The London ghost train on its final journey - BBC London

The daily Paddington to West Ruislip train has been dubbed the loneliest train service in London, known as a "ghost train". It’s not publicised and is used by very few commuters. But on Friday 7 December, this route saw its last journey. Our Transport Correspondent, Tom Edwards went along.

[@cr128]

This comment section: 95% Geoff 5% Everything else

[@domsventures3918]

CR12 facts

[@jordidebont9547]

Me an intellectual: Vicky looks different in this one

[@yinan02]

So true though

[@WASIURPA]

Ur halfway between all

[@TranHuy-on9mz]

CR12 why do people's call this is a ghost train

[@leegrant4807]

Weyhey, I knew Geoff would feature at some point! 😂

[@PinspotMedia]

Lee Grant just what I was thinking lol

[@TheAviationChannel]

Me too! I knew Geoff Marshal would be somewhere on the train. I'm sure he would be kicking himself on the foot if he forgot about this final ghost train

[@capturedlondon]

Talking in the quiet coach

[@elliotwaterson6876]

1.44 theres geoff

[@olivergray1367]

Why did I know Geoff would appear

[@DevonPixie1991]

Oliver Gray I hope Geoff did his own video

[@thelasttimelord7550]

Cause the bbc man said it's cheaper or keep trains running once a week instead of closing the line

[@matthewdunderdale8685]

cause it's what geoff does... and vicki looked different in this one!!

[@MarkLiederbach]

Well he released his own video on the day a bit ago. But even without that, it figures he'd be there :-)

[@johnleung6374]

Obligatory Geoff Marshall appearance...✅

[@matthewdunderdale8685]

indeed... almost anything to with uk trains and you know he'll be there

[@theyoutubeguy1]

@@matthewdunderdale8685 What how? He's hardly ever on the news.

[@matthewdunderdale8685]

TheKZbinGuy it’s a train video, I kinda suspected that Geoff would be somewhere in it.... and he is

[@stephenallmond67]

Of course Geoff would make an appearance in this

[@NazriB]

Lies again? AMWF CAR Ezlink Card

[@onthewater4020]

"Just once a day." Laughs in Canadian where my city gets a train every three days.

[@underwaterdick]

I think you missed the point... The train runs mostly without passengers as a 'ghost' service. Just because it is so difficult and costly for a train operator to shut down a service. The frequency of one a day is because they HAVE to provide this route. As said in video, some of these Train routes have been a replacement bus service only for years.

[@conorjamesmahoney5941]

Oh that's just a sign that your place is too cold for the trains.

[@jsp7202]

At least you get VIA service. Here in Calgary (over 1 million people) we get zero!

[@normanstrongbow9335]

jsp Here in Edmonton we get 2 Via Rail trains a week in winter to Toronto and 2 a week to Vancouver

[@jsp7202]

And its never on time so its anyone's guess when it will arrive!

[@TheLaughingclaret]

Geoff! ❤️ I’m just here for Geoff. Geoff should be PM or at the very least secretary for transport

[@awclement]

Geoff is in BBC London video nice 👍

[@neilcrawford8303]

The train does still run. It now runs via the Greenford branch. The service terminates at the re-opened bay platform, platform 5 at West Ealing. It started today, Monday December 10th. 11.02 South Ruislip 11.18 West Ealing. 11.47 West Ealing 12.01 South Ruislip (passing) 12.25 High Wycombe In an emergency or during engineering works, Chiltern trains can still access Paddington using the Greenford branch.

[@trainzguy2472]

Yes, but not on the original route.

[@transparentlemon]

Geoff Marshall wooo!!

[@chazzboi1009]

It’s Geoff!!!!!!

[@millieelizabeth1175]

Geoff!!

[@rafaelgamma07]

Geoff!

[@TheRaggiesoft]

Why hello Geoff

[@practicallyfamous]

Literally all the comments are about Geoff xD Nice to know we should see a video from him soon on this as well!

[@andrewmwells9606]

It's that man from Londonist!!

[@centraltransportproductions]

Sure is and All The Stations

[@jackshears2043]

His name is Geoff

[@blooga3941]

Geoff marshall the train man

[@thelasttimelord7550]

Geoff

[@johnnyboy3949]

They say in London that you’re never more then 6 feet away from Geoff in a pret

[@thelasttimelord7550]

When the bbc said it's cheaper it keep trains run once a week and then I thought of geoff then I see geoff and I am saying to myself . Bois we have a new video coming back from geoff soon

[@routemaster3877]

ayy geoff

[@timdaugherty5921]

GEOFF!! I knew it!

[@universaltrainsstudio8534]

I knew Geoff would be here as I've seen his video xD 😊

[@maritimefilminguk]

Geoff Marshall making an appearance!

[@charliej891]

1:40 YAY GEOFF!

[@kingisalive9813]

Oh hello Geoff

[@Youman-tu8wr]

Am I the only one who doesn't know who Geoff is?

[@anguspontin7244]

Yes exactly

[@jennyhouse6748]

Geoff Marshall has a fantastic KZbin channel called Geofftech. His other equally excellent channel is All The Stations and he also has content on the Londonist channel.

