London Underground 150

[Daniel]

With regards to people getting worried about stations being closed for overcrowding, or platforms being closed so you can't see the train, it was mentioned in the briefing that options were being looked at to implement crowd control as opposed to doing the knee-jerk 'Too busy, evacuate' routine - my understanding of the suggestion was allowing the platform to fill up then holding any more passengers at ticket hall/gateline level whilst the train passed through, to avoid having to evacuate the platforms for overcrowding.

 

[telstarbox]

And you can see all the Platform for Art/Art on the Underground tube map covers here:

http://art.tfl.gov.uk/projects/past/project/1038/

 

[Nym]

just out of interest what happens to all the smoke underground..do they have big fans under there like in some tunnles so if a train catches fire they can blow the smoke up and out vent pipes?

The sub surface lines have a lot of open air sections, origonally being steam run.
deep tube sections do have forced ventilation but its not there for fire extraction except in some areas.
PM or prod me if you'd like to know some more.

 

[VEP3417]

having see a couple of vids the smoke does hang around for a bit..but i guess just clears naturally

what i think ill end up doing is seeing both met1 and the battery locos overgtound in the daytime to get photos and see them underground in the evening when they return..possibly by then the underground stations would be a lot quieter

 

[Nym]

having see a couple of vids the smoke does hang around for a bit..but i guess just clears naturally

what i think ill end up doing is seeing both met1 and the battery locos overgtound in the daytime to get photos and see them underground in the evening when they return..possibly by then the underground stations would be a lot quieter

There is removable infrastructure in place to aid the dispersal of smoke and steam, but this evidently doesn't need using since it's not being put into place.

 

[SteamontheMet]

It is claimed that back in the old days when steam used to pass through Baker Street, Steam would shoot up through Vent Shafts right in the middle of the road startling any horse drawn carriages.

If those shafts are still there, that would make for a very atmospheric environment, Steam Bursting out into the middle of the road.

It was a shame I missed Tuesday Stock Move, Desperately tried to get the night of work.

Plan for Sunday:
See Morning Departure from Kensington Olympia (if not the station from the bridge at the southern end of the station).
Apparently I have heard some people may try the Roof Car Park at Tesco Kensington Superstore which overlooks the West London Line, Kenny 'O' Branch and the northern sections of the Lille Bridge Depot.

Quick Bomb down the High Street to High Street Kensington (if possible)

Evening Might Try Euston Square or GPO (if Possible)

Following week may try Earls Court Open air Section.

But We Will See.

Mark.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It is claimed that back in the old days when steam used to pass through Baker Street, Steam would shoot up through Vent Shafts right in the middle of the road startling any horse drawn carriages.

If those shafts are still there, that would make for a very atmospheric environment, Steam Bursting out into the middle of the road.

Aren't those shafts the blocked off arches above the platforms at Baker Street?

 

[SteamontheMet]

Aren't those shafts the blocked off arches above the platforms at Baker Street?

Most Likely Now.

I remember when the East London Line was part of the LU Network, Shadwell and Rotherhithe retained their steam shafts, but they either blocked them off or glassed them over when London Overground took over.

 

[Bungle73]

Aren't those shafts the blocked off arches above the platforms at Baker Street?

Yes, they used to be open to the Sky. The lighting in them is designed to simulate daylight I believe.

Most Likely Now.

I remember when the East London Line was part of the LU Network, Shadwell and Rotherhithe retained their steam shafts, but they either blocked them off or glassed them over when London Overground took over.

I don't remember those.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

It isn't completely enclosed. The line was built with steam in mind because that is what was first used. There is access to the surface here and there - in fact some parts are completely in the open.

Indeed, as are parts of the Circle Line, for similar reasons.

Interestingly, between Paddington and Bayswater stations, where the line passes under Leinster Gardens, there is a quirky structure that has been the subject of at least one TV programme I have seen. There is an entry on wikipedia about it that reads:
Leinster Gardens is a street in Bayswater, London. It has two false façades at numbers 23 & 24, constructed at the time of the original steam engine-hauled underground railway that had a short section exposed to the surface.
Locomotives were fitted with condensers to reduce fumes, but "venting off" was still needed in open-air sections to relieve the condensers and keep the tunnels free from smoke. In this upmarket area, the railway company hid this unsightly practice from residents. The false façade also maintained a continuous frontage along a prestigious terrace.
The façade is 5 feet (1.5 m) thick, with 18 blackened windows. The doors have no letter boxes.
In the 1930s, a hoax was played on guests who were sold ten-Guinea tickets to a charity ball at Leinster Gardens, only to turn up in evening dress to discover the address was fake.

