The Overnight Freight Train Delivering HS2 Tunnel Segments

I was invited by Network Rail to ride Class 66 GBRf locomotive from Thamesport on the Isle of Grain, to the HS2 site at West Ruisip to deliver tunnel segments. The train runs late into the night alongside passengers trains, and then takes some freight only curves and tracks in London, all with a view from the cab, as we discuss freight operations on the railways.
My thanks to Simon Kendler and Chris Denham from Network Rail, our driver Tony, along with Pacadar, Skanska Costain Strabag and GB Railfreight.
Drone footage supplied by HS2 Limited.

[@rachelwalker7091]

How privileged are you Geoff, but you’ve certainly earned it. Brilliant thanks.

[@RAFchurchlawford4469]

But Geoff and the rest did not show their support for the community that GBRf proudly supports. And those tunnel segments also lacked colour. GBRf might be a bit annoyed that not every decent person openly supports that community like THEY do. But every decent person DOES support that community. They just don't feel the need to SHOUT about it. Maybe they should. 🤷‍♂🌈

[@nitehawk86]

@@RAFchurchlawford4469 wat

[@HG_1879]

@@RAFchurchlawford4469Are you talking about the lgbt people? Because most people who aren’t shouting about how great it is are indifferent or against it, but that doesn’t make them bad people

[@charliebramley]

Why would they waste money on painting a tunnel.

[@charliebramley]

Keep trying if you care ig

[@philbooth9286]

Fun fact: there are weekly bike races on the Isle of Grain / Hoo peninsula. Local rule is if you get stopped at the level crossing on the way out you get to go back and start again.

[@peter_smyth]

Even the top level professional races in Belgium involve stopping at levels crossings sometimes.

[@PrograError]

It'd be funny if there's a cyclist who kept stopped by the train... and kept restarting...

[@erkinalp]

@@peter_smyth That would be illegal in Turkey.

[@GojiMet86]

Very excited to see the freight side of the UK railways seeing some recognition. I used to believe that these parts were delivered by trucks, like they do in the US, but it's cool to see that it's trains doing this job.

[@aDifferentJT]

Totally agree, nice to see railways carrying freight with minimal disruption to passenger services, planning freight around passengers, rather than the US planning passengers around freight.

[@radders261]

I've always been fond of rail freight. This is one of the reasons that I support HS2 as capacity for freight will increase on the WCML. It's alwayws nice to see plenty of frieght, even during the day time on the Chiltern Main Line. Even had plenty of freight near my house in Bicester when the Oxford viaduct was closed. A bit of a bugger at the level crossing though lol.

[@SamSitar]

America has freight trains too.

[@DasGanon]

​@@SamSitarif anything America pretty much only has freight trains. We have the largest train network on the planet, but pretty much other than Amtrak and local tourist services (Like Georgetown Loop or Cumbres & Toltec) it's all freight.

[@straightpipediesel]

The loading gauge is so large in US railways, they can simply drive the whole truck trailer onto the rail car and still have tons of room to spare (called intermodal freight). The UK loading gauge is notoriously small, even for Europe: many lines can't even handle a single standard ISO container. This means the last-mile in US rail is often done by truck, freeing line capacity for very long trains, for efficiency. (This is the same reason why Amtrak gets delayed) In contrast, if you're going to go rail freight in the UK, you're going want to use rail through the last mile otherwise you will have to re-load (transship) the freight, and that costs time and money.

[@PeterWardActor]

This is one of your best Geoff; totally unique perspective for the journey and Simon was a great co-host.

[@geofftech2]

Thank you Peter! Very kind.

[@dorsettyke]

What an experience!! 👍🙂 I didn't think that Chris could beat his "because...Physics" line, but "like fairy cakes only big and made of concrete" comes close! 😂

[@22pcirish]

Nights are great for us freight drivers, the railway becomes ours and we get to play on the fast lines!

[@john07973]

Very interesting - I didn't know aviation fuel got to Heathrow by train I thought it was via a pipeline

[@kevinjones4559]

You can get a good view of it from a bridge on the A4 Colnbrook bypass immediately west of the M25. Uses the old West Drayton to Staines West line which now ends at Colnbrook where there is lovely station house. Believe there is a pipeline from Fawley on Southampton Water.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Interesting to see a journey on a Geoffreight Train. Such fun!

[@HesterClapp]

It's strange thinking of travelling through London in terms of tracks as opposed to stations and interchanges

[@michaelpoole9595]

Geoff - I think that must be one of the most interesting videos I've seen on KZbin. I've watch many in-cab videos from all over Europe, but they normally don't have a commentary - this one was really special! I particularly liked your conversation with Tony, the driver. Thanks so much for sharing

[@whiskeyandchoke]

10:07 the effort to draw the lines north of Clapham Jn is brilliant. very useful to someone who isn't local, too. makes you wonder why each individual branch was built!

