Abbey Line (Watford Junction to St. Albans Abbey) - DRIVERS EYE VIEW

[@o_blivian]

This isn't just your normal drivers eye view, it goes in depth with every station and gives you full information on its history.

[@jessehalper]

As a treat my grandfather would take me on a return trip from Park Street to Watford while Gran cooked Sunday lunch. We had just enough time to sprint up the platform to buy a 6d bar of Nestle then rejoin the train for the return journey. I never tired of it.

[@carrington2158]

I used to live in Bricket Wood the train was steam then, I used to go to school on the train to St. Albans happy days.

[@peterflegg7596]

As a Watford born boy now living in Perth West Australia this bought back many memories although it's hardly recognisable as I left long before the line was electrified.

[@neilcrawford8303]

Excellent cab ride, the additional footage from the platforms, crossing etc and the commentary really added to video. Branch lines off of a busy mainline still interest me. In no time at all you're away from the hustle and bustle of a busy mainline station and into another far removed world.

[@simonsv9449]

They interest me too!

[@robinbeckford]

Thanks for that bit of nostalgia. I was born in a hospital at Garston, and grew up living on Bushey Mill Lane.

[@cottonfoo]

Interesting video. I lived nearby as a young boy and we used to play along these tracks. Safely, of course :) I've walked most of it, and I once broke a leg alongside it in the Greycaine estate. One could gain access to abandoned factories on Sandown Road and Imperial Way from the track, or hang out on the bridge over Balmoral Road and hide in the bridge siding when we saw a train coming. My maths teacher once saw me coming down the embankment at Balmoral Road one weekend and told me off for being there :) Good times. That car going through Watford North when the barriers are already going down, not good!

[@iman2341]

Awesome stuff, nice to see the 350s on the line but can’t help feeling this route would be much better off as part of a light rail system for Watford and St Albans.

[@UKTransport232]

I don't understand why they switched the 319 for a 350, considering how much they supposedly need them on the mainline

[@GaryB007]

There have been various plans for it over the years, including a guided bus way, but I think the low passenger numbers stop most of them.

[@mannydekhar-antipov9954]

It is also suggested to convert it to a tramway and link it with the Croxley Green branch

[@james123212]

@@UKTransport232 it was originally part of their franchise agreement that the abbey line would get "modern trains" changing to 350s was fulfilling that promise, also with the 319s being withdrawn they're really the only option as the 730s that LNR are getting are too long for the abbey line

[@UKTransport232]

@@james123212 oh right I didn't know that. I thought the 730 was also 4 cars?

[@bertspeggly4428]

Surprising that this line survived the Beeching Axe! Really nice little branch line.

[@johnjephcote7636]

I remember it with the passing loops and the gasworks sidings at St.Albans, the early 4-wheel AC Cars railbuses that replaced the Cl.4 tank engines and in 1964 (I think) a 4F took my special through to Hatfield on the GN branch.

[@MrRichUK]

Very enjoyable video, Paul, and was a trip down memory Lane for me. I was born in Smallford and the line, barely half a mile away, would still have been carrying passengers. I remember there being a gas works at Abbey station. When walking to school in St. Albans my journey took me across the rails of the Hatfield branch at a pedestrian crossing among houses. Never did see a train.

[@johngrantham8024]

I remember my friend and I using this line in 1965, to go exploring in St Albans park. We were 10 years old and were quite friendly with the signalman at our local station, North Watford. The train would arrive from Watford Junction and the signalman and driver would exchange a large, looped, 'token' to confirm the line was clear. I seem to remember station buildings at St Albans but it was somewhat tatty and was probably demolished.

[@glenjarnold]

That fool in the silver Audi was pushing his luck a bit at 5.25 in the video!

[@paulbateman3922]

Always an Audi

[@Sf_Mason]

My dad's parents (my grandparents) lived in Bradshaw road in Watford, with their garden backing onto this line. Do remember hearing the trains trundle by the house and shake it some when i was there as a kid.

[@daryl2K90]

Love to see my local branch line on here thank you for choosing this line

[@cliffordison5004]

What a splendid video for which I must thank you. It brought back many memories too numerous to list having been a pupil at Parkgate Road Junior School in North Watford a stone's throw from the line. I started trainspotting in 1955 and spotted my very first engine number 41908 a Stanier 2P 0-4-4T at Watford North. I can also remember goods trains surviving on the Hatfield branch until the 1960s and locos from Hatfield (ex LNER 0-6-2Ts) and Watford ( BR Standard 2-6-4Ts and the occasional ex Midland 3F 0-6-0 tender engine) . The Salvation Army had their magazine or newspaper "The War Cry" printed in a works adjacent to the line and this was important business for the Hatfield to St.Albans Branch every week.. Only discovered your channel today as laid up poorly but please keep up the good work. Well done!

