I remember the original Ashley Down station from my train spotting days in the 1950s. The site has had a checkered history - originally a station with just 2 tracks and platforms, then expanded to 4 tracks and platforms when the Severn Tunnel was opened. In my youth there was just an hourly service (to Severn Beach via Pilning Low Level). Bristol then chose to ignore suburban trains and it was one of many around the city closed down. The tracks were reduced from 4 to 2, then in the 21st century the road traffic around Bristol became ridiculous and the 2 tracks could not cope with the rail traffic so back to 4 tracks and Ashley Down revives from the dead!
Hi Jen, You're looking well, good report on Ashley Down, GWR's newest local station. Great to see so many rail fans and vlog makers attending what seems to have become traditional "first train call" events. There will soon be some others to attend when the new Cambridge-Oxford line becomes operational. No doubt you'll be attending at that time as it's an important event because it's a re-instatement of the Varsity Line. Nice to see you out and about again. Take care, Jon B.
GWR could have kept links between the Severn Beach line and Ashley Down far more affordable than what they decided to, in order to encourage people taking the train.
Great to see that station you forgot finally opened and a entertaining video to watch. Would had loved to be there but sadly it clashed with other events. Hopefully will be there for Ashington on Opening day.
Perfectly timed to open for the cricket tomorrow. Though it will probably be rained off. Yes , agree it looks dull and rhe thought of just missing a train and waiting an hour there fills me with dread.
I'd rather have more cookie-cutter stations (and a four train per hour minimum for trains coming out of cities - and every City in the UK to get a metro mayor who took over the local trains and busses) than a few poncy looking stations in places where rich people live. The one thing I really dislike about that station though is the waiting shelter. Is there someone working for Network Rail who has a "we must make sure a homeless person can not sleep on the bench" remit? The seats, if you can call them that, are half a buttock wide. They look like they would be freezing cold in the winter. If there is one train per hour (which there should not be) you have to be able to stay in the shelter for an hour and not get into trouble from the weather. Just make a four sided shed, that bolts onto the lift with proper seats and a space for wheelchair users and prams to wait. They spent enough money on the fences. And they spent enough money on the bridge and the stairs. But they put a couple of bus shelters on the platforms, instead of actual waiting rooms.
I'm not against cookie cutter stations at all, and I'd rather we built them than nothing at all. I just wish we put more thought into them and considered the people who used them. They don't all need to be architectural masterpieces, but we're not building enough shelter from the rain and sun. They're not pleasant places to wait for a train when the weather turns!
@@JenOnTheMoveExactly this!! I believe one of the old railway philosophies was “build it and they will come.”. But people wouldn’t want to come to a cold, damp, drafty station with no shelter for the elements to wait for the one train that it sees in an hour. Especially when British railways are so unreliable at the moment… 100% agree that things don’t need to be architectural masterpieces, but why would people realistically give up a warm, dry car for a damp, drab station?
@aethlingbeats yes - at least my local station in Cheshire has canopies, plus we get one train an hour to Stoke-on-Trent and one train an hour going to Manchester
Nice to see you at the new Ashley Down railway station. Apparently the new station is located not too far from Bristol Rovers FC Memorial Stadium that would make it easier for travelling away fans to get to Bristol Rovers who they play in League One. But overall it’s quite a nice new station in North Bristol.
Brilliant video Jen, nice to see Ashley Down has got a station again where the old one used to be. Nice to see you didn't get stuck in the lift lol. Don't get me started on 2 car trains, they get very crowded. And yes lets have all the voyagers scrapped except for 220 005 lol.
Jen’s posted…now all the other transport TH-camrs can post! 😉😆 The hair is mellowing into a gorgeous color! Can’t wait to see what’s next for your coiffure!
Is there an Ashley Up station too. Lift not working in the first day. At least East Linton had the grace to wait a week to put the lifts out of service. Covered walkways, that is better than our basic ones in Scotland
The new Ashley Down railway station will be ideal for travelling football fans travelling to Bristol Rovers Memorial Stadium. Perhaps GWR and Network Rail should consider reopening the former Portishead line with new railway stations added. Also Great Western Railway are to inherit the Class 175 Coradia trains from TfW.
Great video Jen! Just looking at the timetable, why is the first train to Bristol at 7:50? That seems so late in the day!? Should get 2tph to Bristol at least in my opinion, plus an early service so people can commute to Bristol and beyond! Well - it's better than no station I guess!!