[@geofftech2]

i can confirm it took several goes to get right ...

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

London Brighton and South Coast, London and South Western, Great Western Uncle Tom Cobley and all had an interest in the amazing railscape around Pouparts, Latchmere, Battersea, Kensington, Shephards Lane &c. &c. Junctions/Lines. Carto Metro has the definitive (mind-blowing) map if you're interested. I reckon it's well worth a voir.

[@RemiCardona]

@@JP_TaVeryMuch CartoMetro and OpenRailwayMap are invaluable resources

[@truckerallikatuk]

I spent the majority of lockdown hauling nearly identical concrete segments, only these were for the Hinkley Point C building. There were rumours we'd get the contract for HS2. Not hugely disappointed the railway got it instead.

[@PrograError]

well... it's slightly more economical than trucks... plus more eco...

[@mesnilman2327]

I love the way at 8:15, Chris doesn't even need an intro or anything! We all just know who he is from all the other videos. Brilliant, Geoff. Many more like this, please!

[@AndrewJohnson-ur3lw]

The concrete segments for the Channel tunnel were also made at the Isle of Grain

[@PrograError]

I wonder the LU extensions did any was from there...

[@paulbrien4817]

I use to live near Strood Station and would see the Tunnel Segment trains pass through on a daily basis.

[@the-real-iandavid]

I could tell Geoff was excited travelling in that cab, because his accent really came through - cor, blimey, guv! 😂

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

Fascinating. And that's a reason HS2 is needed - relieve the old WCML of much of its regular fast passenger traffic and allow more freight as well as more regional trains

[@suburbia2050]

A simple logic bizarrely lost on the entire media spectrum

[@NJRD977]

one of the biggest but least spoken about benefits of HS2 is the additional capacity for freight that will be freed up on the West Coast mainline. For those who have enjoyed watching frieght cab views, I would recommend seeking out Don Coffrey - he does not get as excited as Geoff but does show some great frieght routes (plus TPE who he drives for)

[@e020443]

I enjoy all your videos, but this one was outstanding. More like it, i possible.

[@geofftech2]

There’s more to come! Thank you!!

[@SteveMorton]

Good to see Chris Denham as always!

[@pwhitewick]

Master Class in editing. Thanks, this is epic.

[@EWSTrains]

Good video Geoff, Nice special loco as well 66773 the Pride loco

[@mralistair737]

my favourite fact about tunnelling rings is that if you put all the sections of a ring together, the sides are not quite parallel, eg the join isn't quite 90 degrees to the tunnel. They do this so that they can steer the tunnel.. so if you are going straight you just alternate the angle (a lefty then a righty) .. but want to go up/down/left/right you put 2 a row of them oriented the same way round. Such a neat idea.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Oh the joy on Geoffs face. A fabulous trip indeed. How often do we hear the sound of late night freight trains rumbling in the distance on our stretch of the GWR. 👍😀

[@stepheneyles2198]

I live near enough to the GWR main line to hear them going over the points at night, but unfortunately not close enough to see them!

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

@@stepheneyles2198 I echo your sentiments 👍😀

[@MrAsBBB]

Do you know what? There are few people who make you excited and you did just that with this… It’s nice to feel a kid again. Fantabulosa. Love you speeding through. Such fun. All the best Alex

[@ace_mountain]

Hi Geoff Your joy is contagious All best from Denmark

[@GPWitteveen]

The power of lens and mic to take us along for the rare ride; thanks for seeing this recording opportunity and carrying to fruition today and for future decades, too.

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

I was expecting Chris Denham, but then Simon Zev Kendler shows up, whom I only knew from Gareth Dennis' #RailNatter. And suddenly Chris actually made his appearance too. :D

[@macstyle2012]

Great, something good to watch with my dinner. Good timing.

[@springbok2354]

What’s for dinner?

[@MatthewK421]

Same here 😅

[@macstyle2012]

@@springbok2354 A Lidl pasty, cake and packet of salami

[@oc2phish07]

Geoff Marshall and 'Magic Tricks'. One minute the key is removed, the next second it is still in the slot. Amazing!

[@geofftech2]

sssh! don't spoil the magic of the edit! 😂😂😂

[@caw25sha]

Sack the continuity assistant.

[@craighatto]

Feel so proud to work for NR with these videos. Great to see Simon on!

[@HarpDog558]

Likewise! In just over a week, I'll be five years in!

