The New Tottenham Court Road Elizabeth Line Station

[@RMTransit]

Wow! My shirt came out unscathed! A purple train miracle!

[@LiamOng2]

Hi RM transit

[@t.p.mckenna]

You remarked about how warm it was when you reached the Northern Line. You may, or may not know, that heat dissipation is a huge problem on the subterranean parts of the underground because the surrounding earth base is no longer absorbing heat, and even with the push and pull of trains through the tunnels, plus the ventilation shafts, things can only get worse. Eventually, they're going to have to look at big chiller cabinets at particular platform hotspots. The problem will be how to keep our PM out of them. You see, he's rather fond of hiding in fridges.

[@TheInselaffen]

The competitive factage in this one is peak.

[@knownothing5518]

A GEOFF AND REECE COLLAB!!!

[@marksinthehouse1968]

Hope we looked after you in London Reece

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Quote of the Day: “The English Language is a shared thing, Geoff.”

Also "I'm not THAT Canadian Geoff"

[@gwyneddboom2579]

“A very unusual experience that I did not expect”

[@japanesetrainandtravel6168]

@ lol l loved that!

[@japanesetrainandtravel6168]

These two compliment each other so well!

[@n.b.3521]

@@qemdrive 😮

[@caw25sha]

I've just watched Reece explaining how he survives living in Toronto without a car and here he is again!

[@ronclark9724]

@@marcio78 If you choose to live in a very expensive large metropolis... If you choose to live in a affordable rural area that is not the case... I live some 60 miles, 100 kilometers, from my nearest gasoline station/convenience store in the boondocks without even a paved road leading to my ranch...

[@bruceboa6384]

I live in Victoria BC without a car with excellent public transit. I also, bike to work. I save so much money. Also RMTransit!

[@SamAronow]

@@OofusTwillip Or they were built for rail transport and the rail transport was eliminated.

[@rjjcms1]

I stayed in Vancouver in the winter and the weather was quite temperate with snowy intervals. But I noticed places more inland could be much colder,and Winnipeg (which I've heard called Eskimo country) was expected to go lower than minus 20 on the weather forecasts!

[@manmin2986]

@@bruceboa6384 ............ m. ,

[@jtsholtod.79]

You guys have great chemistry. Maybe it's the Canadian-British thing, but your alternating sarcasm and seriousness offset each other in a really candid, funny way.

[@neilwilson5785]

British and Canadians are automatically friends.

[@marcusrashid]

Recce's funny quotes. "Its so big" "What dark corners of the Internet are you trying to please there" "Its beautiful" X100 "Im not that Canadian Geoff" "Smash the bell. Smash both of our bells"

[@8834]

🤨

[@andrewnorth170]

Amazing, ha ha

[@lordsleepyhead]

Turns out Reece is actually way funnier than in his serious transit videos.

[@offichannelnurnberg5894]

Transit nerds with foot fetish Totally not me 😂

[@user-mq3um5iu2q]

"this is a big curve - a serious curve. "

[@DownieLive]

I thoroughly enjoyed the @RMTransit collab! The internet needs more of this!

[@bakedpotato.]

Hello DownieLive - I watch you vids and enjoy them!!!

[@bkjimena11]

It is great to see two of my favourite transport nerds in the same video together! Geoff & Reece rock!

[@IndySidhu88]

Glad people are finally enjoying the use of this station, as a TW/Construction Engineer I worked on this station for 2 years, couple of months on site as well, between 2017-2020.

[@NiggaTigga94]

This is so precious. Geoff, I want you to know that it means so much to the viewers and fans watching this collaboration video. Reece is pretty much a younger (Canadian) version of yourself, with a love and passion for public transportation and other related topics. As a young person having been a long time supporter of your channel and most recently, of Reece's channel - we find your content engaging and informative. This has helped shaped my perspectives and viewpoints on how amazing and beneficial public transportation can be. What a great way of showcasing the current generation of Public Transit fans/advocates and introducing the world to the new generation of them.

[@marcusrashid]

The thing that drew me to the comment was your nickname lol

[@thecockerel86]

I'm used to Reece doing serious deep dives into transit systems on his channel RM Transit. Turns out he's actually a fun person in real life too. Beautiful collab, Geoff.

