The Tube Train In the Channel Islands

On the small island of Alderney in the Channel Islands, did you know there's a railway which uses old 1959 Tube Stock to run its services. So I took a trip and spent a few days there to explore the island, ride the railway, and revel in the old Northern Line stock.

Thanks to additional photos & video, from Richard Griffin and LS/YourIslandPhotography.

CORRECTION:
0:15 I've got 'Herm' and 'Sark' transposed in the graphic at the beginning, which is hugely annoying!

[magnoxian]

What an unexpected little treat. I lost my father last year. He was a guard on the Central Line when he first came over from the Caribbean in the 1950s. We lived in Tooting on the Northern line so I fondly remember him explaining all the indicator abbreviations. As I child, I loved watching the active brake pressure gauges. Miss you, Skipper 😪

[bensonby]

One of your best ever videos Geoff. You’ve inspired me to pay a visit myself one day!

[chriswall]

Hi Geoff, in 1972 my parents got jobs in the Island school. We lived a rented bungalow alongside the track looking out across Braye Bay and in those days, the rubbish dump! I turned 5 just before we moved and started school on Alderney; we used to walk to school along the line. In those days the train, pulled by Molly, was in use ... probably moving stone for maintenance of the navy breakwater as they ran out on to it regularly. Sadly, house prices leapt in 1973, so we moved back to the Mainland. Last time we were there as a family was Summer 1979 for a holiday. Chris Wall

[mdhazeldine]

Geoff "go the extra mile" Marshall. Not only did you go all the way to the channel Islands to ride on the Underground, but you also took more dives onto gravel than any other video I think you've ever made, and tried some pretty unusual shots (camera on the track anyone?). It's almost like you've done a course in videography and are trying to up your game with new unusual angles. Well done for pushing the (guard's) bar ever higher! lol.

[Professor_sckinnctn]

This video is why I love your channel, Geoff: your infectious joy is brilliant.

[cawsha]

Next video: Eclipse Halt, Least Used Station on Alderney

[CBeaumontHIGTFY]

The lights on the tube train cab end are actually flashing as I remember when I visited. One thing that Geoff didn't mention is that the loco and tube carriages at each end are fitted with Dash Cams - sadly road traffic on the island has increased and as you can see from the map of the crossings there are a large number of them, most of which are road ones. None of the crossings have lights or barriers. Whitegates crossing, near to Eclipse Halt (which serves the Football Club and Saye Campsite a short walk to the north) - is a particularly dangerous crossing - the train is effectively entering a road blind in the westbound direction.

It's useful for the drivers of the loco to be able to see over the top of the train as well, as it's push and pull operation. The bells are the crew communicating and the team at the westbound end have to authorise the loco to pass each crossing via bell communication. A wired telephone also exists between each driving end (one of which is the loco) - for speech communication. When travelling Eastbound, the second man in the loco is on lookout for road traffic.

Fun fact, as Geoff mentions, the compressed air braking system is still there and they are the original brakes on the carriages. They are linked up to the loco's brakes via the air pipe, but if the crew at the westbound end apply the brakes of the carriages they will stop the carriages and the over 70 year old loco - even if the loco doesn't shut off power - they are that powerful.

[edwardlees]

Alderney is a wonderful snapshot of what Jersey and Guernesy used to be like before they became the modern financial centres we see today. I haven't been over there for around 10 yrears but hope to get back as soon as the ferries from France start running again. Geoff, if you ever get to Jersey rent an electric bike and cycle the two former railway routes which head east and west from St Helier. The one to the west, in particular is well woth if for the views at the far end.

[keithkellogg]

Geoff! Your enthusiasm and genuine affection for Alderney was lovely to see, and infectious. A great video. Big cheers to the volunteers!

[casanovalenny]

Anyone else feel Geoff's pain mentioning the train he's too big for 😭

[TWLIV]

I'd like an all the miniature stations please - never too old for miniature trains!

[bobbynoggin]

Must have impressed the Alderney Railway Society as there is now a direct link to this upload on their website.

Travelled on this line in 1995 when presumably it would have been on the older stock. The current tube carriages seem to be in much better condition than the one I remember being on.

[andyhill]

I like the way the locomotive is tall enough to see over the carriages when running backwards.

[petittrainguernsey]

Guernsey does have a train!
The Petit Train!
My tourist land train tours St Peter Port throughout the summer and Christmas.

[jonojersey]

Woohoo jersey boy here…. I suggested this to you a couple years ago - happy to see you did it. Jersey also had a Railway but only the old station buildings exist now as it was lifted by the Germans during the occupation but what’s left is still worth a look at including the scenic railway walk

[russrh]

You're never too big for miniature trains Geoff!

[Drawyah]

I'm going to Alderney this Saturday for the sole reason of riding this train! 😂

[grahamhp]

Been to Alderney several times but never knew it was there, next time I'm taking a ride cheers Geoff.

[derekantill]

I rode on the 1959 Tube stock on the Northern Line every day, to and from work when it was new.

[tonij]

Isle of Wight railway also uses tube trains (1988) for a regular all year service connecting through Ryde Pier and a ferry with the London mainline at Portsmouth Harbour