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Post by tubelightonline on Jul 3, 2015 5:52:52 GMT
Clearly, the South Harrow incident was the Tube equivalent of the legendary 'Pharaoh's Curse'; disturbing the '83s that were stored there released some sort of jinx (not to mention the odd spider!) on the main line...
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Post by tubelightonline on Oct 27, 2014 19:34:56 GMT
I thought that the fault was oil-related - in the dim and distant days of when I attended secondary school, one of the coaches that was regularly employed as the school bus serving the area where I live similarly thought that it was in an eighties' music video (or a Papal 'yes' vote!), and belched out a great deal of white smoke at every press of the accelerator - that similarly had a rather oily smell about it.
(As I know that you're into your buses, David, it was one owned by Stevenson's of Uttoxeter at the time when they were becoming Arriva North Midlands. I'll never forget the look of disgust on the face of a chap driving a then-new Trent Excel in the opposite direction...either because of the localised pollution that our ancient bus was creating, or because he was driving an Excel..!)
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Post by tubelightonline on Oct 22, 2014 19:02:55 GMT
The DVD and Blu-Ray are both now able to pre-order from here; there is also a preview clip available on the same page...rack up the quality to 1080p, sit back, and enjoy..! Would the use of an S stock in filming still have required the usual extra lamps that they have in the cab? I'd imagine they would, but perhaps to a lesser extent. Looking forward to it, although its a shame that there probably won't be any forum regulars in the cab driving! The blurb suggests 'subtle additional lighting' was used - even so, the tunnel sections seen in the preview do appear quite natural in how they're lit - you wouldn't think that any additional lights were installed. Without naming anyone specificially, is the driver seen in the clip a member on here? That was staggering! Who the hell passed that as Fit for Traffic? Probably literally, for anyone standing on the platform at the time! Nowt wrong with the odd fumigation - I bet there weren't many spiders lingering in the platform canopies!
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Post by tubelightonline on Oct 8, 2014 18:37:25 GMT
I noticed today that the "Circle and Hammersmith" Driver's Eye View from Video 125 is due to be released soon - possibly around the middle of next month. More details can be found on the company's Facebook page ( here) - I'd better make a start on my Christmas list; as an owner of the original "Metropolitan and District" DEV from 1989, I'll be fascinated to see how things have changed...hopefully, for the better - the graffiti situation back then was horrendous! I doubt that the diesel-induced pea souper on the approach to Paddington will be seen this time, however!
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Post by tubelightonline on Sept 11, 2014 19:35:41 GMT
Thanks for all of the responses - I can't help thinking that the slider-based system was somewhat wasteful, given that some of the aspects could potentially be illuminated for long periods but not actually be visible...still, I suppose they would have acted as a secondary means of cab heating in the winter months!
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Post by tubelightonline on Sept 10, 2014 19:09:14 GMT
How were the marker headlights (when they existed) on trains set? I know that the Q23 car in the Museum has externally-mounted hinged covers that can be used to conceal or display the various marker aspect optics, but this feature was not present on later builds (Tube or Surface), as far as I am aware. Did the same setup exist for these other stocks (but with the covers mounted internally instead), or were the individual optics switched separately from within the cab, and if so, was it obvious as to which switch was which (there's a tongue twister if ever I saw one)?
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Post by tubelightonline on Sept 4, 2014 20:00:56 GMT
Didn't the late, great Fred Dibnah once accidentally plough one of his steamrollers into a wall somewhere? Suffice to say, the wall came off worst! Just goes to show that it can happen to the best of them!
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Post by tubelightonline on Sept 3, 2014 6:18:04 GMT
Ah yes; the A Stock blind enclosure still had its ceiling bosses attached by means of the two long bolts when I acquired it. I did attempt to attach the enclosure to a convenient ceiling joist in my room using these, but this plan was ultimately defeated as I was unable to hold the enclosure whilst simultaneously trying to locate the bolts (thank goodness for the advent of Polyfilla!); hence, my revised idea using the shelving brackets - the only downside to this method, of course, is that the rear panel is then completely obscured, but I suppose that it's what's on the outer-facing side of the blind that is important!
Hmm...working in confined spaces at the height of summer - I remember those days all too well myself!
