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Post by cooperman on Feb 10, 2012 15:12:16 GMT
What with all the discussion about the new WTT, and the journey times from Amersham and Chesham etc.
I got to thinking , whats the journey like for the Drivers. So i asked one the other day , they seem a great bunch and always happy to talk. He told me they do a Lap and Half, does this mean for insistence.
Chesham all stations to Aldgate . Walk back up the platform at Aldgate, do another N/B to Chesham . Then go back S/B and finish at Harrow. Excuse my ignorance just interested.
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Post by v52gc on Feb 10, 2012 22:12:02 GMT
More a guess but Harrow, Chesham, Aldgate, Chesham, Harrow.
A whole rounder and then half a rounder...
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Post by citysig on Feb 11, 2012 20:29:49 GMT
The drivers on the Met are a breed of drivers like no other I've ever encountered on other lines - but that doesn't mean other drivers are worth any less, do not take me out of context please. There are many values which are no doubt echoed by those on other lines - I juts haven't spent enough time there to find out. That said, they will moan if you delay them, they will complain if their fast is made all-stations, but when you send them to Watford 45 late when they're due off, they generally help you out any way they can. A seriously decent set of people. Their duties vary immensely - as they do on every line (except may the Waterloo and City  ) Some may do Harrow-Chesham-Aldgate-Harrow then break, some will do more. A "rounder" is generally considered to be a whole circuit, so Harrow-Chesham-Aldgate-Harrow would indeed be one rounder. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2012 20:50:32 GMT
I echo what you say. They are a good bunch and did anything for me when I was covering the Running SM at Neasden in 1971-73 and, of course, later as a Controller. Having worked on all lines as a Contoller, they are all a great bunch, network wide.
Back in those days, there were several duties at Baker Street and a few at Neasden, which did 8 Circles - 4+4. These were never popular and often generated requests for PNRs (Physical Needs Relief - going to the loo in other words!!) to get out of a trip. I am sure TP will have memories of the 4+4 Circles.
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slugabed
Zu lang am schnuller.
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Post by slugabed on Feb 11, 2012 21:25:51 GMT
I am sure TP will have memories of the 4+4 Circles. My late brother-in-law told me of this turn,and of a particular driver,many years ago,and when there were bars on some Circle Line platforms (Sloane Sq? Liverpool St? perhaps,andanother,certainly three in total)...this driver had an arrangement with the bar-keeper at one of the stations to have a pint waiting for him on each circuit....quick dash across the platform,empty glass back on the bar,full one back to the cab. True story or urban myth? |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2012 21:39:43 GMT
My lips are sealed Couldn't possibly comment ..... |
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Post by citysig on Feb 12, 2012 0:08:13 GMT
There are stories on our job (and I'll call them stories) that could fill several books and keep people entertained for weeks on end. Unfortunately, those who created the stories are in ever-increasing years and thus, ever-dwindling numbers. I'm sure many industries have such legends, but there have been tales shared which have brought tears to my eyes, and through which I have had trouble answering the next call |
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Post by cooperman on Feb 13, 2012 21:50:22 GMT
Wow , many thanks for the reply's. It puts my petty ramblings about my long and arduous journey in to London as a Passenger in to perspective.  |
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Post by superteacher on Feb 13, 2012 22:15:14 GMT
Driver of T401 to Chesham today at Baker Street (around 15:20) was very helpful. It seems that during the disruptions earlier, passengers had asked him about the whereabouts of the next Uxbridge train, as none were showing at Baker Street. He went on the PA to say that he would contact the controller to find out the whereabouts of other trains. He came back on to say that an Uxbridge service would be starting from Harrow at 15:48, and that all passengers should get on his train and change there. He repeated this announcement at Finchley Road and Wembley Park.
Good teamwork there between driver and controller. I have submitted postive feedback to TFL.
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metman
Global Moderator
5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
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Post by metman on Feb 13, 2012 23:24:09 GMT
Good work indeed. I'm glad you gave good feedback to TfL too, maybe he/she will get a pat on the back.
