Moorgate closure: Stop press

[Snapper]

This just in from John Farrow:


Latest info on Last Train from Moorgate…

Moorgate Thameslink shuts this Friday, 20 March. The last scheduled train is an ARRIVAL, then booked to go 19.54 ECS to Cricklewood.

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been trying to persuade FCC to turn the 19.54 into a passenger train, for the ‘last rites’ etc.

Up until this morning they were still saying NO, but within the past 30 minutes they’ve come back and finally said YES.

Pity of course they’ve left it too late for any formal publicity, but between us perhaps we can all put the word around and hopefully be there!

As yet they don’t know how far it will run as a passenger train, I would imagine KX.

Hope this info is useful.

Regards,

John

 

[westcoaster]

thats good news i suppose, it was possible to do the last passenger train out then the last in, but i suppose people want to do the last out.

 

[Oracle]

We did this with the last Underground CO/CP and R Stocks that normally ran ETY/ECS from Ealing Broadway to Ealing Common thence Depot. Makes a big difference when persuasion works! Well done all.

 

[Snapper]

OK, here's the gen from the FCC press office:

Hi,

I just thought I'd highlight the details of the final run from Moorgate on the Thameslink route, as mentioned in our news release <http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/Main.php?sEvent=News&sFileName=News.php&iId=152> .

The final scheduled service from Moorgate leaves on Friday, March 20, at 19.06. A countdown clock at the head of platforms 5 and 6 at Moorgate station is ticking away to this moment in hours, minutes and seconds.

A further service is timetabled to run into Moorgate, arriving at 19.41. This would normally then run empty to Kentish Town at 19.54 but First Capital Connect has responded to the requests of rail enthusiasts to operate this in passenger service, as a final celebratory run. It will call at Farringdon, St Pancras and then Kentish Town.

Places on the eight-carriage service (in stripy Thameslink Programme livery) will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis at the head of platforms 5 & 6 at Moorgate. FCC will issue special free commemorative tickets for the journey and invite donations to the Railway Children in exchange.

Please note that flash photography will not be permitted on the station as London Underground services will be operating nearby and the bright light can affect the vision of LU drivers operating in dark environments.

 

[richa2002]

Thanks for the update Paul.

 

[westcoaster]

364 + 365 have been together all day today so still looking good for tomorrow. Won't be able to go or see, if anyone gets a ticket will they post a shot of it.(Would like to get one, but no chance, hey hum).

 

[Techniquest]

Wish I could be there, sadly I'm already tied up with other engagements.

Hope those who do the run enjoy it!

 

[Daimler]

I'll probably try and go on it - I'm going into London tomorrow afternoon anyway.

Does anyone know how many people are likely to be on it? Will there be a risk of not getting hold of a ticket? It would be a shame if I messed around in London and let the 19:06 go, and then found I couldn't get on the special!

 

[Snapper]

I'll probably try and go on it - I'm going into London tomorrow afternoon anyway.

Does anyone know how many people are likely to be on it? Will there be a risk of not getting hold of a ticket? It would be a shame if I messed around in London and let the 19:06 go, and then found I couldn't get on the special!

How many will turn up? How long's a piece of string?

 

[Ilove165's]

All I know is, I'm there!

 

[martyn29]

wish I could be there, but im working

 

[Benn88]

Only just found this, been sitting on my a*se all night... Not Happy. Could of done this... Grrrr!

 

[yorkie]

It was reported as full and standing, with several members of this forum present.

 

[Bayum]

It was reported as full and standing, with several members of this forum present.

Glad I wasn't there then....

 

[richa2002]

What a great event. It was full and standing in a crushed way, in the sort of way which marks it as a big event. Was a great event.

 

[will1337]

Terrible picture as it was dark and I couldn't use flash:

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7616/moorgate.jpg

 

[Daimler]

I don't know about full and standing right up at the front where I was, but it was great to see just how many had turned up for it - and nice to see that FCC had put in an effort with headbords, getting the 'right' train to operate the service and getting the bosses to show up - I got my souvenir ticket from Elaine Holt, which surprised me somewhat!

 

[Edvid]

Snapper took a fair few pics and uploaded them pretty sharpish. Are you in this pic perchance?

 

[Daimler]

Not me I'm afraid!

 

[me123]

Elaine Holt sure doesn't look happy in that picture...

 

[yorkie]

I got my souvenir ticket from Elaine Holt, which surprised me somewhat!

Does she issue herself her own Penalty fares these days?

 

[Coxster]

Does she issue herself her own Penalty fares these days?

Well, she said nothing to SK so I guess not

Disclaimer: I must point out that he was valid tonight!

 

[91101]

http://colsrailtrails.fotopic.net/p57031344.html

The design of the tickets.

 

[delt1c]

Nice to see FCC made an effort to celebrate the event. Shame it couldnt have been a couple of 317's as they were the origonal electrics built for the Bed Pan service

 

[mackenzie_blu]

Seems I escaped most of you guys pictures. Here's a video of the last train leaving. I will upload some images this weekend of what they did after this train left.

I will say Elaine was in a really good mood! I had a chat with her after the train left and I think she enjoyed being apart of this event. Certianly encourged me to get to Blackfriars to see the last bay train out there (which I did). Blackfriars was an altogether quieter event but was enjoyable as well.

 

[CCF23]

I went on Thursday evening to Moorgate, Barbican and Farringdon there were some enthusiasts there but i escaped the crowds there yesterday and got some good pictures. Also some FCC drivers said they didn't mind me using flash at Moorgate.

 

[mackenzie_blu]

I went on Thursday evening to Moorgate, Barbican and Farringdon there were some enthusiasts there but i escaped the crowds there yesterday and got some good pictures. Also some FCC drivers said they didn't mind me using flash at Moorgate.

Using flash at Moorgate has nothing to do with FCC. Its an LU station so comes under their rules.

 

[yorkie]

Using flash at Moorgate has nothing to do with FCC. Its an LU station so comes under their rules.

But if you're pointing it at someone who doesn't mind then there's no issue really as long as no-one else caught sight of the flash.

But why use flash anyway? The results are always the same: poor quality. Far better to use a long exposure. I cannot understand why anyone would ever use flash photographing a train.

The classic one is when people use flash for an eclipse. As if their tiny bit of light is going to reach the moon!

 

[me123]

I was under the impression that the final train was an ECS, but FCC made this a special service (the service seen departing in the video). Yet in the above video, there's another train in Platform 6. This obviously has to leave. Am I missing something, or was my original assumption just wrong?

 

[Snapper]

I was under the impression that the final train was an ECS, but FCC made this a special service (the service seen departing in the video). Yet in the above video, there's another train in Platform 6. This obviously has to leave. Am I missing something, or was my original assumption just wrong?

Moorgate is closed to passengers, but the line will remain connected and used for stabling stock for some time yet - I've been told this will be the case for at least six months.

The 'spare' train was just thatCS stabled for the night.