Upgraded Gatwick Airport Station is Now Open

A new look Gatwick Airport station is set to open to passengers on Tuesday 21 November, Network Rail invited me down for a look at the works, and ... would I like to go on the roof as well? Yes I would!
Video from April 2022 : • Gatwick Airport Statio...
Drone footage courtesy of Daren Smith, Network Rail.

[@ad3z10]

That point about "This isn't a normal station, it's part of an airport" is something that was really lacking at Gatwick previously, it was perfectly functional as a train station for anyone simply commuting through but getting around with luggage to the airport side was a pain at times.

[@sunshowers186]

I really appreciate seeing how enthusiastic the National Rail staff are about their projects when you visit. We're lucky to have people like that working for National Rail!

[@curiousmatt]

Geoff's excitement at being on "the logo roof". The drone shots, at an airport. This is an 11/10 video all day long. Top work!

[@howardrisby9621]

Good, wasn't it? Just checked Google Earth and logo clealry visible .... but not Geoff!

[@paulekstorm-hughes1894]

Yup, I thought to myself when it was revealed that there was a logo on the roof "well, being at gatwick there's no way there'll be a drone shot, that's a shame".... to being proved wrong just moments later.....Nice!!

[@Reason077]

It's about time that Gatwick roof logo got a refresh/repaint!

[@horsehollerer]

Haven't seen Geoff this excited since Corrour signal box, circa 2017. Quite right, too 😎

[@pirate1012]

Amazed you were allowed to fly a drone so close to an active airfield

[@AdamHinckley]

think he got permission to do it or someone else did it for him

[@philipbrown4290]

See the video description box: "drone footage courtesy of Network Rail"

[@chrisjones5411]

In the description it says the drone footage is courtesy of Network Rail

[@gormster]

Fun fact: when you are flying a drone in controlled airspace, you need to submit a flight plan to air traffic control and be in radio contact with them the whole time (though some ATC allow you to do this on the phone). Which means you need to give your aircraft a call sign, do all the usual ATC check in/check out stuff, it’s hilarious.

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

Agy is a gem! Wow. Truly magnificent, honestly engaged.

[@mouselovinlady]

I feel like many problems could be solved if only we could harness the enthusiastic energy of Geoff and Agy combined!

[@prime1971]

how on earth did you get permission for those drone shots!!! but they are epic!!!

[@nether_bat]

Probably pre-arranged with Gatwick ATC

[@taxfreecharlie]

Never commented on one of your videos, watch them all. However this one is truly epic and mostly because of the roof, logo and drone shots … nice one Geoff 👍👌🫡

[@AdamHinckley]

think he got permission to do it or someone else did it for him

[@TonyTheYouTuba]

I think you need special certs to do flying there, prob someone else. You can see the wet patches on the roof in the drone footage so was not necessarily even the same day. Very cool to see though!

[@jmusic2024]

@@TonyTheYouTuba yup thanks for pointing this out, the roof is much wetter on the drone shot

[@brianwaite3292]

Definition of a 'living the best life moment:" Geoff, standing on the logo, at a new train station, tracks in the background, plane overhead. That and the roundel factory tour. Go trains!

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

Wow, you finally made it to the largest twin arrows logo on the network! That's a great end to an interesting video. I'm amazed that the station is not in the drone 'no fly' zone of the airport - a great aerial shot!

[@kieranjudd3987]

It will be within the no fly zone for LGW but someone has potentially asked Gatwick ATC for permission

[@chrisjones5411]

The description says that the drone footage was courtesy of National Rail.

[@danielemerson312]

Brent Cross West station (Thameslink) will be opening on Sunday the 10th of December 2023. It's one stop from where I live, but I bet Geoff will have done a full review and got home before I even set off to have a look.

[@hymek7017]

Please tell me the giant rooftop logo will be repainted before the project ends.

[@PaddyWV]

Now they just need to reopen the lines to East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells for even better connectivity.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Geoff reaction when he was on the roof with the British Rail double arrow sign was brilliant, great video

[@karaishere]

I was actually at the station from my holiday on the 22nd and never realized it was upgraded! How amazing!!

[@KrisLipscombe]

So happy it’s nearly done! It’s been a long long long road. Hoping platform 7 is no longer a forgotten child!

[@edwardlees4585]

I went through in early September and found everything really efficient. From leaving the plane (without baggage) I got from the airbridge to the GE platform via the shuttle in around 20 minutes and made my train by 5 minutes.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Ahh, but did you get a seat? More than once have I had to perch on the bum-numbing luggage rack and all the way from Brighton too.

