D stock - like or dislike?

[FQ]

Hi all,

What are peoples opinion of the soon to go 'D stock' from the district line and do you prefer the new S stock to the D stock? Personally, I much prefer the new stock (S stock) to the old D stock.

I've created a poll (I hope it's come out right!) to ask if you like or dislike the stock. I haven't included 'OK' because that kind of covers both except the people who really love or really hate it.

Enjoy!

 

[northwichcat]

Poll doesn't seem to have appeared.

I personally think the S-Stock is an improvement on the D-Stock with any disadvantages of S-Stock outweighed by advantages.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I am very fond of D Stock and will miss it

 

[FQ]

Poll doesn't seem to have appeared.

I personally think the S-Stock is an improvement on the D-Stock with any disadvantages of S-Stock outweighed by advantages.

Hmm... It appeared for me (and Blindtraveler by the looks of it). Is it there now?

 

[Domh245]

I like them, but I will be sad to see them go. I prefer the S stock because it has A/C, and is more spacious, but having grown up with the D stock and taken them most days for the best part of 7 years, I have become quite attached to the things

 

[northwichcat]

Hmm... It appeared for me (and Blindtraveler by the looks of it). Is it there now?

Yes. It also says edited at 11:05 which was the same time as my reply.

 

[ainsworth74]

You can only create a poll after the thread has been posted (a design flaw in vBulletin) so if you see a thread which should have a poll but doesn't and it was posted recently leave it and come back again later and you'll find most likely a poll has been added.

 

[me123]

I like D-stock. They are unique amongst LU stock, they're quite comfortable and have a character of their own. So I've voted for like.

However, the question in the poll is different to the question you originally posed - i.e. do you prefer S-Stock or D-Stock? I personally prefer S-Stock - it's much better suited to its needs, with significant improvements in standing capacity, and air conditioning for a much more comfortable ride. So, whilst I do like the D-Stock and will miss it on my (occasional) trips on the District Line, I do recognise that S-Stock is a significant improvement for the passenger.

 

[Dstock7080]

The trains that D Stock replaced had (usually) 4 doors per car, of 2x 2'6" and 2x 4'6" openings, with a door engine per leaf (6 per side).
D Stock introduced 4 even doors per car, each of 3'6" opening, using one door-engine per door, saving 4 door engines per car.
Passenger flows in/out were much improved from the trains they replaced.

Some 36years after introduction they are still going strong!

Comparing D with S Stock, mmm - I have my reservations! The A/C equipment is noisy; cab seats are VERY uncomfortable for anything more that 30mins; software is extremely slow (when trying to login or a change of destination etc) Odd electrical faults regularly occur, lack of destination screen etc. S Stock cabs don't yet have draughts, although leak as badly as D Stock. Braking is much smoother on S Stock. S Stock are currently limited in acceleration and overall speed while the D Stock is still operating.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Youd think theyd have got cab seats correct wouldnt you?

 

[Nym]

Built in Derby, was S Stock...

Some D Stock will continue to solider on for many years to come in engineering roles, I don't think it will be as ubiquitous as 1972/1967 Tube Stock in it's applications though, being a go-anywhere train for LUL.

 

[rebmcr]

Some D Stock will continue to solider on for many years to come in engineering roles, I don't think it will be as ubiquitous as 1972/1967 Tube Stock in it's applications though, being a go-anywhere train for LUL.

Will they be moddable to run on the 750V supply rather than the 630V supply?

 

[Nym]

Will they be moddable to run on the 750V supply rather than the 630V supply?

Very few modifications would be needed in order to make a D78 Stock compatible with a 750V Nominal traction supply.

 

[Tetchytyke]

The big disadvantage of the S7-stock is the lack of transverse seating. That's one thing I do like about the D-stock. For short journeys it doesn't matter, but the S7 seats are very tight with a low back and I wouldn't fancy taking one all the way from Upminster. But the advantages of the S7s definitely outweigh that negative.

I'll miss the D stock though. But then I even miss the C stock occasionally.

 

[Domh245]

The big disadvantage of the S7-stock is the lack of transverse seating. That's one thing I do like about the D-stock. For short journeys it doesn't matter, but the S7 seats are very tight with a low back and I wouldn't fancy taking one all the way from Upminster. But the advantages of the S7s definitely outweigh that negative.

I'll miss the D stock though. But then I even miss the C stock occasionally.

The D stock transverse seating bays are/were horrible. They had absolutely no leg room - even for a 14 year old, and there was nowhere to put bags either. Getting into and out of them was also a bit of a pain when the aisle seats were occupied.

The single seats either side of them however, those were the seats for me. No squabbles over arm rests, nor people trying to read over your shoulder! But they are nowhere near as good as the few seats per C stock car with 1 and a bit cushions, and usually a conveniently sized window cut out ledge, perfect for doing last minute homework on the way into school

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I preferred it when it still had wood-effect flooring and "Leyland Atlantean" seat moquette. S-stock is probably better for the job but I think the issue of single-leaf doors is overstated a bit, as the doors are reasonably wide for single doors- though I can see how they might be a problem at 1730 at Monument! It's a shame the Vivarail project seems to be dead in the water.

