Timetabled C Stock west of Earls Court

Isn't this the first time since the days of R and COP stock that this is happened? I recall in at least one Underground Guide in my collection that this happens.

I published a photo from 1977 [?] of a C Stock train on gauging tests in UNDERGROUND at Turnham Green, en route to Richmond . I have often wondered whether it also went to Northfields and Ealing as well.

I have only been on a D Stock that went from Hammersmith to HSK left-hand bay during engineering work and am not sure that I have ever seen a west end > Edgware Road service.

Are there any timetabled passenger service reverses at Ealing Broadway? If so, is there a CSDE loop for the C stock position in case you need to re-open the doors just before departing?

I have (once) seen a C stock at Kew Gardens, but it was about 20 years ago

I can assure you that C stock have been frequent visistors to Ealing Broadway - in particular T71, 0931 ECT WB used to be diverted to Ealing for stock training, running in service from ECT to EBY. In addition, it would then run in service from Acton Town to either HSK or Edgware Road, depending on what time the training finsished in Ealing Common depot.

Re. the CSDE loops at EBY, it was OK if you went into pfm 7 or 9, as they are (were?) Cat B, so you would stop at the normal stopping mark, and after changing ends you could look out the cab door to check the platform. This was not possible from pfm 8, so assistance would be required prior to departure.

The same applied at Richmond, where C stock could be worked into pfm 4 or 6, as they were Cat B platforms, so the train could stop at the normal stopping mark on arrival and the T/Op observe from the cab for departure. Whether this has changed since I left the District almost 3 years ago, I couldn't say!

In addition, IIRC post 7/7 a number of C stocks worked from Ealing Broadway during the peak hours.

Set 117 is now the Richmond overnight stabling train.

The C Stock 117 was never in the WTT, only a TTNotice amendment.

Handling a C Stock to Ealing or Hornchurch is not, i believe, a training requirement- it's just nice if you get the chance!

The photo I published was taken at the Turnham Green WB Local Line platform on 23rd October 1977. The train had 'SPECIAL' on it and the lightbox said 'RICHMOND'.

As an aside there was also a photo of 2 1973 Stock Double-Ended units in Ealing Common Depot in May 1977 for training purposes.

At the time of Oracle's photo, the C Stock never had Ealing or Richmond on their blinds - these came later. Hence the favoured destination then was 'Special' or even 'blank'.

If T 177 is requested to run it now has a more fluid approach in terms of running where the training need is (though it can't, obviously, do a whole load of consecutive moves that would all delay the main line) it is agreed between the Instructor and the Service Manager(s). Last time out it visited Acton Town west No 26 siding and also ran a passenger trip from Olympia to Barking.

There is, however, very little staff movement taking place and this equally affects the train driving grades. So there are very few trainees. There are certain minimum levels of things that must be covered with each trainee but how the allocated Instructor deals with them is generally a matter for them to schedule, use of the training train is just one of the tools available (often NOT available in fact because of engineering works) but it's use is not a requirement, there are other ways to do it, different Instructors have different preferences. It is not necessary to cover every move physically and where that is required it does not need to be done with every stock type.

As for Ealing Broadway, C Stock stopping marks are in situ for (at least) some of the platforms, these do require the CSDE to be overridden (there is a rule book process for this) and the train will thus be berthed normally for the mirrors/monitors when changed ends.

There is still a need to "pull" a C stock for training if Hammersmith depot doesn't have a functional spare, again though there has been less demand with fewer drivers new to the line. One has been "pulled" most of this week, but it is now used at Parsons Green sidings for the training rather than Ealing Common depot. There have been occasions in the past when it has gone to Barking sidings for the training.

Can't remember why, but I got diverted from EDR to EBY (plat 9) and back, in passenger service. Thinking about it, it may have been when the last strike was on.
I do recall that I missed the 6 car stopping mark and took it up to the 'D' mark, told the LC and they got staff out to assist with despatch.

C stock at Olympia today! Well, I'm excited anyway

Yes, I've heard about this shortage of D Stocks. There's been some cancellations. What's going on with them?

Hmmmm.... Ok, so there's a lack of D stock...... What about the drivers that aren't C stock type-trained?

I seem to remember reading somewhere (I think it may have been here or on Dave's main site) that Upminster based drivers are only trained on D stock, but all the other drivers are trained on both C and D. Is this the case?