[@adampenwarden3225]

I love that the train indicator signs are in Johnston Sans. I don't quite know why I love that so much.

[@adamwhite648]

As someone who lives just outside of Toronto and is VERY familiar with our subway, I can totally understand why Reece loved the new line and that station. The trains and stations in London are so impressive, Geoff - they make our subway look poor by comparison! Loved the video - keep up the great work!

[@jermainetrainallen6416]

The collab we all wanted. Geoff and RM Transit🔥🔥🔥

[@christianschmidt6338]

Great collab, very entertaining! You say: Intercity-sized-trains-in-a-metro-environment. We say: S-Bahn But I must admit: A capacious S-Bahn! 😉

[@Lodai974]

We said just RER... but yours is so a British' RER🙃

[@engineeringvision9507]

Size trains yes, but seat layout is all wrong for intercity.

[@ulysseslee9541]

HKers: East Rail Line to Admiralty

[@martinhalling6684]

I think RER is the best comparison

[@genericmeme]

Genau

[@RobertWHurst]

This is why I love when public infrastructure opens. For the public it's a new thing to have pride in, especially when this impressive. The engineering is amazing on this line.

[@pwhitewick]

Well that was fun, big love for Reece, cracking guest.

[@lakelady57]

Absolutely loving this groups of reviews, wish I could just visit the UK and ride this line because of your coverage. Geoff they should pay you big time for this coverage. Great guest and works so well with you so the banter was entertaining and informative. I loved the 'monotonous' comment :D INTERCITY TRAINS IN A METRO ENVIRONMENT !! Your enthusiasm for this new line is infectious.

[@earleyriser1967]

Travelling on the quiet, smooth, fast, and cool Elizabeth line really brings home how rough, noisy and uncomfortable the existing Tube lines are!

[@emjayay]

I was just there, altho I did way more walking and busing than previously so I could really figure out and experience the place while getting healthy exercise. Anyway, the noise level on Tube trains really varies according to which generation of train you are on, from pretty noisy to fairly quiet. A pocket door rather than outside opening door train is the oldest (pre-1992) and loudest. The latest open to the next carriage ones are pretty smooth and quiet.

[@EElgar1857]

That was wonderful; you're quite a pair! (I love Reece's channel also.)

[@veselinboyadzhiev4724]

Finally, RM transit and Geoff!!!!

[@amtrakfan2]

I remember watching the documentary of the Elizabeth line then was known as Crossrail (The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway) that the builders had to dig the tunnel at Tottenham Court Road station in a very tight area above the tunnel for the Northern line & below the escalators.

[@afh7689]

And the station had passengers while workers watched for signs of trouble (leaking water, cracks, and stuff like that).

[@GoYouBlues]

@@DevonPixie1991 Eye of the Needle was a great episode.

[@greentravels2850]

I was thinking of that exact episode while they were talking about the escalator! 5 cm margin of error for the TBM trying to get it perfect.

[@MattF340]

@@afh7689 Loads of automated Laser measures all round the station and buildings above too.

[@mdhazeldine]

Greatest transit collab of all time. More! No seriously, I would love to see those two having a pub debate. lol

[@qwincyq6412]

What a great surprise seeing the two of you together. You complement each other very well. Should have known that Reece couldn’t resist seeing the line in person. Having him do it with Geof is like icing on the icing.

[@seansheppard8635]

Nice to see two youtubers I enjoy working together. I live in a city about 2 hours west of Toronto where we have a Light Rail system called ION. Reece has covered that on his channel. Cheers to you Geoff and Reece!

[@Humulator]

You know for that its not vague enough, i know thats waterloo.

[@Eddyspeeder]

What a joy to see you two together in one video! Memories to cherish!

[@lightplane]

Also absolutely enjoyed this. Reece and Geoff are a natural double act. And Reece you looked so relaxed as well. Come to Canada Geoff and do a collaboration there with Reece. Love to see.more you you two together.

[@malcolmmellon8692]

transitioning lights from cool to warm! this thing has hidden delights.

[@DangItshere]

Can't believe i just watched a video that featured Reece without him saying "RER" even once

[@robertewalt7789]

As Reece will confirm, no transit this big has been done in the US, since forever.