I have worked for Royal Mail for some years and have heard stories of old hands at the W2 delivery office putting fake letters addressed to 23 or 24 into the pouch of a postie who was covering that 'walk' for the first time

 

[Nym]

Aren't those shafts the blocked off arches above the platforms at Baker Street?

Yes, fake lights in there now and they leak like a begger if you look at all the sausages on the platform...

 

[SteamontheMet]

I just recieved my weekly e-mail from TFL about Weekend Planned Engineering Works.

Quote from E-mail:

There is no service this weekend between Clapham Junction and Kensington (Olympia) due to Network Rail bridge work.

On Sunday, there is no service between Kensington (Olympia) and Willesden Junction before 12:00 due to Network Rail track and signalling maintenance.

I don't know how often the District Line runs on a Sunday (if it does run).
Haven't been on it since 2009.

But my guess is that the station will be off limits to Non-Ticket Holders, your best bet a Kenny 'O' now is either to Shoot the train from holes in the fence from the Olympia Entrance right up to the Over Bridge at the southern end of the station (Kensington High Street/Hammersmith Road/A315), But I must add anyone trying to use the bridge the walls are roughly Head Height so a step ladder may be required.

 

[Dstock7080]

I don't know how often the District Line runs on a Sunday (if it does run).

The District will be operating its usual 20min service to Olympia this Sunday, except there are no departures at 09:59, 19:19.
TTN12/13 refers.

 

[Bungle73]

BBC London report on it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20968919

 

[VEP3417]

ill be at kenno o on the sunday...might have to buy a ticket to the next station then

however im staying with a friend both on saturday and sunday..i was wondering weather to pop to wilsden junction on the saturday but is there much frieht traffic on a saturday, i can only find a during the week timetable

 

[Ivo]

Even Wikipedia seem to be getting in on the act of celebrating the 150th:

Featured Article, January 10th 2013: Metropolitan Railway

...only, for what we would call the anniversary, i.e. yesterday (first services as opposed to general public access), they elected for Nixon

To be fair, yesterday would have been his 100th birthday.

 

[465fan]

A short clip of Steam on the Met, with Metropolitan No 1 pulling away from Ealing Common, for anybody interested.

 

[Trainfan344]

Linky for pics
BBC have put pictures up of the train (No text to quote)

 

[wintonian]

I wonder how many 'normal' passengers this confused today?

 

[hedpe]

Timetable from TFL website

http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/assets/downloads/pdfs/LU150_timetablesandprices.pdf

 

[transportphoto]

Brilliant photo, but why so many dispatch bats?!

[Image copyright TfL - embedded from Twitter]

 

[465fan]

For all members who are interested in a video of today's Train 150 from Kensington Olympia to Moorgate, featuring Metropolitan No. 1 at the helm, please note the available video.

 

[Pumbaa]

Brilliant photo, but why so many dispatch bats?!

[Image copyright TfL - embedded from Twitter]

At a guess, non CDL carriages therefore one MoS to check each carriage fully secured and remains secured during operation.

 

[wintonian]

At a guess, non CDL carriages therefore one MoS to check each carriage fully secured and remains secured during operation.

Either that or they couldn't agree on whose day off it was.

I think that's a really good picture from TfL.

 

[Daniel]

Brilliant photo, but why so many dispatch bats?!

[Image copyright TfL - embedded from Twitter]

There is a steward in each carriage, car stewards are indicating to the equivalent of the train manager that all doors in their car are closed, who in turn signals to the driver that it is safe to depart.

 

[transportphoto]

There is a steward in each carriage, car stewards are indicating to the equivalent of the train manager that all doors in their car are closed, who in turn signals to the driver that it is safe to depart.

That makes sense, so I guess the TM equivalent was looking for N amount of bats? Where N is the amount of carriages? What is the red bat with the A on it for please?

TP

 

[PR1Berske]

That makes sense, so I guess the TM equivalent was looking for N amount of bats? Where N is the amount of carriages? What is the red bat with the A on it for please?

