Up until around 1992 there was a locomotive hauled service in each direction from Birmingham New Street via High Wycombe that used this line. The layout was still a double track main line with line speeds of around 70mph from Old Oak to Northolt. This was reduced to a single line with a 50mph limit throughout, although there seem to be more and more lower speed restrictions being put in place as the years progress. There's a couple of particularly slow sections (20mph) at Greenford, Perivale and North Acton.
Yes, and over the years it has changed quite a lot - for instance there were originally two more mainline railway tracks - these were dedicated to goods trains and extended alongside the Central Line almost as far as White City station. This is why East Acton station still has two railway bridges - one of which is disused.
Thanks for this excellent sequence. I've finally got round to sampling the 11.36 to Ruislip, and this video has helped me enlarge my knowledge of the NNML. To think the Blue Pullmans once used the line! (same applies to the Monsal Trail, which I walked along last summer).
+The Enthusiastic Trainspotter (DRS68004 Oscar) From what I've read about this station at one time (long before I was born) there were also platforms for mainline trains and there were two extra tracks for freight trains. So I missed much!
Love the sound of tube pulling out of North Acton. Only 2 platforms when I used it. Wanted Ealing Broadway but always West Ruislip first. My dad worked at Old Oak used to go across bridge over railway to get to yard.
Original idea was to use the space to build a an express tube service to High Wycombe. You can still see the way the Bridge was built at West Ruislip where the line was to be extended.
Thanks; I agree with what you say, although in this case the line is still used - albeit rarely. re: railbeds remaining available for future use, this was the one thing that the Civil Servants involved in the closure process most wanted to avoid; the issue being that if it should be realised at a later date that a rail line should not have closed then it would create a stain on their judgement and bring in to question all their other judgements. This would have been bad for their career!
In the clip with the 62 stock, you can just make out the Guards tea point on the Westbound platform. Small brick building with a boiler. I used the crossover just outside the station once a month to take a 4 car 62 stock to Acton Town works via Ealing Broadway and bring a refurbished 4 car 62 stock back to West Ruislip Depot. The times fog completely covered the station in the 70's and station staff placed an oil lamp each end of the platform so the driver would know where to stop! Before driving on that line I was an apprentice at Metal Box, Chandos road and used that station every day. Never knowing that one day I would end up driving trains through it!
@CoachAlex1996 Thanks Alex, although the scene is a 'standalone' in that I did not film from the footbridge in 1990. This is the only reason it was not used in the first version of the film. btw, on Monday (ie: about 12 hours after uplifting this film) I saw a Class 165 slowly trundling past... ah well - it looks like I'm about to practise using TH-cam's film editor. Probably the weekend, when I have more time. Simon
I believe this section of the NNML will be severed soon with the coming of HS2 and the parliamentary train will start and end at West Ealing or continue through to Paddington via the Greenford Branch.
Its not a permanent solution. It is simply while the tunnel boring under the NNML takes place. After that point it has been mooted that terminal platforms will be built at Old Oak Common for services along a rebuilt NNML as overflow for Marylebone.
Matt H I’ve heard similar. I wonder if the line will be redoubled and resignalled too. Last passenger trains on it run on the 5th or the 15th of this month I believe. I’ll update the comment when I know.
maybe but many passengers would still prefer the older trains to more modern trains ... especially as older trains usually had far more comfortable seats
The NNML should be reopened and not just used as a #parliamentaryspecial North Acton now attracts 6 million passengers per year and needs more capacity. Likewise Chiltern Railways need more capacity.
Indeed so, although there is not sufficient platform capacity at Paddington for more trains. But the solution would be to extend trains westbound Crossrail which terminate at Paddington along the NNML.
Or even terminate at North Acton, that would get a lot of people into West London from say High Wycombe, Beaconsfield etc. I understand they want to link it with Old Oak but that is years away, the line could be upgraded now.
A good document of developing of a station in the close past
Up until around 1992 there was a locomotive hauled service in each direction from Birmingham New Street via High Wycombe that used this line. The layout was still a double track main line with line speeds of around 70mph from Old Oak to Northolt. This was reduced to a single line with a 50mph limit throughout, although there seem to be more and more lower speed restrictions being put in place as the years progress. There's a couple of particularly slow sections (20mph) at Greenford, Perivale and North Acton.
Wow, my home station looked different back then.
Yes, and over the years it has changed quite a lot - for instance there were originally two more mainline railway tracks - these were dedicated to goods trains and extended alongside the Central Line almost as far as White City station. This is why East Acton station still has two railway bridges - one of which is disused.
Excellent footage!