[@williamerazo3921]

NYC but they need more circumference lines

[@OofusTwillip]

That's because British people pay much higher taxes. American infrastructure is crumbling, because "taxes" is a dirty word there.

[@IndyCarFanatic]

Our original Crossrail that spans the U.S. was completed in 1869....we're just waiting for the completion of the other rail.

[@Clavichordist]

@@OofusTwillip It's that and the fact that it's not highway-related. If there was a plan to increase every highway in the country, let alone a metropolitan area, by 6-lanes each way, there would be instant funding for it no questions asked.

[@ronclark9724]

America is NOT the UK where London has nearly half of the UK's population within a fifty miles radius...New York City our largest metro has around 6 percent of America's population within a fifty miles radius. No where near half...

[@allantavener7378]

Wow excellent vlog Reece and thanks for taking Geoff along too, seriously good and entertaining time spent watching this

[@hongmike9374]

When Reece said there wasn't anything massive like the TFL stations in Canada, don't forget, we do have things like TYSSE and ...... the Eglinton LRT in Toronto!

[@timor64]

This is brilliant collaboration You have so much in common but Reece is his own man despite this being your video Also nice to see the New World vs Old World contrast in the way you both speak, move, act and dress. You both look great and neither trying to imitate the other....

[@timor64]

@@geofftech2 If it's anything like this collaboration that would be brilliant.

[@haruntekin6724]

Anyone who hasn't seen Rees' RM Transit channel - It's brilliant.

[@goldengolem4725]

As a Canadian who watches RM, this was quite a interesting collab to watch.

[@Aengus42]

At 09:02 those tunnels look like a Stanley Kubrick Sci-Fi set! That cold lighting, the curved walls & the cladding. It could be a lunar colony except the gravity is six times to strong.

[@johncartwright8154]

"Open the lift doors!" "I'm afraid I can't do that Geoff".............

[@Aengus42]

@@johncartwright8154 Hahaha! Did you see the Soylent Purple vending machines? Where did all those passengers go?

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

@@johncartwright8154 HAHAHA!!!!

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

@@Aengus42 "Soylent Purple are passengers!!!"

[@Aengus42]

@@michaelrmurphy2734 You'd be on the train when suddenly you're bathed in a beautiful purple light. No more tunnel outside but instead you've come out into rolling fields of green. Vivaldi's "Spring" is playing from unseen speakers when you notice a mist in the carriage. Feeling relaxed & cosy your eyes close gently...

[@Burty1976]

I love the KZbin railway geek multiverse ❤️

[@atomiccritter6492]

I'm trying to think of some Avengers End Game Marvel pun linked with travel trains or the tube...coming up with nothing

[@Phelie315]

I'm here for the guy sneakily taking a photo of you when you're both lying on the ground talking to the camera :D

[@MarloSoBalJr]

The chemistry is really good between Geoff and Reece. I definitely dig the collab

[@RWernsing]

Fun that the 2 of you are in one video!

[@timsully8958]

We were there yesterday! 😄 It was sooo fabulous to finally get on a purple train! We deliberately walked out of Liverpool Street to go to the all new entrance by Broad Street which in itself was impressive (and also led to my Clair being somewhat dumbstruck how much the Broad Street area has changed since she was last there about 20 years ago!) and were immediately struck with the scale of it all. I really don’t think the average passenger realises how complicated or convoluted the plans for this railway had to be to make it workable. Maybe then they’d realise it isn’t just a big waste of money, etc? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Anyhow, we ended up getting off at TCR to have a wander around before going to the National Gallery…but ended up having a wander around the station for about 20 minutes anyway! And my goodness, you are right to say how impressive it is, notwithstanding the fact that it was such a precision build as Reece pointed out (again try to explain the significance of all the effort, work and skill involved in that to a punter and they glaze over 🙄) and so brilliantly set out! What actually shocked us a bit was how much more development had taken place once we last used TCR which was after a gig at the 100 Club. The station building on the corner of Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road was still a stand alone structure and everything purple was still cordoned off. So to see the concourse opened up (even Clair was super impressed!) and to see that huge multi-storey building above the entrance was amazing! 🤓 Among the myriad things we noticed, I have to say I was impressed with the lighting and airy nature of all the passageways despite being so far below ground, which is no mean feat 😳 It certainly made the Central Line seem positively claustrophobic later in the day 🤔 By the way, Reece did steal the show with “I’m not THAT Canadian, Geoff!” Brilliant line 🤣😂😅 Cheers Geoff, great fun as ever. I look forward to doing my own ‘visit all the purple stations’ thing myself in time, though it will take a lot longer than yours of course! 😜 👍🍻🍀

[@lordsleepyhead]

Wow I just saw Reece in his house talking about how to live in North America without a car, and now he's in London again! Is Reece secretly The Flash?