Great video Jen. As usual! Around 9:30 you spoke with someone who was also filming. Is he on TH-cam? I’m always looking to subscribe to new channels. Thanks. 👍
It may be a station designed like any other, yet it is a new station, at best in an area where it's needed. What I've learned from Gareth Dennis and his #Railnatter on the new/coming NR station design standards/manual, is that that is very good and also having a certain felxibility to it, while giving one a recognisable (G)BR station. Ashley Down may not be of that variety yet, although I think with its bricked up lift towers it already comes quite close. As to you doing station opening videos, I see it that way, that you be doing this to document the opening, the new station, probably (!) its surrounding and it's connections, at least the railway ones. No need to do something special, no need to follow up on all the aforementioned points every time. And: if it's a regular, unspecial, intermediate station, than that is it. No need to make an unnecessary fuzz about it (besides "Hey, there is a new station here, everyone!" - esp. to the locals), and also no need to moan (? - probably bad choice of word here) the lack of specialness. Yet, in the end, it is still a Jen vlog with a Jen opinion of course. Authentic. And: if there are things actually missing, like all-weather proof facilities (esp. given we're experiencing more and more extreme weathers), nothing wrong with pointing that out. Take this from a happy Patron. ;)
Hi jenonthemove I would love to go on one of your videos sometime and be able to meet you as I love watching all your videos I live in Grimsby if your ever passing or doing a video in Grimsby on the future
Abbey Wood is where the government buys all its weapons. It also has a Greggs, B&M Bargains, Everlast Gym, Asda, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl, Matalan, Bella Italia, Nando's, Barranco Lounge, McDonald's, Costa, Premier Inn, Holiday Inn, Howden's, ScrewFix, Pets at Home AND The Range. Literally, what more could you not gjve a shit about ?
Oh my God you are fast Jen!!
I actually overran by an hour to what I'd planned in for editing time 😂
Bit rude...
I remember the original Ashley Down station from my train spotting days in the 1950s. The site has had a checkered history - originally a station with just 2 tracks and platforms, then expanded to 4 tracks and platforms when the Severn Tunnel was opened. In my youth there was just an hourly service (to Severn Beach via Pilning Low Level). Bristol then chose to ignore suburban trains and it was one of many around the city closed down. The tracks were reduced from 4 to 2, then in the 21st century the road traffic around Bristol became ridiculous and the 2 tracks could not cope with the rail traffic so back to 4 tracks and Ashley Down revives from the dead!
Always good to see a new station - it’s a shame that there is a lack of decent seating and shelter though
Always enjoy an opening video. Glad to see you didn’t get stuck in the lift. Going to watch Riku’s perspective. 🙂
Great to see Abby! Good mini overview of what is a pretty generic station.
Hi Jen,
You're looking well, good report on Ashley Down, GWR's newest local station. Great to see so many rail fans and vlog makers attending what seems to have become traditional "first train call" events. There will soon be some others to attend when the new Cambridge-Oxford line becomes operational. No doubt you'll be attending at that time as it's an important event because it's a re-instatement of the Varsity Line.
Nice to see you out and about again.
Take care,
Jon B.
GWR could have kept links between the Severn Beach line and Ashley Down far more affordable than what they decided to, in order to encourage people taking the train.
Very enjoyable vlog, Jen and loving the blue hair, be well x
Very lovely meeting you today Jen
Great to see that station you forgot finally opened and a entertaining video to watch. Would had loved to be there but sadly it clashed with other events. Hopefully will be there for Ashington on Opening day.
Great vlog Jen. Great to see the New Ashley Down station now open however it’s ashame it Only gets an hourly service for an Urban area!
Perfectly timed to open for the cricket tomorrow. Though it will probably be rained off. Yes , agree it looks dull and rhe thought of just missing a train and waiting an hour there fills me with dread.
Thanks for coming Jen
Ever so quick to upload.
Great video Jen!
Nice to see Abby.
Excellent camera work from your glamorous assistant. 👍🙂
I'd rather have more cookie-cutter stations (and a four train per hour minimum for trains coming out of cities - and every City in the UK to get a metro mayor who took over the local trains and busses) than a few poncy looking stations in places where rich people live.
