South Greenford - Least Used Station in London

Angel Road is no longer London's Least Used Station! The NEW Least Used Station in Greater London is ... South Greenford, out in Zone 4 in the borough of Ealing. So what the heck IS at South Greenford? Let's find out ...
Note : The very first train of the day does still come direct from Paddington, and the very last train of the day goes back to Paddington, all the others just shuttle back and forth betwen Greenford and West Ealing.
Download my Least Used Station Map here: geofftech.co.uk/download/Least...

[@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

[@JLBodhran]

Reason Code "YI": Geordies on the line.

[@denelson83]

YI oughta...

[@vanillasplash6198]

RE alan partridge

[@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

[@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

[@jcrailwayvideos6588]

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

[@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.

[@clos3y]

‘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

[@wilfbm9067]

10:52 even the ambulances are needing rescued now!

[@matthewfield2958]

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

[@andreww4473]

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

[@pwhitewick]

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

[@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!

[@icecranberry2148]

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

[@theecumenicalchurchofoccit2439]

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

[@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.

[@MattGoshert]

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

[@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)

[@crrntvntsnthnlnftnsscmmnty]

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.

[@autitrain]

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

[@jamesc1199]

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

[@anarcho-pingu]

fyi

[@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!

[@johnmurray8428]

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

[@janscattergood7294]

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

[@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

[@charanjit7427]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@chriswilkes236]

Thanks for doing this, Geoff. Keep safe.

[@kaduteixeira]

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

[@goughrmp]

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

[@andersf2798]

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

[@Itsgaryjerry]

Great to have you back Geoff!

[@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

[@thetallguy182]

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

[@railwaybuddy]

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

[@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.

[@eddiesigala4254]

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!

[@bloookie2349]

Thank you for posting these great videos!

[@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

[@neilwilson5785]

Good to see ya back.

[@alanwest7773]

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

[@awkwarddSP]

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

[@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!

[@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...

[@peterbrookwalker5591]

Your videos are always great.

[@DevinZA]

So happy to see more of these.

[@notcarrotnose258]

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

[@CraftySam11]

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

[@johnstilljohn3181]

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

[@anarchodandyist]

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

[@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.

[@merlynevans9592]

Nice one Geoff, really enjoyed that one

[@trainsandplanes6801]

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

[@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!

[@augusthoyt8447]

As a New Yorker, I appreciate Geoff’s shirt.

[@paulyh4531]

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

[@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

[@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 :-)

[@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!

[@miguelt.6671]

No matter what stations you'll do next, I'll like it anyway! :)

[@dlc-nyc]

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

[@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.

[@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 😉

[@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

[@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.

[@el_dee_cee]

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

[@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.

[@robertstrains9154]

Nice love these type of videos

[@mfkelleheraudiobooks]

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

[@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!

[@mrkipling2201]

At the moment London Bridge station is in the running for least used station in London!! 😂😂 Nice to see you staying safe Geoff as well.

[@PilotStudd]

Hope your staying safe at this time Geoff, been with you since the old londonist days and secrets of the underground lines. I have a love for trains and planes, and I’d say you played a part in inspiring me to start my own aviation channel, I’d love some feedback if anyone has the time

[@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.

[@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!

[@RealPunkie]

Nice Polish truck at the beginning! Godd video btw! :)

[@tandr365]

I like your videos Geoff.

[@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 :)

[@amethyst7084]

Very interesting video. I don't think I had even heard of South Greenford Station before. Maybe we could have been shown a map to illustrate where South Greenford is and how it fits in with the other stations; and also maybe mention how this fits in with the Angel Road video, where that was mentioned as London's least used station. 👍🏾

[@PAVx_]

Geoff, I'm glad to see some new proper train content on your channel. I'd like it if you'd visit some more lesser used statoins like you suggested in the video, but I wouldn't want you to spend too much money on it. Although I don't know if hiring a car is more expensive than a train ticket. And all these train cancellations won't do the passenger stats any good. Not that many people would be using this station in these times anyway...

[@sxmmieftw]

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

[@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.

[@northeastlaws1607]

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

[@R160A]

Seconded, from a NYC Conductor

[@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.

[@Nooticus]

Great video! Try coming to the very quiet Oakleigh park in the Borough of Barnet or maybe Grange Park in the borough of Enfield!

[@airfoxtrot2006]

Great video Geoff, the most socially distant least used station yay!

[@CharlieFlemingOriginal]

Has the train been cancelled? Y I Man!

[@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.

[@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.

[@jamesprest9109]

Loved the New York underground Tshirt - I have one too! Also - speaking as someone from the North East I chuckled at the reason code train not running- YI - 🤣

[@BlaiddLlwyd]

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

[@AndreasEldhSweden]

Yes please! Do more videos of low used stations by foot/bike/car!

[@pauldicken5223]

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

[@errolhsh]

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

[@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

[@ChilternTransportProductions]

165 you mean?

[@Jeagles]

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

[@ChilternTransportProductions]

J eagles They do but not even 3 car 165s let alone 166s get used on that shuttle. Pretty sure it’s always a 2-car 165/1

[@joannestirling675]

It could be a 166

[@NoelisTired]

Nice shirt Geoff, it reminds me of the line that is a few miles away from me

[@Sylveonkpopnyct]

Geoff representing our G line!

[@raystimpson]

We are quite used to seeing "First Great Western" still on platform signs, trains, station frontage. The name that won't die...

[@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.

[@gregkiteos1936]

Another cool video, Geoff. How about one of the quiet stations in East Anglia that you haven't already covered, like Lakenheath or Beccles?