The Tube Train In the Channel Islands

[@magnoxian]

What an unexpected little treat. I lost my father last year. He was a guard on the Central Line when he first came over from the Caribbean in the 1950s. We lived in Tooting on the Northern line so I fondly remember him explaining all the indicator abbreviations. As I child, I loved watching the active brake pressure gauges. Miss you, Skipper 😪

[@chriswall4795]

Hi Geoff, in 1972 my parents got jobs in the Island school. We lived a rented bungalow alongside the track looking out across Braye Bay and in those days, the rubbish dump! I turned 5 just before we moved and started school on Alderney; we used to walk to school along the line. In those days the train, pulled by Molly, was in use ... probably moving stone for maintenance of the navy breakwater as they ran out on to it regularly. Sadly, house prices leapt in 1973, so we moved back to the Mainland. Last time we were there as a family was Summer 1979 for a holiday. Chris Wall

[@Walkermatt3]

All the Stations: Alderney!

[@MianCowell]

Exactly!

[@bensonby]

One of your best ever videos Geoff. You’ve inspired me to pay a visit myself one day!

[@geofftech2]

thank you Ben, extremely kind. spend all week putting that togehter! not a ten minute job .. ;-)

[@gaius100bc]

@@geofftech2 quality work, sir

[@mdhazeldine]

Geoff "go the extra mile" Marshall. Not only did you go all the way to the channel Islands to ride on the Underground, but you also took more dives onto gravel than any other video I think you've ever made, and tried some pretty unusual shots (camera on the track anyone?). It's almost like you've done a course in videography and are trying to up your game with new unusual angles. Well done for pushing the (guard's) bar ever higher! lol.

[@Professor_sckinnctn]

This video is why I love your channel, Geoff: your infectious joy is brilliant.

[@edwardlees4585]

Alderney is a wonderful snapshot of what Jersey and Guernesy used to be like before they became the modern financial centres we see today. I haven't been over there for around 10 yrears but hope to get back as soon as the ferries from France start running again. Geoff, if you ever get to Jersey rent an electric bike and cycle the two former railway routes which head east and west from St Helier. The one to the west, in particular is well woth if for the views at the far end.

[@TWLIV]

I'd like an all the miniature stations please - never too old for miniature trains!

[@CBeaumontHIGTFY]

The lights on the tube train cab end are actually flashing as I remember when I visited. One thing that Geoff didn't mention is that the loco and tube carriages at each end are fitted with Dash Cams - sadly road traffic on the island has increased and as you can see from the map of the crossings there are a large number of them, most of which are road ones. None of the crossings have lights or barriers. Whitegates crossing, near to Eclipse Halt (which serves the Football Club and Saye Campsite a short walk to the north) - is a particularly dangerous crossing - the train is effectively entering a road blind in the westbound direction. It's useful for the drivers of the loco to be able to see over the top of the train as well, as it's push and pull operation. The bells are the crew communicating and the team at the westbound end have to authorise the loco to pass each crossing via bell communication. A wired telephone also exists between each driving end (one of which is the loco) - for speech communication. When travelling Eastbound, the second man in the loco is on lookout for road traffic. Fun fact, as Geoff mentions, the compressed air braking system is still there and they are the original brakes on the carriages. They are linked up to the loco's brakes via the air pipe, but if the crew at the westbound end apply the brakes of the carriages they will stop the carriages and the over 70 year old loco - even if the loco doesn't shut off power - they are that powerful.

[@Andrew.Prince]

Years ago when on holiday, I hired a car, drove around the whole island in a slightly shorter time than you could walk. Airport was a grass field and as a pasenger you virtually sat next to the pilot. Great fun.

[@keithkellogg6085]

Geoff! Your enthusiasm and genuine affection for Alderney was lovely to see, and infectious. A great video. Big cheers to the volunteers!

[@chrisprice4203]

Great video, and it was my pleasure to meet Geoff in person in my local pub this evening. He is just as friendly in real life and I look forward to more videos.

[@russrh]

You're never too big for miniature trains Geoff!

