When I worked at Shepherds Bush Bus Garage I use to love the sound of the C-Stock running behind the snooker room in the staff building in Wells Road .... even as a kid going to work with my Dad when he worked at the Bush as a Bus driver , seeing the Underground so close to the windows was brilliant ... another great episode , thank you sir , you could never bore us with more info.... look forward to the next one :-)
Am I right in thinking that the buses there are now operated by RATP, best known for another metropolitan across the channel? Perhaps I am mistaking it for a different bus garage beside a station.
Jago draws an arbitrary line with a few circles to denote stations, then writes a disclaimer absolving himself of any responsibility resulting in injury or death pertaining to said "diagram". 03:11 A perfectly reasonable move if you ask me, you can never be too careful.
I loved the bit at 2.26..... 3 transport modes in one shot, an Underground train above ground, a bus passing by and an aircraft at 30,000 plus feet way up above.......
In the 1980s I went to a conference at Hammersmith Hospital, and was staying with a friend who lived in Whitechapel. So for three days I had a commute to Hammersmith over the H and C line. It was an interesting route (could have also gone via the District line).
I was looking at an old map of Shepherd's Bush recently, 1880s-ish (or earlier, I can't remember), and was surprised to see the rail line that runs through the market listed as 'Hammersmith and City'. I had assumed it was always Metropolitan until the change in the past twenty years (or whenever it was).
I love these videos. I like the little things in them too. They're so telling. I swear you can see the dent where he's attacked the map at 3:02 with a lump hammer to fit the screen which is why there's a warning that it's not accurate for navigation.
Great video and I learned two new things. I always wondered why the stations had GWR benches. I just assumed that they were purchased second hand. I didn't realise that the Great Western has involvement in the line. Also I thought the Ham and City started life as a branch of the Met line and only became a separate line in 1990.
Indeed, when I was a kid, it was the Metropolitan Line. I was quite shocked to go back to London many years later and find it called the Hammersmith and City. Then I was even more shocked to find that "circle" line trains also run on the line. Go figure!
On the abandoned S Brent to Kingsbridge near where I live there are several bridges built over the river Avon at a similar angle to the one we see at Latimer Road. I'm always in awe of the bricklayers skill and sad that such beautiful structures are no longer used to carry trains . . .
My mother's family moved up to London from Cornwall in the 20s, because there was simply no work for a freshly demobbed soldier there. Their first base was in sooty Latimer Road. It was a huge culture shock for everyone. Probably the equivalent of arriving on the Windrush.
Hi Jago, I'll be at Paddington station at about 6am on 24th May. Maybe you'll be there too! I think we must have been standing in the same area when Battersea Power Station opened because I spotted myself on your video from then.
I remember when the ‘changeover’ happened in 1990 there were some folk verily frothing at the cakehole in outrage at the renaming of part of the Met to the H&C line. Thank goodness WW3 was avoided, although soon after this there was the invasion of Kuwait so perhaps we could get a video that explains how this event clearly caused an upsurge in Sadam’s popularity and resulted in the first Gulf War? 🤔 Joking aside, this was quite significant, not least as soon after there was the first in several upgrades that resulted in a much improved service density, an increase in services from Barking beyond merely the rush hours (and thus ultimately the demise of the middle platforms at Whitechapel) and most importantly, a new colour line on the map (superficial? Moi?) which in retrospect I think helped simplify the reading of the service for the average traveller, especially as the line was essentially run as a wholly different line to the Met from Aldgate via Baker Street to “out of town” anyway 🤷🏻♂️ The GWR/Met relationship has always struck me as a weird one, not dissimilar to the same between the Met and the GCR. One can’t help wonder if the MR’s trouble was that in trying so hard to be taken seriously as a ‘proper railway’ it just seemed to put people’s nose out of joint a bit 🤔 The whole episode between the Met and GWR makes me think of a pair of passive aggressive parents that don’t talk to one another and the H&C is their long suffering son, just wishing they’d actually talk to each other and let him get on with growing up so he can become his own railway! The GWR obviously lost the battle of wits and in a rage, snatched all the family furniture away, leaving the child with the other parent, the MR, with little other than the tunnel over their heads. The MR, motivated by revenge, gave the child its own new set of new furniture to live in and changed the tracks so the GWR couldn’t move back in even it changed its mind 🤣😅😅 I think I have too much time on my hands 🙄 Cheers Jago, great story well told, cheers! 🍻👍🍀
I watched this when mindlessly clicking between your videos (great for the background or when I've got time to fill) then realise it was new when I saw the comments. Great video as always.
