Metropolitan Line and A stock

[langerdan712]

Hey Guys,

Will be in London for a few days soon and after reading up on the Underground the most interesting line seems to be the Met.

Just wondering are there any places suggested for photography that are good?

And are there many A stock units left in service?

Thanks guys.

 

[trentside]

Yes, there are still plenty of A Stock units in service. At present, they are still out numbering S Stock. I've seen plenty of photographs taken from the end of Moor Park station, so that might be a good place to try.

 

[Mojo]

You would have to be very unlucky to get an S Stock. And if you do then just wait a few mins for the next train! There are only either one or two diagrams of S Stocks at the moment on a weekday.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

You'd cover more diagrams at Harrow on the Hill than Moor Park wouldn't you?

 

[12CSVT]

I reckon Moor Park is probably the best place for phots. Another good place is Northwick Park (where you can also see the WCML in the distance). A zone 1-9 travelcard (£11 after 09:30) will cover all routes operated by A stock.

 

[SteamontheMet]

more central to london would be Baker Street, Ive taken a few photos there without any problems.

Harrow I would say would be the best place to catch A stocks in their abundance.

 

[langerdan712]

Thanks alot guys, espec for the advice on taking shots, bit of a bummer the way fotopic's decided the week I'm doing my reccy.

What about C and D stock? Would that be worth going after and chasing? If so any more advice on good places for shots etc...?

And then on the deep level about the 1967 stock are they becoming rarer? Anything ye'd recommend I chase NOW! Before it's too late?

 

[Daniel]

And then on the deep level about the 1967 stock are they becoming rarer? Anything ye'd recommend I chase NOW! Before it's too late?

Get the 67TS before they go. Definetly getting down now, (they're outnumbered by the 09TS AFAIK), and IIRC there was a possibility of the service being diagrammed with 09TS' only at some point soon.

Also, if you want to do stuff NOW before it goes, take the Jubilee Line up to Stanmore. It's still operating in Tripcock, but J5 is coming in soon which will turn the whole line ATO.

 

[langerdan712]

Thanks Daniel appreciate the reply but could you just clear up a couple of things like what J5 and Tripcock means? Sorry for stupid Q's!

Defo something to get so. Tks very much for info.

 

[Daniel]

Tripcock is the conventional signalling system for London Underground - where you have colour-light signals, with the trainstop next to the signal, and a tripcock hanging down from the train. If the signal is red, the trainstop raises up, so if a train passes it, the tripcock gets hit, and puts on the emergency brakes.

As part of the automatic train operation being installed on the Jubilee line, the colour-light signals will be removed, and the Jubilee line will no longer be able to operate in tripcock mode.

The Jubilee line is being coverted in stages. They're currently on J4, which means that the line between Stratford and Dollis Hill is operating on the ATO system. When they reach J5, Dollis Hill to Stanmore will also be in automatic, meaning the whole line will cease to use conventional signalling, (although, it will, temporarily remain, for emergency use).

 

[Peter Mugridge]

For C stock I would suggest the south end of the northbound platform at High Street Kensington.

For D stock places like Stamford brook give you a good wide shot plus the bonus of getting 73 stock as well. If you're lucky you could get the two types exactly side by side to directly emphasise the loading guage differences.

 

[SteamontheMet]

I hope to get my last ride on the 67 stocks when I go to Ally Pally at the end of this month.

I was also unaware of the Dollis Hill - Stanmore section being still using triplocks thinking the line was completely ATO, so must get a ride on the that section of the Jubly Line.

 

[langerdan712]

Guys really appreciate all the info,

Just wondering how many links are there on the Victoria line? If I stayed at Blackhorse Road for about an hour waiting to catch a train towards Brixton would it be likely to catch one? Yay or nay?

Tks again guys, really helping.

 

[Mojo]

I don't know what you mean by ''links'' but the running time on the Vic isn't that long (can't check exact time ATM but someone will know). Quite a few trains terminate at Severn Sisters so you're better off somewhere south of there. I recommend the passageways at Green Park or Warren Street.

Over half of Vic line is now 67 stocks but there are still loads of them running so you won't be waiting more than 10 Min for one to come if you keep an eye on both lines.

 

[langerdan712]

Good stuff tks for that Mojo.

Links could be said a little better, what I meant was how many trains are required to provide a full service? Thanks for answering hope I'm able to catch some now.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Ah... you mean diagrams?

 

[langerdan712]

Correct! The word escaped me I have to say!

 

[Mojo]

In the morning and evening peaks there are 37 + 1 spare trains in service. Off peak during the day it's 29. Less early mornings and late at night.

Running times are 33.5 Min northbound and 34.5 Min southbound.

 

[jopsuk]

Are the LT Museum getting a car for their collection? Surely they have historical value given their long service?

 

[SteamontheMet]

Are the LT Museum getting a car for their collection? Surely they have historical value given their long service?

Regarding the Vicky 67 stock, yes they have a driving car in the Acton LT museum, its the same one the queen drove on the opening on the Victoria Line back in 69.

whether they will save an A Stock I don't know

 

[anthony263]

Regarding the Vicky 67 stock, yes they have a driving car in the Acton LT museum, its the same one the queen drove on the opening on the Victoria Line back in 69.

whether they will save an A Stock I don't know

I suspect at least 1 of the A stock set's will be preserved since they do have a large following

 

[jopsuk]

Regarding the Vicky 67 stock, yes they have a driving car in the Acton LT museum, its the same one the queen drove on the opening on the Victoria Line back in 69.

whether they will save an A Stock I don't know

Saw the 67 car on Saturday. I'd doubt that they'll save any complete units from either the 67 or A Stock- space being a major factor, the A-stock can't run around very much of the network other than the Met (whereas the 39 stock that's in dood order, and the Standard Stock they're working on, will fit anywhere- signalling is the main issue)

 

[langerdan712]

hey guys,

Had a great few days in London many thanks for advice on where to go what to do.

Managed to get 67 stock and A stock but also have to admit I'm very impressed with the S stock they look the part and are very comfortable.

Looking at yer posts and comments before I went I really had no idea how busy lines were and the frequency. Miss a train... Wait 1 or 2 minutes for the next one?! Mental! waited at Blackhorse Rd for a few minutes to see if a '67 stock train would come along, '09 came first but then got a '67 went on that as far as Stockwell and hoped off to get a shot of it leaving, said I'd wait 3 mins to see what would come. Sure enough an '09 followed by a '67! Did it to Brixton and then '09 back to Stockwell.

Did most lines but loved the Chesham branch and The West side of Zone 1. Didn't get to do as much as I would have liked or get to photo but always more for next time!

Incidently the morning I headed to Stanmore before the new signal system is introduced, a train broke down and nothing was moving!... Due to the new system. Irony.

Great few days all in all and tks again for your help. Looking forward to next time round.