[@jonojersey29]

Woohoo jersey boy here…. I suggested this to you a couple years ago - happy to see you did it. Jersey also had a Railway but only the old station buildings exist now as it was lifted by the Germans during the occupation but what’s left is still worth a look at including the scenic railway walk

[@charlo90952]

it wasn't lifted by the Germans. they relaid all the track to 60 cm gauge to build the extensive coastal fortifications. there was a track to Ronez quarry and down to St. Ouen's bay, and a tunnel under Mt. Bingham. the tracks were lifted after the Occupation.

[@Drawyah]

I'm going to Alderney this Saturday for the sole reason of riding this train! 😂

[@geofftech2]

GET IN!!! excellent. tell them you saw my video!! ;)

[@KonradOlbrycht]

Really rare to see videos on the island. I only know of 2 videos talking about Alderney, so this made me smile 😃

[@raisingkidsinyorkshire]

its not rare, there was a couple hired by the tourist board. They spend 2 lockdowns there filming and making videos about everything in Alderney. I spotted them on Instagram but they have KZbin channel too. They are Scottish and since then have left the island...

[@caw25sha]

Next video: Eclipse Halt, Least Used Station on Alderney

[@djackmanson]

PID: No Rubbish bins: No Services: Very very rarely

[@grantwise5735]

G'day Geoff Grant from Hobart here. Great video mate, I have visited London 4 times and love the tube almost as much as the London buses. Keep up the good work. Grant

[@bobbynoggin]

Must have impressed the Alderney Railway Society as there is now a direct link to this upload on their website. Travelled on this line in 1995 when presumably it would have been on the older stock. The current tube carriages seem to be in much better condition than the one I remember being on.

[@andyhill242]

I like the way the locomotive is tall enough to see over the carriages when running backwards.

[@RhysEdwards14]

What an absolutely fantastic video Geoff, did not know this existed until seeing this vid! Absolutely brilliant!

[@casanovalenny]

Anyone else feel Geoff's pain mentioning the train he's too big for 😭

[@LeoStarrenburg]

Looked like 7¼" gauge, quite capable to haul persons much 'larger' than Geoff.

[@funkyjunkyjai]

I don't care how big I am... I'm riding that train ! 😆

[@armchairspaceman9134]

no. quite the opposite :- I _wish I could_ say that. :D

[@wesleycardinal8869]

Fantastic content Geoff, some great camera angles and your enthusiasm is palpable. We need more of these kind of happy videos in these days.

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

Great video! Lovely that they are using 2 carriages from the "Heritage" liveried 59 stock train, celebrating 100 years of the Northern Line, hence the gorgeous period livery and moquette, as the standard unpainted 59 stocks looked really drab and scruffy in comparison. Always a highlight when that train was the one you took home from work, rather than a standard 59 or 72.

[@bobbynoggin]

Exceptional video of the Alderney Tube Train and it's history. Very informative. Didn't know that during the German occupation the Germans relaid the tracks. There is another video on KZbin specifically covering the miniature railway.

[@MrGreatplum]

My sister’s best friend is from Alderney and I think I’m the only member of the family not to go to Alderney and go on the railway. It’s a stunning island as are all the Channel Islands - thanks Geoff!

[@dianekivi5349]

Nice to see you've finally travelled on my local railway line, Geoff!

[@wigwayj]

Been waiting for this video for years. Chuffed for Alderney Railway to get the privilege of a Geoff vid. Now everyone visit!

[@mistakay9019]

the cut to you narrating really made it feel like you meant it. great stuff.

[@grahamhp]

Been to Alderney several times but never knew it was there, next time I'm taking a ride cheers Geoff.

[@randomroveruk6715]

Oh dear, another place to visit! Thanks Geoff, very entertaining and informative as usual!

[@nlemecfc]

Brilliant, my family heritage is Alderney and Guernsey with my father evacuated during the war. We've been to Alderney three times in recent years but have yet to be there when the train is running.

[@chrisrichmond403]

Oh Memories Geoff .. In the Mid 80’s we as a family used to do day trips from Torquay to Alderney ( There was a ferry company called Torbay Seaways) While on Alderney as a family we always had a trip on the train what was always unique with the stock being ex london underground.

[@stephenjenkins10]

Loved this video. I never knew that this railway existed in Alderney, so it was an education for me as well. Thanks for making these videos Geoff, they are so interesting.