It somewhat explains why a lot of place names throughout London still have a somewhat sylvan, agrarian aspect. Shepherd's Bush, Wood Green, Chalk Farm, St. John's Wood, etc.
The not running steam locos tender first is not for visibility but the dynamics of it so I understand (you can definitely see better backwards on many tender locos). When most if the fuel and water is used you are then pushing a very light vehicle at the front which can become unstable with older suspension and wheel/rail profiles. British Railways had a limit of 45mph running tender first. Excellent video otherwise as usual Jago
The Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig has to make the return journey tender first due to there being no turntable at Mallaig. If you ever fancy taking a photo of it crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, make sure it’s the outbound service as it certainly looks better in a conventional orientation.
Kentish railways, That's true but visibility is also a problem with full height tenders. You would need both the driver and fireman constantly heads outside.
@@egpx It's a shame that the turntable was removed from mallaig. It's not as if the site was prime development land, which might contribute to the upkeep of the line. Or is it Fort William which has no turntable? As for the photographer being disappointed, I am sure most of the passengers who pay a premium fare for a special day out, also feel aggrieved by the less than stylish tender heading their train.
@@thomasburke2683 Full height tenders are often no worse than locos with large boilers/saddle tanks/other boiler top fittings. The forward view from steam locos and even many diesel/electric locos and units is not a panoramic vista but that isn't needed
Another problem with tender-first running is the coal dust being carried into the crew's faces unless the coal is frequently hosed down. and if it's raining....
Just took a trip to Latimer Road station yesterday - love the yellow wood sidings on the platforms, it's surprisingly quaint for such an urban station.
An interesting story as ever, thank you. I was a regular commuter on the Metropolitan (Hammersmith & City) as it then was, back in the early ’70’s. This was mostly between Kings Cross and Stepney Green or Mile End. Something about the line in those days struck me as a little depressing, perhaps it was the C69 stock, quite new but rather bleak within. None of the “cosy” feel which the much older trains on the District had. Or maybe it was the early morning atmosphere at Barbican and Farringdon which had a most neglected air at that time. But that was 50 years ago and the world, together with the Hammersmith & City has undergone a revolution. Though not so much at Stepney Green perhaps! Thanks again . . .
When I still lived in East Ham, I would wait for the Hammersmith and City line to get into work because, compared to the District Line, it was emptier and allowed me to jump on, snug up, then fall back to sleep. 😴 💤 😀
@@thomasburke2683 It was not less air (D Stock had the forced air in the roof ?) as such, Though maybe the double leaf doors standing open at Wimbledon , Richmond and Hammersmith in the Freezing winter days for ages (more door aperture to car body length ratio( and D Stock didnt have end car doors? ), would not help, but the entire metal of the skins inside just did not feel quite as cosy (though the deep springs and upholstery of CO/CP stock were superior to all !