[@Chelm9]

Best KZbin collaboration in history! Reece is a true legend! Good to see you guys hanging out.

[@mattc9998]

Discovered RM only last week and am hooked. Was delighted to see both of you in the video today. You guys need to do more collabs.

[@andrewyoung3299]

Funny that. The last video I watched of RMTransit was on the Elizabeth Line. Never thought I'd see both these two in this series!

[@edwardwilcox6606]

Very enjoyable upload Geoff & TCR looks incredible! As someone who was raised in Ontario ( Newmarket, not far from Toronto) it was pleasing to have Reese`s contribution.....I will be subscribing to his channel for sure.....thanks.

[@christopherkotsopoulos701]

LOVED this collab. Much love from Toronto ❤Can't wait to experience Crossrail for myself.

[@YVRTrolleyGuy]

A Canadian and a Brit walk into a station….. As for the Vancouver winter, we laugh at the rest of Canada most of the time. Then we get 1 cm of snow and the rest of Canada laughs at us.

[@AfroSamurai1089]

Such a treat watching RM Transit in the wild but I'm utterly fascinated by the tense undercurrent between these two. Makes for funny viewing.

[@ilyakogan]

I just love the dynamics between you guys, you should do this again!

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

Of course!

[@jonathanlampier7754]

Love seeing you guys together. My two fav transit channels :)

[@morzee94]

What a great crossover! You two have such great chemistry and I love both your channels. Thanks for the content :)

[@proposmontreal]

Reece and Geoff in the same video. That's special

[@gavinathling]

I enjoy RM Transit too. Good impromptu collab

[@t.p.mckenna]

Did my second trip tonight on the Elizabeth specifically to check out that connection the Northern Line. OMG! It felt like having one's own private lift, and voila, there you are immediately on the platform; and yes, the heat really does hit you.

[@discostu1uk]

How have I never heard of Reece before? I may trade you in Geoff as my train channel. He's a delight.

[@woodwart]

Fun seeing you two collaborating. Great idea!

[@kianyttheyoutuber]

Wow! I love watching Reece’s videos! So glad you did a collab together!

[@bradpalmer2914]

Smashing BOTH your bells? (Bad Kenneth Williams impression) Oooh Missus! Loving this mini series

[@phildaly3561]

Had my first trip on it yesterday, and it's deeply, deeply impressive. Took me longer to get from Euston mainline to Farringdon EL platform than subsequent journey Farringdon to Canary Wharf, which doesn't really compute. Feels like the geography of London is folding in on itself. Also, it somehow manages to be vast and futuristic but simultaneously feel like it's always been part of the network. Kind of like buying new shoes and them being fully comfortable straight out of the box.

[@MrGreatplum]

Really enjoying this mini series. Reece is a bit of legend isn’t he? I might have to subscribe just to gain knowledge of metro systems I’ll never use!

[@Ztbmrc1]

Cool you met Reecce! I have seen several videos on his channel. I must see I did not explore the Elizabeth line stations that thoroughly, but it is amazing what they have built!

[@Hawker5796]

Hullo Reese! Great to have a Canadian on a UK KZbin channel!

[@dennistay9980]

"This is a big curve, a serious curve." Oh Reece, wait till you get to Bank on the Central line 🙈

[@markweir2988]

Reece is a lot more vocal and knowledgeable than the 1st guess of the week. Keep up the great videos.

[@robertcoleman4861]

Great series thanks geoff.

[@eugenedafsb]

I can’t believe it. Geoff and Reece together on the Purple Train. 💜

[@Sim0nTrains]

Very entertaining and loving the banter between yourself and RM_Transit, I remember on Tuesday being at Tottenham Court Road at around half 7 in the evening and took a Central Line train to Liverpool Street from Tottenham Court Road, the Central Line platform was quiet but the tube was still busy and comparing the Elizabeth Line and the Central Line, it felt forever to travel on the Central Line, but sure it was also a long walk between the Elizabeth Line and the Central Line as well.

