Trains at: Epsom - 15 October, 2021

My exploration of the LBSCR Portsmouth line continues at Epsom. At the north end of the station the former LSWR route from Raynes Park joins. The line south from Epsom was operated jointly by the LBSCR and LSWR.
Current services are a mixture of Southern terminating services from Victoria and London Bridge plus through services to Leatherhead and beyond operated by both Southern and South Western Railway.
The Southern services are a mixture of different class 377 sub classes.
SWR currently use class 455 units on their routes. These will eventually be replaced by class 701 Aventra / Arterio units.

[@theimperialist2686]

Excellent railway video as always Boogies Trains.

[@John2Ward]

I lived in Epsom for a few years some time ago, and commuted to London Victoria daily, so know this station and that line quite well. We didn't have Electrostars back in those days, though...

[@deauvilledad07]

Super informative video as always. Thanks for getting wet to bring this too us. The track layout seems quite complex. Well done 🤓 stay safe 💙

[@maimadha]

Great video.

[@neilcrawford8303]

Great video, brings back memories. One of my local stations, easiest to get to by bus. Busy station with a good selection of destinations, Victoria, London Bridge, Waterloo, Guildford, Dorking, Horsham. It's a shame First SWR have reduced their services to two trains an hour, at peak times there were six trains to/from Waterloo an hour. 2x Guildford, 2x Dorking, 2x Epsom. Funny, SWR got the franchise promising increased services on some routes, all they've done is cut them.

[@mpellatt]

Yeah, but it's not a franchise any more..... Everything DfT specified now, it's pretty much like the TfL London Overground and DLR model.

[@neilcrawford8303]

@@mpellatt The DfT contract started May 30th 2021. Many of these cuts took place well before this. They never got started on their south-west mainline service changes which were part of their franchise bid. Some like the proposed Weymouth-Portsmouth service weren't well received anyway by people in the route, as it meant only one direct train an hour to London. The current service is now hourly to London anyway, but without the benefit of the Portsmouth service. The additional services along the Winchester route never happened. The 442 refurbishment was a joke, I saw one press comment saying that with the expenditure on a 442 unit, new rolling stock could have been purchased. It's a shame because while Stagecoach had their faults, they were way ahead of First's efforts.

[@mpellatt]

@@neilcrawford8303 wouldn't disagree with any of that, except that the franchise was dead before that, once passengers vanished in lockdown 1. Both DafT and First are a joke. Whoever had the idea that a feasibility study on converting 159s to bi-mode would be a sensible use of money needs their head examining. we all knew what the answer would be.

[@neilcrawford8303]

@@mpellatt Wasn't aware of the 159 bi-mode idea. That's mad. It would be one thing if they were diesel-electric and not diesel hydraulic, then there is a chance. It would be better to order new bi-mode stock and use something like an Hitachi based platform but in the 196-197 style cab ends, perhaps with 110mph maximum speed. Then, cascade the 158s and 159s to Northern to strengthen services via Hebden Bridge, the Settle route etc, many of which are formed of just two cars.

[@Andrewjg_89]

From next year South Western Railway should start introducing the Class 701 Arterios as they are to replace the Class 455 and Class 456 as it’s been delayed due to issues with the new trains. And Southern should also replace the Class 455 if they are to order new trains. Epsom station is quite a good station that sees both SWR and Southern trains. Whilst not far away is Epsom Downs and Tattenham Corner which is served by Southern and those stations serve Epsom Racecourse and Epsom station serves Epsom town centre.

[@maimadha]

Dorking is great for Southern and SWR

[@mpellatt]

Used to have a listed signalbox spanning the two platforms. But permission was given to demolish it ☹️

[@bIuebitten4675]

can you do trains at queens park (bakerloo line)

[@BoogiesTrains]

I did a previous series about the DC lines which includes some clips at and around Queens Park. The videos are still available on this channel.

[@maimadha]

@@BoogiesTrains I love the DC line videos

[@bIuebitten4675]

@@BoogiesTrains ok thanks