@@thomasburke2683 amazingly, I had some unconscious ability to sleep both on the way to, and from work, and not oversleeping 🤷🏻♂️ I was working on site as an electrician, so unnecessarily early mornings and strenuous work assisted my desire to sleep. The only Tim I did oversleep was when I had been clubbing (when I was younger) and I was on a train going home to Wickford, then I was woken up by the station staff at Southend on Sea, to be informed there was no train out until half four in the morning, but I wasn't allowed to stay in the station until that time; the joys of enjoying going out for Christmas Drinks. 🥺 worse was waking up cuddling a cold, greasy and rancid smelling kebab 🤢 Oh to be ignorantly young and over drinking Newcastle Brown Ale 🍺 🤦🏻♂️
I use the Hot and Cold most days. I like the fact that at Farringdon the recorded announcement by the lady says, "Metropolitan Line, the next train on platform 2 will be to Hammersmith, Hammersmith and City Line,(or Circle depending on which it is), Is that a deliberate nod to the past? Please do not change it LU. I do miss the C Stock though, S Stock, warm in winter, A/C in summer, but no character.
Two other interesting things. That link to Kensington Olympia was effectively ended due to bomb damage during the Second World War. In its last years it was mostly a shuttle service from Olympia to Edgeware Road, once the "Middle Circle" service was ended. Also, at Paddington station there used to be four tracks that were jointly used by the Hammersmith and City line and Great Western/British Rail. In 1968, the ex-GWR lines and H & C were completely segregated, all connections removed, and they were reduced to two platforms there for the Underground.
Fascinating stuff, Jago ! Thank you ! I am still hoping you will do an unannounced cameo appearance in one of your videos just like a certain Hollywood producer used to do in days gone by !!
Keith, Mr Wright, aka Jago, does not do horror, so we cannot compare him to the gentleman of days gone by. But how do we know he hasn't featured himself unknown to us? He is entitled to his anonymity, and it enables him to really keep us in suspense.
Really interesting, thanks Jago. Being from east London, the Hammersmith and City Line is the 'second' line for me (well, after the District Line). For me the H&C has, and still does share traits with other lines, which in turn makes it endearing. For example, when it was part of the Metropolitan Line, you knew when a train was Hammersmith- or Barking-bound you'd realize by the length of the train and the interior layout. If memory serves correctly, the Metropolitan trains were shorter, and had transverse seating, whereas the Uxbridge-, Watford-, Chesham-, Amersham-, and Aldgate-bound trains would be longer, and didn't have transverse seating. These days, unless you see the on-board destinations, or hear the announcements, it's impossible to distinguish between a District Line and Hammersmith & City Line train. I was not aware that it was once possible to get a Hammersmith & City train (i.e. during its time as part of the Metropolitan Line) from Hammersmith to New Cross / New Cross Gate. I’m assuming this would have been via the old St. Mary’s tunnel, which you can catch a glimpse of from being on a westbound train, shortly after you leave Whitechapel Station. That would have made form an interesting journey. A bit like how for a short while (maybe in the late 80s / early 90s) you could get a Metropolitan train from Barking, out to Amersham/Chesham/Watford. I wish I had experienced that! 😉
Amethyst, I don't recall trains from Barking to the Met mainline, tell us more. I do remember trains from Barking to Hammersmith. You knew the difference between Circle/ H &C services operated by C stock, and Met mainline services operated by A stock to Uxbridge, Watford, Amersham etc. Mind you, A stock also operated the East London line, four car trains throughout the day, unlike the Met mainline where four car trains only ran off-peak.
In my young day, H&C trains terminated at Whitechapel, going to Barking only in Rush Hours. As East Ham was my station, it was usual to take the District and change at Aldgate East for Liverpool Street and beyond. Happy Days!!
@@petermarksteiner7754 barratry is piracy committed by officers employed by the ship's owners or a fraud. Socage in fief is a form of feudalism, so no.
I wasn't being serious ... this is a quotation from "Uncle Fred Flits By" by P.G. Wodehouse: "His brow was wet with honest sweat. He is reading for the Bar, and while he would be the first to admit that he hasn’t yet got a complete toe-hold on the Law of Great Britain he had a sort of notion that oiling into a perfect stranger’s semi-detached villa on the pretext of pruning the parrot was a tort or misdemeanour, if not actual barratry or soccage in fief or something like that."
