The New Paddington Elizabeth Line Station

It's Day 2 of Crossrail's Elizabeth line, and after riding the whole line yesterday it's time to explore the station in more depth to see where everything is, including the underground corridor link through to the Bakerloo.
I'm carry on heading back east along the line but as Bond Street isn't open yet, Day 3's video will be at Tottenham Court Road.
Editor: Will Head
Get your #PurpleTrain Merch here: www.purpletrai...

[@tajulislam1522]

I've been using this service for the last 2-days (so if you're reading this at a later date, this message was posted 2-days after its grand opening), the line has cut my journey time by c.20-30%. Thankfully, I live in an area where this line services and therefore, the benefits for me is huge.

[@peterpowis4145]

that's an impressive journey save!

[@winterjacub3773]

good for you

[@rogerbrown5558]

Funny, you mentioned the train gets sweeped of passengers before it does it's return run. Thought I'd tell you my quick story when I was one of those people that have slept to the end of the line. It was west bound on the Picadilly line to Heathrow. I was supposed to get off at Boston Manor but ended up in Heathrow and being so late at night it was the last train. This was back in 1985, no loop. I woke up and got to talk to the driver who kindly invited me to stay on the train and would take me back to the Northfields yard where he let me out onto Boston Road. I was the only passenger on that ride and I was so greatful. I'm now back in NZ. Love your stuff Geoff.

[@LegoMiniMovies]

I remember being in London around 10 years ago when I was young and wondering what the construction sites were and my parents telling me it was a new underground line and here it is now finally here.

[@guyfawkes3181]

@Lego Mini Movies RJG remember its not an underground line 👍

[@KingGamer-vh7iz]

It’s not an underground and not part of TFL it’s owned by a private train operator who is kinda part of TFL it’s no underground as it’s a overground

[@Cloudrak]

@@KingGamer-vh7iz MTR are only responsible for operations, the government own the infrastructure.

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

@@guyfawkes3181 although it is a line that goes underground.

[@Mgameing123]

@@KingGamer-vh7iz No the Elizabeth Line is owned by TFL but is not the underground, I think when crossrail 2 opens then it will be apart of a brand of TFL called crossrail.

[@BeckyBeckaBex]

I’m going to London for 2 nights in a few weeks and if you think I’m gonna dedicate an entire day to just riding the purple trains and admiring the stations then you are absolutely right. The lure of a clean elevator that doesn’t smell of pee is just too much to resist! 💜

[@imsbvs]

I guess by then it will be too late, you can almost imagine the potential culprits queuing up at the first opportunity!!

[@connecticutmultimodaltrans8226]

jealous! have fun!

[@iohnxxxx]

give it a week it be like the northern line

[@elvpse]

why was the last part so accurate even in other countries

[@wtspman]

I really like the clear station design. The lack of ads on the walls makes everything seem so uncluttered.

[@seanwilliamson9403]

Give it time...

[@JJCGE]

There's what looks to be metal frames the other side of the tracks. I would assume at some point those would be used for advertising.

[@armadillito]

Ah, that's why it all looks so clean. To be honest, ads break things up visually and might make the stations feel less overwhelmingly huge.

[@EuanBCFC]

(almost) daily CrossElizPurpLine videos are something I never realised needed in my life

[@Sean-D78]

Paddington was the first Elizabeth Line station (not counting the ex-TfL Sections) I've ever been to and it was such an amazing experience. I travelled from it to Abbey Wood on the first day and it was lovely!

[@iohnxxxx]

go get a light ale mate your problem a charlton fan so understand your excitement poor fellow

[@Sean-D78]

@@iohnxxxx a what fan?

[@sbv-zs7wz]

Had my first trip on the line today visiting the 'core' stations, amazing engineering of the station builds, architecture, they are deep! but so expansive, was busy even at 11 am and bumped into the Mayor and his entourage having a ride through.

[@gordoncharlton7017]

“Fit Like” Lewis representing NE Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 💜💜💜

[@robbiemorrison7085]

They’ve also now moved the Paddington Bear statue from Platform 1 by to the right of The Pasty Shop

[@HarryLovesRuth]

This is the most important piece of information.

[@rjjcms1]

Is he partial to a pasty?

[@HarryLovesRuth]

@@rjjcms1 I believe he tried Marmite once.

[@iohnxxxx]

ever thought about the meat in pasty shop and I bet it wears yellow check trousers

[@rjjcms1]

@@HarryLovesRuth He also invented a dessert called Baked Elastic.