[@jamesfoz]

Absolutely fascinating. The tokens at Grain Crossing are brilliant!

[@TheMrStromax]

If you come to Norway, you are more than welcome to join me on a freight train trip over here! Cool to see some freight trains on the channel.

[@caw25sha]

Great offer Geoff, worth considering. You could find the least used station in Norway while you're there.

[@TheMrStromax]

@@caw25sha There’s loads👍

[@EngineerLewis]

There are many freight trains running through Carlisle for example - carrying tree trunks for a paper factory, waste nuclear boxes, Tesco ISO containers loaded up with goodies, quarry materials and even Postal trains - so lots of stuff going by rail as freight! Great video Geoff and what a priviledsge to ride in the cab! Jealous - yes!😁

[@TellyMan200]

amazing to see the freight side of uk railways. the unsung heros of the night, uk night rail workers.

[@DavE-bh8lz]

Great video Geoff. I can imagine this one getting record viewing figures. Thanks so much for posting.

[@geofftech2]

hope so Dave, very kind! it's a cracking little mini-documentary isn't it? that i loved making. thanks again.

[@southcalder]

Good video Geoff. We often forget how vital freight is to our country, and during the pandemic, my colleagues in Network Rail and across the freight operators kept working to keep the country moving.

[@Floortile]

This is one of your most fascinating videos of all time! (and I realise that is saying something) 👍🏻

[@johnnyrvf]

Northolt, Ruislip, Harrow, Pinner were all my stomping grounds before I emigrated. I also used to run wagons all around Kent and the home counties. Lots of good memories revived by this video.

[@russiandrivers9986]

Excellent video. I'm currently a trainee train driver, so I'm loving your videos about the freight side of UK railways. Also I used to live in Edinburgh so I enjoyed your video of the tram extension last week.

[@kr46428]

I don't even live in the UK, and yet here I am excited for every new Geoff video. Getting a cab view, what a treat.

[@scotgranger7205]

Just fantastic! Thanks for going the extra mile for us!

[@317Dan]

Freightliner will soon also be starting a very similar train with the same tunnel segments but made at the Strabag factory in Hartlepool and will run to Willesden 6 times a week, that train will be known as 4X51 (the timings are already in the system).

[@southeasttrainhub]

Geoff, I have to say, this is one of your best videos to date, having been a subscriber to your channel for a good number of years now. Like myself, your passion for the railways is absolutely superb and it's clear that you thoroughly enjoy what you do. Keep up the superb work, it's ace! Jake.

[@geofftech2]

Thanks Jake, kind of you to say. It was indeed a fantastic day. 😊

[@southeasttrainhub]

You're very welcome Geoff!

[@JohnRomeoAlpha]

This video, wow, really think I'm a night freight train nerd now. More like this!

[@user-wf2ns9mi6d]

R3c7j7c3r9j😮

[@andrewhotston983]

Excellent video. Geoff setting the bar of train-related excitement very high indeed.

[@WCMLtrainspotter]

0:55 The Cumbrian Coast Line is a good place for this as Barrow-in-Furness uses semaphore signals and a token exchange happens at Whitehaven and Sellafield. At Sellafield the train departs the station heading north, and then immediately has to stop to obtain the token from the signaller!

[@stuartnicholson1478]

The token exchange also happens at St Bees

[@martinjh999]

Isn't the Cumbrian Coast Line a single track for most of it apart from the stations?

[@stuartnicholson1478]

No- the only single sections are from south of Harrington station to the former Parton Junction, Whitehaven (Bransty) signalbox to Sellafield (passing loop at St Bees) and Park South Junction to Barrow-in-Furness. The other oddity is that Whitehaven Station is just called Whitehaven (formerly Whitehaven (Bransty) but the box is called Bransty (not Whitehaven or Whitehaven (Bransty), and the signal numbers are BYxx. The rest of the line is double track. At Whitehaven the through platform is now the up and down main (the line has been down since Carlisle and now becomes up, and vice versa northbound) following the closure of platform 3 many years ago, and the sealing up of the passenger subway from 2 to 3. When built the now terminating Platform 1 was a through road onto the Dock Railway system, and on to the former Preston Street passenger station (later goods only after Corkickle station and tunnel were built@@martinjh999

[@WhiteTiger333]

I sure never thought about how all that aviation fuel gets to the airports. Of course, bringing fuel in a lorry won't go very far to fill a plane - lol. It's still pretty astonishing to see all those tanker cars, and then hear they make multiple trips to Heathrow daily!