[@andytaylor3276]

I used to live just off Bushey Mill Lane. As a child, I even used press the button to operate the level crossing (With permission from guard/driver!)

[@benh2807]

Very interesting, thtank you. I grew up in St Albans and used to ride down the Alban Way on the way back from my girlfriend's house. Amazing memories.

[@timholman7433]

Nicely detailed and informative, thank you. A minor detail you could have added: there used to be a single track running from the old Park Street station (roughly where How Wood is now) to Napsbury station on the main St Pancras Line (between St Albans City and Radlett). I believe its purpose was to convey goods only, and it was discontinued before the First World War. One of its embankments is outside my front door!

[@petercallomon9681]

I grew up nearby and went to school in Hatfield. I remember the traverse across the mailine to the cul de sac platform at Hatfield. Back in the 1950s steam engines with wooden boards on the front used to turn around at hatfield. Memories....

[@ricktownend9144]

What a charming line! - and many thanks for all the interesting details

[@parrotyee]

Probably the most memorable branch line originating from my childhood. It would be interesting if you could make a similar video on the Henley branch line. Great content

[@edwardwest5035]

Very good video, I could see that line from my home in Garston when I was a kid in the fifties. We would run down from Lea Farm School to sit in the trees opposite what is now Garston station to get covered in steam. I worked in the parcels office at Watford Junction in the sixties. The station is largely unrecognisable to me now. Regards Edward

[@roypalfrey5694]

And this time of year waiting for the nightly Rail Head Treatment Train to go to return from St.Albans before trying to sleep can be a bit of thing. Could be worse. One night before the use of 'Autoballsters', a Seacow hopper emptied its load onto the tracks a few yards away. I thought a truck had hit the house. Like when Buncrfield blew up. Noisy round here isn't it?

[@andrewr2825]

Excellent video Paul! This proves that a single track branch line in suburbia is interesting 👍🏻

[@D_4_N_]

amazed you managed to find a day when this line was actually running :D

[@paulmark63]

Thank you always look 👀 toward to Your videos Paul in Kent I learn so much thank you

[@leewilson2140]

I remember the coal yard,between North Watford and Garston.Used to see a lot of wagons.The track is all grown over or built on!!

[@richardwoods5236]

Thank you. Superb documentary 👍😃

[@neiltaylor6645]

Used to live in garston I lived 17 years next to the railway line it was my alarm clock to know when to get up

[@colbrazier]

Glad I've found this channel. The external clips add a nice touch to a well-produced video. Thanks.

[@mattdandex]

5:24 red light jumper

[@glenjarnold]

Yep I noticed that too!

[@N330AA]

I used to take this now and again to my dad's house. Back when it was a NSE 313. Nice tranquil little line, shame services didn't continue to Euston

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

A great surprise for me. Never did I imagine it would be so interesting. Great presentation. Thank you.

[@jorbharris8097]

So very informative! Thank you, most enjoyable.

[@markgr1nyer]

I remember being a SC on 350 410 when it first came from First transpennine. CSR isn't used anymore. The only external comms system on the 350 is GSMR

[@mrunixman1579]

Great Video, I used to walk down Alban way to Industrial area quite a lot.

[@GaryB007]

A very well made doc. I live in Park Street, near How Wood Station, and I've shared it on the local Facebook groups.

[@smikejasper4461]

That's where I've just found it - this was lovely and informative. I live near the Abbey Station end and want to give a nod to the very much improved pedestrian crossing there - at last! 🙂

[@paulhwbooth]

Excellent cab ride and commentary. Thanks.

[@ericmorfitt8696]

Very good, really enjoyed that,congratulations.

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

I liked that, thanks. I recall that when I travelled on the line in the 1970s it was known as St Albans Abbey. You couldn't book a through ticket to anywhere changing at the two stations in St Albans though. And, they're called milk churns, not containers.

[@deltic1964]

Great Video and info good to see it electrified

[@MattyEngland]

Full chuff ahead, Captain.

[@kenjukes2845]

Very good - I used to work in the building right next to Abbey Station and would use the Alban Way to cycle into the office. Good memories!

[@MrRawMonkey]

As a 13 year old I used to buy a ticket from Watford Junction to Watford North at a cost of 2d. (12d to a shilling, 1 shilling =5p. There was a token exchange by the then signal box on the curve out of Watford Junction. At Watford North there was a siding before the level crossing. I always remember at least one, maybe 2, abandoned passenger carriages left there for what seemed like years. At Watford North I can still remember the crossing keepers hut and the wooden crossing gates. Just passed the crossing on the left there was a set of tracks that headed down to a coal yard by what is now Sainsbury.