[@ChilternRailPhotography]

1:00 there are 2 escalators there That's a lift Geoff

[@JimTheRevelator]

6:55 You actually came across my TfL colleagues in Public Transport Service Planning there! They are Network Planning Surveyors who primarily do passenger counts on London's bus routes but occasionally do the ad hoc London Underground/Elizabeth Line surveys every now and again.

[@SummerADDE_Elevators]

This reminded me 5 years ago and the grand opening of Citybanan here in Stockholm. and the exploration of all the pathways, escalators and elevators that the two new stations added to the network.

[@Brash_Candicoot]

Jag älskar stockholm! Jag är finsk. Ursäkta min svenska 😂

[@piggugudu1327]

I visited the Paddington and Liverpool stations on the Elizabeth line today and rode on it too and it was lots of fun and so very fancy! Thank you for giving it the publicity, I would not have had the impetus to go otherwise :D O and for anyone who might want to visit, the people stationed at the new stations were really nice and helpful in case you are unsure of where to go😄

[@JackAndEmilyVids]

Just what London needed, a new train line! Now people can get to more places!

[@brettpalfrey4665]

Thanks Geoff..since yesterday, i cannot get "Purple Train" out of my head!!!

[@TheGoodWario]

4:25 NYC represent! TFL worker wearing a 7 line pin :3

[@michaelwhite1316]

First time I went on the Elizabeth Line was last Monday. Liverpool Street to Paddington. So much quicker than the circle line. Loved it, will be using it again.

[@JenOnTheMove]

I am so glad you got Lewis back! He was the star of the whole Six Stations series! More Lewis please!

[@scoottyscott7845]

I thought you were the star of it actually because of the coffee sequence 🤣

[@highbury1972]

This is a totally amazing new part of Paddington station. It’s a real juxtaposition seeing Crossrail and it’s trains Vs The knackered 50 year old Bakerloo line trains.

[@ToolkiT73UK]

The difference between the bakerloo line platform and the purple line ones are quite distinct.. can't wait to go on the purple line :)

[@mikecawood]

Great video, love the "Purple Train" intermissions :)

[@roboftherock]

Whatever floats your boat. I found them an unnecessary interruption

[@joeridebruijn7650]

i think you are a nice youtube channel i have recently been to england in london beautiful country beautiful city and also made a lot of use of the metro and i was there for my holiday and also to learn the english language i am from the netherlands i had never been to england before

[@jitterbug_junior]

you must have wondered why we are still using smokey diesel trains in this country

[@joeridebruijn7650]

I down no I do not get it

[@joeridebruijn7650]

I can Engels and learn play attion

[@jarthurs]

Can't wait to try this line it's going to save so much time. We live in Evesham and my Mum lives about 5 minutes from Abbey Wood. Being able to change at Reading and go straight under London and miss out the Paddington - Charing Cross interchange is going to be so quick and easy.

[@mgln_]

02:42 really like how u summoned the schweppes ad

[@welsh_trainspotter]

Sam! Sam! Sam! Miss you from Worcester buddy! At least you still get to see the IETs daily

[@transitcaptain]

As the first of many starts, This series will get interesting

[@grahamhp]

Day out for me Day 2 on Crossrail , first, great video of yours yesterday, was delighted to see so many people who were genuinely impressed with the train, stations and staff just an amazing experience travelling across London, I only hope it will continue that way for years to come.

[@asldkjaslkdj]

'Purple Train, Purple Train' will never leave me....

[@remy090]

Most helpful thing would have been a timer between gate exit coming into Paddington via section from Reading, to standing on the platform going eastbound.

[@davidSmith-vp4oh]

I have been watching your videos since you started all the stations.. geoff all your videos you do are so interesting and enjoyable, excellent work buddy 👏 👍

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

Its videos like this that remind me of Happy days in London (so long ago)

[@guillaumemaurice3503]

Awesome video. Thank you for sharing this that was very interesting.

[@a11oge]

golly - that was lightning quick visit - Paddington looking great

[@Fred247]

That platform design with the safety doors and overall aesthetics look just like the remodeled central station platform for Stockholm's commuter trains (pendeltåg). So it feels very international but it wouldn't be London without old brick walls just around the corner.

[@SlowLineTrainspotting]

I'll find this useful when I'm there. Thanks Geoff!

[@JasonDykstraMT]

Secrets of the Elizabeth Line would seem like a good idea now!

[@davsav]

Don't the tube platforms look old fashioned now we have the Elizabeth line?

[@andrewwaller5913]

Well they are over 100 years old !

