Cab ride aboard a Plasser & Theurer tamper from East Croydon to Haywards Heath. The footage is filmed at dusk and by the end is pitch black, so some editing has taken place
As someone who has traveled through East Croydon a thousand times and often looked at the Tamper machines and wondered what they got up to at night this video answered my question. The twilight into dusk into night is great, something we rarely get to see. Loved it, please keep them coming
@@emmo999 As long as it includes the trip there or back, the video with the truck in front on the Ely to Thetford video imho added an extra something to the video as well
That was great ! I found myself unable to look away. Even in the dark, there is always something to see. Lights in the distance. The outline of the trees. But for some odd reason, i loved the red signal at 35.50. Thats all there was. 1 red and 1 green signal ...... and darkness !! It must be quite a surreal feeling sitting there, on the Brighton main line at midnight. On your own !! Brilliant vid. Thanks for sharing. ..... Works best on the big telly in the dark !!!!!!!!!!
Very good. Amazing how well camera coped as the light faded. Beautiful evening colours at the start. Can appreciate importance of sound route learning and which signals are on your line, knowing where you are. Total novice me every time saw a red light was wanting to put on the brakes, then as got nearer realised either not on your route, or for wrong line running signal, or oh heck they points signals lol!
That’s exactly what route knowledge is for - knowing where your next signals are. The worst is yellow signals against street lights! Knowing exactly where to look can be critical. Concentration and knowledge are key! There are various points - for example the Brighton mainline where it’s fully bidirectional signalling - where you more times than not see the ‘wrong line’ signal before your own. Can be very disconcerting when you’re not familiar with the line
You’d think they might retro-fit some high beams on the tamper so that us poor buggers can see where we’re going. very good and very different, quite disorienting in places. Thanks for posting.
Sadly not, and the tamper in question has been retired from normal frontline work now. Just comes out if another is in for maintenance as a backup New tampers do have a main beam (similar to a car) which is much better to see further in front. Still not ideal for videoing though as I think people like to see around the line too?
I absolutely loved this..... Many moons ago I suggested to a firm who made cab ride videos that when they had a slightly shorter one, that the filler was some footage that wasn't a sunny day with helicopter flybys and a well known voiceover narrating, but was at night/in fog etc - so that we could see what it was really like. This did it perfectly...... Thank you...... I agree with the "Planes Trains" comment about the red at 35:50 - contrasts beautifully with another video I saw coming into London Bridge in the dark, lights everywhere and one of them is yours... Great video......
Glad you enjoyed. I won’t record direct night videos, as they have little merit (hence the brutal editing at the end), but if I feel there is enough to see to make it worth recording, I will. Will upload more soon!
@@emmo999 Thanks - I'll look forward to them.... :-) Lots of people rave about taking the sleeper to Ft William - especially in the days when you could hang out of the window across Rannoch Moor in the early morning - even through the diesel fumes you could smell the fresh air after Euston/N.London the night before. I wonder if anyone has done a drivers eye of the Ft.W or Inverness sleepers at a time of year when they get the daylight & sun as they cross Rannoch or Perthshire/Highland line....? Heading south from Inverness, a dram admiring the scenery as the train goes through the hills and descends to Perth, before heading to your bunk to wake at Euston has to be *the* way to travel.....
That was a very interesting cab ride. The fading light, adjacent light pollution in conurbations or from nearby over bridges just added to the interest, drama and confusion. How you all keep your heads, even once a route is 'learned' I just don't know. Disorientation is not a problem from my office chair or sofa - but whilst travelling at a mile a minute there are real responsibilities and risks. Thought provoking. Thanks for posting.
The tricky bits you soon learn - they stand out a mile! And, just like learning the route you take to/from work or your parents house, you learn the route, landmarks you can use to remember where speeds change etc
Further thoughts. The "dark" section was more interesting than expected. Three Bridges and Siemens Traincare quite psychedelic! Modern led signalling and train headlights really do show up. All in all a fascinating experience for a commuter who did this journey for 30 years!
It does give an idea how little train drivers can see in the dark. The light on the front is about being seen by others, rather than for showing the way, so is representative, but it is possible to see a little more than the camera shows
Fascinating to see what you do at night. I knew the route pretty well, but now I can imagine what it is like to work the freight at night!! I assume you were going line speed, judging from how quickly you passed the stations. BTW, thank you for naming the stations. It makes it simpler to enjoy the video. Always do that, please. The Atlantic Ocean prevents me from actually being there.
