15 May 11 Keeping Track
Today (Sunday 15th May 2011) one of the last remaining 1967 era tube trains that have served the Victoria Line is making a farewell tour around the network.
I won’t be able to get anywhere to take photographs, as I’m working this afternoon.
Boy, doesn’t time fly?
I remember coming to London from Kent as a young boy to visit an Aunt & Uncle in Greenford, and the first time, we took the Circle Line from Victoria to Notting Hill Gate, and then the Central Line; on the next visit a few months later, I got to ride on the brand new Victoria Line and changed at Oxford Circus instead.
Ten years later, I was working on the London Underground myself, on the District Line, during which time the R-Stock, and CO/CP stock gave way to the C69/77 Stock, and the D78 Stock. The C stock was basically a sub-surface version of the 1967 Tube Stock anyway.
Later on, while I was at Baker Street, the 1938 Tube stock gave way to the 1972 Tube Stock on the Bakerloo and Jubilee Lines, and also the ill-fated 1983 Tube Stock.
Recently, I was riding on the Piccadilly Line, and I wonder how many more years the 1973 Tube Stock have left in them.
Tags: baker street, c stock, circle line, farewell tour, greenford, london underground, notting hill gate, oxford circus, piccadilly line, surface version, time fly, tube stock, tube trains, victoria line
13 Jul 08 Heard On The London Underground
The best notice I ever saw was at Putney Bridge on the District Line.
A board on the eastbound platform stated that “Trains were subject to late running due to defective weather”
Below are announcements made by train drivers. I can believe that they are true.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I do apologize for the delay to your service.
I know you’re all dying to get home, unless, of course, you happen to
be married to my ex-wife, in which case you’ll want to cross over to
the Westbound and go in the opposite direction.”
“Your delay this evening is caused by the line controller suffering
from E & B syndrome: not knowing his elbow from his backside. I’ll
let you know any further information as soon as I’m given any.”
“Do you want the good news first or the bad news? The good news is
that last Friday was my birthday and I hit the town and had a great
time. The bad news is that there is a points failure somewhere
between Stratford and East Ham, which means we probably won’t reach
our destination.”
“We are now traveling through Baker Street … As you can see, Baker
Street is closed. It would have been nice if they had actually told
me, so I could tell you earlier, but no, they don’t think about
things like that”.
“Beggars are operating on this train. Please do NOT encourage these
professional beggars. If you have any spare change, please give it to
a registered charity. Failing that, give it to me.”
During an extremely hot rush hour on the Central Line, the driver
announced in a West Indian drawl: “Step right this way for the sauna,
ladies nd gentleman… Unfortunately, towels are not provided.”
“Let the passengers off the train FIRST!” (…pause). Oh go on then,
stuff yourselves in like sardines, and see if I care – I’m going home….”
“Please allow the doors to close. Try not to confuse this with
‘Please hold the doors open.’ The two are distinct and separate instructions.”
Tags: bridge, ladies and gentlemen, london underground, mind the doors, suffering from, train delays, train drivers, trains, weather, westbound
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