TP

"All" ?
"Away We Go" ?
"Awesome!"?

 

[Capybara]

"All" ?
"Away We Go" ?
"Awesome!"?

Coach 'A' boringly enough.

 

[yorkie]

Video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21005813
Photos: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21003259
Article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21004315

Steam train returns to London Underground - 150 years on

The sight of a steam train emerging from the tunnels of the Tube in a swirl of smoke makes for a slightly surreal experience.

But that is what happened as London Underground marked 150 years since the first underground train journey by taking a restored steam locomotive, which had hauled passenger carriages in the 19th Century, on a commemorative journey to retrace its original roots.

To the passengers on board and the spectators who caught a glimpse of it rushing past, it was history in action.

It evoked a by-gone era and hinted at what the underground was like in 1863 when it was run with steam engines.

The journey, along part of the original Metropolitan Line, was three years in the planning as the locomotive and carriages had to be restored to their former glory.

'It was magical'

Some stood with their mouths wide open in surprise while others clapped and cheered as they all took in the bizarre sight of a steam train emerging from a tunnel only to quickly disappear again.

Chugging along at a speed of 25mph - modern day Tube trains can reach 50mph - it headed through central London via the Circle line; taking in stations including Edgware Road, Baker Street, King's Cross and the Barbican before arriving into Moorgate on time at 10:30 GMT.

'Heightened experience'

The person who had the daunting task of ensuring there was enough steam to drive the train was Oliver Furnell from the Forest of Dean.

The fireman, who ordinarily drives trains through heritage lines in the countryside, said there was no real difference in how to drive it, but the "environment that it's happening in, that's the unusual bit".

"It's quite surreal to be rolling through a modern Tube station and people seem to be pleased that you're there," he added.

Met Locomotive No 1 was due to make several further trips through the Underground on Sunday evening and again in a week's time.

However Sam Mullins, director of the London Transport Museum, hinted that this could happen more often.

"We will do more events like this this year and more into the future, here and on other railways," he said.

Two boys who would be eager to experience the train again are Henry Thomas, 12, and 13-year-old Sam Wild, who had travelled to Moorgate station from Bath just to catch a glimpse of the train in action.

"I really like the atmosphere around the steam train as everyone is really excited to see it," said Sam.

Henry added: "It was definitely worth it, it's been absolutely fantastic.

"It's always hard to explain whenever people ask me why I like steam trains. The smell, just being around it, it's just absolutely fantastic.

"It's a thing you can't explain."

I would have liked to have seen this, though I think the way they are using the term "tube" is a bit iffy; the term certainly wasn't used 150 years ago as actual tube trains had not been invented then

I would have liked to have seen this. I am sure many people here saw it, but did anyone travel on it?

 

[bakerstreet]

am sure many people here saw it, but did anyone travel on it?

I was on the 1915 departure from Kensington Olympia to Moorgate, coach E.
It was one of the best organised events I can recall.
Moorgate roundels had been covered up to reflect the diamond shape of previous years, together with film images of old steam action on the Met beamed on to platform walls.
Howard Collins, Peter Hendy etc shaking passenger's hands.
Everyone received a commemorative booklet.
When we went through stations EVERYONE on train and platform waived. Surreal.
On arrival at Moorgate, a 92 year old former driver who operated the final Chesham shuttle in the 50s was in the cab. He had been on this trip with his daughter.
The coaches were perfect, beautifully finished and wobderfully evocative of a previous time. The train only stopped once during the journey, just on the approach to Moorgate (must have left a huge headway for it!) but it did slow down to a crawl a few times en route. When it restarted, the 'chuff-chuff' echoing round stations like Edgware Road, Baker Street and particularly the glass roofed (?) Farringdon was such a magical sound.
After we alighted, we went to Gt Portland Street to watch the return journey from the platform. Amazing, truly amazing.
If you missed it I think it's happening again next weekend, although all tickets sold - but I would thoroughly recommend a platform view.
In the days of 'can't do' under the guise of health and safety, my impressive thanks to all those at TfL who got this green lighted, in tunnels, with a full train, in traffic hours, with regular service still running, allowing access to platforms etc etc.
If anyone ever says anything can't be done, refer them to this event!
I'll bring some in-car pics to a fares workshop - someone is going to email the ones they took.