Very interesting video, thanks for posting. Was concerned at the approach to Balcombe station at 41:20 at it appears you were headed straight for a red signal at speed, but it only appears that way because of the positioning of the signals for bi-directional running and the curvature of the track to the left after the platforms. I guess this is where route knowledge plays it part.
Absolutely! It’s exactly the same going on the other direction too! If anything, you’re more aware of the dodgy signals than the easy ones, because they stand out so much
Quite fascinating. Very atmospheric. Slightly different feel to the ride compared to a train. Love to see this in better light with a sharper lens sometime.
Can’t change the lens - it’s a go pro 8. If you want better light, you could try one of my other videos, such as “Tonbridge to East Croydon” which is in full daylight. If opportunity arises to record this route again in proper light, I will take it!
This is very cool. I work as a Track Operative on London Underground so I only ever see these at work tamping the track. Quite loud! :D Also the bonus routing to Haywards Heath UPL (DN direction) was cool, hard to see but I figured it out from the junction indicator
Yes, you’re right. We then shunted into the siding at Haywards. Due to restrictions with the signalling, there’s a weird scenario where you have to run into the platform, change ends then shunt back past the shunt signal (seen just before the platform) then change ends again for the siding
It is great as it doesn’t matter which vehicle is used as the same route is also used by Southern and Thameslink vehicles so it’s great for all drivers wanting to route learn (or just enthusiasts like myself) :)
I know enthusiasts will enjoy it. Most of our work is obviously in the night, so it can be hard getting footage where people can actually see anything. I’m glad it’s appreciated
WHAT ABOUT SOUTHEASTERN WITH MY ACADEMY STUFFS ABOUT INCLUDING SOUTHEASTERN DIVERSION IN SURREY, KENT, LONDON TO HASTINGS VIA TONBRIDGE (KENT) BY SOUTHEASTERN, BY TOBY NOSIKE, TOBX1622CAREWTOBY AND TOBTNOSIKE9433.
OK. Constructive... It was actually quite good and kept my attention throughout. It was fascinating to see the light pollution and the cast it put on otherwise mundane suburbia. You are right about the totally dark bits though. I know this line well, but really could not distinguish Balcombe Tunnel or Copyhold at all. A couple of decent headlights on the front of the tamper, if only to glint of the track immediately ahead would be ideal, but I'm guessing the boss would not be too keen on modifications! ... at least not without a new TOPS number! Overall, I would not give up on these evening/late night moves as, at least in this example, there is plenty enough to attract the viewer, and when not, you are already ahead of us in editing those bits out.
I’m aware that by the end it got very very dark, hence the cut. I’m likely to rarely upload dark videos, as they have little value, but obviously in the winter months, daylight hours can be hard to come by, so this was an experiment to see what the recording would be like before we get to that point in the year
Teacher:”What do you want to do when you leave school Emm”? Emm:”I want to drive a yellow contraption with no suspension and square wheels....at night!” Teacher:”I know just the job for you.....” 😉
Thanks for the lovely bit of third rail action - even if your particular vehicle wasn't using it. I am wondering what plans are afoot to replace the third rail with overhead wires in the south-east, or perhaps there might be an extension of third rail westwards?
I’m led to believe Network Rail do not want any more 3rd rail. To replace the whole network with OHLE would cost billions. So I doubt it’ll happen any time soon
@@emmo999 I have an understanding that while existing third rail is going to be maintained, the case for extending its range has been killed by the stringent safety requirements for future expansion, and that some third rail in London's north has already been given up for safer and more efficient overhead wires. There certainly isn't going to be a wholesale transition, but I do think perhaps the south-west will be electrified overhead, and that this will be relatively slowly extended over the existing third rail infrastructure. Although I don't think that would a bad thing in terms of safety and running costs, it would bring a tear to the eyes of myself and many others I'm sure. Indeed, third rail is an old technology, and it is beset with old inefficiencies and safety concerns - but it is very British.
I can’t think of anywhere quickly in north London that has given up 3rd rail for OHLE. Recent OHLE work was the GOBLIN, which was a diesel line. Certainly the Watford line is still 3rd rail.
Wow! Euston to Watford Junction. Thanks! You would certainly be an authority relative to me; I'm Australian, and have just recently decided to exercise my curiosity. Does this line carry stock from the rest of the third rail network, or is it physically isolated? Is there any footage on TH-cam of this line?
It runs LOROL class 378 stock, which are dual voltage (750v 3rd rail and 25kv OHLE) so stock is interchangeable). Not sure if there’s any footage (there’s some videos on YT, but no obvious cab rides footage). Some still has the old 4th rail left from when LUL went to Watford, but it is long disused
Hat's off to you and all the other drivers. You really have to know your routes. Pretty dark out there. I can't imagine what it must be like in the rain or snow or fog!! Be safe.Does your engine not have any headlights?