[@robertaries2974]

I was shocked how quick it was between getting off my flight at the Southern terminal and getting on the train

[@spiralx6249]

​@@robertaries2974- still an extended hassle if you're an Easyjet passenger, using the North terminal.

[@peteking8063]

@@spiralx6249not really

[@tardismole]

I don't think I've ever seen Geoff so excited.

[@Shyndree]

Gosh, I'm really looking forward to all the building work being done. I transit at Gatwick from slower trains to faster trains all the time, and it has been a nightmare with different parts being blocked off every time. I guess we will see if the new layout is any good for congestion of people, but I just wish we could have more railtracks and more trains.

[@DavidMeggers]

When Britain actually gets round to building an infrastructure project they do a really good job that looks pretty damn good. So let’s just ignore budgets and build for the now and the future.

[@Leojw10]

I have been past gatwick station many times going to London great seeing the station have a upgrade

[@graemecatty9921]

"I quite often frequently say". Love it.

[@guillaumemaurice3503]

Thank you for sharing the video Geoff that was very interesting and great information. ❤

[@QPRTokyo]

Thank you.

[@darranhebert]

Thank you very much Geoff 😀👍

[@juanitahardy8583]

Much needed and much appreciated I am sure on my next visit this will really help me navigate.

[@andystreet1479]

awesome new upgrades and facilities; it looks amazing

[@MrGreatplum]

Pleased this work has been done as I’m often changing there. Thanks for showing us, Geoff!

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Excellent, detailed and enthusiastic report as always - thanks Geoff. This badly-overloaded train station had needed this expansion for some time. Good news for everyone who wants to get to LGW by train in the future.

[@andrewreynolds4949]

Geoff looks like a child at Christmas going on that roof

[@euanwill6196]

Awesome! Exciting to see it's almost finished!

[@Tube-Shots]

how good is that surprise at the end great video as always thanks to you Geoff

[@gabriellafindlater9269]

Just came across this video loved everything about it. Love when you realized you were standing on the biggest logo in the country Love your passion and enthusiasm keep it up. Good to know when I travel to Gatwick it'll be a breeze. Thameslink from London Blackfriars all the way. Love it. Big respect to all the construction workers for their time patience and support for this project. Love the videos Geoff.

[@laura_shannon_]

I LOVE Agy’s enthusiasm!! 🫶🏻

[@MistaMatthews]

I’ve been working on this for the last 3 years. I’ll be glad to see the back of this job 😂

[@mrgothicman]

Used the station alot as a kid as my grandparents would take me to London & we'd always stop off there on the way there or home for mcdonalds & have fun around the south terminal observation deck(now gone) As an adult I use it even more now as I work at Gatwick & the transformation is quite something, will be very excited when platform 7 is fully opened!

[@LONDONWALKTOUR.]

Fantastic it looks amazing nice work

[@hitardo]

I am quite happy to this upgrade, as I often travel to Gatwick, and prefer using the train. Congratulations!

[@eastlancsesteem]

Respect to those engineers working hard.

[@mattmerchant3524]

I live in Horley so use Gatwick station all the time... can't believe I missed you Geoff! :(

[@Dimatical]

Cool with the drone shot at the Airport :o

[@sandyhumby88]

So funny seeing Geoff’s OTT reaction to discovering he’s on the Logo Roof 😂😂😂

[@berlinheights8516]

Great video! Can't help but think more could have achieved if budget was not such a constraint! Surely Gatwick Airport could have bridged the difference!

[@avinashbhunjun5429]

Great drone footage

[@mrspob8620]

Great video Geoff, I love your enthusiasm 🤩 feeling privileged to be a part of your amazing work 👏👏👏

[@jakehowie442]

Nice now for the redevelopment of northern airport train stations

[@tompeddle]

Well needed platform upgrades, but my god - I’ve never seen such anger and confusion from customers, now that they’ve removed the ticket offices. It’s utter lunacy to remove them in such a large station! The one person with one tiny desk to fix (incorrectly issued) machine tickets and deal with queries is… fun. I wonder if they’ll have to change that in the future? When I was speaking to a staff member there last week they were not happy about it!

[@mdhazeldine]

About as crazy as the decision to do away with check-in desks as much as possible inside airports too.

[@rogerphelps9939]

Absolutely right.

[@stepheneyles2198]

Completely agree!!! I was unsure about buying a ticket the other day and had to wander round (with heavy baggage) until I'd found someone to ask. Also there's a sign which says 'no airport luggage carts past this point' but there's nowhere to leave your cart, therefore you have to double back through the crowds coming out of the airport, park your cart then struggle back to the station with your heavy bags...

