Terminating at Marble Arch

Was the train being reversed in the siding (singular - there is only one) west to east (a simple move, change ends once) or east to west (change ends three times - in the EB platform, in the siding and then in the WB platform).

The west to east move is more common and if it was a late runner, it could be held in the siding for its correct path eastbound.

If it was a dud train, then it could return east (to Hainault depot) at a time to suit the service and the Controller. This would be dependent on the nature of the defect and at which end of the train. If the defect was on the west end and not serious enough to 'screw' ther service, the best option would be for it to continue to Ruislip depot.

If it was a dud eastbound train, which maybe deemed not desirable to go on to Hainault (i.e. it might 'screw' the service), then it could be reversed via the siding and thence back to Ruislip depot, again at a time to suit.

In the case of serious defects, trains are sometimes left in the siding/sidings until after traffic and moved then to the preferred depot.

If you mean the Liverpool St to Marble Arch off peak shopping trains - No.........

........... Marble is used to get trains out of the way, getting them back on time when running late by turning them short, or when there's a shut down ahead or engineering work and so on. Service requirements I think it's called. Ditto Holborn and the Street.............

Guards and motormen used to meet at the Street. Get on their first pick up in the EB platform, take it up the Street's siding then would go back n forth twixt the Street n Marble until one or both of them had a mental breakdown. Second only to the Epping Ongars for sheer tedium. I experienced my first physical assault as a guard at Hoborn WB on a Liverpool St to Marble Arch shopping train. A lunchtime pi$$head lifted me clean off my feet. Yes, I was that light/trim/slim/sexy in those days! If he attempted it now he'd put his back out and get a hernia..............

These days the sidings are used as little as possible so as not to disturb *Professor* Brain Cox who uses Marble Arch in his research to find neutrinos and gamma rays as they pass through massive vats of Ribena. When he's not doing that he does other things down there. Like attach giant chicken legs to human torsos. That's how the world acquired Olly Murs............

Kennington to Golders or Archway was another fun load of trips!!