The one thing I really dislike about that station though is the waiting shelter. Is there someone working for Network Rail who has a "we must make sure a homeless person can not sleep on the bench" remit? The seats, if you can call them that, are half a buttock wide. They look like they would be freezing cold in the winter. If there is one train per hour (which there should not be) you have to be able to stay in the shelter for an hour and not get into trouble from the weather. Just make a four sided shed, that bolts onto the lift with proper seats and a space for wheelchair users and prams to wait. They spent enough money on the fences. And they spent enough money on the bridge and the stairs. But they put a couple of bus shelters on the platforms, instead of actual waiting rooms.
I'm not against cookie cutter stations at all, and I'd rather we built them than nothing at all.
I just wish we put more thought into them and considered the people who used them.
They don't all need to be architectural masterpieces, but we're not building enough shelter from the rain and sun. They're not pleasant places to wait for a train when the weather turns!
@@JenOnTheMoveExactly this!! I believe one of the old railway philosophies was “build it and they will come.”. But people wouldn’t want to come to a cold, damp, drafty station with no shelter for the elements to wait for the one train that it sees in an hour. Especially when British railways are so unreliable at the moment…
100% agree that things don’t need to be architectural masterpieces, but why would people realistically give up a warm, dry car for a damp, drab station?
@aethlingbeats yes - at least my local station in Cheshire has canopies, plus we get one train an hour to Stoke-on-Trent and one train an hour going to Manchester
"The risk of Voyager is far too high." I feel that, Jen, I live near a line between Leeds and Doncaster and the amount of Voyagers I see is awful :(
Nice to see you at the new Ashley Down railway station. Apparently the new station is located not too far from Bristol Rovers FC Memorial Stadium that would make it easier for travelling away fans to get to Bristol Rovers who they play in League One. But overall it’s quite a nice new station in North Bristol.
I always love your banter Jen
I always amazes me how quickly you edit and upload these! Well done
Sometimes I wonder myself!
Thanks for that video, Jen
I love blue haired Jen 💙
Me too!
Henbury - or, as it was rechristened after Jen visited it - Jenbury!
I love the banter and teasing on the return trip. Fun with loving friends
Brilliant video Jen, nice to see Ashley Down has got a station again where the old one used to be. Nice to see you didn't get stuck in the lift lol. Don't get me started on 2 car trains, they get very crowded. And yes lets have all the voyagers scrapped except for 220 005 lol.
Hopefully see you in Northumberland!
Enjoyable video as usual Jen! Maybe GWR have heard you constantly say their ticket machines are rubbish and finally done something about it!
Ashley Down looks amazing brilliant vlog
Jen’s posted…now all the other transport TH-camrs can post! 😉😆
The hair is mellowing into a gorgeous color! Can’t wait to see what’s next for your coiffure!
Ah yes, we recall the legend of the Leven Lift Jammer \m/
Is there an Ashley Up station too. Lift not working in the first day. At least East Linton had the grace to wait a week to put the lifts out of service. Covered walkways, that is better than our basic ones in Scotland
I knew you would post before me, I’m still editing lol 😂
So nice to see you all today ❤
I saw your video as well. Keep up the good work 😉
I haven't caught up yet... I'll try to catch up later! Great to see everyone!
Was not expecting an Ashley down video today! So fast 🎉
I was there in July for the cricket. Sadly too late for me. Did contemplate coming along today, figured you'd be there :)
Why is Ashley down? She seems nice. I hope she feels better soon!
It's a platform of two stations 😀
Yep. And I thought it was to have 4 platforms just like at Filton Abbey Wood.
At 1:31, if you didn't catch it.
"Travel documents" - now that is comical
Nice girl, Ashley Down! She used to knock around with that Miles Platting fella 😉
It was so random seing you in the lounge toilets!
Excellent. I'm in there at 6:15.
Great video Jen. love the way they are opening new stations but I don't like that they all look the same.
Costa Coffee is my happy place.
Great video Jen 😊
Jen first past the post again! well done.
Nice and Fast Video Jen!
The new Ashley Down railway station will be ideal for travelling football fans travelling to Bristol Rovers Memorial Stadium. Perhaps GWR and Network Rail should consider reopening the former Portishead line with new railway stations added. Also Great Western Railway are to inherit the Class 175 Coradia trains from TfW.
Interesting to see how the Class 175 will look like in GWR colours as TfW doesn’t want them anymore.
True.
Brilliant video, and well done for editing so quickly 👍
Thank you!
I see they have omitted to have a ticket office, hopefully the guard can sell tickets that are not available on machines.
They can do!
Amazing video i really enjoyed meeting you that day 😁
cant belive we have to wait 6 months for your voyager video!!!