[@Silverfoxwolfen]

I was waiting for you to try and tap out of one of the gates.... just a thing I was looking for :D

[@gnturibi]

I used it over the weekend for my very first train ride in England to Brighton. I didn't know it s this new! Looks great

[@michellebell5092]

That is amazing, the new developments at the station, but the British Rail sign on the roof, wow

[@Westcountrynordic]

Will using this in early December can't wait to see how much easier it will be with assisted travel.

[@chiefpred9982]

Good job Geoff

[@BSH12369]

That Seems Really Cool

[@johncbayliss]

That drone footage is brilliant

[@rickc5303]

I have been through Gatwick many times, not recently, but many time in the past. I will say that there was a bit of a "choke point" around the ticket machines. I prefered to buy my ticket in advance and collect it from one of the machines. There were only three or four machines capable of producing a pree paid ticket?! I cant complain about having to wait for a machine but working through the throngs of people in order to get to the machine was an adventure! One other quirk about Nat Rail was that their routing software would always try to route me through London to get to Ashford, Kent?!? Its way better to change at Redhill and go through Tonbridge. Not sure why the software couldnt get its "head around" that prospect,...but hey -ho, if you are specific you can get the route that you want. Looking forward to coasting through the new station when the opportunity presents itself!!

[@mralistair737]

They've had new ticket machines for some time and all can do pre-paid collection.. but more importantly for traffic flow to london you can just swipe a contacless card or oyster if you are going to london.

[@rickc5303]

Thanks for that, I was wondering if Oyster was now in play. With most of the traffic going into London, contactless and Oyster will really help.

[@paulhaynes8045]

That way to Gatwick is our 'secret' here in Darkest Kent. Not sure if it's any quicker than via Victoria, but probably cheaper (it certainly used to be), and a far more pleasant route - the only problem is the number of changes (depending on where you start, obviously). 20 or so years ago, there used to be a Sunday's only train that started in Sheerness and went, via Maidstone West, directly to Gatwick (reversing at Redhill - and, presumable at Strood as well). A really weird route, that unfortunately didn't last long, but while it did it was great, we actually used to deliberately fly on Sundays, just to take advantage of it. Very, very underused, unfortunately - but (as per usual with such things), it wasn't advertised at all. Just think how many people might have opted for that instead of a nightmare drive to Gatwick, plus paying for carparking whilst you're away.

[@rickc5303]

​@paulhaynes8045 Oh-Oh! I didn't know it was a secret, sorry for spilling the beans! You're right, it's a more pleasant journey than into London to change trains and its less expensive too. It used to take about the same amount of time. One down side is the change in Tonbridge if the weather is bad. There are few amenities on that frostbitten platform!

[@metalhead2550]

Glad to see this upgrade, used this station a couple of years ago and it was not a good experience to say the least!

[@sk3lly2023]

ooh I wasn't expecting this, very interesting!

[@walkingtheboogie]

Nice video. I look forward to the day when they also upgrade Wimbledon with another footbridge. I found lots of congestion during rush hour in the past.😊

[@hendrikharryg]

I can't not write this: Geoff once again had a proper nerdgasm

[@markpearce5793]

By sheer coincidence we’re flying back into Gatwick on that Tuesday. Hopefully all is up and running and we get to experience the extra space and the trains are running smoothly 😁

[@MACROPARTICLE]

I frequently travel through Gatwick Airport station. Good thing I have my seat long before the hordes pile on the train.

[@adrianpeters2413]

Excellant video... the last drone shot , well timed ... forever the 70ties era designed logo 😂😮

[@DanielsEditsandFRVs]

Love your videos

[@jumpingjeffflash9946]

I'll be there at LGW in 2-1/2 weeks so I guess I'll see this first hand, I travel to Blackfriars then tube it to Tower HIll. UK is so cool to visit.

[@isashax]

Waiting to see this in December when I am there!

[@paulchappell]

Great video. But surely that would be the biggest Brit Rail logo in the world?

[@SaturnCanuck]

Wow. Has it changed since I was first there in 1978!

[@justandy333]

Absolutely amazing they let you fly the drone within airports!. Also, its great to see a years and years long project finally finished. I bet everyone involved feels awesome!

[@xaviw]

Loving the drone shots directly next to the second busiest airport in britain

[@davefreeman7629]

intresting video nice one.

[@simonwood6932]

Great video Geoff- one minor point though. The name of the Network Rail Project Director who showed you around is Mark Somers,not Summers. He is a former colleague of mine from back in Railtrack days

[@hagarnyarko6479]

I like the station

[@anthonydefreitas6006]

Geoff's on a roll , two video's in a row and he's managed to put his gloves on correctly.

[@Jonsku124Transit]

Great video as always Geoff! Love The new stations Look, but as a person from Finland i cant visit it. Anyways, Have a great Day!