[@markmurphy3578]

So many places I know and have used. I have family on the Hoo Peninsula and I would really like to see this freight line opened up for passenger services. Especially since they are building so many new homes in the area. I used to use lewisham for ages and I still go through it now. Nunhead was my nearest station when I was young and I used it for 5 years to and from school. Very exposed in winter, but this was in the days when there was a heated waiting room. Excellent video

[@NorthKentTransport1]

brilliant,and the wind which comes off that service as it passes is completely different to other freight

[@Nooticus]

Undoubtedly one of your best videos in YEARS! Love Simon and Chris, love freight trains, love rare track in London, love HS2, this video was a dream! Thank you!

[@markiliff]

Never knew I'd find freight so fascinating. Thank you

[@hyttennis]

Once again, your enthusiasm Geoff is utterly infectious!

[@Pesmog]

Geoff, a video suggestion. Try to get yourself on a container train out of Felixstowe port to one of the midland freight hubs. They move more containers by rail from Felixstowe than anywhere else in the UK and I believe some days nearly 50 freight trains depart.

[@melll1972]

I'd love you to take more cab-rides. More of these, please! :)

[@biglunn]

Absolutely brilliant episode - so surreal & fascinating to see this ‘hidden’ stuff on these familiar lines

[@mudmucks]

Amazing content! Fascinating to watch and great guys working there!

[@Spursrail96]

A fascinating insight ! one of the best videos I’ve seen from you Geoff. Thank you

[@Bartlebooth23]

It IS more magnificent, because you're getting places no-one else can get. Mrs. Deakins garden is open to all; but this, pretty much only to you. Thank you, my friend.

[@michaelmiller641]

What a fascinating video! Thanks Geoff! It's nice to know that the hundred of hoo branch is being well used! It's in my neck of the woods! Fascinating to see grain crossing halt as it used to be called! And with mechanical signalling!

[@InvadedOath]

Lovely to see freight trains. I live near York station and they’re always going through the lesser used Holgate Loop that only the Lumo passenger trains use otherwise

[@iamlinxx_]

The amount of times I get stuck behind a freight train running to Barking Freightliner or Tilbury Freightliner or Thames Gateway. There are loads trust me lol

[@ianbartlett7315]

Superb video Geoff…thanks for showing off our freight ops.

[@Ulleskelf]

You jammy get, I'm so jealous. Thank you for taking us with you!

[@thesteelrodent1796]

Enjoyable night trip :) Would be lovely if we could see more of those old switchboxes. Very few of them remain around the world, and even fewer are still in use

[@peterbradburn9115]

Absolutely fantastic video! How cool to get to go through all those odd bits of freight only track. And loved Grain Crossing

[@beckyanderson2504]

Great video, it's great to see you doing videos about freight trains because I'm always wondering where they're going and what they're delivering.

[@DomTheTrainNerd]

Brillant video as always Geoff! I live in Medway, I only live about 10 miles from Grain. I visit grain crossing regularly, it’s a great spot of fantastic history, Kent’s only last manual level crossing!

[@phildaly3561]

Love seeing freight moves and wondering where they're going and how it all links up, so this was fantastic to watch. The Avtur train also highlights just how much stuff we take for granted at point of service is actually moved around out of sight on the rails.

[@bradw8102]

This train once broke down earlier this year at Crayford station and took the whole night to be fixed and moved to Hither Green, so long that all up trains through Crayford were diverted for the remainder of service on the day of the incident, and even the first few up services the following morning as well. I know it was this one as Crayford is round the corner from my parents and went to observe this when it happened.

[@geoffaustin9385]

Being 59 years Medway Towns born and bred it was brilliant to see my part of the world still showing its industrial magnificence as it has done for centuries Thank You Geoff for a fantastic video

[@chriskrebill1842]

Omg! What a video! A great nod to the GBRf Pride locomotive! Absolutely stunning! Crazy to hear how similar that Locomotive sounds to the American ones I'm used to! Love it! Thank you for sharing!

[@RoddyJenkins]

Fascinating video, Geoff 👍 Would be interested in a similar video following the transfer of aviation fuel to/from Heathrow Airport; wonder if Gatwick and Stanstead Airports have similar procedures

[@Eurobazz]

I think this was the most enjoyable train ride you've ever been on Geoff. Thanks for taking us along with you.

[@markjosephbudgieridgard]

Wow cab ride in a class 66... absolutely awesome some guys have all the luck!..... Nice to see the driver of a freight locomotive in collar and tie 👍

[@tomwilliamson1517]

Definately fascinating to see! I work for a company that is building some of the HS2 infrastructure and the Transpennine Route Upgrade so I do get to see some cool stuff every now nad then but it's amazing to see just how much work goes into this!

[@TheNgandrew]

You acted like a kid at Christmas on that video. If I had the same experience, I would have been just the same. Marvellous stuff!