[@jordanosullivan5418]

Geoff your dedication is unreal! How on earth do you have the energy to go out again? I’m still feeling the effects from Tuesday 😂

[@fzq6]

I remember waiting here packed in the queue at 6:25am on the 24th, soaked by rain. Memories

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

It's like a maze in there. So much to explore.

[@opathe2nd973]

You’re 2 minutes are a bummer! You climbed the escalator. Old people like me have to ride but then my biggest regret, being a Yank and old I’ll never see Paddington. But thanks for the dream. Y’all are great!

[@lorna_alice]

It's so lovely to see Paddington opened up again. We've been staying nearby the past few times that we've been down and got used to the sight of things being blocked off. I'm looking forward to coming down soon and experiencing it all myself. 😁

[@ToilerOnTheSea]

Love the 'deep' dive, love that you get the people that work on the systems in the videos. Probably the only time Monica will get the recognition for being the first driver. Congratulations to Monica & her colleague Emma. Will the access corridors to the lifts get better signage, essential for those that need them???? WOW, All that money and no dedicated loos!!!!!!!, gonna get smelling Funky in the coming weeks as people will be people and get caught short ??

[@Sim0nTrains]

I'm suprised you still had the engry Geoff, yesterday I was still feeling the effects from Tuesday epic day as it was a huge celebration, awesome video and pleasure to meet up with you again 👍

[@scottydude456]

Imagine being the first ever person on the line to fall asleep, completely miss your stop and woken up at the last stop by staff

[@boganpainter1638]

1:00 Two escalators disguised as lifts.

[@robertcoleman4861]

Thanks geoff i wish we had trains and stations like yours in oz ours are slow and run down & we call them snail rail cheers bob.

[@MrGreatplum]

Wow, what a monster that station is - thank you for showing us round - great to see Lewis again!

[@emmaslater7927]

The station looked really clean

[@stefansoder6903]

Of course it is. It's brand new!

[@spottymaxy1628]

Paddington is truly the magnum opus of the Eliz line stations!

[@aeronautic2374]

I laughed every time you cut to you singing - it was amazing Great video!

[@sarahjoyholden7856]

I love the new platform edge safety screen barrier what a brilliant idea shame its not on all stations. I'm not a Londoner (it scares me) but your video is a brilliant as always.

[@johnchristmas7522]

When the Elizabeth line is completely open, it will be a challenge for Heathrow express, which is so expensive.

[@justanotherviewer4821]

I was on the Elizabeth Line from Heathrow... its slow from Ealing into Paddington... (or for at least the service I was on) GWR and Heathrow Express (which is run by GWR, with the premium likely netted by the airport) takes presence. I wouldn't be surprised if they kept both services (EL and HX) by maintaining the delay in line speed. The "Heathrow Premium" for the Elizabeth Line is said to be due to the late opening of the EL to recoup costs... it is actually more likely a premium that Heathrow Airport demands for operating the service on its land. The HX is worth the cost compared to EL... more frequent, plenty of luggage space, no stopping and faster service. All a cash cow though. Considering EL and HX shares the same infrastructure there isn't any real need for the EL to serve Heathrow until it is connected through. Although I am sure GWR are unhappy with the extra competition, and I don't just mean the airport!

[@nikonikolic1365]

Great stuff Geoff!!

[@alanaj5]

Thank you so much for showing us the lifts at Paddington. We can't wait to be able to take the wheelchair on the tube!

[@Mrkbk2008]

Nice one Geoff, got to go on the Elizabeth line when I’m next in London!!

[@Keithbarber]

You'll be impressed by it

[@pinderclips5642]

Lewis is great. The new Paddington station is huge, and of the few 'unique' stations in my opinion.

[@Y_hanS_n]

I Love Elizabeth line ❤

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The singing of the ‘Purple Train’ and it being referenced AAAAAAAAAAAAAA DED 💜

[@robertaries2974]

Love the purple train song inserts 💜🚆💟

[@ParaSytius]

Will be flying into Heathrow in late July heading for Wembley, good to know that it is a 2-minute walk from the Liz line to the Bakerloo. Thank you Geoff.

[@peeky44]

Just remember that if you get the Crossrail/Liz train from Heathrow to Paddington, it won't go into the new platforms until autumn. The connection tunnel Geoff shows in this video wouldn't be the route you use to get from Heathrow to Wembley - you'll arrive into the mainline station (platforms 11-14) and follow the route across the main concourse to get to the Bakerloo. From (probably) October when trains start through-running you *would* use the corridor.