[@ivarbaratheon264]

Who the fook

[@alex_gaimar]

No. Edit: ok, now that I've watched the video, yes, I have seen him before

[@bhuwanilimbu9731]

Meto

[@caseyedwards2331]

Oh Hi Geoff

[@blooga3941]

A saw this when it was broadcast on TV lol new geoff would be there

[@Thomas_TdK]

Geoff from out off nowhere

[@fdama]

Hi Geoff!

[@AliGroves450]

1:40 Hello Geoff

[@ChrisKitVeedubber]

Geoff! 😍

[@wbbf]

1:45 geoff!!!!!!!

[@Drahtseil]

Who is this mysterious Geoff?

[@davedave7806]

You really should check out "All The Stations" to see who Geoff is. You WON'T be disappointed!

[@PlanesTrainsFan]

Are you out of your mind. Geoffrey marshall know as geoff is a train legend he does everything he travels to the least used station in counties, challenges, does hacks (sometimes) and everything in between. So head on over to geoff marshall youtube chann you will not be sorry , you might even want to thank me for suggesting it to you. Laaaatttttttteeerrr.

[@anguspontin7244]

Don’t pretend you don’t know the great Geoff

[@hoffwell]

Check out the Londonist channel. He's on a lot, but not all of their videos.

[@changamuda7844]

@@anguspontin7244 *I didn't know who he was prior to today! (Maybe people from the UK would know the guy)? I just saw this vid on my recommended otherwise there is nothing that would have otherwise led me to know the guy existed..* Am in the U.S., so sorry, *not everyone knows your Jeff guy..*

[@AussieGunzel]

Geoff please react to this.

[@jackthetrainspotter9727]

If ur wondering im the guy they interviewed in the red hoodie.

[@Phlegethon]

Those are definitely train enthusiasts

[@TakumiXD]

Yay Geoff

[@seprishere]

To be fair, this train actually served a purpose, giving Chiltern drivers route knowledge of the alternative route into London if Marylebone is inaccessible. I guess they would have had to terminate somewhere like West Ealing, now even that is a bus so presumably it's the Tube from West Ruislip if they can't run into Marylebone?

[@belgianwaffle3883]

Wahay Geoff

[@lordvaderofearth7422]

Boom.....no train info would be complete without our Geoff....

[@crownjulesgaming542]

geofftech

[@Dear_Mr._Isaiah_Deringer]

Gotta love the efficiency of privatization.

[@PolishThatHandle346]

Well done BBC, coming up with incorrect facts and poor reporting once again. The North Main Line was GWRs new faster connection from Paddington to Birmingham Snow Hill, Wolverhampton and beyond. The opening of the Central line had no effect on the long distance passenger movements on this line at all - if anything, it helped to ease congestion. When the Great Central Mainline closed as a through route in the late 60s, the number of trains at Marylebone was drastically reduced. The former GW route to Birmingham was used sparingly for expresses - main traffic being diverted to New St and Euston. Marylebone was reduced in size, and threatened with closure. Fortunately, someone had the foresight to see that the former GW route was actually a really good line, and after slowly reintroducing services in the 80s, congestion was eased on Paddington by diverting into Marylebone. This is purely due to the wonderful relationship the GW had with the former Great Central. This meant that fewer trains then ran along the original route to Paddington, and it was gradually wound down, but kept in case of issues at Marylebone.

[@perdbeer6713]

I was looking for Geoff. I was rewarded.

[@cesariojpn]

1:39 Vicki looks weird in this video.

[@solinworld632]

I used to get on this train from South Ruislip all the time whenever I’d go to Bicester Village Outlet in Oxford (via High Wycombe)

[@miniena7774]

*HI GEOFF!*

[@TheArkamedBat]

1:40 If you want a Geoff moment.

[@nonononoa802]

Railway enthusiasts are just the most chill people 👍

[@DarthCoco]

Geoff did a video about this a while ago. I will miss this train line so much. R.I.P

[@rogerswift1983]

for the first 90 seconds kept thinking 'where's Geoff?'

[@andrewtaylor5984]

This was once the main line to Birmingham!

[@markanthony4655]

One a day. Where I live the Parliamentary service is 1 per week and one way.

[@Roblilley999]

Which one?

[@markanthony4655]

Stockport to Stalybridge. It has been that way for years. Apparently people get on it, and ride it just for the ticket. Although I think it may be actually getting doubled to become a return journey back to Stockport. Just checked, it is now a return service, now starting at Stalybridge to Stockport, then return 1/2 hour later. The day has changed to a Saturday, so I may give it a go as my Bus Pass is valid on trains, trams and buses in Greater Manchester and there is no time restrictions on my pass at weekends, as the previous one way journey was early (before 9.30am, so my pass wasn't valid on Trains, Trams and Buses) on a Friday.

