Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2010 7:01:35 GMT
I've just been reading The Piccadilly Line by Desmond Croome, and specifically about the Aldwych shuttle.
It says that the only line that had a crossover to the branch was the northbound. My questions are as follows:
1) Did the branch train have to run south in the northbound tunnel to get to the Holborn platform?
2) If the answer to 1) is yes, then can somebody please describe the move from Northfields to the Aldwych platform at Holborn?
3) Are there obstacles, other than the points being fixed for the main Piccadilly line and the move possibly getting in the way of the ordinary service, that would prevent the move in 2) being undertaken today?
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Phil
In memoriam
RIP 23-Oct-2018
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Post by Phil on May 3, 2010 7:47:11 GMT
There is a great trackplan of Holborn showing it the way it was built (with four platforms). It's here, so you'll be able to work out the moves yourself underground-history.co.uk/holborn.phpThanks to Hywel, who is a member here.
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mrfs42
71E25683904T 172E6538094T
Big Hair Day
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Post by mrfs42 on May 3, 2010 15:45:09 GMT
Here's the 1907 signalling diagram: This particular version of the diagram (itself just over a century old) has a few omissions, though not of any major detail: - repeaters
- R1, about halfway between Covent Garden crossover (6) and Holborn EB Home 1/Covent Garden (4) slot
- R3, immediately adjacent to 11 points, between the blades and 19A/B
- The WB Picc main platform and signal S. 240 which is the WB Main auto starter, reading up to Covent Garden (11).
There is a strange form of sequential interlocking on Holborn lever 17, requiring it to be pulled twice for certain functions, firstly without Covent Garden (8) pulled and then Covent Garden (8) pulled to provide the second pull functions with 17. [1] Most odd - don't think the feature of bang road running lasted all that long. [1] Electric remote lever locking on a 'B' frame..... (That's a another story for another time and place)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2010 21:54:53 GMT
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Post by miff on May 4, 2010 2:09:31 GMT
3) Are there obstacles, other than the points being fixed for the main Piccadilly line and the move possibly getting in the way of the ordinary service, that would prevent the move in 2) being undertaken today? See this link about filming at Aldwych www.cravensheritagetrains.co.uk/aldwych.htm
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Post by tubeprune on May 4, 2010 11:06:31 GMT
I've just been reading The Piccadilly Line by Desmond Croome, and specifically about the Aldwych shuttle. It says that the only line that had a crossover to the branch was the northbound. My questions are as follows: 1) Did the branch train have to run south in the northbound tunnel to get to the Holborn platform? Yes, you had to reverse on the main. OK - Get the unit from Northfields and run empty to Holborn (Mon & Thurs only). As you approach Holborn, you would watch to see that the "A" sign was out on the home signal so that you knew someone was awake and had realised that today was the day the train arrived. Once, they didn't and the crew didn't notice the "A"s were still on. They took the train up to the advanced starter as usual, changed ends (as usual) and waited for the shunt to clear to let them into the Aldwych platform. Nothing happened. The signal phones were not answered ('cos there wasn't anyone there) and the DRICO didn't work so the guard had to walk back to the station to raise someone. Looooong delay :-( and very red faces at Holborn. I used to lean on the whistle as I ran in and wait for someone to appear just to make sure they were awake before I did the shunt. Once you'd done the shunt, you'd make the tea in the office. We usually got there about 06:45 and then did the first run at 07:00. The service was every 7½ minutes. The return trip (Weds & Friday evenings after about 19:00) was straight out of the Aldwych platform to Wood Green, reverse and then to Northfields. If I was doing this job, I would ring the signalman at Covent Garden first to see if he could reverse us at Kings Cross instead. If he would do it (and some wouldn't), it got us back early but you had to be quick at KX to avoid a delay. We were. These trips were good for guards who, if they got a decent driver, got driving practice most of the way. Not that I'm aware of but......
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2010 22:09:19 GMT
The points are scotched, clipped and padlocked. I also believe that there have been mods made in the IMR to prevent remote operation of 6 and 10 lever.
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Post by martinkeegan on Nov 30, 2010 17:51:18 GMT
if you need any news or information its best to speak to me as i was the old Aldwych Train Driver and know every single inch of the line. my quote is The Aldwych branch is NOT CLOSED, but just SLEEPING
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