[@raisingkidsinyorkshire]

yep, me too. Never realised they had one!

[@matthiashartge5520]

Thank you for your lovely videos and the short distraction from every day life they pose. All the best from Germany :)

[@jayeatman1]

This is now my hands-down favorite GM video. Mind you, I've been going to Alderney since 1965 (when I was 4). We holidayed there every year as kids. I then work there summers , including 1980 when the railway opened. My parents retired there, their house 100m from the line in Newtown. We scattered my Dad's ashes at Corblets, the closest beach to Mannez. We walked the railway incessantly because it was the shortest route to the golf course and the beaches at the Mannez end of the Island. My brother was hit by a car at the crossing 150m from where you were lying (only a broken leg, he's fine). So many memories!

[@MelW999]

I love the video! Your enthusiasm for Alderneys railway is catching, even I want to take another trip! It was lovely to meet you and hope you can come and stay with us again sometime soon.

[@CasuallyAd4m]

Was not expecting to see the Alderney Railway on a video!! Used to love this when we went on holiday over and grandparents back onto the line! Shame it's so expensive to get over to Alderney and stay there, else I'm sure there would be a lot more people willing to go and experience the island, history and the railway!!

[@raisingkidsinyorkshire]

yes, its really expensive and they need more flights and ferries to the island. It's not very accessible at all.

[@iammcwaffles5514]

The Channel Islands are scandalously expensive to get to.

[@johnclauder615]

I love your style ...so lively and refreshing, thank you. PS . Beautiful image quality as well !

[@tonij9801]

Isle of Wight railway also uses tube trains (1988) for a regular all year service connecting through Ryde Pier and a ferry with the London mainline at Portsmouth Harbour

[@PaulfromChicago]

This was an absolutely fantastic video. Thank you for posting it. You really made my day.

[@michaeldwyer3352]

Never thought to see you off piste in the Channel Islands. Many thanks for this surprise video.

[@baystated]

Great sliding into the dirt. Geoff does his own stunts!

[@geofftech2]

like Tom Cruise!

[@zenthemanchild]

@@geofftech2 now you have to fight on top of a train, like mission impossible 1

[@baystated]

@@geofftech2 I had to pause it there. The resemblance is uncanny!

[@eekee6034]

The car in the background at 9:56 tho! 🤣 Stay free-spirited, Geoff, it's great! 👍😄

[@0KiteEatingTree0]

I remember as a child the thrill of one of the old carriages coming along on the northern line I was born in the late 70,s so just watched them decline. This really is a bit of a treat Thank you

[@knottyal2428]

We had an Easter holiday on Alderney in 1980! We rode on that train on its first day, April 5th! Great little island, and a lovely holiday. Flew from Bournemouth airport, and the landing was like coming in to the deck of an aircraft carrier, at the clifftop!

[@tallslimguy]

I thought that having London Underground trains on the Isle of Wight was unusual but this certainly wins the star price for oddity value.

[@simonb9218]

So you'll go to Alderney, but not the Isle of Wight! Great video, your enjoyment and enthusiasm fell out of the screen!

[@SportyMabamba]

All The Stations visited the IoW

[@simonb9218]

@@SportyMabamba it was a joke at the time that they never went there! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKG2nWh3ZZmeg9k

[@brianfretwell3886]

It is surprising that the 1938 stock rusted on Alderney in 18 months, but survived going out on the IOW Ryde pier for many years!

[@raisingkidsinyorkshire]

I am sure he will go to Isle of Wight next. I will (again) if he wont!

[@matttbones]

Great video Geoff, nice to bump into you over the weekend, you mentioned that this week’s video was going to be a good one and it didn’t disappoint! Keep up the good work! cheers, Matt

[@robertthomson1587]

Wonderful! Your enthusiasm has warmed me up on a cold and windy spring morning.

[@Howardthompson]

I love Alderney, would love to live there one day. I love how Railway Royalty (Geoff) has discovered the Alderney Railway 🙂

[@dalecu16]

It took him long enough, it's been there for years!

