Thameslink EXPLAINED - A Rail Operator Summary

A brief summary of who Thameslink are, where they go, what they operate and any future developments. More of a information pack - this forms part of the Rail Operator Series I'm working on
Correct as of February 2023.
0:00 Intro
1:03 Timetabled Routes
4:10 Ticket Costs
4:21 Depots
4:33 Operator History & Franchise
6:28 Trains Operated
7:06 Future Developments
Twitter: ashley_rabot
Travel Channel: @ashleyrabottravels

[@IainGowers]

Just an FYI, the service from London Bridge to Littlehampton is the service that was transferred from southern. The plan was that the service would gain a full Thameslink service when the Thameslink service was rolled out, but was delayed when the thameslink issues happened at startup. Then when lockdown happened, this has never been rolled out and so I think there are a few remaining services yet to start

[@andrewmagnusthegreatesttra1230]

Keep up the amazing work mate

[@GojiMet86]

Thanks for the videos. I usually just stare at the maps of all the lines in England and wonder how services are managed, especially when it comes to branch lines.

[@Alto53]

This is an amazing video. Really high quality work, I can tell the effort that went into creating the map and all the animations!

[@christopherburton2084]

Brilliant video, concise and informative, keep it up 👍

[@Citran1001]

And your work is amazing keep up the work with animating because your animating has got way better over the years.

[@olliegrant205]

I can confirm that the trains from St Albans do continue on back to St Albans from Sutton to complete the loop

[@brianfretwell3886]

Even though the announcements as they approach Sutton say that they terminate there as soon as the front car gets to the platform the announcement changes to to it being a St Albans service. The Platform indicator on the route via Mitcham also changes from "Don't join this train" to it being a St Albans service when it passes the signal before Sutton station.

[@robotx9285]

@@brianfretwell3886 Weird

[@TrainPersonWhatever]

I can also confirm

[@Farleigh1050]

isnt it st albans > luton via sutton?

[@michellebell5092]

I like Thameslink, it’s a great railway, leaving aside the regular operating disruptions. But it’s so useful to make an entire journey on or to interchange either at Blackfriars (and the fabulous view of London ) or Kings Cross St. Pancras. Thanks for the detailed history and information on my local railway.

[@feeshyman]

Let's go Thameslink might be one of the most interesting ones. Northern is on top. Very detailed video and that's what I love

[@brianfretwell3886]

At one time, when Thameslink service started the now Sutton Loop service went to at least Woking in off-peak hours.

[@AndrewG1989]

I remembered that as well. Shame that Thameslink doesn't go to Woking anymore.

[@grassytramtracks]

​@@AndrewG1989 let's bring back Thameslink to Woking, hell, Guildford

[@Emunyani]

You can also go straight to Bedford from Sutton in late evening as the trains head back to the depot in Bedford

[@JudeTDM1]

Radlett and Potters Bar are both in the oyster zones

[@teecefamilykent]

The reason that thameslink has dropped the Ashford to London route is that Thameslink do not have conductors/ Guards but Southeastern do, the stations on the Ashford route are designed with conductors in mind.

[@sebastianbaynes9452]

On this point, I also assumed that Thameslink trains *never* have guards on them - I regularly (~once a week for the last 18 months) get the train from Cambridge to London and I gradually realised that Thameslink and Great Northern trains never have guards on them (as opposed to the Greater Anglia services to Liverpool Street that often do). However, I have only on one single occasion been asked to show a ticket by a guard, in late November 2022 on a Cambridge to Brighton train and it really took me by surprise. Is this normal? I can't understand why Thameslink would put guards on trains so infrequently

[@teecefamilykent]

Sounds like revenue/ ticket inspectors not guards?

[@sebastianbaynes9452]

@@teecefamilykent What's the difference?

[@teecefamilykent]

Conductors tend to stay on the train from end to end, whereas revenue jump from train to train en route.

[@Hy7o525dUcv9t]

Nice video, and can you please do a video on London Northwestern Railway, or Greater Anglia

[@danielrowlands7505]

Great vid, can you do swr next?

[@CyberZanGaming]

I love the vids Can you do this for southern please

[@chrisorr8601]

Great video! It’s funny to think with some branch services at 15mins (&less when you factor in overlapping timetables) and a center city tunnel, Thameslink could pass as a full metro system in many North American cities!!

[@m3tty.]

On Great Northern you also forgot the Service from King's Cross to Peterborough and vice versa as well as the Trains from Peterborough to Gatwick Airport and Peterborough to Three Bridges and I know this because I live in St Neots and I am a regular commuter on the lines

[@nobody_123]

You’ve also forgot to mention that from Finsbury Park, the great Northern train heads towards Moorgate via the following stops: Drayton Park, Highbury & Islington, Essex Road, Old Street & Moorgate

[@HesterClapp]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2rPdXaQjceGhsk

[@thisdude5854]

He didn’t do all of the network

[@alisonjones2740]

I live in Bedford we see these class 230 class 360 and class 700 although the Marston vale which is Bedford to Bletchley in case you didn't know but there are similar trains that are class 484s which the class 230 and 484 are old District line trains

[@m3tty.]

