loop. The train continues the journey from Ealing Broadway to Greenford via this line, would be cool I guess.

[@Mrviccietor]

0:16 that blue car did a swift move haha, not one I would do

[@notcarrotnose258]

Nice to see you're so excited about this again, we missed trains too lol

[@descendingoncewhile]

I highly recommend a trip to Rye House on the Greater Anglia… I had a meeting out there and hiked through a swamp for 15 minutes and almost got attacked by swans

[@Icasylyss]

Used to commute on this line! There is only one (diesel I believe?) train running between Greenford and West Ealing, takes about 20mins and train waits 10mins at each endpoint station. The first one every day goes all the way to Paddington I think.

[@Jeagles]

Got good memories of doing the parlimentary Paddington - West Ruislip. Done the Paddington-Greenford once and it’s quite funny to see a 166 sandwiched between tube trains. Signal box at Greenford’s lovely

[@Jeagles]

Chiltern Transport Productions to my knowledge GWR operates both, or at least did when I went

[@joannestirling675]

It could be a 166

[@dansoper]

Did you add the sound at 10:49 (like a pre-announcement bing-bong)? In any case nice video and I’d love more!

[@tobortine]

3:44 The only person in the known universe to celebrate having _"...the whole station to myself for the next hour..."_ :-)

[@JudsonMatt88]

Nice video Geoff! South Greenford is quite near me, around 3 miles or so. You should visit Sudbury & Harrow Road and Sudbury Hill Harrow. Sudbury & Harrow Road used to be the least used station in London a few years ago, I think for 2014-15. My local national rail station. An Interesting station with nice views :)

[@BreakfastMRT]

Nice G line shirt, I'm from NYC :D

[@R160A]

Seconded, from a NYC Conductor

[@dlc-nyc]

Love the G train shirt! I live off that line, doesnt get enough love or attention. Respect, geoff!

[@MrBooBeeDoo]

Caught the train here every morning between 1991 to 1996. Got off at Drayon Bridge to get to high school.

[@michaelglanville4]

seeing as current guidance is to return to work if you can... seems to apply here. Please do more lesser visited stations! Would be interesting to see :) Loving your content! Long may it continue