Byegones are Bygones is an economic term , mostly for sunk costs, which related to at any one time investment decisions are optimised on looking at future incoming net cash flows, not the amount of money already invested (and can be a problem on fast technical change)
Growing up in Essex and visiting London from the east side I was always puzzled as to the purpose of the pink line which seemed to overlap entirely with the circle or district. But thanks to Jago, now I know. It was yet another service for those weirdos from the west!
0:39 - the bright sunlight causes a strange effect at the back of the train, it looks like someone is drawing it in real time, starting each section at the bottom and then drawing upwards
"The second TUBE line...."? But, Jago, you've explained the difference between tube and Underground before. Had you forgotten? Good video as always. Keep 'em coming!
And arguably, the Hammersmith line wasn't the second Underground line to be built, as it isn't physically underground (the only underground bits had already been built).
Hmmm. I believe Jago has at some point read a certain book with the phrase "Tenders and turntables" in it. That whole speech about tender and tank engines only needed a name beginning with T in it to be completely from the original...😏
Separate companies, you are missing the main bit. Often these companies went bust. The house of lords would forgive the debt because of the necessity of completion. The original companies would take over. stealing a fortune of investment from innocent share buyers.
Ye gods Jaggo, how your Chanel has grown since I last visited, now your getting many comments and subbers, well done. The flaming algorithm brought your channel up again. Cheers DougT in Mancs
Great to see a shot of Britain's newest steam locomotive, 2999 "Lady of Legend" on the Didcot turntable at 5:15. The GWR Saint/Lady class were truly historic locomotives that ushered in the modern era (and no, I'm not a GW fan). It was a sad omission that none were preserved, but the class truly deserved the construction of a modern replica.
The old boy forgot to mention White City station, between Shepherds Bush and Latimer Road, that was across the road form the current Wood Lane. (not to be confused with the central line White City station)
More wondrousness from our ancient trackways... Would love to have you investigate the amazing conversion project that saw off Brunel's Broad Gauge: I haven't found any serious examination of the subject, merely passing references. I understand it was done exceeding quickly, which was most unusual for the times! 🧐
The 'gauge conversion' was only carried out quickly in Devon and Cornwall, where it was literally changed from broad to standard gauge. Elsewhere, dual gauge tracks had been laid over the course of many years, with standard gauge rails added to existing broad gauge tracks, so trains of both gauges could use them at the same time, and this carried on for many years. When the broad gauge was finally abolished in 1892 (at the time of the 'conversion') all broad gauge locomotives and stock was run to Swindon, and the broad gauge rail on the dual gauge tracks then became redundant until it was removed over the next few years.
@@Kunjo79 Hi David Actually Avondale Park is built on the site of what was called "The Ocean" a large clay pit that had been used to make bricks. The pigs were usually kept in small yards at the back of the tiny houses nearby. In the 1850s there were three times as many pigs as people; eighty percent of the children died before the age of 15. Certainly in the running for worst slum of Victorian London.
Turntables - not of the music kind I presume lol. Interesting fact: the term 'wheels of steel' come from the steel wheel used on the train turn tables.
"in full and final settlement of any and all claims, whether known or unknown, and whether issued or contemplated, between the parties." Well you did ask.
Look up photos of Melbourne Southern cross station. Simple dual gauge points are bad enough but complex trackwork such as single or double slips are an absolute nightmare. Actually Brunel's dual gauge points would not be as bad as in Melbourne, as Brunel's gauge was more than two feet wider. In Melbourne, with a six and a half inch difference, about three or four inches taken up by the second rail, means a gap of only three inches. If this gets filled by a piece of ballast or some debris, a derailment could ensue. Therefore the broad gauge train is restricted to 50 mph (80km/h) on the dual gauge.
Didcot Railway Centre has dual gauge track and points to the entrance to one of their stations. If I remember rightly the standard gauge also swaps sides with the broad gauge but don't hold me to that comment as it's been awhile since I've been there.
Ahh 'North Kensington' is a phrase I haven't heard in a while. Usually seen in Estate Agents windows refering to houses in Kensal Green or Queens Park.
