Here's the report outlining alternatives to the Croxley Rail link.... I'd be interested to hear what you think as some of the ideas sound rather outlandish! www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/media-library/documents/highways/mlx-alternatives-updated-report-2021-v1.01-accessible-checked.pdf

@johngardiner6748

Жыл бұрын

How about the three Wood Green stations?

I’m always astounded by the work you put into your uploads Rob. This isn’t an area I know but nevertheless I found it fascinating. I appreciate that there was a huge amount of duplication of railways back in the past, but I still feel a bit sad that all that hard work has been lost. Thank you again.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

A lovely comment Mark; many thanks sir.

H Rob ,What a journey down memory lane .My parents moved to Croxley Green around 1955 when I was 8 years old ! My father worked at Croxley paper mill and I eventually attended Watford Boys GS whose cricket ground was almost adjacent to what was known as Watford Met. A remarkable structure blending in with the local housing. An avid train spotter I frequently used Croxley Green Station en route to Watford Junction and the fleshpots of Willesden and Old Oak Common and also passed it biking to school. I had a wealthy uncle who was a member at West Herts GC and often played at Moor Park. My father played at Rickmansworth Municipal ! I never used the other CG station as our house was on the" Watford side " We moved away from the area in 1969 so I was fascinated by you history .Thank you so much for taking me back to my childhood.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

This was a pleasure to read, Neil- thank you so much for sharing your memories

@JohnFrancisFriendship

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon Thanks for this, Rob. I was brought up in Winton Drive, Croxley and remember the old entrance to the LMS station - simple but so much better than concrete stairs! I also recall the clunking of coal wagons being shunted at the Met. station and the way BR always collected our luggage a few days before going on holiday - it was delivered it to the address where we were staying so we only needed a small hold-all on the train. I often played around the old Watford-Rickmansworth line (Ebury Way) where occasional Goods trains ran and the branch left for Dickenson's Paper Mill - where 'Old Man Sarratt' was thought o live. Memories!

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

@@JohnFrancisFriendship What a lovely comment and memories! Thanks so much for sharing.

As we supporters have come to enjoy, this was and other well-researched video. Thank you. Sadly I will never be in London again but I love the history you dig up. Rob

@Robslondon

3 ай бұрын

Thanks Rob! Hope you're having a good week.

I do remember that Station, though as a kid the station building was long gone but the corrugated iron covered staircase was still very much present. My mother worked very close by and my Grandfather has once worked for the Dickinson’s paper mill. Fascinating video thank you

@Robslondon

9 күн бұрын

Lovely comment, and thank you

Very nostalgic scenes for me and lots of interesting history I was not aware of. In the early 1970's I commuted daily as a school boy of Rickmansworth Grammar (as was) School between Northwood and Croxley stations. We used the woods through which the line passes as cover for smoking and other nefarious activities during school hours.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Brilliant comment John 😉 Thanks for sharing your memories

Thanks to you among others, I could keep my kids and wife entertained on our trip to London last summer with fun facts and stories, and you keep me entertained with all your videos. Hope this little donation keeps you entertained a bit, so that the entertainment-circle would be complete :)

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Adam; thank you so much my friend, your kind words and donation mean a lot to me 😊 Really appreciate your support; thank you again and stay well sir.

I used to live in Watford so this was cool to watch. I never thought I’d find theses sort of videos interesting, but it randomly popped up and now I’m hooked. Great job ❤

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Daisy! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

@SlurpyDave254

Жыл бұрын

As u get older Daisy we find stuff that may have been boring years ago now find absolutely fascinating 😊👍

@daisyshine5735

Жыл бұрын

@@SlurpyDave254 absolutely!

Very interesting, Rob! Watch out you don’t have Jago after you for stepping on his patch! 😂

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

😉

Once again broadcast quality research and production. Your channel deserves so many more subs than it currently has. Keep up the good work

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

That really does mean a lot to me Cossie68, thank you so much- it’s kind words like yours which keep me making videos. Thanks again my friend and stay well.

That was a really informative video, I watch many train videos and this is top notch. I used to travel on the Watford DC line in the 1980s and have fond memories of the Class 501's. 👍🏻

@Robslondon

Ай бұрын

Much appreciated, thank you!

