Uxbridge TD descriptions

I thought they still did this, never mind several years ago... I am sure I saw the description "Hillingdon/Uxbridge" at Earls Court recently

I don't know how far back you are thinking of - but this snippet of information might help from the WTT mountain Picc. WTT 12 (2/77) 77 train service has in the changes preamble: Revision of timetable page format to include Ruislip and Hillingdon, and to exclude Richmond.

Of interest to our Green Line fans, this WTT was the first of the 'new' series of WTTs (from 1934 - 1970 the District and Picc were published in a combined galley) that had the District times between Acton Town and Ealing Broadway reinserted into the galley.

I'd also put in a strong suggestion that the equivalent of Uxbridge/Hillingdon doesn't exist on the Eastbound, because there are very specific codes for the Train Description - discriminating between Cockfosters and Cockfosters stablers, likewise for Arnos. Combining these codes might be beyond the limits of the present TD system, adding another layer of complication.

There are also the further possiblilities that the TD scanning at the far end of the Picc might be confused, or the train labelled as Uxbridge/Hillingdon could be going direct to Uxbridge sidings (which I think is the most likely scenario).

EDIT: reg replied whilst I was checking WTTs - rather than me doubting.

I'm only going back about 6-ish or so years, so not in the era of any Hillingdon tip-outs. They always used to be described as Uxbridge. Then overnight, without explanation, they were described as Hillingdon/Uxbridge.
Its just odd. I mean, if the thing is going to Uxbridge, then geographical logic suggests that theres a fair old chance its going to Hillingdon too!

There must be a reason why. It would make alot more sense, and be more useful to punters, if they were to be described as Rayners Lane/Uxbridge on the TD's.

But plain and simple Uxbridge makes the most sense.

Possibly - when the Picc got its 'own' WTT back in 1970 after being part of the District WTT since 30/4/34, some District line moves were shewn in the Piccadilly galley:

WTT 1 (26/1/70) Hammersmith - Richmond/Ealing Broadway. All Districts were absent from WTT C2 (September '72), likewise WTT 3/4 (Sept/Nov '74) had no Districts; WTT 5 [Sundays] (Dec '74) has Hm - Rmd/EAB, an unusual situation where the District paths were only in the Sundays WTT, not the Mon - Sat (WTTs 3&4); the Districts were absent from WTT 7/8/9 (another Mon - Fri, Sat, Sun trio from June '75) onwards until WTT 12 came along.

The history of the Piccadilly WTT galley and the stations contained therein is an esoteric subject within itself - the Picc were partial to putting stations that were not yet open on their galley - I've got a couple that have no trains beyond Enfield West or Finsbury Park, but the eastern stations are printed ready!

When the DMI's first appeared, HILLINGDON/UXBRIDGE was used. Some time later, after the Hillingdon terminators were removed from the timetable, the DMI's used plain UXBRIDGE. Then, some time later, it did indeed revert to HILLINGDON/UXBRIDGE, even though no trains were then (or still are) scheduled to terminate at Hillingdon.

If you look into some of the slightly-related parts of the thread, TDs and WTTs particularly - you may find the answer.

It could be the difference between the electronic equivalent (in the central area) of 'AC' and 'ABC' - which are the relevant destination codes on a PM roll at that end; it could be the electronic translation of the impulses used by the old ribbon storage train description devices - it could be as simple as a slightly different waveform on a storage pulse being registered as Hillingdon/Uxbridge.

EDIT: I've been musing on this last clause a bit more; and (if it means anything) I'm sure it is related to Schmitt triggers, and what value is accorded to the 'logical zero'.

They all go that way anyway - did you have to stand on a wet Hillingdon one night?