What, no headlights.. Looks good speeding through the bright stations.. In the dark, optical illusion with signal lights, appear to be moving all over the place.. Thanks..
All trains have headlights, but they’re more about being seen than actually seeing. It’s only the more modern trains that have higher power headlights (and consequently don’t need yellow fronts) that can see more with
Hey different but definitely great video as I'm in the united states and as tracks are operated on opposite sides but I enjoyed your videos only thing is the red light in the corner of the screen from the video recorder seems like a hidden red moon top right corner but still very decent video. The stations over there are much well maintained than here where I'm living by metro north rail road in the U.S
I need to put a bit of tape over that. It’s the red on the camera to say it’s recording. In daylight you can’t see the reflection, but obviously in a bit of darkness you can
From about 26min in a bit like going through lights at Blackpool. Not like a passenger trying to look out of side window (never ending tunnel). So ya ok. Just not a lot to see.
That’s why I’ve avoided recording night time videos - if I did that I could get recordings all the time. Unfortunately it doesn’t leave much for viewers to see
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i really like this video, I've watched it a hundred times. I find it relaxing. thank you.
Glad you enjoy it!
Another cab rides video. Very interesting to watch. Thank you as always, and see you on the next! 😊
These videos are treasures on TH-cam. Thank you so much for posting them. The picture quality and lighting are great
Thank you for the feedback! It’s appreciated
As someone who has traveled through East Croydon a thousand times and often looked at the Tamper machines and wondered what they got up to at night this video answered my question.
The twilight into dusk into night is great, something we rarely get to see.
Loved it, please keep them coming
I really ought to make some videos to show us actually working, rather than just driving about! Might be interesting!
@@emmo999 As long as it includes the trip there or back, the video with the truck in front on the Ely to Thetford video imho added an extra something to the video as well
I was a signal lad at East Croydon box and lived at three bridges so travelled that route every day but that was in 1967 when we had green trains
I love the fact boxes like East Croydon still stand, even though sadly they’re not doing their original job
Loved it! Keep'em coming
That was great ! I found myself unable to look away. Even in the dark, there is always something to see. Lights in the distance. The outline of the trees. But for some odd reason, i loved the red signal at 35.50. Thats all there was. 1 red and 1 green signal ...... and darkness !! It must be quite a surreal feeling sitting there, on the Brighton main line at midnight. On your own !! Brilliant vid. Thanks for sharing. ..... Works best on the big telly in the dark !!!!!!!!!!
Ah yes, Balcombe Tunnel Junction. Where 4 tracks becomes 2. Got held there forever awaiting trains to go through on the fast. Glad you enjoyed it!
Very good. Amazing how well camera coped as the light faded. Beautiful evening colours at the start. Can appreciate importance of sound route learning and which signals are on your line, knowing where you are. Total novice me every time saw a red light was wanting to put on the brakes, then as got nearer realised either not on your route, or for wrong line running signal, or oh heck they points signals lol!
That’s exactly what route knowledge is for - knowing where your next signals are. The worst is yellow signals against street lights! Knowing exactly where to look can be critical. Concentration and knowledge are key! There are various points - for example the Brighton mainline where it’s fully bidirectional signalling - where you more times than not see the ‘wrong line’ signal before your own. Can be very disconcerting when you’re not familiar with the line
Certainly different. Enjoyable to watch. Thanks 👍
Haywards Heath is one of my local stations, always a decent variety heading down to the siding there, always been a fan of your videos
Thanks. Hoping to get my next upload up early part of next week (although it’s not Haywards area)
You’d think they might retro-fit some high beams on the tamper so that us poor buggers can see where we’re going. very good and very different, quite disorienting in places. Thanks for posting.
Sadly not, and the tamper in question has been retired from normal frontline work now. Just comes out if another is in for maintenance as a backup
New tampers do have a main beam (similar to a car) which is much better to see further in front. Still not ideal for videoing though as I think people like to see around the line too?
@@emmo999 Many thanks for that.
I absolutely loved this.....
Many moons ago I suggested to a firm who made cab ride videos that when they had a slightly shorter one, that the filler was some footage that wasn't a sunny day with helicopter flybys and a well known voiceover narrating, but was at night/in fog etc - so that we could see what it was really like. This did it perfectly...... Thank you......
I agree with the "Planes Trains" comment about the red at 35:50 - contrasts beautifully with another video I saw coming into London Bridge in the dark, lights everywhere and one of them is yours...