Lived in croxley most of my life and never new about the old station. i remember seeing the old stairs but didn't know much beyond that. thanks for the video!

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

It’s a pleasure Andrew, many thanks for the kind words.

I worked at Watford Met as a Booking Clerk and also at Croxley but at as a Station Supervisor as well as a BC.

Superb doc, I'm originally from Watford now overseas. My Dad grew up in Croxley, what a great piece of film - thank you!

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

It’s a pleasure! Thanks for the kind words 😊

Last week I went on the bridge over the canal and along the old track. And then found this fantastic video, thank you.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated Steve, thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!

Come by this by this film accident , what a happy accident it was. I lived in Croxley Green from about 1970 until around 1980, we lived in Watford Road, i attended rickmansworth grammar school and left school in 1977. I used both Croxley stations and have fond memories of the area, indeed my best mate lived in Winton drive which runs along the side of the met station. Your film brought back some really amazing memories of the time i lived there. Thank you. 👍

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Such a lovely comment; many thanks indeed. Glad I was able to bring some of those memories back for you ☺ Cheers and stay well.

As immersive, informative and entertaining as ever. Thanks Rob. Between '71 and '77 I worked behind Kensington High Street with a chap called Bob and if we worked late he would give me a lift home on his 250cc AJS and later his Norton Commando. If it was a summer evening the trip could easily last more than an hour and on a few occasions we travelled from High St Ken to East Acton via Rickmansworth. I've never knowingly heard of Croxley Green before and am thrilled to find I was so close to it all those years ago :-)

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Brilliant comment Paul, thank you- enjoyed reading your memories 😉 Hope you’re keeping well

Quite ironic that a lot of closed lines would be so useful now! A very short sighted folly no doubt we’ve paid for many times over in taxes. I lived in Bushey for many years and Croxley was somewhere the posh folk lived 😊. Excellent video, sparks so many memories of better times ❤👍

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Louise; and yes- good points!

literally ALL the Metropolitain Line had to do was move the present - day Croxley station a little bit up the line and propose a connection with the London, Midland and Scottish railway and then it would give a handy link to Watford Junction via the Croxley Green line

I got onto the disused line and took my dog for a night walk along it last summer. Very creepy. Thanks for the info. Very interesting.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

It's a pleasure; thanks for the nice comment 🙂That would be a creepy walk!

@StarWarsJay

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon it was! That Ebury way cycle path is a strange place at night too. Are you from that area?

I have to admit until today I had no idea your website existed. It was only the Croxley Green name that caught my attention being an ex-Watford boy before emigrating to Perth West Australia. Watching your video brought lots of happy memories and I can even remember using the old line to watch a couple of Watford f.c. games. Living over here I was really disappointed when the plan of running the Metropolitan to Watford Junction via the old line was cancelled as it would have been a huge benefit to Watford passengers giving them a whole new area to travel to plus another way of reaching London especially since they cancelled the Bakerloo line to Watford. It's almost as if those in charge of TfL doesn't like Watford. I'm definitely subscribing to this website as this video was excellent in many ways. I even got views of Watford which almost made me homesick....almost.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Peter; a lovely comment which I really enjoyed reading. It’s great to have you here! Cheers and stay well.

To the left of the stairs leading up to Croxley LMS station, the blank area below the station was always painted black and displayed in large white capital letters "At this LMS station all trains to London". It was still visible from the Rickmansworth road at least up to 1967. There was a large scrap yard beyond in the old 'goods yard (with LMS cast-letters-on-wood sign) and a class 4 tank engine did the occasional truck load. The Church Street branch had a more frequent steam goods traffic in the early 1960s but I only visited it once on a special behind a LMS 2P 4-4-0. A small printers occupied the old station building, doing wedding cards etc. One could pick up LNW insulators from the electrified days. As to the Met. line, Croxley never seemed to change, except when the compartment brown-liveried T stock gave way to the silver A60 stock.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Great comment John, thanks for sharing

Although I think the Metropolitan Line connection along the old route to Watford Junction could be useful, I was never too keen on the fact that they would close Watford Met Station at the same time. I'm interested that you believe that the curve from Croxley to Rickmansworth is perhaps underutilised, so to fix that, I would have preferred if Watford Met stayed open and run regular shuttle services towards Rickmansworth, whilst also maintaining London bound trains to run from Watford Junction via Croxley.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Excellent comment and thoughts. I agree; I’d never like to see Watford Met closed. Thanks and stay well.

