Reading to Waterloo Drivers Eye View

This production follows a South West Trains service travelling from Reading to London Waterloo, offering a detailed front-cab perspective along one of the region’s key commuter corridors. The journey includes stops at stations such as Earley, Wokingham, Bracknell, Ascot, Virginia Water, Staines, Twickenham and Richmond before reaching the capital. Formed of eight coaches and typical of the services on this route, the train runs as part of a frequent timetable with at least half-hourly departures throughout the week, Sundays included.

The route is largely operated by Alstom Juniper units, and viewers witness the train’s progress under the supervision of three different signalling centres. The sequence begins under the control of Wokingham signal box, notable for still using a traditional lever frame at the time. Authority then transfers to Feltham power box before the train moves under the oversight of Wimbledon PSB, which manages operations for the final section into London Waterloo. These transitions provide a valuable insight into signalling practice across a mix of traditional and more modern systems.

Filmed during the bright summer weather of 2013, this journey captures the character of a busy commuter railway at a time when older signalling methods still co-existed with large power boxes. The combination of suburban scenery, varied infrastructure and a major London terminus makes this an atmospheric record of a key South West Trains route during a period of operational transition.