Great video......
Glad you enjoyed. I won’t record direct night videos, as they have little merit (hence the brutal editing at the end), but if I feel there is enough to see to make it worth recording, I will. Will upload more soon!
@@emmo999 Thanks - I'll look forward to them.... :-)
Lots of people rave about taking the sleeper to Ft William - especially in the days when you could hang out of the window across Rannoch Moor in the early morning - even through the diesel fumes you could smell the fresh air after Euston/N.London the night before.
I wonder if anyone has done a drivers eye of the Ft.W or Inverness sleepers at a time of year when they get the daylight & sun as they cross Rannoch or Perthshire/Highland line....?
Heading south from Inverness, a dram admiring the scenery as the train goes through the hills and descends to Perth, before heading to your bunk to wake at Euston has to be *the* way to travel.....
Great stuff - thank you!
That was a very interesting cab ride. The fading light, adjacent light pollution in conurbations or from nearby over bridges just added to the interest, drama and confusion. How you all keep your heads, even once a route is 'learned' I just don't know. Disorientation is not a problem from my office chair or sofa - but whilst travelling at a mile a minute there are real responsibilities and risks. Thought provoking. Thanks for posting.
The tricky bits you soon learn - they stand out a mile! And, just like learning the route you take to/from work or your parents house, you learn the route, landmarks you can use to remember where speeds change etc
Further thoughts. The "dark" section was more interesting than expected. Three Bridges and Siemens Traincare quite psychedelic! Modern led signalling and train headlights really do show up. All in all a fascinating experience for a commuter who did this journey for 30 years!
It does give an idea how little train drivers can see in the dark. The light on the front is about being seen by others, rather than for showing the way, so is representative, but it is possible to see a little more than the camera shows
Thanks. I remember now that I watched it a while ago. You do some very interesting routes.
Fascinating to see what you do at night. I knew the route pretty well, but now I can imagine what it is like to work the freight at night!! I assume you were going line speed, judging from how quickly you passed the stations. BTW, thank you for naming the stations. It makes it simpler to enjoy the video. Always do that, please. The Atlantic Ocean prevents me from actually being there.
The machine is capable of 60mph, and was at this for most of the journey. Line speed along most of the route varies, up to 90mph
Really enjoyed the video
Thank you - glad it was appreciated
that was great,though quite scary at times with no lights, i like to see were im going but great content thanks.
Welcome to the world of train driving! Where we don’t always see all the details of where we’re going, just know where to look for signals etc
Very interesting video, thanks for posting. Was concerned at the approach to Balcombe station at 41:20 at it appears you were headed straight for a red signal at speed, but it only appears that way because of the positioning of the signals for bi-directional running and the curvature of the track to the left after the platforms. I guess this is where route knowledge plays it part.
Absolutely! It’s exactly the same going on the other direction too! If anything, you’re more aware of the dodgy signals than the easy ones, because they stand out so much
Quite fascinating. Very atmospheric. Slightly different feel to the ride compared to a train.
Love to see this in better light with a sharper lens sometime.
Can’t change the lens - it’s a go pro 8. If you want better light, you could try one of my other videos, such as “Tonbridge to East Croydon” which is in full daylight.
If opportunity arises to record this route again in proper light, I will take it!
This is very cool. I work as a Track Operative on London Underground so I only ever see these at work tamping the track. Quite loud! :D Also the bonus routing to Haywards Heath UPL (DN direction) was cool, hard to see but I figured it out from the junction indicator
Yes, you’re right. We then shunted into the siding at Haywards. Due to restrictions with the signalling, there’s a weird scenario where you have to run into the platform, change ends then shunt back past the shunt signal (seen just before the platform) then change ends again for the siding
@@emmo999 Sounds like an interesting move there, was it being stabled there overnight or positioned for use later for upcoming tamping work?
It is great as it doesn’t matter which vehicle is used as the same route is also used by Southern and Thameslink vehicles so it’s great for all drivers wanting to route learn (or just enthusiasts like myself) :)
I know enthusiasts will enjoy it. Most of our work is obviously in the night, so it can be hard getting footage where people can actually see anything. I’m glad it’s appreciated
WHAT ABOUT SOUTHEASTERN WITH MY ACADEMY STUFFS ABOUT INCLUDING SOUTHEASTERN DIVERSION IN SURREY, KENT, LONDON TO HASTINGS VIA TONBRIDGE (KENT) BY SOUTHEASTERN,
BY TOBY NOSIKE, TOBX1622CAREWTOBY AND TOBTNOSIKE9433.