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Post by tubelightonline on Aug 31, 2014 8:22:42 GMT
Nice! 5529 was the car whose blind box had been earmarked for me to remove, but due to a mix-up we had to leave it intact as it wasn't clear if that was the car the museum was having at the time (I got 5592's in the end). I'm glad it survived though, though it isn't the only bit to have survived; I have the set number plates. The blind boxes were a pig to get out; you can't get much movement on the spanner and allen key on the lug and it isn't easy to stand there either. I can probably get you a copy of the drawing for the destination transfer, if that is any use? I think I've even got one lying around somewhere... Interesting - the Museum's loss is my gain! Good to hear that you were able to secure one in the end, and at least 5592 uses the same digits as 5529 does! Your comments regarding the difficulty in removing the boxes goes some way to explaining why only the 'accessible' parts were repainted at refurbishment - why make life difficult! Do you know what purpose the catches located at either end of these boxes (and on the A Stock boxes too) served; presumably, they clamped on to a fixture in the cab in order to stop the box from swinging about in service? I'd certainly be interested in seeing a copy of that drawing if you have one to hand - thank you. Don't go out of your way to look for it, though! The old district line destination blind has the same features as the c stock one so maybe you could experiment! I thought the same when I noticed how the inner-facing destinations were presented on the D Stock blind material - I was tempted to try fitting it in the box, but what may now prevent this from happening is that the material for that one is attached to the rollers using heavy-duty double-sided tape (rather than just being held by the removable pin, as was done originally), and the new rollers are of a different (smaller) diameter to the originals, which would prevent the end caps from attaching correctly. The idea isn't impossible, however...
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Post by tubelightonline on Aug 29, 2014 6:26:57 GMT
Very nice indeed. It was interesting to see what the treadplates looked like when you had cleaned them. Unfortunately for me though, seeing them that clean just doesn't seem right - C Stock treadplates should always be that dirty old grey colour! Out of interest, do you know which cars the treadplates were salvaged from? That was very nice, you've done a fine job, particularly on the treadplates. Thanks for the comments - very much appreciated! Yes, I suppose that by cleaning the treadplates, I've also removed a degree of authenticity, given that being caked in years of dirt (and chewing gum - London has done me proud once again!) is part of the 'charm'! Alas, I don't know the individual cars that these came from - there was just a pile of discarded plates and I could choose whichever I wanted. Had I realised that the C69 one I'd picked was damaged, I'd probably have swapped it for another, but it was only once I'd arrived back home that I noticed the slight bend in the casting, and it's not really all that noticeable. #Jealous Very jealous. Are the two drive gears permanently fixed or is there some kind of clever jiggery-pokery involved to keep the tension in the blind as it nears each end? Heh - I was expecting that! There isn't really any pokery with the blind - jiggery or otherwise! The gears are fixed, and it's only thanks to the positions of the internal rollers that the material remains taut, regardless of whether the current destination is at the end or the middle of the roll. Additionally, the shape that the material takes in order to display the rear destination helps to prevent the blind from being over-wound - the material makes a rather unhappy grating sound if this does happen!
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Post by tubelightonline on Aug 28, 2014 11:20:12 GMT
Yes, my grubby little paws have once again been busy acquiring and restoring some redundant train fixtures - this time, it's the turn of the universally-loved and missed [citation needed] C Stock (remember them?). These new toys appear in the form of a car diagram, a treadplate from both a C69 and C77 car, and a destination blind, complete with its enclosure (sorry, Rincew1nd!). Links to the new items can be found here, under the 'Related Items in Collection' section. I will warn you that the destination blind's page is rather...long, on account of the restoration work that was required, but it's all worth it in the end!
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Post by tubelightonline on Jul 3, 2014 7:52:06 GMT
I used a couple of roller blind kits for my D Stock blind, and they came with an adhesive strip attached to the roller; however, just to ensure that the blind definitely wasn't going to become detached, I applied some strips of strong double-sided tape along both rollers as well...and the blind is still in place to this day! As regards the illumination, I've used LED striplights for both the D and A Stock blinds - they're the type designed for use under cabinets in kitchens. This was what I used for the A Stock blind: www.ukelectricalsupplies.com/DFX-Technology-230v-AC-600mm-Pure-White-LED-Strip-Light.htm . If you use one of these, you will also need to purchase a lead, as the lights have a special connector system that enables them to be linked when used 'as they were originally intended'. The above-linked site supplies leads with either a moulded plug on one end, or bare conductors, if you're wiring into a junction box. My original thread on acquiring the A Stock blind can be found here; the third reply on the first page provides the paint details. The restoration of the blind box is covered here if you're interested - feel free to give me a shout if you require any further details! Good luck - please do keep us updated on your progress!
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Post by tubelightonline on Jun 30, 2014 19:03:23 GMT
Excellent pictures and videos from everyone once again - I was only able to attend in spirit this time but it certainly looks as if the stock received a well-deserved final hurrah - I'm yellow, pink and green with envy! (I've just noticed that Geoff's 'A&C to S' DVD is now available to purchase from the Museum - I'm surprised that it hasn't been mentioned already - I may need to invest in a copy!)Now to find that telephone number for Booth's...