[@billyshearer117]

There’s a daily Euston to St Albans Abbey service too!

[@gregkiteos1936]

Very good video and nicely narrated too!

[@ChilternRailPhotography]

i just realised this video was uploaded on my birthday december 4th! :D

[@davidw1518]

I watched this, not because I'm a railway nerd (I'm not!), but because I spent a good part of my life living in St Albans - even, for a couple of years, living just across the road from St Albans Abbey station. So I appreciated the intelligent, knowledgeable, clearly spoken commentary, explaining aspects of the line (signage, history, etc.) in non-technical terms that did not assume any specialist knowledge on the part of the viewer. There used to be what was then known as a nudist colony (a 'naturist centre' in present-day parlance?) at Bricket Wood - but I don't suppose the excursion trains were primarily serving that destination! The section on the St Albans - Hatfield line was also interesting, although you did fail to mention the Salvation Army's Campfield Press (now gone?) that was next to the bridge over Camp Road, on the corner of Campfield Road: I assumed the Salvation Army Halt was intended to serve the Press - I didn't know about the orchid growing, which perhaps had ended before I first lived there in the late 1950s? For a time my mum had an evening job working in the kitchen of Hill End Hospital; and I was at primary school with the daughter of the hospital chaplain. Thank you for bringing back the memories, and for such a well-prepared and very well-narrated video!

[@petercallomon9681]

There is an exhibition of the Hatfield part of the line with a model of the station at smallford and a good history of the line. Its on the LHS as you go out of the station next to what is now the defunct coffee shop.

[@AnthonyFurnival]

A very interesting, well edited, informative and engagingly narrated video! I enjoyed this a lot and have subscribed!

[@randomroveruk6715]

Very informative and enjoyable video, Paul!

[@tomhaskett5161]

Thank you - a fascinating video!

[@freddienz]

Very Nice Paul. Thank you and cheers from New Zealand :)

[@tram6214]

Great Cab ride of the Abbey line plus a documentary of a closed line as a bonus. Great as always .

[@andrewnorth170]

I think you've said a genius line "The W is self explantory" ha ha

[@ChangesOneTim]

Great vid again. Interesting re the "press plunger" arrangement for Watford North barriers. Where station dwell times are consistent (as here), the modern flavour is to start the crossing sequence after time on a track circuit in the platform i.e. a "wait for white light" stop board instead. Perhaps the kit isn't yet old enough to make it worth NR's while modifying it....😉

[@TheGateway37]

Excellent information video.

[@UKHeritageRailways]

Excellent and very interesting video. I like the informative narration.

[@stephensmith1553]

Brilliant commentary thank you I do agree that the line could be put to better use as a light rail or Tram network to try and get cars off the road

[@cal2196]

That was a fantastic Watch! I would also like to Point out that the Bus Route 601 is named after the AlbanWay which runs from Borehamwood/St Albans to Hatfield & Welwyn Garden City every 30/60 mins via Smallford & deHavilland and somewhat follows the Old Railway line

[@richardingrey3871]

do not forget the smallford station museum [ based in the smallford station building] we have put together the beginings of a collection related to the station and the line . the group hold meetings ,attend local events and have links to the community around us; including the local 'oaklands collage' and also do not forget the st;albans south signal box preservation group who hold open regular days . both groups are all ways open to visitors on our open days and also to new members even if you live further afield now.

[@colinsrailways]

I’ve yet to find anyone who has got up early to see the abbey flyer go through Garston, bricket wood , how wood and park street. The first train of the day goes non-stop from Watford North to St Albans about 10 to 6 in the morning Monday to Friday.

[@jessehalper]

My mother lived opposite the Hill End station during the war years . The air raid siren would signal German bombers trying to get to the nearby de Havilland factory. One bomber decided that the anti aircraft fire was too much and decided that the railway was a good alternative target. My mother heard the whistle of the descending bomb from under the table of 5 Hill End Lane. It was a direct hit but failed to detonate

[@shaddersshadwell4941]

Wonderful

[@geertmarien9076]

Well done!

[@roypalfrey5694]

Any chance of a cab ride onntge early morning ( 05:51 ) train that runs non-stop from Watford North to St Albans Abbey? In the spring or summer of course, when the sun is up at that time.

[@hamshackleton]

Interesting mix of bits of track, jointed and continuous welded, didn't the budget allow to finish the job? Quite a lot of mains noise pick-up on the in-cab shots.

