How deep is your love?

I'll miss looking out of the window viewing the lush greenery of metroland from the transverse seating, although I guess I could still do that with the turbos

I'll miss the opening windows and the properly sprung seats.

The privacy, sound of the compressors (some I think, A60s I think). The fact they are the widest and do feel it...

I think I will miss getting a seat, I don't want to have to stand for longer than I have to. I know the reasons why there are fewer seats and I am prepared to reserve my final judgment until I actual travel on them regularly.

I will enjoy using new trains, but think I may not like the more openness compared to the current A stock.

Interesting thoughts so far, as I perhaps slightly expected the majority of opinions are based on passenger experience and no small amount of nostalgia.

It's refreshing to see some open minds with regards to the S stock, I'm sure I can't be the only person who is nostalgic about A stock/will miss it, but is also looking forward to the S stock. As I touched on, travelling on the Met Line is intrinsically linked to much of my childhood memories, and would be even if there was no further interest on my part. But, having reacquainted myself a bit recently (largely out of curiosity having read alot on here; I haven't used the line regularly for some time and now for the first time ever I don't live in Metroland!), much of the 'aura' has gone I feel. I must admit, I can't quite relate to the 'Amersham man' experience - first and foremost I'm not a commuter - but I'm certainly familiar with say Rickmansworth - City on the Met and personally I can't imagine sitting longtidunally being SUCH an unpalatable prospect?? Of course, I doubt I've ever experienced it at the prospective speeds but I'm certainly not as 'anti' the idea as many. I may also be amongst few who like A stock, and don't hate Class 378s?? Seriously, I like the comfortable springiness of the A stock but they were certainly more appealing when I was a slouching yoof, as was the 'privacy' afforded by the enclosed seating! Nowadays it strikes me as almost a little out of place, and really I think if you sit with good posture on a class 378 seat, they're very supportive! Good for your back! Before I stray back ON topic I have to say I found the new ELL (vaguely A stock related see) a very pleasant passenger experience on my recent maiden sojourn. Really not bad seats! More to the point the 'uncommanded seat change' nature of A stock (particularly in their higher speed heyday) has been discussed heavily already...

I'll tell you a train which is uncomfortable, and that's a Chiltern Turbo! At their inception they seemed so very very new and upmarket compared to the needing-refurb A stock, and I know at that time particularly it was something of a myth, but the journey seemed faster too. However, I also travelled on one of these for the first time in a while recently and it's not the hardness of the seat that's uncomfortable, it's the shape. Ouch. They seemed a very appealing choice way back when but I think alot of Amersham/Chalfont etc men/women will be making a bad move getting on one of those just to sit facing forwards...

Characteristically I've babbled again but I realise that I've come across as harsh on A stock... I LOVE how wide they are! In terms of ambience as well as external appearance. Whilst trawling old posts, learning of car names such as 'The Ark', 'Valiant' etc (excuse inaccurate recollection) brought a smile; perfect names! Big, mighty wide beast trains making their way through the countryside in businesslike yet grandiose fashion, fast and bouncy. I remember how exciting at the time the refurbishment was (I had no clue until a red-fronted train turned up one day) and they were VERY fresh - but so much more imperious and I think a little menacing-looking in their silver pomp!

There is ONE trivial design detail which I like so much, I wish it had been carried over to the S8s as further distinction from S7s, but it's frankly an anorakish whim...

The sounds... Almost a seperate sub-topic!

Over

Here we go....

I am Metroland born and bred. Lived all my life on the Met. All 29-30 years of it, and all the time with the A stock. It would be silly to say they're like family but....

They are a link to the past I guess, which I never had. They are fantastic trains. Well built, long lasting and could probably go on for a few more years given the same love they've always had.

I love the seating, nice and sprung, the little arm rests opposite the door pockets that my body litterally has moulded itself into after all these years.

I like the sounds they make. DC motors are now becoming rare, and I shall miss the hum of the LT114s winding up. The PCM equipment is wonderful, and the bit I shall miss the most is the pop of the line breakers!

The gentle noise of the EP brake, and the low hiss of the Westinghouse brake will be removed from LU in a few years.

The Compressors, be they Westinghouse or Reavell sound great and I will certainly miss them.

I also like the opening windows, and the guard's grab handle at the trailing end that I use to haul myself onto the train. The cabs are great. Simple, popular with the drivers and having a separate brake is nice.

So I will miss them quite a lot, even the little coat of arms on the cab ends! The day the last one is withdrawn, will litterally be one of the worst day's of my life.

I've always seen the A stock as the last link to the old Met Rly with their end, the Met will finally be lost.

I'm just enjoying every second with them. I like the talk of preservation. If every A60 is cut up or none are kept working I don't know what I'd do......

Nice Metman, I had certainly detected your general feelings in various previous posts! I have always been intrigued by (often slightly bizarre!) sounds of the A stock. I know them well enough to the point I can verbally impersonate some! They are the sorts of noises that draw reaction from people who generally couldn't care less... I am aware that A60s and A62s can be easily distinguished by their different sounds, I must admit I'm not sure which is which??

But anyway, loving the nostalgia. Ruislip, as it goes, your name is one of my previous Metroland outposts, as indeed was Ruislip Manor at a later date... And Metman, it's one of those random things based on personal experience, but the 'iron bridge' (as I call it, it's probably got a more accurate description) between Northwood and Northwood Hills is one of the most iconic spots on the Met line for me. It's such a minor thing but it's like a landmark to me!

I've always called it the Iron Bridge too, but it does have a number!

It always lifts me to see an A stock train crossing it. I saw an S stock crossing the bridge at North Harrow last month and honestly, my heart sank!

SE13, you're drink's safe!

Oi, come back 'ere!!!

Everyone that knows me on here will know I'm not out to offend!

It's just that I prefer hurtling through London in tube lines rather than travelling on something that resembles NR out in the countryside. It's almost a standing joke here, especially with the head bosses on here!

Thanks, as it goes I saw it recently whilst trawling posts, was indeed a good read

I must admit I'm a little murky as to this 'weak field' thing, I know if I dug around I could get the actual gen on that... Forgive me for being a lazy green sort but a quick once-over per chance? Something to do with the current pickup I guess; my understanding of that is negligible to say the least. I gather it makes them go faster, and is it that yellow and black flag thing? I sound like someone who doesn't know what offside means talking about offside bejesus...

Last thing, care to try and verbally describe to me what the aural distinction is between the A60 and A62? Think I might know as it's one crazy noise I don't notice all the time, again forgive me for abusing my topic by asking beginner questions, it's just I expect you will be able to answer in seconds flat!

Thanks for that Met Driver, re the other things I must say 1) I have to agree with your informed view based on my own observations as a passenger when it comes to Met/Jub races (as I mentioned, things were definitely different once upon a time) and 2) I am slightly envious of your view, having only seen it out of the side other than on youtube! Guess it might not seem that way when it's 'work' and you've been to x and back x amount of times, but it really must be the pick of LUL

I did wonder what that was! Thanks for the explanation I've become fond of the A stock, but unlike some, I get annoyed with the sheer volume of noise the compressors make, and I'm not built for the bumpy ride, that's for sure! I am a bit worried about the fewer seats on the S stock, but hopefully the walk-through layout will mean commuters get a bit better at using the space.

The Westinghouse A60 compressor noise has a lower and slightly slower pitch to it than the Reavell A62 compressor which has a slightly higher and definately more frantic tempo to it!

I usually don't sit in the trailers due to the noise of the compressors. You can feel them vibrating in the motor cars when stationary! I also love the noise from the motor cars, so it's no contest.