OK. Constructive... It was actually quite good and kept my attention throughout. It was fascinating to see the light pollution and the cast it put on otherwise mundane suburbia. You are right about the totally dark bits though. I know this line well, but really could not distinguish Balcombe Tunnel or Copyhold at all. A couple of decent headlights on the front of the tamper, if only to glint of the track immediately ahead would be ideal, but I'm guessing the boss would not be too keen on modifications! ... at least not without a new TOPS number! Overall, I would not give up on these evening/late night moves as, at least in this example, there is plenty enough to attract the viewer, and when not, you are already ahead of us in editing those bits out.
I’m aware that by the end it got very very dark, hence the cut. I’m likely to rarely upload dark videos, as they have little value, but obviously in the winter months, daylight hours can be hard to come by, so this was an experiment to see what the recording would be like before we get to that point in the year
Teacher:”What do you want to do when you leave school Emm”?
Emm:”I want to drive a yellow contraption with no suspension and square wheels....at night!”
Teacher:”I know just the job for you.....”
😉
Perfect for the job! 😆
Sounds like there is a blazing fire in the cab!
Just wind and the normal rattles we have to put up with. On the machine, you adjust and ignore them after a while!
@@emmo999 Thank you. I guessed that much! but if you sat back and let your imagination roam!…you could feel your toes warming.
Thanks for the lovely bit of third rail action - even if your particular vehicle wasn't using it. I am wondering what plans are afoot to replace the third rail with overhead wires in the south-east, or perhaps there might be an extension of third rail westwards?
I’m led to believe Network Rail do not want any more 3rd rail. To replace the whole network with OHLE would cost billions. So I doubt it’ll happen any time soon
@@emmo999 I have an understanding that while existing third rail is going to be maintained, the case for extending its range has been killed by the stringent safety requirements for future expansion, and that some third rail in London's north has already been given up for safer and more efficient overhead wires.
There certainly isn't going to be a wholesale transition, but I do think perhaps the south-west will be electrified overhead, and that this will be relatively slowly extended over the existing third rail infrastructure. Although I don't think that would a bad thing in terms of safety and running costs, it would bring a tear to the eyes of myself and many others I'm sure. Indeed, third rail is an old technology, and it is beset with old inefficiencies and safety concerns - but it is very British.
I can’t think of anywhere quickly in north London that has given up 3rd rail for OHLE. Recent OHLE work was the GOBLIN, which was a diesel line. Certainly the Watford line is still 3rd rail.
Wow! Euston to Watford Junction. Thanks! You would certainly be an authority relative to me; I'm Australian, and have just recently decided to exercise my curiosity. Does this line carry stock from the rest of the third rail network, or is it physically isolated? Is there any footage on TH-cam of this line?
It runs LOROL class 378 stock, which are dual voltage (750v 3rd rail and 25kv OHLE) so stock is interchangeable). Not sure if there’s any footage (there’s some videos on YT, but no obvious cab rides footage). Some still has the old 4th rail left from when LUL went to Watford, but it is long disused
Hat's off to you and all the other drivers. You really have to know your routes. Pretty dark out there. I can't imagine what it must be like in the rain or snow or fog!! Be safe.Does your engine not have any headlights?
Yes, they’re terrible 😂😂
What, no headlights..
Looks good speeding through the bright stations..
In the dark, optical illusion with signal lights, appear to be moving all over the place..
Thanks..
All trains have headlights, but they’re more about being seen than actually seeing. It’s only the more modern trains that have higher power headlights (and consequently don’t need yellow fronts) that can see more with
Hey different but definitely great video as I'm in the united states and as tracks are operated on opposite sides but I enjoyed your videos only thing is the red light in the corner of the screen from the video recorder seems like a hidden red moon top right corner but still very decent video. The stations over there are much well maintained than here where I'm living by metro north rail road in the U.S
I need to put a bit of tape over that. It’s the red on the camera to say it’s recording. In daylight you can’t see the reflection, but obviously in a bit of darkness you can
3:00.......377 111 with the "Thank you NHS" wrap........??
Yes, certainly appears so!
How boring am I, I have Victoria to Brighton on Train Simulator :)
It’s not a bad trip!
Terrific video. Must be recent because I saw face masks.
Yes, filmed during the pandemic. Also taking advantage of the longer summer days
From about 26min in a bit like going through lights at Blackpool. Not like a passenger trying to look out of side window (never ending tunnel). So ya ok. Just not a lot to see.
That’s why I’ve avoided recording night time videos - if I did that I could get recordings all the time. Unfortunately it doesn’t leave much for viewers to see