I've got a big backlog at the moment! 😂
You can get pills for that you know
Great video Jen! Just looking at the timetable, why is the first train to Bristol at 7:50? That seems so late in the day!? Should get 2tph to Bristol at least in my opinion, plus an early service so people can commute to Bristol and beyond! Well - it's better than no station I guess!!
It's far too late for a first train. It's a half arsed timetable IMO!
@@JenOnTheMove Just like East Linton with its poor timetable!
It's not yet showing up on National Rail route planner! And google maps tells you to get the bus to there!
Good video!!!! You deserved that Costa :)
It is great to see the opening of another station it's just a shame the value engineers seem to be in charge.
It's first service was barely 6 hours ago. Well played getting the video out
Thank you! I'm definitely tired now!
Great video Jen. As usual! Around 9:30 you spoke with someone who was also filming. Is he on TH-cam? I’m always looking to subscribe to new channels. Thanks. 👍
Jen back back again welcome back
Jen you won the race. got the video out first.
Good to see the camaraderie!
9:52 - I was at Cameron Bridge this weekend. I regret to report that the lift is still dodgy after three months.
Fast trains would may pass through this station at off-peak and peak hours only not stopping at this station
It may be a station designed like any other, yet it is a new station, at best in an area where it's needed. What I've learned from Gareth Dennis and his #Railnatter on the new/coming NR station design standards/manual, is that that is very good and also having a certain felxibility to it, while giving one a recognisable (G)BR station. Ashley Down may not be of that variety yet, although I think with its bricked up lift towers it already comes quite close.
As to you doing station opening videos, I see it that way, that you be doing this to document the opening, the new station, probably (!) its surrounding and it's connections, at least the railway ones. No need to do something special, no need to follow up on all the aforementioned points every time. And: if it's a regular, unspecial, intermediate station, than that is it. No need to make an unnecessary fuzz about it (besides "Hey, there is a new station here, everyone!" - esp. to the locals), and also no need to moan (? - probably bad choice of word here) the lack of specialness. Yet, in the end, it is still a Jen vlog with a Jen opinion of course. Authentic.
And: if there are things actually missing, like all-weather proof facilities (esp. given we're experiencing more and more extreme weathers), nothing wrong with pointing that out.
Take this from a happy Patron. ;)
will there be a 323 farewell tour video? i must know!
I had my own farewell tour that was considerably cheaper to go on than what they wanted 😃
@@JenOnTheMove thats fair, their prices are insane! glad you got the opportunity to ride one last time.
Great to see u on Plat 2 :3
Great to meet you!
@@JenOnTheMove same : 3
Will you be in Belfast for the opening of Grand Central?
Voyagers are OK when they are run as double sets of 8 or 10 carriages. It should be illegal to run them as single sets though.
Even doubles are bad when they've halved the timetable though!!
Voyagers are just downright illegal
Yay!😊
Identi kit station 🚉
Trains Station 🚉
Is your keyboard just the letters TRAINSOI
He’s doing no harm. It’s best to ignore him.
I was thinking the same Jen, it does come on par with Hyde Central but Hyde does get bonus points for no cross country voyager's 🤔🤣
This is very true!
I was on board that!!
(The first train btw)
Thanks for the custom. I was your driver this
@@NCNI71 lovely thanks!
What is the correlation between Jen and voyagers?
Travel documents did they take that announcements from British Airways
Who was that who has "had a haircut" at 4:18. He's too small to see (might be Nick Badley or David Frankal, but I can't tell).
Me!
My name is ashley
Hi jenonthemove I would love to go on one of your videos sometime and be able to meet you as I love watching all your videos I live in Grimsby if your ever passing or doing a video in Grimsby on the future
I like the hair. Did you complete the welsh thing? I think I must have missed a bit
Final part still to come!
poorashley why is she down. lol
That coffee isn't working very well, Jen!- - Was Nick and co on another pointless journey?
11:37 why do you hate voyagers so much
Anyone else think it sounds like a girl's name?
Ashley Down.
Abbey Wood is where the government buys all its weapons. It also has a Greggs, B&M Bargains, Everlast Gym, Asda, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl, Matalan, Bella Italia, Nando's, Barranco Lounge, McDonald's, Costa, Premier Inn, Holiday Inn, Howden's, ScrewFix, Pets at Home AND The Range. Literally, what more could you not gjve a shit about ?
Brilliant 👍