Problem with S stock late at night.

I'm dreading the loss of that option of "oops - I'll avoid that lot by boarding the next car" or "hell, I think I'll change cars next stop".

LOL!

Perhaps, But I am talking about late at night when train services are rather empty....

Don't forget that the new S Stock (for example) is fully covered by CCTV (and a very efficient system from what I can see) which is selectable by the driver at any time, recorded and if a passenger alarm is activated the CCTV automatically switches to the camera closest to the handle which has been operated.

I accept that there is not the physical seperation but this in itself causes it's own problems.

Don't forget that many TOC stocks have interconnecting doors that open automatically, so they probably are no more of a deterrent.

Probably another case of no right or wrong answer.

I think it'll still be referred to as "handle down" rather than "button in"

I do see your point here. I was on a Central around Epping, when a drunk/druggie lowlife started talking to me, and offering me drugs, so once the train reached Theydon, I went into the next carriage.

Although, if there is some person who is desperate to beat you up or whatever, then they could go through the emergency doors.

And although there is CCTV on the S-stocks, it doesn't stop a lot of idiots, especially if they are drunk or drugged up.

Interestingly, I do have the impression that the DC line actually feels a bit safer now that the walk-through 378s are in use. OK, they are walk-through - but they do have good lighting and CCTV - and everyone on the train can see what's going on along the whole train.

.... or on rough track, or on a bouncy train!

Lovely!

If some nutter comes for you with a knife it does not matter where you are. But in an 'open' train like the 'S' stock you stand a better chance than you would in the old compartment stock.

Not so much a reconfiguration of the vehicle interiors - all they did was to reform all the remaining compartment trailers into pairs, to minimise the number of units that had any, and ensured they were only used in the peak hours when it would be most unlikely that anyone would find themselves alone with a potential assailant. I think the units so formed were renumbered into the 55xx series and had red stripes painted along the cantrails - I trust no-one was misled into thinking they were restaurant cars.

it was a short term measure as the Networkers were already on order by then and the 55xx units were the first to be withdrawn.