[@caw25sha]

Purple train, all in my brain, Lately things they don't seem the same.

[@killjoy_ao4653]

Looks like a busy place to be in

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

as Paddington is my regular London station this video has been very helpful brilliant video

[@JamesTheBell1]

I suspect that not many people are changing to the Bakerloo yet because people coming from the east aren't likely to want to head back south-east, as there's shorter ways to make those journeys, or head north-west, because that's out of central London. Maybe that corridor link will get more use once trains are running through from Reading.

[@Bogbrush9861]

Hello, Maidenhead resident here again. I'm a mixture of both excited, happy and sad. Excited because this is going to change my life (and my wife's), happy because this is really happening and sad because it's not fully open yet, but it will come soon enough.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Now that the #CrossElizPurpLine is (mostly) open, I cannot get enough of Twitter Updates by Geoff and future videos on the channel.

[@robwilkie1]

Used the Liz line for the first time today - great improvements to my journey times. But amazed there is no mobile signal on this brand new railway. Seems daft seeing as we’ve had it on parts of the Jubilee line for ages!!!

[@TalesOfWar]

There's quite a contrast between the size of the new platform and the Bakerloo one. Also the tiling in there could do with some touching it, it's a little tired. But then the whole of the Bakerloo line is lol.

[@ankledsquid]

wonder if the purple line adds any faster ways to do all the tube stations

[@potatocure2073]

Great video Geoff! Keep it up

[@brianbell4937]

Given the Liz line entrance is now the accessable entrance / exit for the Bakerloo, does that mean that the Liz Line station needs to remain open on Sundays, and early/late mon to sat to allow disabled access to Bakerloo ??

[@DavidWood2]

@@geofftech2 This is only a short-term issue until the new step-free booking office to the Bakerloo opens as part of the Paddington Square development - tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/paddington-bakerloo-ticket-hall

[@rayob9131]

Thanks as ever, Geoff, for this informative vid. On 26th May 2022 I travelled the full length out and back having ducked out of the first train on the first morning as Friday’s Evening Standard carried an article suggesting that the first trains would be log-jammed! Anyway, hugely impressed by the line like everyone else. I stopped at each station to have a look round and without doubt this is a world class project that has been delivered. So much +ve comment to make but I’ll limit it to say that it was pleasing to see that signage and floor markings are well planned but kept to a minimum - contrast that with the mass of signs that have accumulated over the years on most stations. Some interesting ways crowd dynamics have been considered too. TfL had obviously increased staff presence but they were actively engaging with the public and were doing a great job - maybe they like having fully grown trains! Well done TfL. When you go to Woolwich, do checkout the signage from Woolwich Arsenal which isn’t that helpful though you can see the Elizabeth Line roundel from a distance (~100 yards) if you know what to spot. Overall, 10/10 and loads of gold stars. One other point thinking of enthusiasts - will railtours be able to traverse the line? Imagine an AC loco and coaches trundling through Custom House! Maybe headways, signalling interface, emergency evacuation and re-joining the network at the Abbey Wood end (amongst other considerations) may preclude such movements.

[@gazzaman28]

Many years ago on the Berlin U-bahn, my wife & I ended up getting stuck for about 15mins on a train which parked up just outside a station (I can't remember which one) whilst getting vacuumed by cleaners!

[@rahimzafar3879]

Hi Geoff, interesting video and it is amazing to finally meet you in person

[@simonk3539]

If this excites you, wait until you discover the secret sideways lift at Farringdon that takes you to the Metropolitan line platform at Barbican.

[@iohnxxxx]

wow 👌 I bet u live in the fast lane simon

[@Thornaby37]

Great video, apart from having that Purple Train song stuck in my head 🤣 lol

[@lesterthorpe4190]

Great to meet you this morning at the Farringdon station entrance areas , ( sorry we didn’t get a short chance to chat - as we’d only just arrived , and I was with two mates :)

[@baconrasher6650]

Another top video! I’ve been getting the Purple Train for a while from Hayes and Harlington into London, hope you will be doing the stations outside of central, Hayes and Harlington is upgraded! 👍🏻

[@EverythingFPL]

I took the Purple Train from Paddington to work this morning for the first time, can't believe I missed you! I also rode it for fun last night from Paddington to Abbey Wood and back, it took exactly 60 minutes

[@co_7523]

Purple train! 💜

[@MrRandomdancer]

I've used it a few times now. My only none positive observation is at Paddington the 2 lifts were extremely busy and the station could have done with another to help clear people with cases etc up to mainline platforms on their way to Heathrow/out West.