@markhome6

Жыл бұрын

I beleive they planned to run a limited service to Watford Met and use line for train storage during quiet times of day

I lived between Carpenders Park and Bushey and remember seeing the Bakerloo trains go by in the peak

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

A great memory to have 😉

Thank you for this video. I am surprised that you didn't manage to catch me walking my dog in some of these shots as we are always around this area. The LT dump in Croxley is one of my dog's favourite parts as it is full of squirrels.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Lovely comment Christopher! 😁 Cheers and stay well

Your work on these is just great! I imagine a great deal of research, and low ground recon was the order of many days. Big TY for your huge efforts; a new fan is born.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much robertsolo, that means a lot to me. It's good to have you here! Thanks again and stay well.

My first viewing of your channel Rob, thanks. I know the area well but your first class research has enlightened me. I recall that a former colleague used to travel from West Watford to Watford High Street & change for the St Albans service daily back in the 1980’s Subbed😊👍

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Such a lovely comment, thank you 😊 And thanks too for the sub; great to have you along! Cheers and stay well.

This was so interesting! What a lot of in-depth work you put into this! I live in watford but have lived in Rickmansworth and Croxley Green. This area all my life. Fascinating stuff. Going to play this to my parents in their 90's tomorrow! Thank you!

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for such a lovely comment Rod, much appreciated my friend! Hope your parents enjoy the video too. Thanks again and stay well.

@rodgilbert5128

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon My parents really enjoyed the video.... it was a terrific trip down memory lane which loaned to chatting about this for about an hour! Thank you again so much for an invaluable piece of beautifully put together history of our area! X

Hi Rob My friend in Bristol pointed me at your Croxley Green Video. What a brilliant piece of local history I live in Harefield and had a business for many years off Tolpits near the crossing you pictured onto the moor. Used to walk the Ebury Way in both directions to Rickmansworth and the old Watford link with my sadly departed faithful hound. Have also traced the branch line to the paper works which was located neear the now Camalot Lottery HQ site and also a light railway to the waterworks on the other side or the trackbed across the fields Was very interested in the Croxley Link proposal and have walked the overgrown line quite a few time with friends. Lots of interesting peices of memorabilia on the way, as you mention they did clear the track bed and it really looked like a positive and very practical solution was in the making. Sadly this got kicked into the long grass and now looks very unlikely to ever surface again. The trackbed is gradually returning to nature again, but the main route is still able to be walked with a bit of care. Must return again soon! I especialy liked your detail of the Croxley Loop and tunnel and the overgrown land adjescent, I was always wondering why there was no development their and so many interesting items to be found lying about the area adjascent to the canal Must go for another walk in this area with renewed interest Used to live in Belmont near the old line to Stanmore from Harrow and Wealdstone Station, maybe another interesting story to be told Thanks for the very good video Have subscribed so will certainly be keeping in touch Very best Rob and keep up the good work Mark

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Loved this comment Mark, really enjoyed reading it. I know Tolpits Lane well and, like you, I walked the track bed (would've been not long after it closed, so a bit naughty! It was back when the Sun Printers was still in place- albeit derelict). Seems impossible to do at the moment as the overgrowth is quite severe. Great idea regarding the old Stanmore line.... and, like you, I used to live in Belmont too! I lived on Kenton Lane, close to Braziers Dairy (my first job was in the Tesco store on Belmont Circle). Thanks again for your kind words and support; it means a great deal to me and I'm very happy to now have you as a friend of the channel. Cheers and stay well.

@VernonMaldoom

Жыл бұрын

Just say that the Paper Mill was the other side of Croxly moor from Camelot, with wharfeage on the canal.

@VernonMaldoom

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon I was apprenticed at Sun Printers and I used to have to walk through a tunnel to get to the main works from the 'new' Composing Room & Letterpress Machine Room.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

@@VernonMaldoom Interesting, I didn't know there was a tunnel beneath there.