[@theodorbean2604]

Love you Mr RM Transit, great channel

[@tsguy-h3q]

I've been waiting for this collaboration for so long...

[@SimonLeicester]

Wow, what a stunning looking station

[@TransportForLuka]

I never realised who Reece was until Geoff said RM transit, I love that channel and both of theirs are great

[@corleth2868]

Good to see Reece in the video, his channel is also very interesting.

[@highbury1972]

This is a totally amazing Station with fantastic rolling stock. Sometime in the future I will take a trip on Crossrail. But for now I must settle for my scenic Seaford to Brighton line journey on a 45 year old Class 313 Train.

[@gaborarany8009]

Wow my two favorite train geeks on youtube doing a collab! Cheers!

[@emjeebutterz4405]

Wow, a Reece-Geoff collab happened! This was a great video, and as Reece stated, we can only wish we had something similar in North America. I would love to visit London and ride all the different rail lines someday.

[@samheath886]

Tottenham Court Road has always been my favourite tube station, narrowly beating Green Park and London Bridge. Now, it is leaps and bounds ahead of them! Tottenham Court Road is now the most beautiful station on the network!

[@ThomasJM]

I like it because it reminds me of seeing We Will Rock You at the Dominion theatre, especially because one of the sets was a tube platform.

[@suburbia2050]

wait until Crossrail 2 is up and running!

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

My bro Reese! We were just on about transit in my hometown of Halifax, NS this afternoon. Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal...Maybe Calgary and Edmonton. Places you can live in Canada without a car. You know Toronto is the #4 city in size in North America? New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto. Houston is #4 in America. Two transit geeks in da house!

[@xXPyrophorusXx]

The city of Toronto, is bigger that the city of Chicago too. Just that Chicagoland, smashes the GTA.

[@tessa4883]

I'm planning a trip to London (and dragging my wheeled bag on public transport from Heathrow) which is how I stumbled on this video. This particular video (showing the lift: thank you!) was very helpful. Also you guys are a funny double act. You're both charming and quick-witted. Well done.

[@kaylanbuyukcetin5274]

this is a Canadian Heritage Minute right here

[@andizzle195]

As a Vancouverite, I was pleasantly surprised by this collab and the Canadian/Vancouver bits of discussion. I’d love to see Geoff do some videos here on our Skytrain! I’d volunteer my time to lead Geoff around.

[@customtransport2777]

Canary Wharf is my favourite Crossrail station right now, purely because of the area itself and also the yellow lighting on the escalators

[@caw25sha]

Apparently it's canary yellow. Someone wanted them to use parrot green but TfL refused to budge(ie).

[@customtransport2777]

@@caw25sha I get it now 😂

[@SaturnCanuck]

That was great to see two of my fav transport channel guys together. Oh and Geoff, if you want cold winters come to Toronto. Reece will back me up .... -30 C!

[@xXPyrophorusXx]

That's rare-yes I live here.

[@charliegrpdixon5944]

I love the guy in the background at 6:05 wondering why you're both laying on the floor 😂😂

[@WILD4X4D]

"I'm not that Canadian, Geoff." I spit out my beer. 🤣🤣

[@chrissymessytransit]

Should ve said Quebecois. Then Geoof wouldve had to do some fun research.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

He's from Vancouer, and the westernmost concentration of French Canadians is in Manitoba, 2000km away. Although all Canadians are technically required to study French in school, those in Western Canada typically don't pay any attention because they know they're never ever going to use it. Hence why he was kind of hesitant to answer, he probably had several years of French classes, but didn't actually learn anything. I'm from Toronto and I do speak French fluently, and about half of my friends can speak French at at least a basic conversational level (though they never actually need to).

[@WILD4X4D]

@@OntarioTrafficMan fun fact, I'm quarter Quebecois, can speak French, and have lived in Quebec my whole life😂😂

[@WILD4X4D]

@@chrissymessytransit don't get me started on bill 96

[@xXPyrophorusXx]

In Toronto, French is the #12th spoken language

[@krewfan617]

I cant believe a youtuber like this. You are a amazing Train Vlogger.