[@justanotherviewer4821]

All badly designed when it comes to lift... absolutely the same story with Heathrow terminals... lift numbers are inadequate.

[@davidhagspiel1707]

If you are on the Circle/District lines, which way are the signs directing you to the Elizabeth line? - via the main GWR concourse or via the Bakerloo line and which way is faster? love your videos on the Elizabeth line!!!

[@Xipheas]

Depends which of the circle platforms you mean!

[@davidhagspiel1707]

@@Xipheas The ones shared with the District line. Pread St. - I think.

[@siyuanhuo7301]

@@davidhagspiel1707 GWR concourse I believe. Only the bakerloo line if I'm not mistaken has signs pointing towards the passageway

[@Nooticus]

This is what I was wondering. I thought Geoff would’ve done timings and the best routes from every tube/rail line to the Elizabeth line if he calls this a conclusive look!!

[@davidhagspiel1707]

@@Nooticus me too. that would have been great!

[@sakurapablo671]

May be a hilarious t-shirt, but still a neat shirt! Great for the timing of station!

[@michaelgarrood3030]

For those in the know...what happens if anything to Paddington at ground level once the full service is open down below? I remember from three decades ago that Paddington had some extra platforms tacked onto the side for local trains. Do they stay?

[@brianbell4937]

It was interesting (on Tuesday at least) that Elizabeth Line trains to Heathrow were correctly being announced and shown on the main line station indicators as such, but it had been forgotten to alter the ticket validity, so they were still reading "Heathrow Express tickets are not valid on TfL Rail" right above saying it was an Elizabeth Line train!

[@artistictad7417]

love it as always geoff ❤️

[@stewartbrodie1720]

It looks fabulously easy to get from Elizabeth Line platforms to the main Paddington concourse now - I think I'll probably now change my route from Cambridge to Paddington to avoid the underground completely and use the Elizabeth line via Farringdon (assuming it's as easy to change from Thameslink to Elizabeth Line at Farringdon ... waiting for that vid now!)

[@andrewmagnusthegreatesttra1230]

Fantastic upload mr Geoff Marshall

[@johncartwright8154]

I am irrationally excited about this by proxy, (especially after viewing this channel's content!) as I moved from London 45 years ago. To my daughter who resides in Bethnal Green says I: "Oo, oo, Jenny! You can walk down the short distance to Whitechapel and go quickly and directly to Marylebone or Padders without faff! Later, just changing at Reading, you will be able to get to Pershore quicker!" Jenny: "I always take an Uber though." Me: "You and yer fancy London ways!"

[@tariqsiddique4561]

Nice video geoff

[@gavinsadventuresinterests.]

These new Elizabeth Line stations are really nice. Looking forward to the Canary Wharf station vlog. I do like the Canary Wharf area of East London, England.

[@saimhossain2348]

Damn I've been going round the long way changing from bakerloo line to Elizabeth taking 4 minutes they need new signs had no idea about the tunnel from bakerloo to Elizabeth line

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Very nicely done ♐👍

[@ajs41]

We arrived at Paddington at 5:30am on Tuesday expecting there to be about a hundred people in front of us, but in fact it was only about 25 or 30. I think everyone in the queue managed to get on the first train.

[@tomtucjr]

Nope. I was in the queue at 6:15am and there were probably about 800 people in front of me. they staggered people going in so we ended up on the third train!

[@SK_3PT1]

defo hyped for this series

[@marksinthehouse1968]

Very soon and once it’s fully operational and even now the line is getting on with the job like it’s been there all the time and soon like the Victoria we will be saying how did we get on without it and the delay in its opening will be just a memory to be honest it is to me already ,very nice hope it’s kept nice and clean too

[@lesfuller5984]

Another great video, Geoff! In your Tottenham Court Road video, I hope you comment on a few shortcomings as regards changing from the Central Line to the Elizabeth Line. When I travelled on Tuesday between TCR and Whitechapel I noticed two things: 1) Signposting of the Elizabeth line from the Central line platforms is quite poor, with the displayed signs being rather small and hardly “in your face”, and 2) Having to go up, touch out from the Central line before touching in again to go back down to the Elizabeth line seems a huge waste of time!

[@justanotherviewer4821]

Probably double charging people

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

The excitement of the day is getting to Geoff already... at 1.01 he points to two lifts and says "there's two escalators there"...... Hmm.... ok Geoff, if you say so..... lol