London Underground 150

[urban469]

The 150th anniversary is fast approaching. Apologies if you've already read this (it's from 2011). These are the TfL plans for the anniversary (has anything changed since this was written?).

Heritage Rail Events

3.11 Throughout 2013, a range of heritage tours will take place including the use of steam and electrically hauled passenger trains. The first outing would
recreate the inaugural public trip on the Underground by running a steam
hauled service from Paddington (or Baker Street) to Farringdon, hauled by the
only Metropolitan Railway built locomotive with operational potential (former
Metropolitan Railway locomotive No.1, Sarah Siddons) of 1896.

3.12 For the anniversary itself, the restored Metropolitan No1 will be put into
Platform 1 at Baker Street for the whole day for a ceremonial event.
Metropolitan No1 will run on the weekend of the 12/13 January 2013, from
Acton to Edgware Road. Customers will board at Edgware Road with special
guests boarding at Paddington.

3.13 In addition, a summer of heritage rail trips is proposed on the Metropolitan line to Amersham using former Metropolitan Railway locomotive No.1, and ex LT Pannier Tank L99, supported by LTM’s 1938TS Tube train. A feature of the
steam hauled services would be the restored Metropolitan Railway first class
carriage, No. 353 (1892) and the use of Metropolitan Railway bogie stock
carriages from the Bluebell railway and/or the Vintage Carriage Trust (up to six
in total). The restoration is being funded through an award from the Heritage
Lottery fund.

3.14 In an echo of the centenary celebrations of 1963, it is proposed that the former Metropolitan Railway Depot at Neasden showcases all existing Underground train and stock types at a special weekend event. Additional rail outings, using the 1938TS, would be planned for the Northern and Piccadilly lines, with associated tours and events.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/Item06-London-Underground-150th-Anniversary.pdf

Some questions:
-Will passengers be allowed on the "recreation of the inaugural public trip" from Baker St/Paddington to Farringdon?
-On the Edgware Road to Acton runs, will that follow the District Line? Why Acton? (Is that where No1 is stabled?)
-Why will special guests board at Paddington not Edgware Road?
-Has Neasden ever been open to the public (since 1963?)

 

[Dstock7080]

Yes, passengers will be allowed on the steam trip recreating the first Opening. (Now looking like Moorgate-Olympia)
BUT remember the cost if this Saturdays A Stock Tour, you will heed to have very deep pockets !

Neasden has held other Open Days after 1963.

 

[urban469]

Yes, passengers will be allowed on the steam trip recreating the first Opening. (Now looking like Moorgate-Olympia)
BUT remember the cost if this Saturdays A Stock Tour, you will heed to have very deep pockets !

Neasden has held other Open Days after 1963.

Is that the one on Sunday 13 Jan? Is anything happening on the anniversary itself?

 

[Dstock7080]

Reading the LT Museum Friends newsletter:

"a series of steam runs on the evenings of 13 & 20 January between Olympia and Moorgate via Edgware Road. At the time of writing the ticket price has yet to be agreed but will be high for this once-in-50year event. Tickets will be available by ballot for donors of the MET loco No.1 fund; to our Friends and the general public. Those unlucky in the ballot will find a busy programme of steam-hauled trains in May, October and December, as well as guest appearances at Quainton Road".

 

[Simon Poole]

Would the London Underground let people film this somewhere like Baker Street?

 

[ainsworth74]

Have you tried using Google? I very quickly found an answer on a LU specific forum.

 

[Dstock7080]

It does look as if measures are to be taken to prevent filming/photographing of the 13/20 January steam journeys.
Running within normal "engineering hours" and strategically placing vehicles/trains in apposing platforms are some of the "tricks" to be used.

 

[theblackwatch]

Reading the LT Museum Friends newsletter:

"a series of steam runs on the evenings of 13 & 20 January between Olympia and Moorgate via Edgware Road. At the time of writing the ticket price has yet to be agreed but will be high for this once-in-50year event. Tickets will be available by ballot for donors of the MET loco No.1 fund; to our Friends and the general public. Those unlucky in the ballot will find a busy programme of steam-hauled trains in May, October and December, as well as guest appearances at Quainton Road".

Is there any info on how to apply for this ballot at all?

 

[Chris125]

It does look as if measures are to be taken to prevent filming/photographing of the 13/20 January steam journeys.
Running within normal "engineering hours" and strategically placing vehicles/trains in apposing platforms are some of the "tricks" to be used.