 

[Nym]

Wood Effect?

It was just (and still is) wood...

 

[cactustwirly]

I preferred it when it still had wood-effect flooring and "Leyland Atlantean" seat moquette. S-stock is probably better for the job but I think the issue of single-leaf doors is overstated a bit, as the doors are reasonably wide for single doors- though I can see how they might be a problem at 1730 at Monument! It's a shame the Vivarail project seems to be dead in the water.

I remember that! The moquette was quite distinctive!

I'm pretty sure it was real wood.

 

[southern442]

I very much enjoy the D stock and I am an advocate for the Vivarail class 230's. I especially liked them pre-refurb as their old fashioned interior, orange single-leaf doors and unpainted livery made them unique in several aspects. I also very much like the transverse seating and I think that the seats are much comfier than the S stock. That being said, the new stock does have its advantages.

 

[fairysdad]

I quite like the D-Stock and will generally hope to get at least one when I'm up in London. When I was working up there earlier in the year though, I was slightly north of Kings Cross, so whether I was commuting from Upton Park or Hillingdon (depending on whose sofa I was on!) I was only on the S-stock; much preferred the S8s over the S7s though as I generally managed to get a transverse seat.

I missed out mostly on the A-Stock to get to know it well enough to comment on, but I will say that on the Upton Park commutes I did miss the C-Stock! (I seem to be in a minority viewpoint there...)

 

[hassaanhc]

I quite liked the D78 Stock, but from my first ever ride on a S7 (first day in service too!) I noticed how much more spacious the S7 was compared to a D78. The S Stock of course is much smoother too. The single leaf doors on the D78 don't seem to that much narrower than on the Southern 455s.

 

[TheNewNo2]

I like the D Stock. I don't deny the S Stock is the better train, but the D Stock always seemed quite nice to me. I liked the green interior, especially the wavy handrails which break the otherwise fairly harsh lines.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I'm pretty sure it was real wood.

It was; maple wood to be exact.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Youd think theyd have got cab seats correct wouldnt you?

Whenever I've seen the cabs of sub-surface stock (not inc S stock), a lot of the time the drivers are standing even though there's a seat there, did most drivers find it more comfortable or easier to drive them when standing then when seated?

 

[tranzitjim]

I have never been to London, so I can not judge on how either of them are for ride or quality. I sure hope to get there one day soon.


From an outsider, there is one significant advantage in having one fleet across many lines, such as Circle and Hamersmith lines.

+ You can swap trains from one to the other when patronage drops on one and increases on the other

+ You can change the network with new or altered lines, to better reflect the customer demand. So, the LU has a better chance of staying the best.

+ One single fleet, means one maintenance shed and cycle for the same.

It is just a pitty that the Metropolitan line needs is own S8 stock. Perhaps one day soon, you can overcome the restrictions by extending sidings etc, and have only S8 stock on all sub-surface lines.


To close, does anybody know as to when the D stock will have its last day of regular services?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It is just a pitty that the Metropolitan line needs is own S8 stock. Perhaps one day soon, you can overcome the restrictions by extending sidings etc, and have only S8 stock on all sub-surface lines.

The S7s already don't fit in some stations are are having to use SDO as a result; they also have a different seating layout from the S8s. Plus, the last S Stock vehicle has already come off the production line at Derby - by the time you could, at immense expense, carry out all the extensions necessary to both stations and sidings the production jigs will be long since gone.

 

[Dstock7080]

Plus, the last S Stock vehicle has already come off the production line at Derby.

Another S7 to come later in the year.

 

[Tetchytyke]

It is just a pitty that the Metropolitan line needs is own S8 stock. Perhaps one day soon, you can overcome the restrictions by extending sidings etc, and have only S8 stock on all sub-surface lines.

The S7 can be extended easily to 8-car, and they have been run in service on the Met as 8-car to cover for S8s that needed modifications back at Bombardier. I think the S8 can also easily enough be cut down to a 7-car.

I don't think you'll ever see S8s (or S7+1s) on the Circle/H&C because of short platforms. The S7s already don't fit at several stations (at Baker St eastbound 2.5 cars are off the platform).

I understand why the S7s don't have transverse seats, but I think it is a shame.

 

[D365]

Another S7 to come later in the year.

Is that in addition to the '#192' S8 that has been added on for the Croxley Rail Link?

Never really was familiar with the D Stock, as I don't tend to travel in the District line area. However, aside from the single door saga, I heard them to be better than the dreaded C Stock.

Should there be an option in the poll for the D-Train yet?

 

[Dstock7080]

Is that in addition to the '#192' S8 that has been added on for the Croxley Rail Link?

Train #192 is to be an S7.
The MET are keeping S7+1 21327/28 for the Metropolitan Line Extension balance and new 21567/68 will replace that on the Circle/H&C/District.