Grew up in Croxley. This is fascinating to me.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Bobby! Glad you like it.

I agree with you Re services on the curve between Ricky and Watford, the traffic on the equivalent road is horrific most of the time and a service would provide a definite need.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Exactly. I think they’re missing a trick! 😉

@wilsonflood4393

Жыл бұрын

Great to know it is still called Ricky. "Goin' back to old Ricky are ya?" as the ticket collector said to me in 1966 when I had returned from Chesham.

Superb research, Rob: very thorough. Excellent quality filming and editing, and great commentary. I recall that it was the cost (hundreds of millions) and unforthcoming funding sources that killed the Croxley Met Line link plan. Thanks for a great video!

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Richard. Yes, I think the cost closed the project down sadly 😕

Great and interesting video as always. Thanks Robert.👍👍👍😍😍😍

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you as always Sharon! Really appreciate your support

The most detailed appreciation of the Croxley rail scene that I have watched to date . The proposed Croxley Rail Link would probably have been signed off had Boris Johnson stayed on as Mayor of London , but Sadiq Khan shelved it in favour of the Crossrail project . Once more , the idea of reinstating the former LMR line seems little more than a fading pipe dream . It would be great if an alternative and viable project could be implemented , since the regeneration of Watford West was central to the Croxley Rail Link initiative . Many thanks for posting .

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

That's really kind of you to say William; many thanks, and thank you too for sharing your thoughts. Interesting comment. Stay well.

Thanks for another cracking vlog very interesting 🧐

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

It's a pleasure David! Thanks for watching! ;-)

Many thanks Rob for taking us along on this one; You're in depth research and presentation style shined through. As always, much appreciated.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

It's an absolute pleasure; I couldn't do it though without your kind words and support. Cheers ;-)

Bob, sorry I am a day behind. The first word I read was Croxley and ah thats paper, before watching your video I searched Croxley and Paper , why did I bother you were soon on the case and mentioned the mill and the paper link Keep them coming lot of work for you but great viewing for us your followers

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Butch! Good to see you here, hope you're keeping well.

Also, Charing Cross and Shoreditch have had multiple stations bearing those names at various overlapping times.

Thanks!

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

That is so kind, thank you! Truly appreciate your support :-) Stay well my friend.

Other instances (apart from the Hammersmith/Edgware Rd thing other have mentioned) are that, for a brief while there were two Harrows (now Harrow-on-the-Hill and Harrow & Wealdstone) and two South Harrows - one on the then District Line and one on the GCR (which is now Sudbury Hill (Harrow)). Hatch End station was called Pinner originally - but I'm not sure if it ever overlapped with the Met station with the same name? I have used the Watford Stadium station back in the 80s and it would be jolly useful now! ⚽😃

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Great comment Brian, thank you! I didn’t know Hatch End station was called Pinner originally; interesting.

An excellent production - yet again. Many thanks, Rob.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated Peter; many thanks sir

Excellent fact filled video, I am always so very impressed with your videos. I am not familiar with this location so it was great to learn so much information. Pleased to see you covering railways once again :)

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Really appreciate that Darren, thank you 😊

I remember working at Croxley Grn Stn in my role as Gas Fitter for BR

Amazing video and the first video that actually explains the history in detail. I used to live in Amersham sadly I was not alive when serves to Croxley Green seized but I have always been interrested in this line. I think a shuttle service would be an amazing idea and hopefully a bridge over the dual carriageway will be built. At the end of the day Watford met is not even close to Town Centre and if you want to get to town centre cheaply you need to take the W30.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Excellent comment thank you; and thank you also for the kind words.

Really good and interesting video, where it would seem a lot of effort went in. I know the area quite well, so that made this great too.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

That's really kind Barney, thank you. Stay well.

