Through Running Starts on the Elizabeth Line

I live in the US but come to Britain fairly regularly (family, work, etc.) - and consequently I often read UK news as I've become a bit of an Anglophile. Anytime I hear about any change {good, bad or otherwise] to the UK rail infrastructure, especially if it is to do with London, I immediately think of Geoff. As soon as I saw there were through trains on the Elizabeth Line, I knew I could count of Geoff to be on top of it! Thank you, Geoff, for never disappointing!

I'm not a train nerd or buff or whatever it's called and I couldn’t give a rats behind about trains. But... Elizabeth Line is such a miracle I sit on it and marvel each time. Using the tube all my life as a Londoner nothing quite prepares you for the magnificence of this train of the future. I rode it the first day it opened and used the train on the 6th of November when it opened running through Liverpool to Stratford. Couldn’t have come soon enough. But I digress. Just wanted to say that your train videos are par excellence. Just the way you are very thorough, very knowledgeable and fun. There's no one else I'd rather watch and I came searching for this video hoping you'd make one and you did. And I learnt a LOT so using the train will be so much a better experience. I could say "train nerd go get a life" but nah you’re literally essential to daily living. Transport wise. So do carry on.

When I visited London in August, I had a day of solo tourism where I could indulge any uninteresting geekery that crossed my mind and I went out of my way to ride the central section of the Elizabeth Line from Paddington to Liverpool Street, and saw the trains from the western section coming in at the main train shed at Paddington. It seems to me that one could consider this the real opening of the Elizabeth Line, in the sense that it's now running as designed for the purpose it was designed for.

All I can say is it's about time too! I remember back in the mid 90's when they were talking about Crossrail. It's great to see it finally running! (PS, yes it's Crossrail).

Geoff, You are a great way of me finding out what’s happening in the UK. I love your videos. Keep up the awesome work and updates!

Karl in a video immediately brightens up a Monday. Fun video lads!

"Geoff Trains" I laughed out loud.

I used this yesterday to go from Reading to Stratford. It was a good journey although the disadvantage is that it stopped at every station between Reading and Southall. I changed at Liverpool Street, which wasn't a problem as it wasn't very busy. Coming back I noticed that most people, including myself transferred at Paddington to GWR

Rather difficult for passengers at Paddington wanting to go to places like Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford to know where the next best train is departing from. Maybe a Kings Cross type indicator system should be used here to show the Maidenhead & Reading Elizabeth Line trains on the main line stationtrain indicator boards (at Kings Cross the indicators show Thameslink trains from St Pancrss heading up the GN lines).

Trains and rain. All we are missing is tea for the perfect British combo.

It’s amazing they built not only a line across the region, but they were able to build it with 2 branches at each end. Meanwhile here in NYC they are saying the new “Grand Central Madison” terminal will open before the end of the year (no exact date yet). The Gateway project to double up the tunnels from Penn Station across the Hudson River is years away from completion, (first they need to replace an over 100 year old swing bridge that always gets stuck partially open.)

How about that smooth entry by Carl!

Love your videos Geoff. Coming to London 11/15-11/29 from San Francisco to see the Purple Line and Northern extension. Super excited! I retired from BART as the Manager of Schedules. Pre Covid we operated 24THPH on our 2 track central core in SF. Cheers - Jay Bolcik

Always entertaining. Thanks Geoff!

Brilliant video Geoff I am so glad that you can ride most of the Elizabeth line with our changing

The through running services is such a beneficial way in travelling in and out of the central section of the railway, as it does saves time from having to change over at both London mainline stations. I literally went there today in the east side towards Stratford and it's definitely a life saver for sure!

It’s another edition of Geoff looking fabulous while illuminating us about the Elizabeth Line. Pity it’s raining heavily. P.S. I hope you haven’t fallen ill.

the last 2 times I have gone to London I have used the Elizbeth line. My journey is from Paddington to Custom House. I know that the information in this video is not going to change that but to do that in 20-odd minutes instead of the hour or so is fantastic. about your question of getting a GWR to Paddington and then go to Elizabeth line or go from Reading - for me I would say Paddington is better for the return since its a good place for one last meetup with friends before they need to go to other routes. fantastic video, Geoff.

That quick from Stratford to Paddington is superb, if I add in my 26 minutes from Chelmsford to Stratford on the main line and the 15 minute Heathrow Express I could do Chelmsford to Heathrow in about 75 mins !!!

The case for going on to build Crossrail 2 should not rely on easier journeys, new routes, economic benefits etc., but should be built purely to provide Geoff with new topics for videos.