[@ce1834]

The case for the amount of tunnelling on HS2 (32 miles of twin bores on phase 1!!) is possibly questionable... but the engineering effort involved looks really impressive (and keeping lorries off the road 👏)

[@Sim0nTrains]

Fascinating video, really enjoyed watching this video and love some of the cab ride footage as well during the video.

[@schlollepop]

Can we non-Brits on this channel please all take a moment to appreciate the fact that the train driver is actually wearing a tie?

[@zedcharlie]

I.m retired driver and when i did simulator assessment i used to wave at trains coming the other way. I believe most drivers do it! Reflex action. 😂

[@caw25sha]

So the obvious question, is the simulator smart enough to give you a virtual wave back?

[@zedcharlie]

@@caw25sha two fingers

[@petec2583]

I do this when I'm watching route learning videos 😂 It's definitely a reflex.

[@philipcameron3784]

Fantastic, HS2 is going to be absolutely brilliant. Big praise for everyone involved , your all doing a fantastic job and making excellent progress throughout the route. Let's hope the Euston tunnels happen soon too .

[@tangerinedream7211]

HS2 is going to be very short and very expensive, I didn't agree with it, but having started it ,then it's madness not to complete it. Between Birmingham and Crewe there's been massive disruption, acres of countryside ripped up, houses compulsory purchased and all seemingly for nothing, useless governments, red blue or green.

[@mememachine5244]

HS2 is never going to happen, its been riddled with incompetance, corruption and aggorance. And im saying this as a engineer at one of the secondary contractors.

[@alexdreamer9950]

Such a great insight into our Freight Network. Great video Geoff and loads of new bits of tracks we never knew existed.

[@davidrice9880]

All videos are good but this is the best for a long time, thank you.

[@stepheneyles2198]

Geoff has the blue hat on again. What did that mean? Oh yes, I remember: It's for those who put their gloves on backwards. Proved, once again, by Geoff at the end of this video!! 😂 Joking aside, I'm hyper envious of you riding a Class 66! Thanks for sharing the experience, and thanks to everyone who made it possible!

[@Emily_20095]

Amazing video geoff! Great to see some freight content too!

[@daveherbert6215]

Loved this Geoff. Watching London by night was brilliant and very informative. I'll go and visit Peckham to see it's refurbishment now that you have reminded me

[@Abdul.M.]

This amazing life of Frieght train. I see Frieght trains pass night's while everyone sleeping ❤😊

[@Macho_Fantastico]

I love that there still using an old style signal box and system. That was a really cool journey.

[@MrGreatplum]

That was absolutely brilliant, Geoff! That must have been an experience to tick off!

[@DavidBeddard]

Fans in all the right places, and deservedly so. Great stuff as always, Geoff! Thanks tor taking us along with you 😀

[@framedman]

Didn't think I would like this one as much but it was fascinating. Cheers, Geoff. Please do some more because the freight ops are really interesting.

[@LordieBot]

This is a very unique video I enjoyed it keep up the good work

[@Gokatgo]

Hi Geoff, thanks for all your videos! I love your use of animations for the various junctions however without knowledge of the area they were kind of useless useless to me. Would love to see in videos such as these an overall route map displayed if at all possible. Keep up the the food work!

[@joermnyc]

Was waiting for a train home from Middletown, NJ when a lone NJ Transit electric locomotive came through not pulling anything, and the speed he passed through was actually quite violent to us standing on the platform at a late hour. (He did toot the horn as a warning, but we didn’t realize he was running at Mach 2!)

[@caw25sha]

I'd expect to hear an automated recording telling people to stand back from the platform edge as there's a fast train approaching.

[@davidgoodchild7152]

What a great night Geoff, I am very jealous of you. This kind of stuff is fascinating. 🙂

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Fascinating and thanks for the hard work and disturbed sleep to bring this to your appreciative audience. Mike

[@maddycorper4893]

Wow! This video brought back many happy memories! Was nice to see Tony again too! 😊

[@Penthor20]

Great video. Would be good to see more of this kind of video, with the input of those working on the rails. It's a side we do not see, but really interesting. Thanks Geoff!

[@Gez-C]

What a great and interesting video! Its amazing to think how many other trains use the network rather then just the passenger ones! Would love to see more of these!

[@TanzmitTransmit]

Brilliant. Thanks to Simon, Tony and Chris too. I feel the only way you can top that is to stick a TBM on the front with the laser from the Deathstar (dialled down) and carve out your own tunnels. Crossrail 2? Done. A station in the middle of Battersea Station correctly labelled “Battersea Power station station station”? Done.