[@Roblilley999]

@@markanthony4655 yeah, i know the stockport to stalybridge line... yeah, its going 2 ways now, maybe denton and norton bridge wont be as least used (we can only hope)

[@markanthony4655]

Although I am in no way an expert , I wonder if trams like we have in Greater Manchester, can use the same lines as heavy rail ? I know it would have to be electrified. My thinking was as Stockport is eventually going to be on the Greater Manchester Tram network for a line into Manchester and possibly Manchester Airport as there is already a tram line there,at the Airport, wouldn't it make sense to run trams on a regular basis from Stalybridge to Stockport along the line, inconjunction with heavy rail freight trains that use the route. At Stockport then there would be access to trams into Manchester or Manchester Airport, Heavy rail to Manchester or London and a brand new Bus Station when it gets built all close to each other. Just my thoughts, as it would save over at least an hour on buses.

[@Sylveonkpopnyct]

Geoff ofc he'd be there. Come to NY to get the R32/42 cars as they are retiring.

[@TheArkamedBat]

Geoff is always somewhere.

[@danielwhyatt3278]

Even with the last ghost train going, I’m still adamant we’ll be able to stop HS1 from being built.

[@mudchute4dlr]

i swear this is 99% 'OMG GEOFF IS HERE'

[@kingkarrotyt5277]

1:46 one of my favourite KZbinrs

[@alfietheg4m3r-robloxmore14]

I Knew Geoff Would be here!

[@noahstonemusic]

My name is Geoff...

[@alexandermitchell9070]

1:40 I just knew that Geoff would show up here.

[@joao-pt]

Ridiculously low sound on the video. You should hire a new sound editor...

[@antoniojoaolobato5484]

These brits and youtube, they just can't work out the sound... just like carwow...

[@tris]

Glad that Geoff got is words in

[@FK-pv2zi]

Somehow listening to Loski and ended up here wtf😂

[@nowhereshome]

From about 1:45, the legendary Geoff makes an appearance

[@2000guineas]

Knew Geoff would be on this before i checked the comments

[@georgeyoung1210]

Why am I not surprised that Geoff is in it?

[@AlexanderMarsdenJones]

They could have at least credited Geoff on screen...

[@srinivasabv28]

Ramaumacgeeha

[@will.c0m]

Oh Look... Its Geoff What A Surprise *sarcastic*

[@luvstellauk]

Train looks in better condition than the crappy 165s GWR run

[@rowanahedley9578]

1:40 hey its Geoff !! I thought he might be in it!

[@vanillasplash6198]

WHEN THE BEDWYN ERVICES GO THEN NO MORE DEISEL IN PADDINGTON SAD DAYS SAD DAYS

[@PlayStationGamer]

1:40 I was waiting to see Geoff

[@MaverickHunterDaniel]

2:13 Well, um, I guess this counts as the first time I'm in a BBC video.

[@TheRandomRailfan]

1:40 Oh hi Geoff

[@g.groves616]

Geoff Marshall covered this too. Good vid on both channels

[@Ron_TTE]

1:40 Geoff on the BBC!

[@peskybee22]

Why is the announcer talking so slowly

[@abdulqayum8977]

Who’s Geoff and what does he do? I feel so stupid lol

[@Mgameing123]

Geoff marshall is a youtuber based mostly on trains!

[@abdulqayum8977]

@@Mgameing123 cool thanks

[@cybermaxpower]

yea Geoff in this video

[@DJFace147]

Came here expecting to see Geoff!

[@stephendines1936]

For some reason I knew Geoff would be involved.

[@Bhartiya969]

Believe me or not I don't know who is Geoff, but after reading comments I have played this video again and again then browse Geoff channel. Shuting down is not a solution... It's running away from situations.. find out the ways to make it profitable and run it that's the real solution. If Geoff has done exploring all the stations of UK then please come to India.

[@harryscorah2091]

GEOFF

[@harryscorah2091]

I could have called it

[@breathpotato569]

lol im american why am i here

[@thatbeardedsoapguy5082]

I'm asking myself that too, lol

[@Texas_and_Pacific]

Same bro

[@Pallethands]

You are here for Geoff obviously

[@andydrew2003]

because the Beeb is amazing

[@smifaye]

GEOFF!

[@SmR8008]

Geoff gave loads of info on the reasoning behind the ghost trains and didn't even get a credit on the screen! Wha? ?

[@ObsessedwithTrains]

Awwwwwwww yis Geoff!

[@samharrison8016]

ayyyyy it's Geoff

[@germany1809]

Even I from Germany knows who Geoff is.

[@mikecowen6507]

America knows Geoff too!

[@germany1809]

@@mikecowen6507 who doesn't know Geoff?

[@noahbowie5985]

Oh my god Geoff's in this!!!!!!!!

[@georgemacpherson1992]

Unbelievable Geoff. Where is Vicky.

[@Smithy250]

Christ this is sad. I'm talking about the people there not the train service ending.

[@TDCBOI]

1:44 is that geoff

[@1973Washu]

Geoff is on the news. :)

[@Crewecabking]

Oh no ghost passengers

[@billchen6791]

I’m so shocked. Geoff!

[@notboris8217]

There is the new one though, which does seem more interesting

[@davedave7806]

Vicki looks different in this one!

[@robz7846]

ITS THAT GUY WHO HELD A WORLD RECORD