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Post by superteacher on Feb 13, 2012 23:36:31 GMT
Good work indeed. I'm glad you gave good feedback to TfL too, maybe he/she will get a pat on the back. Credit where credit's due. I always try to give good feedback when it's deserved.  I daresay I'll be moaning again soon! ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by citysig on Feb 14, 2012 10:31:25 GMT
Driver of T401 to Chesham today at Baker Street (around 15:20) was very helpful. It seems that during the disruptions earlier, passengers had asked him about the whereabouts of the next Uxbridge train, as none were showing at Baker Street. He went on the PA to say that he would contact the controller to find out the whereabouts of other trains. He came back on to say that an Uxbridge service would be starting from Harrow at 15:48, and that all passengers should get on his train and change there. He repeated this announcement at Finchley Road and Wembley Park. Good teamwork there between driver and controller. I have submitted postive feedback to TFL. Thank you ;D Yes 401 did indeed call me to ask the whereabouts of other services. At that point, it was a shame I couldn't give him more - I had hoped to be able to call him back with a closer Watford service, but the plan fell through. Half an hour later the picture was much much better ;D |
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Post by superteacher on Feb 14, 2012 13:25:48 GMT
Driver of T401 to Chesham today at Baker Street (around 15:20) was very helpful. It seems that during the disruptions earlier, passengers had asked him about the whereabouts of the next Uxbridge train, as none were showing at Baker Street. He went on the PA to say that he would contact the controller to find out the whereabouts of other trains. He came back on to say that an Uxbridge service would be starting from Harrow at 15:48, and that all passengers should get on his train and change there. He repeated this announcement at Finchley Road and Wembley Park. Good teamwork there between driver and controller. I have submitted postive feedback to TFL. Thank you ;D Yes 401 did indeed call me to ask the whereabouts of other services. At that point, it was a shame I couldn't give him more - I had hoped to be able to call him back with a closer Watford service, but the plan fell through. Half an hour later the picture was much much better ;D Yes and the planned 15:48 from Harrow to Uxbridge left dead on time. Good platform announcements at Harrow too. |
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Post by tubeprune on Feb 15, 2012 9:28:59 GMT
I am sure TP will have memories of the 4+4 Circles. My late brother-in-law told me of this turn,and of a particular driver,many years ago,and when there were bars on some Circle Line platforms (Sloane Sq? Liverpool St? perhaps,andanother,certainly three in total)...this driver had an arrangement with the bar-keeper at one of the stations to have a pint waiting for him on each circuit....quick dash across the platform,empty glass back on the bar,full one back to the cab. True story or urban myth? True story? You might think that; I couldn't possibly comment. But, there was a bar at Liverpool St. and one at Sloane Sq., both on the outer rail platforms. The bar at Baker St. was where the heel bar is now. The down platforms were dry. Drinking on duty was always against the rules but it was widely ignored at all levels. There were several locations where you would see a partially consumed pint sitting on the shelf inside the ticket collector's box. Senior staff would gather in the "Chiltern Bar" where the "Metropolitan" pub is now. As for the Met. drivers, I worked at Baker street depot for five years 1971-6. We did almost everything, Circles, H&C and extensions (except Chesham). We didn't do the ELL or Northern City, both of which were Met. lines then. Of course we got lots of Circles and many of them were 4+4s (39 duty comes to mind). Extensions were a bonus. You got to see some countryside and a decent train to work on. The A Stock was much better than CO/CP or C Stock. Well, let's face it, anything was better than the C Stock. The general view on the Met. was that it was a sort of main line railway. When I was there we were still carrying newspapers to stations even though the pigeon and lettuce traffic had stopped. I think the co-operation was down to the depot and the supervisors. If you had good supervisors, you would help them out and they would help you out. Of course, there were a few awkward bu**ers but most people, despite having a moan now and then, would try their best to get the job done. I'm sure it's the same today. |
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a60
I will make the 8100 Class DART my new A Stock.
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Post by a60 on Feb 15, 2012 19:40:13 GMT
The Met drivers do have a sense of humour - I was on 5062 this morning going to Baker St and at Harrow there was confusion as to which train was to go first. Both 5062 and 5014 were on reds, after a while we got the clear, and the driver apologised for the "kerfuffle" due to there not being enough qualified to drive one of the two stocks.
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Post by superteacher on Feb 19, 2012 12:15:01 GMT
The Met drivers do have a sense of humour - I was on 5062 this morning going to Baker St and at Harrow there was confusion as to which train was to go first. Both 5062 and 5014 were on reds, after a while we got the clear, and the driver apologised for the "kerfuffle" due to there not being enough qualified to drive one of the two stocks. I would have thought that all drivers on the Met would now be trained on both stocks? |
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a60
I will make the 8100 Class DART my new A Stock.
Posts: 745
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Post by a60 on Feb 19, 2012 12:32:58 GMT
Six of one and half a dozen of the other, but yes you would have thought that they were adequately trained on both stocks. But I think that it may start becoming an issue with A Stocks soon, as the new drivers are probably only being trained with S Stock.
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) Some may do Harrow-Chesham-Aldgate-Harrow then break, some will do more.