That sounded totally wrong. But I've just looked at Google maps, and you're right! How on earth did they get away with that? It's the other side of Notting Hill!
@@markbertenshaw3977 I used to work in W10 in the shadow of Trellick Tower and it was a way of making some neighbourhoods more desirable (and profitable). It's quite common practice all over the UK. We have friends who live in Little Stanney and are much keener to associate themselves with Chester, than the much closer but less prestigious Ellesmere Port.
I wonder where that jet was going way above the Hammersmith and City? Pretty high up so it wasn't from/to London.... I'll go with New York City to Berlin!?
Interesting there is little photographic archive of the original mixed gauge line. Only the later Grove Road Station. If anybody now’s of any I would be really interested
Skipped over details? You were throwing out dates like some sort of time traveler! I was getting a little lost there for a minute, lol. Also: if I ever die on the Hammersmith and City, I will haunt you forever
The Hammersmith and City Line is still a ideal tube line that connects East London and West London via Aldgate East, Kings Cross St. Pancras and Paddington. And with the Hammersmith and City Line sharing the District Line between Aldgate East and Barking and the Circle & Metropolitan Lines between Aldgate and Baker Street and to Edgware Road. Which makes the Hammersmith & City Line so unique and interesting that it shares with the Circle and Metropolitan Lines on the north end and the Circle & District Lines are shared on the south end. Plus with Hammersmith having 2 tube stations nearby to each other. And yes apologies for deleting my comments once again but I have been targeted by some person “troll” who thinks I’m wrong but obviously someone isn’t that smart anyway and loves to give attention.
Wonder the wy the Kensington Olympia branch wasn´t extended to Wimbleodon ? Earls Court would be bypased, probably the circle line allready was there !
If there had been no fallout between Great western, cross rail would have been built years-ago, with trains continuing from Paddington going east.!!!!!
Nice to see Bank get a spacious platform. Quick question, does one have to transfer at Kennington to get to Clapham Common from the Charing Cross branch?
The Circle Line is no longer a circle. It now 'starts' at Edgware Road, goes anticlockwise round the 'old' Circle Line then continues past Edgware Road along the H&C line to Hammersmith and does the opposite from Hammersmith to Edgware Road so it's now the Circle and a bit Line!!!!!
Aha, time for pedants' corner. Was this really the 2nd Underground line given that (a) none of it was underground, (b) it was always operated as an extension of the Metropolitan? Or is it counted separately because the ownership was different? But in that case one might claim the Central is the oldest tube line because the Leyton to Loughton section was built in 1856 by the Great Eastern Railway!
Excellent video as always guv'nor....I do however, find your lack of GWR, LMS, LNER and Southern..... disturbing! 🤨🤔😉😆😂 Why is it that passengers travel sideways on the Tube, narrower profile than others....on Stockholm's subway you travel in the direction.... Keep up the phenomenal work....🤜🏻🤛🏻🍻
Older tube trains had their seats oriented that way, but the problem is that it makes it more difficult to stand, and even more difficult for standing passengers to get out past other standing passengers staying on the train.
In addition to what other people have written, deep level tube stock has a lower floor than sub-surface stock. Longitudinal seating provides large enclosed spaces that can be used to accommodate essential equipment that can't be fitted under the floor, such as heaters and door mechanisms. Transverse seating breaks up that space into smaller and less convenient sections and half the seats face backwards, which is less preferable to some passengers than travelling sideways.
@@iankemp1131 I'm not sure. Google Satellite View shows in under construction. From the Westway in Street View you can see that the top of it contains a large advertising screen for distracting drivers. But unless it's simply a very elaborate monitor stand, that must surely be it's secondary purpose. At first I thought Crossrail, but the Elizabeth Line is on the surface in this vicinity. Then I thought HS2. The tunnel between Euston and Old Oak Common must be somewhere nearby so I thought it might be something to do with that, but maybe it really is just a fancy stand for a big telly screen.