[@raycasey6264]

Geoff Marshall plus Reece Martin - the world's top two transport nerds in the same video! It's all too much. RM Transit is a great channel btw

[@neuralwarp]

Now they just need to build a new tube line to take you between different parts of Tottenham Court Station. Ditto Bank. Maybe Heathrow Travel Pods could be extended?

[@michaeldrabe9509]

Loving this video. You guys should do more collaborations. I agree with Reece that the TCR station is a bit monotonous. The whole core section in general seems a bit clinical to me. The individual stations could definitely use a touch of colour on platform level, also to make it easier to distinguish them.

[@keithspillett5298]

Great to see you with Reece, who I ALSO follow 😀

[@MattBondVocal]

YAYYY you guys collabed. Sooo happy for this. Love both your channels.

[@JimmiAlli]

How cool that Reece knows what a lift is as opposed to an elevator.

[@CameronEvansVincerlab]

I really Like Tottenham Court road station it's easy to access and it's only 2 stops away on the Northan Line to Charing Cross for outta City trains. I'm certainly surprised that you didn't do a bin shot I know you love these and it's a missed opportunity. The curved part of the platform is also quite unique. Amazing vid as always Geoff.

[@Alfie-cu4np]

I am so glad my question about the Tottenham Court Road Eastbound Platform has finally been answered. I asked three members of staff on the first day and I didn’t get an answer, I didn’t find an engineer to answer my question I am glad it’s been answered. And the curved platform makes Tottenham Court Road unique on the Elizabeth Line.

[@johnforrest695]

So the Northern line connection at Tottenham Court Road seems convenient. Interesting comparison with that at Liverpool Street (Elizabeth Line) and the Northern Line platforms at Moorgate. Now the main tube map does not show the connection as that but it is there - escalators at eastern end of the Lizzie Line station. However there might be a reason because it is quite a walk (5 min?) and does not feel convenient. Similarly the connection between the H&C platforms and the Lizzie Line at Paddington. So far (one trip:)) am impressed with the purple train experience but it feels like they have skimped adding interchange tunnels.

[@t.p.mckenna]

It's a similar scenario, methinks, to the M25, which was planned as a an orbital motorway to take transiting traffic around that city ... except that it was built with some thirty entry and exit points and it quickly slowed to the consistency of a packed car park because the majority of users were on coming onto it to shorten local journeys. In fact, they should have left it at, say, twelve junctions, then it would have met its intended purpose. So, with the Elizabeth line, there'll have been a desire to minimise opportunities for single and two stop journeys. Indeed, my planned use of it will be in that guise. I live on the east side of Blackheath and currently can easily get into central london via Kidbrooke to Charing Cross, or by bus to North Greenwich and then the Jubilee Line. Now, however, I can bus it to Woolwich, then two-stop the EL to TCR, in slightly less time, and a considerably improved degree of comfort. Can't feel too guilty about that, mind, as I have always hated the JL and especially the 'are we there yet?!!' change to the Northern Line at Waterloo.

[@davidyoung5114]

Can we expect a future guest appearance by the Tim Traveller? Geoff traveled to France a few months ago to visit with him, so I hope Tim makes the return visit!

[@TheJmsbrown]

Reece is nice and impressive. I'll check his channel out.

[@PinderProductions]

Great collab between the two of you. The curve really makes TCR feel unique in the core

[@donstravelsandrants.]

Loving the Elizabeth Line videos Geoff. Can't wait to visit London and try it out.👍😊🇮🇪🇬🇧

[@rjflores438]

Even though the new Elizabeth line and platforms are state of the art, faster and the trains will be more efficient and have a higher capacity than the tube will, there is still something more magical about the traditional london underground red trains and the small cavernous platforms, it feels more part of the experience of London than the new Elizabeth line stations and trains, although I can definately see the benefit of crossrail, at least the central line wont be as packed anymore and I wont feel like a sardine in a can of John West like I did before when I lived in London.

[@emjayay]

Yes, the little round trains and little round platform areas and little round tubes you walk through create a special London world. Combined with sprung, padded and upholstered seats in different patterns, with armrests. It's unique.

[@AngusJones]

I’m so glad Geoff agrees with me that the British really overstate how much it rains here. It’s really not that bad