[@chrisblythe1601]

I made that dream come true and moved here last year. Just love it. The plane to here is like Dr Who’s Tardis. You fly for 20 minutes and travel back 60 years and vv.

[@johnmccnj]

3:47 I haven't seen the Alderney Gambit in years, yet here we are in Mornington Crescent. You win this round, Geoff.

[@zoeward2649]

Brilliant video Geoff! It was great to meet you on the train (& later the plane!)

[@katesonanadventure]

I was due to do this during my summer holiday to Guernsey this year. However a seismic shift in personal circumstances during the trip put paid to that. However, I still love the Channel Islands and this video was just the thing to convince me to try again next year. Thanks 😊

[@andrewphipps8103]

That ending was really touching and sweet, Geoff ☺️

[@brendanmcgahan9807]

Probably your best video yet Geoff. I really want to go now 👍🏼

[@template16]

Love the infectious enthusiasm in that video. Thanks Geoff

[@derekantill3721]

I rode on the 1959 Tube stock on the Northern Line every day, to and from work when it was new.

[@WhiteTiger333]

That was so much fun! I felt as if I had a mini-excursion myself.

[@davideddy5877]

One of your best Geoff. Very enjoyable.

[@chaydavis7389]

Very well presented with invaluble nuggets about the Northern 1959 stock carriages. I also love your infectious passion.

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

Lovely to see the obsolete underground cars in active use and in such wonderful condition. What a lovely way to extend their careers.

[@Eddyspeeder]

Geoff, as a loyal viewer, can I just say this is one of my all-time favourite videos of yours from a production viewpoint? I love the way it was cut, the sequence of the scenes (which includes you recording your voice-over), and just the overall vibe of the video. What might have helped with the latter is that you were visibly giddy every time you were around the train. Sliding!

[@geofftech2]

Eddy, thank you .. kindly! spent a LOT of time working on it trying to get it just perfect! am thrilled you noticed, thank you, humbly.

[@delboy7039]

That brings back memories of the old girls on the Northern Line [BO for Watling] is our station....!

[@m1klgordon]

So many memories of this old stock and travelling on Tube Trains. Thanks Geoff.

[@angienorthey]

Oh, this is just wonderful. My kids would've loved this when they were younger, but they're too old now and into video games. Of course, us grown-ups are NEVER too old!

[@RichardWells1]

What an inspiration! With bags of enthusiasm from @Geoff Marshall. What a great little video!

[@EDMLyfe]

That man at 8:50 has a Toronto blue jays hat on it’s the mid 2000s design as well. Let’s go!

[@anniesoernym]

What a cool thing to have there and do! You seemed absolutely giddy with delight, Geoff! Which I can completely understand

[@airzulu2733]

Very nice to watch . And well presented , after seeing this looks like a worthwhile trip .

[@jimmyskite]

OMG!!! Can't believe you have visited Alderney! My Gran and my Auntie both live on the island and this was almost an annual summer journey as a kid riding this train lol

[@Khalqui]

very nice vlog........Hats off to the volunteers who are keeping this historic track alive

[@neilbain8736]

I've heard about this line and it's great to actually see it. It's on a nice sunny day, too, and I get the impression the weather can turn quite nasty being surrounded by the sea.

[@petebeard324]

So many wonderful memories of my childhood holidays to the channel islands in the 1960's. I grew up in North London and remember jumping on these tube trains at Cockfosters or High Barnet, memories of the wooden slatted flooring, the strap hangers etc. Thank you for a wonderful video, it's prompted me to return to Aurigny very soon.

[@oohkumar]

Oh the memories. I think I remember the red trains (1938 stock) on the Northern line but I was very young (8yo) at the time. They were replaced by these 1956 stock some time in the 1970s. Seeing those wonderful period interiors has brought back a flood of memories.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

That tube train looks like it’s come all this way to the Channel Islands from its old home in london

[@Lulu-jl5zd]

Lovely vlog. And I don't think I have ever seen you so excited. I love the fact the islanders changed back to the original gauge. "Our island... our gauge!"

[@peterjohnson4932]

This was awesome Geoff! I had no idea this existed. I rode these trains daily on the Northern line..... And Mornington Crescent was my home station, so seeing the sign there was especially nice. Great video. Thanks!