More great work! Well done Rob... I'm certain Jago Hazzard would approve too! 🙃

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Bryan 😊

wow I always wondered what happened to the abandoned railway behind our former house , good to know

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Glad to be of service! 😄

In Japan, where 2 separate railway lines has stations of.the same name but without being an interchange station, it's differentiated by having the name of the line/train operating company proceeding the station name. If this was implemented in London, Bethnal Green would be "London Underground Bethnal Green" and "National Rail Bethnal Green"

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Really interesting, thank you. As you may know. there are in fact three West Hampstead stations in London, although one of them- similar to as you describe here- is called West Hampstead Thameslink. Thanks again and stay well 😉

The building which houses "The Moon Under Water" pub in Watford town centre (which I was actually in earlier today!) has a couple of ceramic roundels featuring the head of Queen Victoria which hint at the building's intended purpose.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

You were in there today?! Hope you had a good drink John! Cheers 🍺😉

@johna5635

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon Yeah, this video got very close to home! I was once assured by a guy in another local pub [The Red House - next to Croxley Station] that, as soon as Mayor Khan leaves office, the Croxley Rail link is back on because he was specifically against spending money outside of London's inner circle.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

@@johna5635 Let’s hope so 😉 The Red House is a great pub by the way. Do you know Wishful Drinking in Rickmansworth? That’s a nice place too, although I’m a little biased as a friend of mine owns it! Worth a visit 😉

@johna5635

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon I'll check it out!

@markhome6

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon As is the the 'Tap and Anchor' opposite the Red House, saved our lives serving takeaway ale during lockdown

Great production as always Rob. I always enjoy your story telling.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Mike, that means a lot to me. Stay well.

Excellent video as always thanks!

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated Jatz, thank you

Hi Rob brilliant video as always,although being a Yorkshire lad and living in Austria,I always look forward to your video’s. Keep up the good work and see you next time cheers 👍👍

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

You’re a true gentleman Nicholas; thank you as ever for your kind support. Hope you’re keeping well.

Rob ,once again and on January Day in 23, superb 😊🏴‍☠️

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Alan 😊

Great job again Rob, In the 1980s, my friends and I used to take the first train out of Harrow-On-The-Hill station to Croxley or Rickmansworth on a Sunday morning, to go fishing. I have great memories of us all trudging up the road in rotten weather with all our heavy gear and the only other person around was the paper boy. Keep up the good work Rob.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

What a wonderful memory.... thanks so much for sharing. Hope you're keeping well :-)

In 1966 on a tube tour I remember travelling to Watford by the Metropolitan then walking to Watford junction. I could see why they wanted the extension.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it’s a bit of a trek isn’t it!

@wilsonflood4393

Жыл бұрын

I lived in Glasgow (I was 19) but I had become fascinated by the London Underground. So I decided to spend a holiday in London and I travelled the entire network in 2 days using rover cards . Cost was 12 shillings (60 pence) per day for a card. During the rest of the holiday I did the tourist sites all on my ownio. What an adventure.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

@@wilsonflood4393 Brilliant comment Wilson! I love Glasgow- have you seen my much earlier video series about the Glasgow Subway? Cheers and stay well.

@gvdlpgg2406

Жыл бұрын

Used the Glasgow Subway every day to the uni. The old one with the metal gates on the end of the coaches like the original Central line carriages.

I find it hard to put Harrys Game alongside Casualty. For some reason an A&E nurse being an assassin seems surreal

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Ha ha 😉

Fascinating video. I remember travelling on the LNWR line to Watford junction regularly when I was a child in the 60's. The platform was on the same side as the station buildings then and the whole station felt like it was in the 1930's. Even then local people used it to get into Watford.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

A lovely comment and memory; thank you so much for sharing. Stay well.

Bit late watching this one but another really well produced and interesting video

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Louise 😊 Hope you’re ok

Very interesting and informative video especially as the Watford to Rickmonsworth branch line was a few minutes from where I lived as a child in the1950s and early 60s.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

A lovely comment Tom, thank you for sharing

I live in Watford and have always seen the old railway line over the bridge at the old Watford west point and have wanted to walk down the Watford West line. There's a £1,000 fine if you are caught being on it. I know some kids that have been down there but I never have. It's a lost piece of time.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Great comment, thanks. It is tempting isn’t it 😉

Another very informative video Rob. Great work.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated Paul, thank you

If one stops the clip at the bit where the suffragettes burnt it down, you can see the sidings beyond. Our house was built along & to the left in Sycamore Road. We were at the bottom of the embankment, along with a few alotments. The line went on to a woodyard that was accessed from Sycamore Approach. I remember coal wagons being shunted by steam locomotive on those sidings. Later on the sidings and massive amounts of soil were removed and a small housing estate named 'Mayfare' was built, beyond the back gardens of Sycamore Road.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I mention Mayfare and the sidings in the video Vernon.