[@gerrydolan3532]

A lovely well paced film that is a delight to watch, and the additional information about the Alban Way was a great bonus. Using the line on a regular basis it is frustratingly unreliable for various reasons including broken down trains which are hardly more reliable than their Thameslink predecessor. Sadly the 321 bus is increasingly the preferred route for me despite living so close to the Abbey Line.

[@LemoncloudGT]

maybe because the abbey line used to have the unreliable 319s but looks like finally upgraded to the far more reliable 350s

[@peterjones3557]

Very interesting and well put together video. My old stamping ground of 70+ years ago. Any stats on the passenger numbers?

[@geoffreymartin2764]

It is obvious that the Abbey Line is following the French method of station and line management. If the grass wants to grow there, let it. Mother Nature at her best. 🌲🌳🌿🏳‍🌈

[@angus504]

Some evening Southern services run to Hemel Hempstead.

[@MichaelBeeny]

Why is part of the line continuers track and the rest jointed? Why not all the same?

[@davejolaurencharlie]

Nice work, must've taken you days to get all the footage.

[@Cpr1234]

Didn't know they started putting 350's on the St Albans branch

[@likklej8]

Bring back the Fowler 2-6-2s and 2-6-4s on the Abbey!

[@simonsv9449]

Due to the fact that the Class 730’s are going to replace the Class 350’s, it may be possible that they will operate services on the line in the future.

[@timbleybimbley]

Was electrified in 1989 not 85. I used it all that time from garston to Watford

[@Andrewjg_89]

Never knew that a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 EMU can operate on the single branch line between Watford Junction-St. Albans Abbey.

[@SiVlog1989]

Judging by the bridges, the line would have had provision for double track all the way

[@ajfrostx]

Fantastic video as always! Was it 1924 when Abbey was added to the name of the terminus? The audio cuts off for me for a split second for some reason.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Fantastic video, Paul.Judging by the bridges, was this branch ever going to be double track? Greetings from Australia.

[@GaryB007]

There used to be a passing loop at Bricket Wood, but it was removed many years ago. There have been several proposals to reinstate it, but, but the passenger numbers don't really justify it.

[@ChangesOneTim]

There are examples elsewhere of earthworks (incl overbridges and tunnels) built for double track from new but never were. Well known to me is the Falmouth branch, which only ever had passing loops. Usually it was the promoter future-proofing for greater things: LNWR had intended this to be a Watford-St Albans-Luton-Dunstable 'main line', while the Cornwall Railway had planned for expansion as there was serious talk of Falmouth as an ocean liner port.

[@mathsweb3370]

Sorry for not being clear in my earlier comment. I was talking about the disused Alban Way railway, not the extant St Albans to Watford line. Apologies.

[@jimmyhillschin9987]

A nice line, nice video. However it has me wondering why they haven't connected it up to the MML. Seems like a no-brainer, but maybe there are difficulties I'm not aware of.

[@izzieb]

Ignoring the amount of buildings in the way, there are quite a few substantial elevation changes in the area. St Albans Abbey is 84m above sea level, while St Albans City is 104m.

[@Rickenbackerglory]

One error I noticed. The Lemsford Road platform is still there but partially buried.

[@harryelliott4310]

London Northwestern Railway Class 350

[@simontaylor2319]

Went on this line in the early 80s (pre electrification) to collect my new car

[@lewiss626]

I do feel the 350 is abit over kill for this branch. Seems like something a DMU would work

[@Sebi1963]

just out of curiosity, who operated this line under British rail, regional railways or network southeast?

[@chrisbutton486]

My digestion is that it' should be a tram network to link to other stations in st alban from Watford junction Chris button

[@johnhagen31]

That awfully loud hum would drive me mad!

[@ZackMurray12]

Do class 319 s operate on the abbey line?

[@SAMSONALEXANDERR]

That’s me on the bike in bricket wood!

[@ianstevenson9844]

One negative comment. The nave at St Albans is not the longest in the UK. That goes to Liverpool Anglican Cathedral at just shy of 140 mtrs. Other than that, up to the usual high standard. Long may they continue.

[@jethrooffemaria1990]

I've been there before.

[@Tez_Thorn1405]

That 350 sounds like it has a flat spot on its wheels

[@Oasis_Play]

Well do 319s still run on it?

[@JacobsTrainVideos]

Very quirky line

[@paulbateman3922]

No trace of Lemsford Road Halt? Go up the stairs and on about 10 yards - Voila - remains of platform!

[@captainh3805]

I could hear Sing For The Year by Aerosmith in the background

[@peterjones3557]

The 'W' is self explanatory? Maybe it should now be 'H' for horn