Have you got any more information on that? I've only seen one message that refers to platforms being closed, perhaps understandable for enclosed stations like King's Cross, and the services are described above as running during the evening not engineering hours.

Chris

 

[Dstock7080]

Have you got any more information on that? I've only seen one message that refers to platforms being closed, perhaps understandable for enclosed stations like King's Cross, and the services are described above as running during the evening not engineering hours.

Chris

The example would be that after a certain time services are "suspended due to 'engineering' work", platforms can then be cleared of intending passengers.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I assume this is as a direct result of the ramp invasions on the 26th September?

 

[Dstock7080]

Is there any info on how to apply for this ballot at all?

Update on the LT Museum website:
http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/lu150/calendar

 

[theblackwatch]

Update on the LT Museum website:
http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/lu150/calendar

Excellent - thanks very much for this info.

 

[philjo]

There is a 2 minute clip on BBC London news - mentions that Sarah Siddons is being restored:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20061006

 

[Chris125]

More accurately she's having vacuum brakes refitted.

Chris

 

[LexyBoy]

Am I the only one who wondered after a cursory glance over the OP how they were planning to fit a Sprinter on the Underground?

 

[Pumbaa]

Nope!

 

[Bungle73]

Am I the only one who wondered after a cursory glance over the OP how they were planning to fit a Sprinter on the Underground?

Actually it would fit on the cut-and-cover lines.

 

[Chris125]

PDF with ticket prices and timetable now on LTM website.

Chris

 

[simple simon]

hmm, looks like Olympia will be a busy station - for train spotters!

I wonder whether there are any good places to see the tracks from the roadside?

Simon

 

[Pumbaa]

£150 to ride behind a kettle for half an hour?

Not for me I'm afraid!

 

[barrykas]

hmm, looks like Olympia will be a busy station - for train spotters!

The cynic in me suggests that they'll have staff (possibly including Revenue Protection) out in force restricting platform access to ticket holders only...

 

[tsr]

The cynic in me suggests that they'll have staff (possibly including Revenue Protection) out in force restricting platform access to ticket holders only...

There's nothing wrong with waiting for a train, though, or using a Travelcard to access the relevant area.

I have to say that when I was on the Last Day of A-Stock run, there were more revenue protection staff having a bit of fun riding the train (off-duty) than there were on any platforms!

 

[JoeGJ1984]

They say they that they will have steam back on the Met on 25-27th May. Are their prices likely to be cheaper? I would hope so, and I'd like to think they could open it up for, say families (not limiting applications to 2 per person).

 

[barrykas]

They say they that they will have steam back on the Met on 25-27th May. Are their prices likely to be cheaper? I would hope so, and I'd like to think they could open it up for, say families (not limiting applications to 2 per person).

I'd hope that it'll be similar to the old "Steam on the Met" events, in that you'll be able to buy Day Rover type tickets on the day, probably around the £40 mark with inflation.

 

[silverfoxcc]

A stab in the dark tells me that the lines involved will be closed for 'engineering reasons' so there will be no 'public' ccess to an of the platforms at all.
The only recourse if you want to see he trai is find a bit of the route that is in the open, but with it being drk, photo ops will be at a minumum

Still better that than nothing at all

 

[Chris125]

A stab in the dark tells me that the lines involved will be closed for 'engineering reasons' so there will be no 'public' ccess to an of the platforms at all.

There's no doubt the event will be strictly controlled but i can't imagine such disruption to ordinary passengers would be acceptable for what will only be a handful of return trips, and besides they specifically tested S and C Stock trains during the Beattie's test run to monitor its effect on ordinary services.

Chris

 

[Class 33]

Crikey! £150 for a 32 minute journey on that old steam locomotive tube train! That is crazy! I know that it's a special train on a special journey, but how can they justify charging that extortionate amount? No train is worth that for such a short journey!

 

[Chris125]

Crikey! £150 for a 32 minute journey on that old steam locomotive tube train! That is crazy! I know that it's a special train on a special journey, but how can they justify charging that extortionate amount? No train is worth that for such a short journey!

It's not just a special train but a unique opportunity - as far as im aware this will be the first (and perhaps last) steam hauled passenger service on the 'Inner Circle' for over a century. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to travel in a Metropolitan Railway wooden bodied compartment carriage behind a Metropolitan steam loco under the streets of London on the first Underground railway in the world.

There are plenty of worse ways to spend £150 IMO!

Chris

 

[Londerground]

Can't wait to see Steam on the Met again. I remember the great sense of occasion it used to make until Ken banned back in around 2002?