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Post by tubelightonline on Jun 4, 2014 8:09:27 GMT
There was, in fact, another 'last run' around the Circle using the C Stock; however, it was not publicised on account that the train in question had its traction motors replaced with jet engines, in order not only to surpass the impressive speed achieved at the end of the A Stock tour, but also to set a new world record for the fastest train anywhere...if this all sounds implausible, feel free to check the evidence here (not my video). What do you mean that this doesn't count..?
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Post by tubelightonline on Apr 17, 2014 19:40:28 GMT
Very nice - I hadn't realised that the two "C Stock: 1970 - 2014" destination blind options were not quite the same...then again, I didn't venture to the other end of the train (wish I had done now as I wanted to picture a C77 tread plate!). I have now uploaded my own material from the day; details at: streetlightonline.co.uk/Tube/CStockExplorer/index.htm
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Post by tubelightonline on Apr 15, 2014 20:32:52 GMT
Excellent footage there - you have to love the visibly annoyed passenger at KXSP who can't understand why the train passed through without allowing anyone to board! I'd forgotten about the 'waving' game involving that '73 Stock...goodness knows what the people on board thought was happening!
That chap in the yellow T-Shirt looks familiar...I see that he also appears in one of Chris W's pictures, complete with regulation Butlins-spec legs on show..!
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Post by tubelightonline on Apr 14, 2014 9:01:08 GMT
Morning all!
I'd just like to echo the thoughts already posted - what a fantastic day; I thoroughly enjoyed it (and am delighted that such a significant figure was raised for the charity) - good to put a few more faces to names too! My being the doorstop for the J Door on the EB District line run suggests that I may have found my true calling in life...
The worst part of the day for me was the trek home, on account of the numerous football fans also using the northbound M1 - I'd parked at Stanmore and didn't even attempt to try and leave the car park until just after 8 PM - nothing was moving! As it was, I didn't reach London Road until around 8:20, and finally arrived home at 11:15...having been awake since 4 AM, I was a little weary by the end! (Memo to self: for future tours, check ALL sporting features before deciding on a suitable car park!)
My own pictures and video will follow soon (assuming that at least some are usable!) - I'll take a look at what's been posted so far and see if I make many appearances - apologies if I ruined your shot as a result!
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Post by tubelightonline on Apr 2, 2014 10:49:11 GMT
My tickets arrived this morning; is anyone else on here booked into Car F?
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Post by tubelightonline on Feb 15, 2014 17:55:09 GMT
Tremendous news - it's just what Derby needed, and is made all the more special on account that this year marks 175 years of train building in the city - I welled up when the news broke on local radio!
(I don't personally work for Bombardier, although a great-granddad did work (and sadly died) at the Loco works many years ago, so I do have a slightly vested interest in the subject!)
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Post by tubelightonline on Feb 15, 2014 17:47:28 GMT
I have the cable for my blind box's light unit connected to a remote-controlled socket - simple, but effective (much like me in many ways); it also has the tendency to trick people into thinking that they have the ability to switch it on just by looking at it!
I can see why the 'Fast' destinations on the later blinds had the wording reversed - the "Aldgate Fast" certainly could be mistaken for "Aldgate East", even at close proximity. (As it happens, I managed to roll "Fast Aldgate" and "Aldgate East" on my two blinds the other day - excellent!)
What purpose did the two backward-facing catches attached to the sides of the blind box serve when these were in use? I'd have thought that they should point forwards, in order to be secured to the blind window.
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Post by tubelightonline on Jan 21, 2014 12:53:19 GMT
Thanks for those details - most interesting.
I've noticed something rather odd with the displays of both my A and D Stock blinds - namely, that changing the destination daily has resulted in some "coincidences" appearing on the two blinds - simply by advancing the A Stock blind by one station and the D Stock blind by two, I've managed to create some unintentional links. The two that I can think of right now are:
Neasden / Ealing Common = locations of depots on the Metropolitan and District lines Chesham / Olympia = branches that both formerly served as shuttle services (for most of the time)
Some of the links for other stations were a bit tenuous (I couldn't think of any relationship between Farringdon and Parsons Green, for instance!), but it's interesting that these connections did appear. I haven't yet managed to roll Whitechapel for both (at least, not unintentionally), but give it time!