You forgot the morning service from Peterborough to King's Cross on Thameslink.

[@OneEternalAsh]

Please do southern rail explained, please 🙏

[@Super_Trainspotter]

do southern next!

[@VisionForDynamics]

What animation software do you use

[@GeoffJNewman]

I have seen some Thameslink trains at Beckenham Junction but not sure how that fits into the scheduled services. Looking at their site it appears to be a shared between them and Southeastern

[@Super_Trainspotter]

no thameslink trains go to beckenham junction in regular service. they only do so when the route via catford is closed

[@callumwhite2993]

@Super Trainspotter As a Catford Loop local, I can confirm this is correct. The route via Beckenham Junction can also be used when there’s engineering works or strikes

[@darum902]

these trains are built in germany. i have already seen them driving on the siemens test ring

[@thisdude5854]

It goes to Luton common in the morning one service at the evening but Tomorrow apparently there is an extension to Bedford but just Tomorrow

[@carlhaslam1914]

Can you please do London North Eastern railway (LNER)

[@demonishRBLX]

okay, i must admit, i kinda made transpennine express more popular

[@five-o5362]

Pretty sure there's at least one more "not step free" station on the OG Thameslink route.

[@RailwayAviationWorld]

How do you find all this information?

[@instinct_yt281]

Greater Anglia next please

[@mariusgosea5912]

Just asking. One a week trains head at 7:14am from London Victoria to Orpington. Here is the twist. Southeastern does the same route so why do it?

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Great video Ashley. Can you do Greater Anglia please

[@ethanhughes1636]

Could you do a video about LNER at somepoint?

[@ashleyrabot]

Transpennine is next but I'll do another poll after I get back from hols!

[@ethanhughes1636]

@@ashleyrabot I'm actually kinda off excited for that as they go to my local station

[@Citran1001]

Hey Rabot? Can you do WMR(West Midlands railway)? Because I really want to know what routes are there even know you look at the map it still don't show.

[@Farleigh1050]

3:36 kensal rise for thameslink 💀

[@jacksebsmith]

Shortlands, Bickley, and Petts Wood aren't managed by Thameslink, they're managed by Southeastern. Also in addition to Bedford-Brighton/Moorgate, Luton-Sutton/Wimbledon in the Network South East days Thameslink also ran Luton to Sevenoaks via Catford aswell as Luton to Guildford until 1994

[@AndrewG1989]

I do think that Thameslink should run to Ashford International and to Hastings. As they got enough rolling stocks to cover more services. Plus new railway stations are to be built that Thameslink will serve including Brent Cross West and Wixams. And of course at Luton Airport Parkway you got the Luton DART that is to open in mid March. Also I do think that Great Northern should of inherit the Class 379 Electrostars so they can operate between London King’s Cross-Cambridge, King’s Lynn and Ely stopper and semi-fast. Class 387/1 & Class 387/3 on KX-Peterborough & Cambridge stopper & semi-fast services.

[@ItsLesurex]

The Ashford Line is designed for conductors which THAMESLINK don’t have but SOUTHEASTERN does so either Southeasten has a London Blackfriars to Ashford Intl service or no SERVICE

[@AndrewG1989]

⁠Ah right. Thanks for letting me know 👍

[@winkiipinkii]

6:38 *Siemens Otherwise a great informative video, well done

[@Sophiebryson510]

Lots of trains

[@halinagasik5776]

10000% its a class 700

[@Sophiebryson510]

@@halinagasik5776 I meant the service patterns but I mean, you’re right

[@esctiger8271]

Can you do southern soon pls

[@hanstheexplorer]

There are 18 comments now lol

[@davern6]

2 unskippable 20second adverts before this…. KZbin are taking the piss

[@sidesplitter9497]

what is the argument against thameslink being taken over by tfl?

[@mattevans4377]

Distance. Can you imagine TFL running services to Brighton? Or Peterborough?

[@sidesplitter9497]

@@mattevans4377 well they run services to reading now, is it so strange to think of them running services to brighton?

[@mattevans4377]

@@sidesplitter9497 Reading is not by choice. It was the only station big enough to turn the Crossrail trains around at.

[@stevesaul7975]

I was under the impression Thameslink (as a service) started in 1988 whereas you say it was 1990. 🤔

[@ashleyrabot]

Technically yes, it started in 1988, but on a very slightly different alignment through the core. British Rail actually made some changed between 1988 and 1990 and it was only then that it operates to the one we know today. It's slight but you are right 😂

[@JayJay-nc7pr]

The Rainham Service is rubbish it replaced a well used an popular semi fast train

[@Deepleswanseavalleybusspotter]

Thameslink is like s bahn

[@CloudmasterGaming]

Great video but I'm kinda sad TPE didn't win.

[@thisdude5854]

I have checked on Google maps and saw a route from Orpington to Bedford what happened it showed the route once

[@matpk]

Split the Northern Line!!!!

[@SubToAWS_Real]

i live in one ofthose city