Upminster Depot Open Day photos

Great pics, interesting to see the SST trains concepts. Wouldn't mind it if the SST-M was made. Really gutted I had to play cricket today, would have loved to come along.

When was the fine increased for pulling down the emergency stop from 25 pounds to 50?

That made me laugh, if LUL enforced this today (especially on the District line) it could stop charging for tickets, it would make millions more in collecting these fines !



And you would have thought they might have taken the shoe paddles out of the windows

I have to admit I too was a little disappointed at the limited access in the end - particularly the main sheds (where the 38ts, C stock, etc was). The C stock was powered up at the west end, which seemed a little strange as I was under the impression all traction current would be off with no exceptions.

I can only imagine that Health & safety concerns were at play - still, I suppose for those that would never normally get into a depot it was better than nothing.

Thanks for posting the pictures guys. It looks like I missed a good event! When was the last time that a MET electric loco was coupled to a four-wheeler! Agree totally with the comment from DWS re. the shoe paddles. These are generally used as a reminder to whoever takes the train out next that the parking brake is applied at that end. Woe betide the Driver that takes a train into service with as such because someone has removed the paddle in the name of beautification for an open day....

Chris, your photos are awesome! My ones, poor in comparison, are here:
www.flickr.com/photos/9112609@N02/sets/72157622062314865/


I really enjoyed the day, having arrived in a bad mood travelling there on the c2c from Barking with 3 kids all with their feet on the seats, talking to their mother. Grrr

For me, highlights were:

Seeing the Q Stock: I can see now how much time and effort needs to go into it in comparison to the lovely 1938 stock

Getting to wander into the driver's cab on the D Stock (for example, I now know that number 9 is the shortcut code for beggars and buskers ) and being advised by a Train Op to shoot all the drivers if I want a job as a Train Op myself

The amazingly-detailed model railway of Abbey Road - the effort put into this was seriously impressive

Going under the D-Stock train, seeing the snow removers, trainstops, shoes and amazingly shiny wheels

It was also great to speak to so many genuinely enthusiastic and forward-looking Train Ops, engineers and general LU people who just want the best for the system. Also speaking to S Stock coffee cup designer (!), prjb, who despite his protests, wasn't quite looking as grey with worry as he claims

A big thank you to all involved - you're a good lot - much appreciated

Thankfully the hundreds of visitors to the 38 stock cab didn't seem too interested in the hand brake, given that it was the only control which could have a meaningful affect (presumably a potential roll) with the current off.

Phil wins the award for the craziest stunt performed in the cab (hanging out of the door while talking to someone else), with someone who suddenly decided to start eating a bag of crisps on the drivers seat coming a close second.

Most intriguing - my first thought was 'it's upside down' (North at the bottom) - but thinking more carefully, it's designed to be looked up at so is actually 'correct' - a clever piece of design that takes some getting used to.

Was it one of a matched pair (both with Hounslow at the west end) for the two sides of the car, as originally produced, I wonder? (and what did the other one look like?)

The Earl's Court-Latimer Road link is also intriguing... Kensington is identified as 'Olympia', rather than 'Addison Road', which name change happened I believe in 1946 (when the District 'exhibition' service from Earl's Court commenced. And then 'White City' is so called - name changed from Wood Lane in 1947... Both these look as if they are on stuck on patches.

AIUI, pre-war there were Underground (LPTB Met line) trains to Kensington ARd from the north, while the link to Earls Court was LMS trains from Willesden Junction - and both these services ceased in 1940 (due to war damage and traffic requirements): but that was a 'war time suspension', formal closure wasn't until much later (post war some time).

So how would it have been shown on the car maps in the meantime? To what extent were they printed/replaced/updated during the war?

Looking at the map you would expect a through service... Was there ever such? Or was it proposed in the immediate post war period, for when the damage had been repaired?

Yes indeed - the database-of-much-confusion claims it to be changed with effect from 20/11/46 when TTN 80/46 for Bertram W. Mills' Circus came into force - I could go and find my copy but as AI is currently asleep underneath it on the shelf above her, I don't think she'd appreciate the disturbance - you're right about the previous services too; I think I've got the reissues of the TTs but can't check for the aforementioned reason..... ;D

Back on-topic.

Absolutely top day - nice to see so many faces: Uzair, Phil, Littlecog, Rich32, Dan, Daniel W, ChrisW, then Colin and trainopd78 (v. briefly) followed by compsci [needing a beer], mackenzie and Tom later. Good to see you all... Aspect whizzed past us on a 'bus too.

I had a marvellous time, and well done to everyone involved in any way shape or form- well worth the effort put in by you and Happy 50th Birthday to Upminster.

Some confusion seemed to have crept in on this one! There shouldn't have been any cars parked behind the buses! Cars parked both sides of that area made it too small to get the buses in and out properly and some rather difficult multi shunts were needed to get buses out for their service runs. (In the absence of power steering - hard work !!!) (At least with crew operated buses you have a conductor to watch your rear ! )

Plus the cars nearest the minature railway ruined the intended pictures of buses and trains together !

To clarify there were no bus shunters, each bus driver maneuvered their own bus and the only bus to remain in that area overnight was RML 2589 which didn't have a car behind it. (RM1 was moved to the lifting shop and the others returned to their respective garages via a full length 248 run to Romford Market)

I was very busy both days on both the trains and buses side, so I didn't even get to look at everything !!

A thoroughly enjoyable weekend (bus and LUL train crew time all given free), which I hope all who attended also enjoyed! ;D ;D

Nope - RM's/RML's/RMA's/RMC's/RCL's etc, etc, don't have power steering.

I am amazed to notice that the map that has both Circle and District, even though it dates from the late 70s/early 80s when the Jubilee first opened, is in the font that dates from the late 60s.

As I recall,the service to Uxbridge Rd was suspended in 1940 due to Enemy Action.Formal closure (and disappearance from maps and diagrams) didn't take place until 1947,though I thought that post-1940 diagrams would have had a note about the suspension....

Thanks all for the suggestions and ideas - all interesting stuff. I'm so glad the attempted peeling-off didn't get finished! This is totally the sort of thing I go nuts for. ;D