When they close a line, I wish they would keep the track beds open so they can be reused in years to come.
10:34 literally within seconds, the next eastbound train's approaching - love it
Thanks for this excellent sequence. I've finally got round to sampling the 11.36 to Ruislip, and this video has helped me enlarge my knowledge of the NNML. To think the Blue Pullmans once used the line! (same applies to the Monsal Trail, which I walked along last summer).
Very interesting video! I recently visited this station and it made me think of this video and how much the station had changed. Thanks for sharing!
+The Enthusiastic Trainspotter (DRS68004 Oscar) From what I've read about this station at one time (long before I was born) there were also platforms for mainline trains and there were two extra tracks for freight trains. So I missed much!
Love the sound of tube pulling out of North Acton. Only 2 platforms when I used it. Wanted Ealing Broadway but always West Ruislip first. My dad worked at Old Oak used to go across bridge over railway to get to yard.
since the former freight tracks are no more so space became available for a third track and platform face form the Central Line trains.
Original idea was to use the space to build a an express tube service to High Wycombe. You can still see the way the Bridge was built at West Ruislip where the line was to be extended.
Excellent video enjoyed viewing it.
Fantastic footage!
Thanks :-)
Lovely sounds of the MCW Metrobus in the background.
Thanks; I agree with what you say, although in this case the line is still used - albeit rarely.
re: railbeds remaining available for future use, this was the one thing that the Civil Servants involved in the closure process most wanted to avoid; the issue being that if it should be realised at a later date that a rail line should not have closed then it would create a stain on their judgement and bring in to question all their other judgements. This would have been bad for their career!
In the clip with the 62 stock, you can just make out the Guards tea point on the Westbound platform. Small brick building with a boiler. I used the crossover just outside the station once a month to take a 4 car 62 stock to Acton Town works via Ealing Broadway and bring a refurbished 4 car 62 stock back to West Ruislip Depot. The times fog completely covered the station in the 70's and station staff placed an oil lamp each end of the platform so the driver would know where to stop! Before driving on that line I was an apprentice at Metal Box, Chandos road and used that station every day. Never knowing that one day I would end up driving trains through it!
A better video, great to see the train on the middle reack now! :-)
@CoachAlex1996 Thanks Alex, although the scene is a 'standalone' in that I did not film from the footbridge in 1990. This is the only reason it was not used in the first version of the film.
btw, on Monday (ie: about 12 hours after uplifting this film) I saw a Class 165 slowly trundling past... ah well - it looks like I'm about to practise using TH-cam's film editor. Probably the weekend, when I have more time. Simon
Interesting rare footage of this station at north Acton used this station quite often back in the 90s.
Awesome video
The DMU would be a Class 115.
@collieultimo Thanks.
Simon
@ecxpac I agre with your comments; alas I do not have older pictures.
Simon
3:42 Is that your voice talking about Marylebone being closed?
“They closed Marylebone station. They’re going to Paddington instead” xD
That almost happened but nowadays there are no trains from Paddington which serve this route
cool
At 4:44 was that you who said "Here comes that train"?
no, not me - I had company, some children were curious what I was filming!
@jack253 :-))
I believe this section of the NNML will be severed soon with the coming of HS2 and the parliamentary train will start and end at West Ealing or continue through to Paddington via the Greenford Branch.
I've heard this said but am not sure exactly what the situation will be.
Its not a permanent solution. It is simply while the tunnel boring under the NNML takes place. After that point it has been mooted that terminal platforms will be built at Old Oak Common for services along a rebuilt NNML as overflow for Marylebone.
Matt H I’ve heard similar. I wonder if the line will be redoubled and resignalled too. Last passenger trains on it run on the 5th or the 15th of this month I believe. I’ll update the comment when I know.
Toby Summers Certainly resignalled and redoubled, along side the quad tracking of the NLL over the route (shown in the vid).
Ughh! Rolling Stock in the 90's was so grotty and dated.
maybe but many passengers would still prefer the older trains to more modern trains ... especially as older trains usually had far more comfortable seats
The NNML should be reopened and not just used as a #parliamentaryspecial North Acton now attracts 6 million passengers per year and needs more capacity. Likewise Chiltern Railways need more capacity.
Indeed so, although there is not sufficient platform capacity at Paddington for more trains. But the solution would be to extend trains westbound Crossrail which terminate at Paddington along the NNML.
Or even terminate at North Acton, that would get a lot of people into West London from say High Wycombe, Beaconsfield etc. I understand they want to link it with Old Oak but that is years away, the line could be upgraded now.
there are plans to run local trains to old oak common