I'm always impressed by your research.Always interesting and informative! Thanks Rob

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching, Lorraine 😊

Great video once more Rob, thanks

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

It’s a pleasure; thank you for watching

Thank you for a great video.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

It’s a pleasure Michael, thank you so much for watching

Very interesting video, beautifully presented and you've got a niche market. Croxley Green station entrance was on a roundabout so parking was a real problem. I worked at London Underground during 2012 when we (Network Rail and LU) cut down all of the trees along the track and prepared the permanent way for use for the Croxley rail link. The area by Tolpits Lane had been cleared to allow for a building of a substation. The line remained the property of Network Rail, despite the fact that there hadn't been a train run along the line for a number of years. At the time, Watford and Croxley were in a marginal Conservative seat. Boris Johnson was mayor. The rail line ended up being a political, hot potato, passed back and forth between MPs and the mayor, and we have all found out what he was like as a leader. When the initial cost came in at £85m Johnson said to go ahead. Preparation work included input from Network Rail and Watford Borough Council. Whilst TfL and Network Rail had experience of building railways, the council had not. By the time TfL took full control of the administration from Watford, £30 million had already been spent with nothing to show for it (this is not the fault of Watford, but of politicians). A second feasibility study landed the project at £180m. The third and final cost with all risks included reached £298m, and a number of value engineering exercises were addressed, which included single track running, unstaffed stations, ungated stations, opening one station at a time, etc., to keep the costs down but stations and their operations were the primary targets of the project management team - 60% of the cost of the project was the viaduct from the Met to the old Croxley line, crossing over Watford Road and the businesses under the viaduct were not impressed with the plans. 2016 was rapidly approaching as Johnson was heading to the end of his tenure, the CRL or 'Met Line Extension' as it become to be known dissolved into a white elephant and was dropped entirely. Johnson wasn't in favour anymore, he couldn't rescue just one friend for £300m of public money, and Khan was certainly not prepared to deliver for that amount of money. At the same time, London Underground were designing Crossrail station and operations, and also the Northern Line Extension, so it was also a headache for them. As far as I know, Network Rail still own the track. I am sure all of these facts are in the public domain, but here they are all presented together, from someone who played a part, albeit a small one. Note that the original intention of this project - the one that got the go-ahead, was to 'better connect Watford'.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Matt, this is a incredible comment and a fascinating insight. Thank you so much for taking the time to write about your thoughts and experience; much appreciated my friend. Thanks again and stay well.

Interesting video, love all the old images.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Rachel 😊

Answered lots of questions lve always wanted to ask, someone, but didn't know who to ask., Brilliant, thankyou so much.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

It’s an absolute pleasure Philip; glad to be of service! Thanks for the kind words 😊

Great video! 👍

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 😉

When these 2 stations were built, the Metropolitan railway considered themselves national rail and resisted merger in the grouping of the big 4 (1923) and into the LPTB (1933) so these were 2 mainline stations with the same name, at least in their opinion. Underground stations that share names include Hammersmith, Edgware Rd and Paddington (2 datelines for the different stations). There used to be 2 Custom House stations until 2006 (North London Line+DLR) and there are 2 Shadwell stations (Overground+DLR) and about 17 unconnected Canary Wharf stations.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Excellent points

@SirKenchalot

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon What do I win? In case my points come across as overly critical, please I ask that you see them in the lighting in which they were intended, as supplemental ideas or facts addition to wha you presented, not a criticism of your work.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

@@SirKenchalot Not at all! When it comes to railways I love the fine details and shared knowledge! ;-) Stay well.

@SirKenchalot

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon If you need thoughts/ideas on rail related stuff in London, there are plenty of great KZreadrs or feel free to contact me.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

@@SirKenchalot Thanks

Thanks for another interesting and informative video!