[@RAILEXCELLENCE2011]

Nice 😊

[@HesterClapp]

OMG Stepford Airport Central is being updated in 1.11!!

[@Jimyjames73]

A nice Upgrade 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@tonycutler3769]

This video released just about an hour after I was literally at Gatwick Airport - specifically using that concourse from platform 6 too 😂😂

[@transport_dude]

woah thats cool

[@Funfairfna27]

Nice video Geoff!

[@dbvnyc]

The lead Engineer: My name is "Michael Kane." He reminds me of him so much!

[@daveh4334]

I've used that station many times, but not since the Year of the Zombie Apocalypse (2020), which put a big crimp in my travels. Frankly, the old station was - well, the nicest thing I can say was "it did the job." Looking forward to seeing the upgrade, definitely in 2024.

[@howardrisby9621]

Yes .... the blue "suicide lighting" on the platforms said it all really! Wonder if that's still there (can't get out much these days). Just the East Grinstead bays to be cleared out and brought back into use .....

[@georgeadams2555]

as someone who works at a motoway service station, no amount of signage will ever be enough

[@briangasser973]

So new signage, new lifts, and wider platforms, but no additional platforms to handle the extra capacity. Surprised they are adding lifts not more escalators.

[@GoranNewsum]

*GASP* Double-door lifts!

[@user-uc8kr1pl6b]

Some serious permissions granted there to use a drone so close to a major airport, kudos.

[@geofftech2]

Footage was provided by Network Rail, not shot by me!

[@walkingtheboogie]

I hope there will be direct access to platform 7 when coming off a rail replacement bus to Gatwick Airport. Via the ramp that is.

[@theundeniedhugo]

Cool video

[@roderickmain9697]

Almost sad I moved out of Sussex. That station is almost unrecognisable. Its certainly the largest logo I've see of anything.

[@jakehandley3366]

it’s already done?? 😱 jeez time flies (no pun intended)

[@radagastwiz]

What kind of permissions do you need to get a drone shot *at an airport*?

[@JohnnyMotel99]

Looked like maybe some official footage from maybe NR? Only one person in orange on the roof and they were operating the drone.

[@Kyle-Russell]

You need to have a genuine reason such as doing survey work for the airport and you apply to air traffic control.

[@Nayson]

Media day innit.

[@Joel-hz1so]

It would be great if you could get a BTS on the new already completed bakerloo ticket hall below the new Paddington square tower

[@commonsense3482]

A lovely new addition for #GatwickAirport although I must admit I was hoping that platforms 1-4 would have received the same terminal level plaza filling the gap between the north and south bridges from forecourt to South terminal. In view of the change of policy on rail ticket offices will be interesting to see whether there is a ticket office added in the South terminal even if on an arrivals concourse area extension past the station potentially supporting even further provision of additional station capacity to match the airport’s ambitious expansion plans. #Thameslink #SouthernRailway #GatwickExpress #GTR would be great for at-least an hourly service between Brighton and London Victoria or London Bridge through the night even if limited stop service Finally I do agree would be lovely to see the BR logo repainted on the original railway station roof #networkrail

[@user-no4ej3ge8y]

Wow

[@kiradotee]

7:40 Probably the best footage of Geoff on KZbin. 🤣🤣🤣 He was mildly excited to be on some strange roof at the top of the airport. Just wanted his camera back to show the views to us, do a bit of talking and bugger off. Little did Geoff know what an absolute bomb Agy wqs about to drop on him to blow his roof off. 😆

[@penguinking3681]

Hi, Geoff! I'm glad I'm here early; love the new station! Proud to be the 140th liker!

[@splittieful]

nice

[@samstrainthings7540]

Geoff you are no TRAINee at drone shots! That was so cool! And the plane in too!

[@stepheneyles2198]

That might have been edited from two different shots as I don't think anyone would be permitted to fly a drone while there was live air traffic nearby. Geoff must have borrowed that footage from someone?

[@GreenJimll]

@@stepheneyles2198Daren Smith from Network Rail - it tells us in Geoff's video description above.

[@GreenJimll]

@@stepheneyles2198Daren Smith from Network Rail - it tells us in Geoff's video description above.

[@GreenJimll]

@@stepheneyles2198Daren Smith from Network Rail - it tells us in Geoff's video description above.

[@audigex]

That roof is a missed opportunity to open a cafe/bar as a viewing platform for landing aircraft..

[@user-ym7cc2xd5f]

And still no direct connection to Heathrow, although an interchange with the Cross Rail /Betty Line at Farringdon i suppose

[@danbutler3032]

They had plans drawn up in 2002 but NR refused to fund it alone and GAL weren’t interested.