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Post by tubelightonline on Jan 16, 2014 13:15:17 GMT
Good to see that this has stirred up some interest in the A Stocks again! (Did it ever go away?) OK, so the colour reference is: Cornflower Blue, BS4800 20 E 51. Thanks for that - there's a colour chart in the office at work, and I've just spotted that exact colour on there. Bit of a long shot, but I don't suppose you would also know the code for the colour applied to the new grab rails installed during refurbishment, would you? I might decide to have the wall-mounted support brackets for the blind box repainted into this colour at some point...possibly! How do you acquire such artifacts of history? This particular example came from Haydn Brand, who runs the excellent London Transport Original Signs website, though examples have also been appearing on a well-known online auction site (how very BBC of me!) recently. Expect to pay a fair amount for them, though...and if you add postage too, you'll be taking out a second mortgage! Fortunately, in my case, Haydn happened to be travelling through the Midlands anyway, so I was able to meet him and pick it up from him directly. For those of you with the "blind envy", is it a "blind ambition" that makes you want one for yourself..?
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Post by tubelightonline on Jan 12, 2014 0:11:17 GMT
I recently acquired a destination blind (complete with its original housing) that had been removed from the cab of A60 car 5086, after the unit was decommissioned in September 2011. The housing required considerable cleaning, but was otherwise in good condition. Photographs of this restoration are now available here. I am considering giving the housing a full repaint at some point, in order to remove surface scratches and the like. Does anyone know the RAL code for the shade of blue that these were painted upon refurbishment? I'm a bit of a stickler for accuracy, unfortunately!
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Post by tubelightonline on May 23, 2013 5:12:40 GMT
The eagle eyed amongst you may also spot the missing 'H' on the new step plates! I recently acquired one of the removed plates (hence, the recently-added additional year on my avatar picture!); details here. Are the new plates still marked '1996'?
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Post by tubelightonline on May 12, 2013 20:15:22 GMT
One to look out for later this week - BBC Two is showing a documentary on the history of the Underground on Thursday at 9 o'clock in the evening. Judging by the clips featured on the website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sjtzw), it is possibly an add-on to the series from last year. It looks worth a watch anyhow!
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Post by tubelightonline on Oct 3, 2012 5:13:19 GMT
I travelled in car A on the farewell tour, it was good to meet and chat with the lads sitting towards the rear of the car during the afternoon, sat next to fellow forum member tubelightonline (he of the D78 blind in homemade blind box !) My pleasure! (For the record, I'm apparently headed in the direction of Acton Town if the blind is to be believed!) I was interested to see that the driver mentioned in my earlier post turned out to be SquareWheels - that's a claim to fame!
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Post by tubelightonline on Oct 1, 2012 14:02:43 GMT
Some excellent photographs and video footage so far! Comment was made in our car that between all of the records created during the tour, someone could more or less re-live the entire event again! Out of interest, did anyone capture a recording of the driver on the Watford to Chesham leg admitting that he had never driven the North Curve until that moment? That certainly provoked some rather nervous laughs in Car A! My own photographs and video of the event can now be seen at: www.streetlightonline.co.uk/Tube/AStockFarewell/index.htm - if any of the captions are a load of tosh, please let me know!
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Post by tubelightonline on Sept 18, 2012 18:22:31 GMT
Not being local to London, I chose the "postal" option, and received a notification in the email confirming my purchase that they would be posted. However, the tickets still hadn't arrived yesterday (despite me being one of the first people to book), so I chased up with the Museum; in a reply received today, it sounds as if they hadn't realised that I had chosen this option, and informed me that the tickets would now be posted tomorrow (Wednesday).
Therefore, if you similarly chose this option and still haven't received your tickets, it might be worth checking with the Museum (sooner rather than later) that they are aware of the need to post them out.
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Post by tubelightonline on Aug 11, 2012 7:14:55 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions as regards the blind's age - it sounds as if the blind is possibly somewhat newer than I thought it might be, then. May I ask how you acquire such blinds? This particular example was found on eBay - I was surprised that I was the only bidder by the time the auction ended! I like the display method. I have a C Stock blind removed prior to the Circle Line extension, in a box containing two lengths of copper pipe, with a 12v fluorescent tube for illumination. I expect "Circle line" as a destination probably features the most worn-looking text on that one! I was thinking of using electrical conduit for the rollers but couldn't then think of how to attach a mechanism that would enable the blind to rotate. I was lucky with my choice of light fitting, as I was concerned that the depth of the fitting would prevent the front of the blind from being flat; however, it actually fitted with room to spare!
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Post by tubelightonline on Aug 10, 2012 12:05:44 GMT
I've recently acquired a redundant D Stock destination blind - I assume that it was removed upon refurbishment - and was wondering if anyone would know how old it would be. Tubeprune's site suggests that East London Line destinations were included on blinds, for the brief period when the line was served by D Stock; however, as these destinations are not listed on my blind, I assume that it might date from a slightly later period. As always, pictures (and a video of it operating via a somewhat Heath-Robinson means!) are available here.
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