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! It’s a pleasure 😉

Very interesting

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you

This is all very interesting and very well put together. I think that most of the Watford Metropolitan services were run by 'T' Stock trains rather than loco hauled trains, which handled the services to Rickmansworth where steam engines took over.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Roderic; interesting about the T Stock, wasn’t aware of that. Cheers and stay well

Great video yet again Rob, many thanks.😊👍

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Tony!

Another brilliant vid Rob! You put so much effort into the research, it’s amazing! 👍🏻😃 This is near to my neck of the woods but all this was new info for me… bravo! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much as always Lady Ellice! Hope you're keeping well! :-)

@ladyellice1863

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon I am Rob! I hope the New Year is also treating you well?

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

@@ladyellice1863 Yes, all good; thanks for asking ;-)

Thanks Rob. Although I am not a Rail enthusiast it was as usual a wonderfully researched piece and well produced. Thanks mate

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

That’s really kind of you to say 😉 Cheers Doug

Thank Rob, an interesting video of a story that I would never have been aware of.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Raymonda, glad you enjoyed it!

Fascinating how overgrown the disused line has become in just 30 years. You mentioned future archaeologists - it would be really interesting to know what future arcaeologists make of the straight roads we have made across the country when they dig them up. I live two minutes' walk up the road from a disused railway which is now a long walkway, cycle path and nature reserve. Without a dedicated group of enthusiasts and the local councils it will return to woodland which most of Britain used to be.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Great points, Peter. Yes, I was surprised at just how overgrown it had become (especially for winter). I remember a few years back, the disused line was pretty clear (I even had a cheeky explore along some parts), but that would be impossible in its current state. Cheers and stay well.

Excellent as always. Well researched & interesting. Keep up the good work. A+ well done.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciate Mick, thank you 🙂

Thanks Rob for creating such an interesting video. I grew up in Croxley and now live near the Metropolitan line station in Watford and remember the old station in Croxley Green.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks J 😊

Hello Rob Thanks for another fact filled video. Take care Chris and Sandra of Canada.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much; hope you’re both keeping well 😊

Hi Rob, happy belated New Year to you and family. Apologies for not commenting and watching recently. I started a new job late in 2022 and have been busy with training and alike. Had to watch this one as I am a former Railway worker, and love trains and the history. This was a very good video as always you never let us down. I hope you are all doing well, best wishes to you.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much John, good to see you again! Happy new year to you too my friend; hope the new job is going well. Cheers and stay well

Really excellent, Rob. I lived out on the Met and regularly cycled to Rickmansworth and Watford but never got to explore Croxley. I am regularly astounded by the detail and quality of your posts - that's why I'm a subscriber - Many thanks, and stay well!

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Roger; really appreciate your kind words and support. Cheers ;-)

Great video Rob! I've always been strangely fascinated by the Croxley Green branch. I even went to do a bit of urbex many years ago!

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Daniel! Wonderful to see you here, hope you're all keeping well? I did a bit of urbex there too....many years ago ;-) Are they any similar lines in Canada to explore? Thanks again mate; stay well.

I have never heard of Groxley Creen before. Thanks for the sharing.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Zulkifli 😊

@zulkiflijamil4033

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon On the contrary, in the 1980s I had stayed and studied in King's Lynn, Norfolk. From September 1980 upto June 1982, i was at Norfolk College of Arts and Technology (previous old name for East Anglia College, if i am not mistaken).

Think it's great finding the old steps etc. I always love a bit of canal footage Rob. Never heard of these stations before, nice one Rob👍👌

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Dave! Hope the new year's going well for you so far ;-)

Rob, Great look into this look into UK rail history. I loved the footage and the brief clips of Paul McCartney's Give My Regards to Broad Street...🇬🇧

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Steve! I know that film was a flop but I’m so glad they made it as it provided some very important historical footage 😉 Cheers and stay well

Absolutely brilliant lived in croxley for 30 years and was once lucky enough to travel direct from to rickmansworth via the north curve due to railway works I was all excited but everyone around me didn't understand

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Ha ha, thanks David! I've only travelled on it once (was on a railway heritage day), it's quite a strange experience isn't it ;-)

@davidhorwood9175

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon I was excited because I grew up so close to Watford road croxley green station played in the woods and on the Moors always came across different little bits of track etc in both areas find it fascinating mate thankyou for your video also only ever see one train in the original croxley station near the harvester once one evening in the early 90s

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

@@davidhorwood9175 Thanks so much David! I lived on Watford Road for a time too, although sadly it was in the early 2000s not long after the trains were no longer able to run... although I did manage to have a cheeky look along the abandoned line; was much easier then as the undergrowth wasn't so severe. Cheers for the kind words and stay well.