[@davekirwin]

Glad you finally made it over! Lovely place. Glad you noticed the Sark/Herm mix up too!

[@johnstilljohn3181]

That's brilliant - I recall them from the 70's - seemed old then...

[@tessla9244]

Beautiful, high quality video. Thank you!

[@trainman86trainstramsandmore]

This is great, can't wait to see a vid of the preserved 38' stock on the isle of white steam railway

[@Rob-on5tz]

Proud to say Alderney is my home. Thanks Geoff for bringing this to the masses. But schhh don't tell too many, it's our little bit of paradise in the Channel... ;-)

[@w1swh1]

Thanks Geoff, very enjoyable. Must go someday.

[@Hammondfreak]

Just love your enthusiasm Geoff. Great video and really enjoyed the final shot of the train disappearing into the countryside.

[@paulhaynes8045]

I'd forgotten the whole 'guard on the Tube' thing too. But lovely to see the wooden floors again - I always used to wonder how they cleaned those...

[@petittrainguernsey3297]

Guernsey does have a train! The Petit Train! My tourist land train tours St Peter Port throughout the summer and Christmas.

[@julialafene5447]

I so much enjoyed seeing this reminder of my happy childhood holidays in the 1950s on Alderney where my father worked. The railway looks much improved- congrats to the volunteers. We used to walk along the breakwater in calm weather & one of my foolhardy friends staying with us even ran along it in bad weather dodging the waves crashing over the top (not recommended!) My brother used to fish from the end.

[@Flymochairman1]

That looks a fun destination for a holiday. The simplicity of the railway is wonderful. What history on that little out-crop of sandstone. Oh for the little trains on Isle of Mull again! Cheers Geoff!

[@GolfhausYT]

5:03 We should all be so lucky to experience this kind of unbridled joy once in our lives.

[@SaturnCanuck]

Thank you Geoff, that was a blast from the past. I so remember riding them, mostly from when I was 10 and visited Nan and Grandad in 1974. And yes, that door sound, amazing. Brought back a lot of cherished memories, thanks.

[@pauljones401]

That was brilliant and I had no idea! Great to see such pride in the line!

[@stevies.1975]

What a great video. First time I’ve been made aware of a line on Alderney.

[@thegeneralissimo470]

Honestly I love the look and feel of the old stock. Sure the new ones may be more energy efficient, but there’s something about wood and curved lines that I just really enjoy.

[@johnfry1011]

Looks like a good reason for another round of “Match the Moquette”…

[@philliphurley5341]

I remember those old tube trains well. My family and I lived in Wood Green north London near Turnpike Lane tube station.

[@andrewtrimble9770]

Great little railway. My wife and I went on the train when we in Alderney on our honeymoon. The concrete building at the top of the cliff in quarry which looks like a 1930’s cinema is called The Odeon. It was built by the Germans in about 1941 when they occupied the Channel Islands. It used hold about 3 big artillery guns pointing at England. Alderney is a beautiful little island, had some lovely holidays there.

[@paulash7993]

Very nicely done, mate. This brings back happy memories on 1997 when I worked in Old Street and used the Northern every day. The '59 stock was decrepit by then -- I once rode the lead car of one train whose door to the driver's compartment was missing, offering a mole's eye view of how the line twists and turns under London. Great vid, and spectacular sound!.

[@philroysmith]

Excellently shot and produced. A really good piece. Thank you.

[@christinaburton9297]

Reminds me of the old Bakerloo trains on the Isle of Wight! Ah happy memories!

[@tardismole]

I remember the strap hangers. I also remember being told by an irate woman in her forties (hello, Karern, if you're reading this) to give up from my seat for a lady and to hold the strap hanger, instead. I was nine years old and barely 3.5ft tall. I couldn't even reach them now, if they still had them, in my fifties. A blast from the past, though. I love the details on the different trains on different lines. There was never a dull moment for me. Todays trains are lacklustre.

[@TimDickinson1]

What a marvellous account of that little railway! Fancy seeing France from the Northern Line. Ha! I lived in Tooting Broadway and commuted to Leicester Square for years and, if my memory doesn't fail me, the moquette was reddish!