@davidhorwood9175

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon yeah I lived in Gonville avenue now live over the other side of croxley off badwins lane but often as a teen ran along the old lines up past and often into sun printers which also had an abandoned go kart track on the top floor

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

@@davidhorwood9175 I know Gonville Avenue well ;-) I didn't realise the Sun Printers had a go kart track on top! That's fascinating. Myself and a friend of mind had a look around the printers when it was derelict, there was evidence that there had been some filming going on- clearly something set in WWII, as there was rubble and a replica London Underground shelter sign... never found out what the film or programme was though.

A very interesting video once again Rob, your research is outstanding. The constant quarrels between railway companies in the Victorian era did the general public no favours and ultimately even the companies suffered.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Many thanks John, and yes- good point about the companies. Stay well.

Absolutely fascinating and in-depth video you have made.I have lived in Watford for 20 years now and I've learnt so much from this video. so much time and effort must have been put into this I take my hat off to you, you've definitely earned to subscriber

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Your kind words mean a lot to me WatfordMan; thank you so much- and it’s great to have you here! Cheers and stay well

Thanks! Nice to hear more about my local tube station. I could think of Hammersmith and Edgware Road at lesdt

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much 😉 And yes- good points!

There are two Shepherd's Bush London Underground Stations of different lines which do not interconnect. I also wonder if the Edgware Rd tube station the loneliest underground station in Central London!..

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Good points ;-)

That was fascinating. I have for 18 years lived in Croxley and a stone's throw from the old station. Before that I used to sometimes drive from Bushey towards Rickmansworth via the roundabout on which the station stood in the 80's and 90's but I cannot for the life of me remember the station as it looked before it was decommissioned.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Many thanks! Hope it’s helped jog your memory! 😉

Have you ever noticed how old LNWR stations always looked SO miserable and dreary? I've got a book here which has lots of pictures of other stations of theirs here in the north of England and they looked just the same, both inside and out, so no wonder so many of their lines got closed, they might've tried to make them look a bit more attractive.

very good video

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😊

@alpeaceandlove

Жыл бұрын

@Robslondon alot of stuff I didn't know about Croxley and alot of thought went onto to this well done

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

@@alpeaceandlove Cheers!

So there was some tube trains used on the Croxley green branch? that would explain why there's a fourth rail shown on other videos about that line. And at 8:33 it shows a class 104 diesel unit showing Woolwich on it's display, was that north Woolwich? surely it must've been as I lived just up the road from Woolwich Arsenal station back in the 60's and I never saw any diesel units there, it was always old BR third rail DC electric units whenever I travelled on it.

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Nice comment, many thanks. I think that photo was taken at Woolwich, yes 😉

Thanks

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Mark, that is so kind of you- many thanks indeed my friend. Cheers and stay well.

It would be really convenient to have the croxley -rickmansworth spur operate, cos it's such a bother going to moor park then waiting for an amersham train that I just rather not. Very interesting

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Exactly. I think having trains regularly run directly between Watford, Rickmansworth and Amersham would be a great thing.

@silveribis55

Жыл бұрын

@@Robslondon I work for Balfour Beatty, and have done since 2007. The main projects we cover has been many of the London underground lines, both open and tunnel, and was on most of the jobs that renewed all the lines from Watford to baker Street...and up to Rickmansworth...including that little spur road. We used a patch of ground to the left as you curve to Moor park as access and compound...and access machines through there.

very comfy

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

😊

Prior to nationalisation it was quite normal for two different stations to have the same name. In the area north-west of London were pairs of stations called "Rickmansworth" and "Stanmore".

@Robslondon

Жыл бұрын

Yes, Stanmore is a good one